McCain's Off to the Movies
McCain and company made a stop at the polls this morning. (Reuters).
By Juliet Eilperin
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- It's moments like these that make you wonder why candidates even bother to show up at polling stations on primary day.
With much fanfare, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) arrived before noon at West Ashley Middle School to greet voters. There weren't that many to see: the number of journalists on site outnumbered registered South Carolinians by a factor of at least 3 to 1. Plus, McCain's very presence served as a minor impediment to voters, since the reporters craning their necks to catch a glimpse of him blocked the way of ordinary citizens hoping to perform their civic duty.
After a few moments McCain, along with his wife, mother, three of his children and politicians including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and South Carolina's House Speaker Bobby Harrell, retreated to the Straight Talk Express, where the senator conducted a brief press conference. Most of what he said what indecipherable, but it seems he views today's GOP primary as "very important."
The few voters who managed to show up at the polling station cast their ballots for an array of GOP candidates, but at least a couple backed McCain. Delbert Norrington, a retiree who lives in Charleston, was actually hoping to vote for Fred Thompson but decided the former Tennessee senator was too much of a long shot in the presidential race.
"If you want your vote to count, you've got to vote for someone who has a chance. It's a shame, because I agree with just about everything he says," Norrington said of Thompson. Still, he said he considered McCain "a good conservative."
In addition to scribes, politicians and voters, a few animal-rights activists made it to West Ashley Middle School today: two representatives of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals dressed in bright-pink pig suits stood outside the polling station with signs declaring "Cut the Pork, Tax Meat."
According to PETA spokeswoman Ashley Byrne (who was not wearing a pig outfit--apparently it's hard to respond to a reporter's questions when encased in a fuzzy animal suit), the federal government provides "millions of dollars in subsidies" each year to the American meat industry. "It's one of the most environmentally-destructive products you can buy, and one of the unhealthiest products you can buy."
PETA officials have taken to standing at polling stations in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina to convey their message to members of Congress. "We're just taking it on the campaign and hoping people think about it," Byrne said, adding her group backs a ten cent excise tax on meat.
Unfortunately amid all the hoopla, McCain did not have a chance to engage with the pig protesters, so it's unclear whether he will be reevaluating his position on the issue in the near future
McCain had a more fruitful visit earlier in the morning to Force Protection Industries Inc., where he and his entourage inspected armored Humvees with names including Buffalo, Cheetah and Cougar. "What you're doing here saves lives," he told roughly a dozen employees, adding that in one instance Iraqi insurgents jumped out of a car with children in it and then watched the car explode. "These people, they kill their own children. What would they do to our children is they had the chance?"
Cindy McCain did climb into one of the vehicles, at which point her husband called out, "Take it up to ninety!"
McCain told the reporters traveling with him that he was "feeling fine," but could not predict the impact of today's weather on voters.
"I'm worried about the weather, but what can I do about it?" he said, adding that former governor Mike Huckabee's supporters might be more likely to vote under these circumstances. "I think if we have a decent turnout, we'll be fine. I think the evangelicals will turn out."
Instead of spending his time obsessing about the rain and snow, however, McCain observed his usual election day ritual of going to the movies, in this case, "There Will Be Blood" with Daniel Day-Lewis. He had been mulling over the idea of watching the Coen brothers' "No Country for Old Men," but decided that might not be the best film to see while vying for front-runner status in the GOP presidential race.
Posted at 1:04 PM ET on Jan 19, 2008
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Posted by: hallamb2001 | January 20, 2008 6:19 PM
If your happy being part of a military empire nation, then by all means vote Romney or McCain. Currently 50% of every federal dollar is spent on either defense or homeland security. http://treas.gov/press/releases/reports/additionaltable3.pdf
If you'd actually like to see your tax money spent on making America stronger, then vote Ron Paul.
Posted by: tim4rp08 | January 20, 2008 11:26 AM
ahrules20-Understand this, It is NOT that I do not want McCain in the White House. Untill HE decided to be an arrogant arse, and played up to the Dems, attacking the republican Party in general, I strongly wanted him as Secretary of Defense.
HE has NO business pretending he is qualified for any other job in the White House!
IF, he got the Party Nomination, the MUCH younger Dems, would Slaughter the Fool!
Posted by: rat-the | January 19, 2008 3:25 PM
Can we have a civil discussion without resorting to personal attacks?
"Romney...skipped the chance to defend our nation."
Not true. He made himself available for military service after mission to France, and his name went into the lottery, but he was not selected.
"he goes on national television and cries, like Hillary Clinton"
It's a lie! Or show us the video?
"Mitt Romney has run a disgusting campaign, running negative ads..."
Exposing opponents' weakness by facts and by personal attacks are quite different, the latter is what you just did.
I respect McCain. But I think Romney is the best person for the presidency!
Posted by: ezloafer | January 19, 2008 3:04 PM
I love how you deamonize McCain, and support a coward for president. Last time I checked Mitt Romney, like Bill Clinton the man you most likely hate more than anyone and your current president, skipped the chance to defend our nation. John McCain is a hero; he speaks and votes with his conscience. He does not change his positions because of what a poll tells him.
Mitt Romney has run a disgusting campaign, running negative ads and twisting the truth for his own advantage. Not only that, he goes on national television and cries, like Hillary Cliton, demostrating his true cowardice. It is a shame that people like you have such hatred for a man who loves, and has sacrificed more for this country, than any other person in politics.
Posted by: ahrules20 | January 19, 2008 2:32 PM
Hey Senator, Could I recommend the 2008 Version of "How the West was won"?
Staring Mitt Romney, as the President! ;~)
Posted by: rat-the | January 19, 2008 2:18 PM
He can Star in "Grumpiest Old Man"!
LOL! He probably has to watch movies standing, so he does not nod off! ;~)
Posted by: rat-the | January 19, 2008 2:15 PM
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Florida Must Elect The Conservative...
OK, Floridians - time for some real GOP straight talk. It's up to us now, and republicans still need a conservative candidate. That man - is Mitt Romney.
Three 1st place wins in Nevada, Michigan and Wyoming. Strong 2nd place finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire. And his Blue state economic credentials are winners in November against a classless liberal field.
*John McCain cannot win Florida's conservative voters. (or the U.S.)
*Mike Huckabee cannot find enough Florida evangelicals.
*Rudy Giuliani is Tested, Ready, poof.
The latest Florida Insider Advantage Poll: Guiliani 21 - McCain 20 - Romney 20 - Huckabee 13.
There's only one candidate who is clearly favored by noted conservatives like Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Laura Ingraham, Ann Coulter, Mona Charen, Kathleen Parker, Governor Jeb Bush and Pat Buchanan. Only one man.
Vote: Mitt Romney for President of the United States. We need this guy, yesterday.