Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) speaks to an enthusiastic crowd Monday at the Don Umerley Civic Center in Rocky River. McCain later took questions from the crowd and held a short press conference. (West Life photo by Larry Bennet)

MCCAIN IN ROCKY RIVER
Senator conducts town hall meeting at Civic Center
By Ben Saylor
Rocky River
Published Feb 27, 2008

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain visited Rocky River  Monday, holding a town hall meeting at the Don Umerley Civic Center.

Former Rocky River City Councilman and current Cuyahoga County Board of Elections member Rob Frost, Mayor Pamela Bobst and former Sen. Mike DeWine made introductory remarks before McCain spoke. McCain was without his wife, Cindy.

“Cindy’s gone home today to check on the whereabouts of our 16-year-old daughter Bridget,” McCain remarked to the laughter from the crowd. McCain’s daughter Meghan was in attendance at the event.

“It’s wonderful to be back in the heartland of America,” McCain told the crowd, referring to Ohio as “one of the most important states in America.” He also pointed out that since 1964, every presidential candidate that has won in Ohio has triumphed in the general election.

McCain briefly touched on Fidel Castro’s recent announcement that he would step down from his leadership position in Cuba, jokingly referring to Castro’s brother Raúl as the “youth movement” in the country.

“I’m saddened today, not surprised, but saddened because the people of Cuba obviously are going to be saddled for some period of time with this dictatorial, oppressive, repressive regime,” McCain said. He told the crowd that if elected, he would keep the U.S. embargo against Cuba in place.

McCain touched on several topics before moving on to the question and answer portion of the appearance. One of the subjects he discussed was the environment.

“We can attack the problem of climate change — and I hesitate to use the words ‘global warming’ on a day like today — reduce greenhouse gas…eliminate our dependence on foreign oil, and the innovation and technology and the training and the education is right here in the state of Ohio,” McCain said.

Another topic McCain addressed was the state of the economy. One of the reasons for the sagging economy, the senator said, was the “out of control” spending in Congress, which he vowed to change by vetoing any legislation with pork barrel items using a pen given to him by Ronald Reagan, whose name McCain invoked several times in his remarks.

McCain also talked about national security.

“I’m running for president because I believe we face the transcendent challenge of the 21st century,” McCain said, referring to terrorism. He also talked about Osama bin Laden, vowing, “If I have to follow him to the gates of hell, I’ll get Osama bin Laden.”

Sen. John McCain speaks with Rocky River resident Emilie Illson, a member of the Blue Star Mothers Club. (West Life photo by Larry Bennet)

Following McCain’s remarks, the senator fielded a number of questions from the crowd. One question came from a retired teacher who asked McCain about his thoughts on the recent violence in colleges and other schools and whether there’s something that could be done on the federal level to address the problem.

“One of the answers to that, in my view, is that anybody who uses a gun in the commission of a crime, there should be mandatory jail sentences,” McCain said. He added that school staff should have more latitude to deal with unruly students.

Other questions McCain fielded dealt with topics such as the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, Iraq and more.

Several from Rocky River commented on the senator’s visit.

At City Council’s meeting last Monday, Law Director Andrew Bemer said the visit “really, really showcased Rocky River.”

“It’s pretty motivating,” Councilman-at-large David Furry said after McCain’s appearance. “It was great just having him our back yard.”

Rocky River resident Emilie Illson, a member of the Blue Star Mothers Club, said of McCain, “I know that he will be a courageous and honest leader. I’m pumped.” Illson said that one of her hobbies is making bracelets out of antique buttons. Following McCain’s talk, she spoke to him and offered to make one for his wife out of old Naval buttons, to which Illson said McCain agreed.