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McCain Promises an Increase in Women by End of First Term

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June 14, 2008 7:52 PM

ABC News' Bret Hovell reports: Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., promised today that he would increase the numbers of women in government if he is elected president.

"I assure you, with confidence, at the end of my first term you will see a dramatic increase of women in every part of the government, in my administration," McCain said. "I look you in the eye and I promise."

McCain was answering a question at a "virtual town hall" meeting, which his campaign promoted as an opportunity for presumptive Republican presidential nominee to reach out to independents and Democrats, and aimed at former supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton.

His opening remarks at the event included a long section of praise for Clinton, the Democratic senator who officially suspended her presidential campaign in early June.

"Every place that I go, I'm told that Sen. Clinton inspired millions of young women in this country," McCain said. "And not necessarily young women -– inspired a whole generation of young Americans in this country."

He stressed bipartisanship, and took several opportunities to mention his work with Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy, as well as Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold and North Dakota Sen. Byron Dorgan.

McCain's town hall was not open to the press -– reporters were invited to listen in on a conference call.

"We do many private meetings with potential supporters and offered the media an opportunity to listen to the senator's remarks," said Brooke Buchanan, a campaign spokeswoman.

Buchanan said that 75 people were in attendance at the campaign's Arlington, Va., headquarters, and that others participated over the phone.

Not all of McCain’s answers were likely to appeal to moderate voters. He stressed his continued support for the unpopular war in Iraq, and called Roe vs. Wade "a bad decision."

"I think we have to convince people that our view, that the rights of the unborn are as important as rights of the born," McCain said. "Because I think we share the same respect for human life."

June 14, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan | Permalink | User Comments (331)

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I don't understand why Obama won't commit to these town hall style meetings and debates. They tell us a lot more about a candidate than a pre-written speech.

PLEASE OBAMA SHOW A LITTLE MORE TRANSPARENCY ABOUT YOUR PLANS.

Posted by: JA | Jun 14, 2008 8:16:06 PM

Whether you like it or not, you will know where McCain stands. We need someone speaks from hears, not from a teleprompter written by speech writer.

Posted by: tim | Jun 14, 2008 8:17:10 PM

Doesn't matter, he can make his whole cabinet women , His party doesn't REFLECT the rights and concerns of WOMEN; Be it concerns for kids to women actual rights.

Pres Bush i remember VETO a healthcare bill for kids.

NICE TRY John Mcbush.


As Apu from the Simsons would say:


"Please do come again ".

Posted by: i-see-clueless | Jun 14, 2008 8:17:38 PM

The pro-choice/pro-life debate is a very polarizing one in this country, and a very tricky one. That being said, to try to read ill-intention into one's position on that debate is, simply, despicable in itself. People have reasons, good reasons, for both sides of the debate. If you feel this is an extremely important issue, you will weigh it into your decision for a candidate and choose appropriately. But to try to smear someone because they don't agree with your view is the truly *clueless* thing.

PS No one is buying the McCain = Bush claim, not even the people who are propogating it.

Posted by: JA | Jun 14, 2008 8:20:44 PM

i-see-clueless

Pres Bush VETOED a health care bill for kids because Liberals want government to pay even if the parents income level is 100K.

President said, if the bill has a limit of parents income <=75K, I will sign it, Liberals did not like that Idea, because they want to give away money and convert Greatest Nation in the planet into a another socialist country like Europe

Posted by: tim | Jun 14, 2008 8:21:54 PM

Obama filling a sand bag in a flood for a PHOTO OP

Posted by: gjkotw01 | Jun 14, 2008 8:12:35 PM

---------------------------------------


Fitting!! i guess for Neo-cons Republicans, being absent.. and could careless like president Bush of katrina is the NORM.


And you wonder why his approval rating is the WORSE of any president in history.


Barack doesn't have to be there , he could be like Bush on some golf course in europe.

Amazing bush is the president and he is not there to help those poor folks. I guess old habits never die.

Posted by: sandy45 | Jun 14, 2008 8:24:24 PM

JA,

I think he is afraid he can't answer about the foreign Policy.

Posted by: catleya | Jun 14, 2008 8:47:50 PM

You mean appoint more women like Christine Todd Whitman, who said the air at ground zero was safe to breathe. Yeah, I'm sure all of those civillians and first responders who have DIED and are DYING every day and are being DENIED health benefits under this administration would feel much, much better if McCain appointed her back into another role in government. GIVE ME A BREAK!!! THINK people... Stop and THINK before you vote at least!

Posted by: patriot | Jun 14, 2008 9:04:42 PM

jeep,
Why would a Hillary supporter vote for mc-more-war when Hillary told them all to NOT support mc-more-war but to support Obama because his policies are very similiar to his. mc-more-war used to have a spine but has become a guy that has voted with bush 95% of the time. Obama 2008!!!

Posted by: pt | Jun 14, 2008 9:11:20 PM

Well, why should I vote for McCain since he is like Hillary who is like Barak?

Ron Paul 08

Posted by: dratitall | Jun 14, 2008 9:28:07 PM

I like McCain. He truly has gone against his party when he felt the good of the country was more important than voting along party lines, and he is a true American patriot.
He's got my vote - it's not even that difficult when faced with the alternative of a lying, race-baiting, arrogant, unvetted, power-hungry Obama.

PUMA!

Posted by: Grammy Barb | Jun 14, 2008 9:29:10 PM

He sould start by putting a woman on the ticket.

Posted by: tia | Jun 14, 2008 9:29:55 PM

Powell talks BS

he can say that I am voting obama because he is black.

99% of black voters for Obama do not know the reason, I thought Powell is the remaining 1%, now we know that powell also one of 99%

Posted by: tim | Jun 14, 2008 9:32:05 PM

If I can't vote for Clinton in November, guess I'll vote for that other principled, experienced, tested candidate - John McCain.

Posted by: s. valenti | Jun 14, 2008 9:33:37 PM

tim,
Get real. More than just black voters are going for Obama. How do you think he won Iowa, Wisconsin, etc.? I went to see him and I can tell you, he's the real deal. He's very sincere, honest, and is just the guy to begin cleaning up the mess caused by the whole bush-league. Obama 2008!!!

Posted by: pt | Jun 14, 2008 9:36:03 PM

Hey, McCain had to provide all his medical records a month or so ago - where are Obama's?
Where is Obama's birth certificate?
Where are Obama's records and papers from 8 years in the Illinois Senate?
Why have Hillary and McCain had to provide all kinds of documentation about their lives and Obama gets away with revealing nothing?
This is troublesome for someone who wants to be the leader of the free world. Come on, MSM, get on the stick and insist Obama reveal this material!

PUMA!!

Posted by: Grammy Barb | Jun 14, 2008 9:39:51 PM

His entire cabinet could be made up of women, I would never vote for him.

What McCain won't do:
His policies won't increase wages (the median wage is lower now than in 1980); he won't provide universal health care; he won't really do anything about global warming; he won't bring the troops home; he didn't vote to give them education benefits; he didn't vote for a windfall profits tax on oil companies and instead keeps pandering a gas tax holiday while people are having to decide between buying food and buying gas!

What McCain will do:
He will take us to war with Iran; he will keep the troops in Iraq; he will continue Bush's tax breaks for 3% of the wealthiest on the backs of 97% of hard-working Americans; he will give a 10% tax break to corporations; he will partially privatize Social Security and raise the age to receive benefits (why not, he's old & still working!); and he will continue the image of America as arrogant and intolerant.

No thanks.

Posted by: cincyr | Jun 14, 2008 9:40:51 PM

Cincyr,

I agree. McCain has the WORST record when it comes to women's issues.

Posted by: Stacey | Jun 14, 2008 9:43:24 PM

I would be FAR FAR FAR more impressed if he said " I promise I will only put properly qualified people in any positions." It shows he's a democrat, because of course sex matters and of course race matters.

Posted by: Dennis | Jun 14, 2008 9:45:27 PM

Stop saying if women vote for McCain are stupid.
You've called us uneducated etc,,enough already!!

Posted by: catleya | Jun 14, 2008 9:48:12 PM

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