With the presidential election about a month away, both the Obama and Romney campaigns are tailoring their message to certain groups. Republicans sent former GOP presidential candidate, U.S. Senator John McCain, to Tallahassee Wednesday to talk to his fellow veterans about why Mitt Romney deserves to be the next President of the United States.
“I’m Dale, and I’m here to introduce you to a personal friend, who I’ve known for many years, and whom I’ve served with for many years in the prison camps in North Vietnam.”
A war hero himself, Dale is talking about fellow Vietnam War hero and Navy vet, Arizona Senator John McCain. He was introducing McCain, who’s been traveling the state to promote Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
And, McCain’s visit to Florida’s Capitol City was met with cheers as he entered the American Legion Post 13. It’s not his first time on the campaign trail, nor in Tallahassee. He made an appearance in town when he challenged President Barack Obama in 2008. McCain got the crowd laughing as he poked fun at his own failed presidential run.
“So, Dale, thanks for not mentioning [in your introduction] that I lost running for President of the United States. I thank you very much," said McCain, to the audience as they started laughing. "Listen, after I lost, I slept like a baby. Sleep two hours, wake up and cry. Sleep two hours, wake up and cry, so I want to thank you."
But, McCain turned serious as he talked about why veterans should vote for Mitt Romney, instead of re-electing Mr. Obama, who McCain says isn’t able to lead the country.
“Mitt Romney understands what leadership is about. Mitt Romney understands the importance of taking care of our veterans, and one of the first things Mitt Romney is going to do is repeal and replace ObamaCare," continued McCain to set of cheers from the audience.
Before he left the veterans, he told the crowd he wanted to leave them with some homework because he says veterans, especially those in the Florida panhandle, are crucial in this election:
“What we want is our veterans to get out to vote and call their friends, call their enemies, call their Mother-in-Law, and I’m asking you to spend a half-hour each day on your phone, on your cell phone, saying have you registered to vote, have you early voted, are you going to vote? My friends, when you look at these young men and women who are America’s finest, don’t they deserve better leadership than what they’ve got today? Don’t they," asked McCain as the crowd clapped and cheered.
One point McCain did contend is that speaking as a former Republican challenger to the President, Romney should not underestimate Mr. Obama’s debating skills in any of the upcoming debates.
McCain's campaign stop in Tallahassee is one of several he’s made in Florida, including a visit he made in Pensacola Tuesday. His visit also follows First Lady Michelle Obama’s recent visit to Tallahassee in mid-September.
For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on twitter @SaschaCordner.
