McCain stresses economic proposals

WILMINGTON -- Sen. John McCain brought his economic stump speech to Wilmington this afternoon, disowning the "explosion of government spending of the past eight years" and comparing Sen. Barack Obama's policies to those of President Herbert Hoover.

"We can't spend the next four years as we have spent much of the last eight years -- waiting for our luck to change," the Republican candidate said. "We have to act immediately. We have to change direction now."

In his first visit to the state in the general electionn campaign, McCain promised a cheering crowd that he would "make sure we take care of the people who were devastated by the excesses of Wall Street and Washington."

He said he would cut taxes, protect free trade and create millions of jobs. "If I'm elected president I will fight to take America in a new direction from my first day in office until my last. I'm not afraid of the fight. I'm ready for it," he said.

He said that his Democratic opponent's policies echoed those of the Republican president when the stock market crashed in 1929 and the Great Depression began.

"The last president to raise taxes and restrict trade in a bad economy like Sen. Obama proposes was a guy named Herbert Hoover. That didn't turn out so well," McCain said. "Well, friends, I know my history lessons, and I won't make the mistakes Sen. Obama will.

Actually, Obama's tax plan calls for reductions for Americans making less than $200,000 a year.

McCain also touted his own readiness for office. "The next president won't have time to get used to the office. He won't have the luxury of studying up on the issues before he acts. He will have to act immediately, and to do that he will need experience, courage, judgment and a bold plan of action to take this country in a new direction."

McCain gave the same speech earlier in the day during an appearance in Virginia, another state where he is in a close battle with Obama. He noted in both speeches that he was behind in the national polls.

"The national media has written us off," he said to boos from the Wilmington audience. "Sen. Obama is measuring the drapes and planning with Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi and Sen. [Harry] Reid to raise taxes, increase spending and take away your right to vote by secret ballot in labor elections. ... But they forgot to let you decide."

With that, he told the crowd, "My friends, we've got them just where we want them! What America needs in this hour is a fighter, someone who puts all his cards on the table and trusts the judgment of the American people."

He exhorted the crowd to "stand up and fight" for the country.

"America is worth fighting for," he said, before the rally ended with the theme song from the movie "Rocky."

"We never give up," he said. "We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history."

Meanwhile, in what would be his second N.C. appearance this week, McCain plans a Charlotte rally on Saturday, according to a top N.C. supporter.

Charlotte investor Mark Erwin, chairman of N.C. Citizens for McCain, said McCain is expected to be in town for an afternoon rally. He said the campaign is still looking at venues. There's no official word from the campaign.

"We've got a couple of options we're working on," Erwin said this afternoon. "They're still working on putting it together."

Before today, McCain's most recent appearance in the state was in May, when he spoke to Charlotte business leaders and gave a speech in Winston-Salem.

Polls show the presidential race close in North Carolina. Democrat Barack Obama has been to the state three times in recent weeks.