Supporters reach out to shake hands and take pictures of Sarah Palin and John McCain as they make their entrance on stage to “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. The duo visited Michigan on Friday.
Sterling Heights, Mich. — Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., promised change to a rapt audience Friday, less than 24 hours after securing the Republican presidential nomination in St. Paul, Minn.
“Send the team of mavericks who aren’t afraid to go to Washington and go break some china,” McCain told a crowd of about 10,000 who gathered at the Freedom Hill Amphitheatre.
The speech was part of McCain’s national “Road to Victory” tour.
McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, vowed to cut excess spending and cited examples from their past.
Both candidates emphasized their history of handling individual issues and following their ideals more than a party platform.
“It was the idea of being very principled and putting aside politics for a cause greater than yourself,” said Michael Kwarcinski, a 2007 MSU graduate who attended the rally.
Palin promised national ethics reform similar to Alaska’s, and said she will work to put government back in the hands of the people. It was her first visit to Michigan as the vice presidential nominee.
“As a girl, I’m always kind of proud to see her up there,” said Katie Copple, a human resources graduate student who attended the rally. “She brings a lot of energy to the ticket.”
The pair also focused on McCain’s military service and his focus on the Iraq war.
McCain has been scrutinized for his support of the war, but Palin said his consistency is a sign of leadership.
“John McCain has loved and served this country in good times and bad. He’d rather lose an election than see his country lose a war,” she said.
McCain also laid out his plan to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
“We’re going to have energy independence, and we’re going to have it in 10 years. We’ll drill new wells offshore, and we’ll drill now,” McCain said.
McCain and Palin shifted their focus from foreign to domestic issues, discussing plans to cut taxes and government spending and open trade to create jobs.
“They really stressed that a lot of their policies are going to help out a lot of the businesses here in Michigan, the auto industry especially. They understand that we have to support small businesses, large businesses, that it all trickles down,” Copple said.
McCain emphasized Michigan as a vital state for the November election, and encouraged his supporters to “get the vote out” during the next 60 days of the campaign.
America’s best days are still ahead, he said.
“All you’ve ever asked was for government to stand on your side and not in your way,” McCain said.
“That’s what I intend to do — stand on your side and fight for your future.”
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