 "Photo: Media Services/JohnMcCain.com")
With an overcast sky, "It's a beautiful day" by U2 blaring from the speakers at Prescott Park in Portsmouth, N.H., and the Naval Yard in the background, supporters and protesters gathered for the announcement from Senator John McCain of his intent to run for president of the United States.
Loud cheers followed McCain's announcement Monday after he and his wife Cindy were introduced as the next president and first lady of the United States of America to a crowd of about 300-400.
McCain briefly covered an array of topics, mentioning the need to strengthen alliances, military and law enforcement and to decrease dependence on foreign energy. He also mentioned healthcare, schooling, and the war, the latter of which McCain has said he supports.
Some say this support for the war, during a time when American approval ratings are down and the Republican party is trying to refresh its image, may just cause disaster for McCain. But others feel that this strong stance on the war shows McCain's willingness to fight for what he believes in.
"I know how the world works; I know the good and evil in it," said McCain. "I know how to fight and I know how to make peace. I know who I am and what I want to do."
Rick Horowitz, of Portsmouth, agreed, saying that although he wouldn't vote for McCain because of conflicting points of interest on many issues, he believes McCain is a fighter who would work hard for what he [McCain] wanted.
Lauren Daigle, president of College Republicans, also felt that McCain would not be hurt, at least in the primaries, by his stance on the war, and stressed the importance of looking at the whole picture when evaluating a candidate, "Whoever takes the presidency will be leading the entire country, facing numerous challenges that they should be prepared to take on."
McCain acknowledged the difficulties of the current situation in Iraq, saying, "We have made mistakes and paid for them. A few lessons are clear: Never undertake a war unless you are willing to do everything to succeed and unless everyone is committed to that success."
When McCain was asked whether the United States would have invaded Iraq had he been president, he responded that he did not know, but was critical of Senate majority leader Harry Reid for saying that the war had been lost.
McCain centered his speech on the idea of America being a place of hope and opportunity.
"Greatness is America's destiny, but no nation complacent in its greatness can maintain it," said McCain.
McCain also discussed his experience and know-how on the workings of the world. "I may not be the youngest candidate, but I am the most experienced." McCain is 70 years old.
Disasters such as Hurricane Katrina were alluded to when McCain insisted on competence from government in response to catastrophes, natural or man-made.
Following his brief vignettes on what he would and would not accept as the next president of the United States, McCain repeated the phrase, "That's not good enough for America, and when I'm president it won't be good enough for me!"
In the next few months, McCain will be traveling to South Carolina, Iowa, Nevada and Arizona as part of his announcement tour for the 2008 presidential election.
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