McCain Campaign's Prepared Speech for Denver Town Hall Meeting with Question and Answer Session

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McCain Touts Plan to Create Jobs, Help Workers

Republican presidential candidate John McCain is touting his plan to help the U.S. economy. McCain is pledging to cut taxes and encourage free trade.

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MCCAIN: Thank you very much. I'm grateful for your kind words and your thoughts and being here today.

And I would like to just add a couple words about ONE. They're an all-volunteer organization, young people. They go around the world. They help with malaria; they help with AIDS. They help with -- there's 2,300,000, isn't that right?

(UNKNOWN): (OFF-MIKE)

MCCAIN: 2.4 million. It's gone up since I saw you last, young Americans who have volunteered, inspired by Bono, is one of the people who inspired young people to serve. They're epitome of serving a cause greater than your self-interest.

There's another organization here I'd like to recognize, too, before I take your questions. And this is an organization that is committed to the issue of health care in America. They're called Divided We Fail. They are committed -- and every one of them is here on their own dime, on a voluntary basis, to discuss the issue of health care in America.

Could you stand so we could thank you for all of your efforts, as well, on behalf of health care in America? Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

Now, if you'll raise your hand, I will have someone come around with a microphone. And I see a person with a funny hat on that says Vietnam Veterans, so I'd love to recognize you first, sir. Thank you.

Here, bring him the (inaudible)

(UNKNOWN): Come on up.

QUESTION: Senator, veterans and all Americans admire your service in Vietnam. We admire the fact that you're the Straight Talk Express, but we know that you voted against -- well, actually, you didn't vote on the new G.I. Bill and you spoke out against it. We understand you had a difference on that.

But we don't -- we haven't heard an explanation of why you voted against your colleagues' proposal to increase health care funding in 2004, '05, '06, and '07, when we had troops coming back from two wars.