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Posted: August 27, 2007 7:05 PM
McCain Holds His Veterans Speech Up for Comparison
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After Sen. John McCain’s speech before the Veterans of Foreign Wars on Aug. 20 and an appearance on PBS’ Charlie Rose, the Republican candidate laid low with no further campaigns events for the rest of the week.

His staff, however, highlighted a Tuesday New York Times article by Jeff Zeleny outlining the differences between McCain’s VFW speech and that of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

“Mr. McCain’s speech was interrupted by friendly applause from people seated throughout the hall,” Zeleny wrote. “When Mrs. Clinton spoke, applause often was started by three young people in the middle of the room who were not wearing the trademark blue V.F.W. cap or convention name badges.”

McCain also hit back at Clinton for wavering in her support of the troop surge in Iraq.

“The fact that the New York senator can reverse her position on an issue of grave importance to our national security in a few days sends the wrong signal to our enemies in Iraq and our own troops on the ground,” the senator said in a statement. “We must continue to support General Petraeus and the new counterinsurgency campaign to give us the best chance to succeed. Following the path to begin an ‘immediate withdrawal’ would be a grave mistake.”

McCain’s campaign also announced the New Hampshire Conservatives for McCain steering committee, co-chaired by state Rep. Maureen Mooney and Evangelical activist Pam Colantuono. Former Secretary of Commerce Robert Mosbacher also was named general chairman of McCain’s campaign.

McCain celebrates his 71st birthday on Aug. 29. His wife, Cindy, sent an e-mail to supporters asking for donations of $71 or $142 and for people to send the senator an electronic birthday card.

But his birthday may also remind voters that McCain is the oldest of all the candidates running for president.

“Persuading voters to hand one of the most difficult jobs in the world to someone at an age when most people are retiring, or at least cutting back, can be a challenge,” wrote the New York Time’s Michael Cooper on Saturday.

On Monday, McCain was in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he addressed the National Guard Association of the United States General Conference, and has no other appearances scheduled for the rest of the week.