GOP candidates keep economy at forefront

Less than 24 hours after the second presidential debate, Sen. John McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stopped in Strongsville to speak to roughly 7,000 voters for the Nov. 4 election.

As was the case in Tuesday night’s debate, the economy was a topic of high concern for the audience. McCain made it a point to address not only those in the workforce but also those who will shortly be beginning their careers.

“Will your sons and daughters grow up in the kind of country you wish for them?” McCain asked. “Rising, rising in the world and finding in their own lives the best of America.”

College students in the crowd of “Country First” signs echoed McCain’s thoughts.

“It’s what we’re going to be stuck with,” John Henry, a student at Bowling Green, said of the economy. “We’ve got to make sure our economic future is secure, whether it’s student loans, my personal finances or my parents’.”

In his speech, McCain said Obama failed to answer legitimate questions in the second debate. The Arizona senator finished off the topic by saying he would never seek the truth from a politician from Chicago.

Despite his best efforts, some young voters in attendance were still not convinced with McCain’s beliefs.

“Actually I support neither McCain nor Obama,” said Molly Murphy, a recent graduate of St. Louis University. Murphy graduated in August and is still searching for a job.

“I just came today to, maybe, hopefully figure out if he could change my mind. He didn’t,” she said. “He’s basically just giving voters the run-around.

“I would appreciate it if they were both clear about what they wanted to do. I don’t think either of them have laid out a clear strategy (or given) really definite plans for what their opinions are.”

While McCain focused on following up after Tuesday’s debate, Palin spoke first and targeted her comments directly at Northeast Ohioans.

“Based on last season, it’s clear that the Cleveland Browns know how to turn an underdog into a victor,” she said. “I know you’re going to help us do the same thing going to Washington, D.C.”

To help her out, quarterback Brady Quinn and offensive lineman Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns made an appearance on stage. Quinn spoke and endorsed McCain, relating him to his father who fought in the Vietnam War.

Palin will appear again at 4 p.m. today in Wilmington, Ohio. Obama is also in Ohio today, visiting Dayton, Cincinnati and Portsmouth. He will be in Columbus on Friday.

Contact public affairs reporter Chris Gates at [email protected].