Convention News July 30, 2000 News | Candidates | Convention | Vote | Shop | Classifieds | Search | Help Does Bush need your state to win?   McCain addresses Shadow Convention Sunday, July 30, 2000 By Roger Mullins 2000GOP.com Correspondent PHILADELPHIA -- Before a packed house at the Annenberg Center on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, Senator and former presidential candidate John McCain (R-Ariz.) brought his message of campaign finance reform once again to the forefront of issues to be addressed during Campaign 2000. Amid signs reading "Can't Afford a Lobbyist," "2 Poor 4 Access," and "America: The Best Democracy Money Can Buy," Senator McCain delivered an address which encapsulated many of the goals of his presidential campaign. "We need change and we need it now," Senator McCain said, adding to his statement that America is the "last best hope of Earth" and that the American people's goal of living as one nation undivided has been disrupted by the dividing forces of special interests and substantial political contributions. Senator McCain also took advantage of the speaking engagement, a scheduled event of the Shadow Conventions event being held in conjunction with the 2000 Republican National Convention, to reiterate his support of George W. Bush -- the presumed nominee of the Republican Party for president who triumphed over McCain during the primaries held earlier this year. "The Republican Party is my home," Senator McCain said, eliciting a sustained round of applause from the audience -- many of whom were front and center hoisting "McCain 2000" campaign signs, with many of those altered so that the final "0" read "4" instead. Senator McCain offered his support for his party's choice for president, telling the crowd that Texas Governor George W. Bush was the candidate who offers a potential for change and that the two of them agree on more points than disagree. In particular, Senator McCain singled out the issue of education reform and the changes Governor Bush has been able to put in place on the state level, citing the "bigotry of low expectations" as a major stumbling block for the nation. In closing his remarks, which were twice disrupted by protest chants from the back of the auditorium regarding the plight of various Native American tribes, Senator McCain summarized his views on how best to change the current political situation in the country. "Self reliance is the quality that made America great," Senator McCain said. "Our country has survived many challenges." McCain said that a healthy skepticism was indeed needed in analyzing how government works, but added that he feared the healthy skepticism of today is turning more toward cynicism for the future. Senator McCain advocated a change not only from the special interest groups and big-money donors but from poll driven policies as well. The Shadow Conventions, according to their official website at shadowconventions.com, are being staged in unison with the national Republican and Democratic conventions in order to "take advantage of the massive media presence at these events to put the spotlight on three critical unaddressed issues--the corrupting influence of money in politics, poverty and the growing inequalities, and the failed drug war." The Philadelphia Shadow Convention runs through August 3. Return to main convention page   Want to advertise on 2000GOP.com? Click here for special rates!     FastCounter by LinkExchange

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