2008 Woodie Awards
McCain campaigns in Pennsylvania while democratic oppponents battle for nomination
Patrick Carney '08
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: News
While Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama flood the airwaves with commercials and circle around Pennsylvania for last minute deciders, John McCain is patiently waiting to know who his opponent will be for the November 4 election.
McCain spent Tax Day in Pennsylvania, where he unveiled his detailed plan for the economy at Carnegie Mellon University. By the evening, McCain was at Villanova University to appear on the college tour of Hardball with Chris Matthews.
A raucous and youthful crowd welcomed McCain to the Main Line for an evening of provoking questions from Philadelphia native Matthews.
The hot topic surrounding presidential politics in Pennsylvania has involved Obama's comments about rural Pennsylvanians being bitter and clinging to religion and guns to express their frustrations. Matthews pressed McCain to comment on the appropriateness of Obama's comments.
"I believe his comments were elitist," said McCain. "I don't know what would cause somebody to think like that."
Villanova students in the audience were allowed to ask questions. The first two students asked if McCain considered himself a typical white American (in reference to Obama's characterization of his grandmother) and if McCain would like to do a shot like Clinton had recently been seen doing on television with Pennsylvania voters.
"I'm glad we came to Villanova University looking for the best and we got two of the most wise-ass questions," said McCain to a laughing audience.
In a potential election between McCain and Obama, age would certainly become a central issue as it did for Ronald Reagan in 1980. College students are flocking towards Obama, who will only be 47 years old on Election Day. In contrast, McCain will turn 72 years old prior to the election, which would make him the oldest president elected to a first term in American history. McCain was questioned about Obama's successes among younger voters and his calls for change.
McCain spent Tax Day in Pennsylvania, where he unveiled his detailed plan for the economy at Carnegie Mellon University. By the evening, McCain was at Villanova University to appear on the college tour of Hardball with Chris Matthews.
A raucous and youthful crowd welcomed McCain to the Main Line for an evening of provoking questions from Philadelphia native Matthews.
The hot topic surrounding presidential politics in Pennsylvania has involved Obama's comments about rural Pennsylvanians being bitter and clinging to religion and guns to express their frustrations. Matthews pressed McCain to comment on the appropriateness of Obama's comments.
"I believe his comments were elitist," said McCain. "I don't know what would cause somebody to think like that."
Villanova students in the audience were allowed to ask questions. The first two students asked if McCain considered himself a typical white American (in reference to Obama's characterization of his grandmother) and if McCain would like to do a shot like Clinton had recently been seen doing on television with Pennsylvania voters.
"I'm glad we came to Villanova University looking for the best and we got two of the most wise-ass questions," said McCain to a laughing audience.
In a potential election between McCain and Obama, age would certainly become a central issue as it did for Ronald Reagan in 1980. College students are flocking towards Obama, who will only be 47 years old on Election Day. In contrast, McCain will turn 72 years old prior to the election, which would make him the oldest president elected to a first term in American history. McCain was questioned about Obama's successes among younger voters and his calls for change.
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