McCain: 'We will clean up Wall Street'

[ALEX LEARY | Times]

JACKSONVILLE -– Sen. John McCain insisted Monday that the "fundamentals of the economy are strong," but expressed grave concern about the collapse of Lehman Brothers and pledged to bring accountability to Wall Street.

Appearing before 3,000 in this staunchly conservative city, McCain seemed to be trying to strike a balance with offering reassurance while also stressing he would directly confront the conditions that have led to such instability. "I promise you we will never put America in this position again. We will clean up Wall Street," he said at Veterans Memorial Arena.

McCain's speech kicked off a two-day swing through Florida, where polls show him opening up a lead over Democratic rival Barack Obama. It was his first solo rally since picking Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. He headed to Orlando on Monday afternoon and is expected in Tampa today.

The absence of Palin may have tempered turnout in Jacksonville, but the 3,000 who showed up were a raucous bunch, and McCain said he needs every bit of their energy to take the state.

People waved signs that read “Country first” and “drill, baby, drill,” and cheerleaders with pompoms led the crowd in chanting “U.S.A.” He entered the arena shortly after 9 a.m. to Eye of the Tiger, from one of the Rocky movies.

Kelly Stephens, a 45-year-old nurse, said Palin has brought renewed enthusiasm for McCain, who has not always dazzled conservatives. "She was something the campaign needed, a spark, a new hope for American values," she said.

McCain got a warmup from Crist and former Gov. Jeb Bush, who got a rousing reception from the staunchly conservative crowd.

"This is a perilous world," Bush said. "Much better to have someone who sits in the Oval Office that understands how the world is and doesn't coddle dictators and doesn't want to openly discuss anything, any time with our enemies."

Read more in Tuesday editions of the St. Petersburg Times or right now on tampabay.com.

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Comments

"McCain thanked the city for looking after his family"

So that's who took care of them after he dumped them for the rich broad.

"McCain tried to harness the energy"

Double up on the Geritol Old timer.

Sure, the last "Keating Five" member who is still standing is the one who is going to clean up the financial markets. The Republicans created the S&L disaster (80s), the Enron failure (2000) and now the utter collapse of the big institutional investment banks (2007-2008). Way to go!

Why are Dubya, Dickey, McSame, and Failin protecting Osama Been Forgotten?

Why have they refused to hold accountable those who attacked our Great Nation on 9/11?

Why do they prefer to let him run free and use him as a Republican campaign button?

Why do they want more Americans to die for their Republican campaigns?

Why do they think war is free?

[NObama08]

“Ultimately, the choice before the American people is the choice between two visions: on the one hand, the policies of limited government, economic growth, a strong defense, and a firm foreign policy; and on the other hand, policies of tax and spend, economic stagnation, international weakness and accommodation, and always, always, from them, ‘Blame America first.’ It’s the choice between the policies of liberalism or the policies of America’s political mainstream.” —Ronald Reagan

[Gretchen]

Yeah right.....

McCain
= More of the same
= The reason why we are all in this financial mess

[Proud Republican]

NObama08, if that was true of the GOP today, we'd win hands down. However, the GOP today is made up of extreme religious right wingers who want dictate our everyday lives (more government), a military that's fighting on the wrong battleground, secret energy meetings, a disastrous federal disaster plan, sex scandals, international weakness (we used to be a beacon of light, now we're hated), don't tax the rich and spend even more, etc.

The list goes on. I am utterly ashamed at what our GOP has become. Reagan is turning in his grave seeing the absolute disaster that is the GOP.

[Proud Republican]

Palin speaks in tongues. Enough said.

[I remember the Keating 5]

at least he can say that with a straight face -- I mean, he's never been involved with any lending or financial scandals at a federal level now has he?

/oh wait

[get-smart]

We need to get rid of the Federal Reserve and lock up the criminal CEO's and directors. A year ago Lehman was worth $70/share now a 20 cents. The stock holders lost all their money and the CEO and friends walk away with hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Rays owners are part of this gang.

It is treason and they are criminals. If these guys operated out of China they would have been dispatched two years ago.

[jim]

I don't think so, anyways more and more things are coming out about palins past while mayor she in cured no debt in the black left with 23.5 million in the hole in her home town boy that's really making progress , she probably do the same for us

McCain understands what's going on better than Obama, its just a matter of if he will be Maverick enough to do something about it. What is happening on Wall Street can be attributed to tons of Obama donors. He may want to stay out of the frey.

10:10 - Judging from news reports, I fully expect the Bush cabal to trot out ol' Bin Laden Bin-Forgotten some time not far before the election. Present him like a pig on a stick just in time for the festivities. Who knows, might even have some effect on the election.

10:45 - So does Hillary. Forked.

Why are Dubya, Dickey, McSame, and Failin protecting Osama Been Forgotten?

Why have they refused to hold accountable those who attacked our Great Nation on 9/11?

Why do they prefer to let him run free and use him as a Republican campaign button?

Why do they want more Americans to die for their Republican campaigns?

Why do they think war is free?

Jim: You must be stoned to post such an incoherent message. But I love and feel sorry for you Obama sniffers. We Christians wish for God to bless you and we pray that you have success in your recovery plan.

McSame understands Dubya's policies better than Obama, its just a matter of time before he will send more young Americans to die for corporate profit and daddys revenge. What is happening on Wall Street can be attributed to tons of McSame/Failin donors. They may want to stay out of the frey.

11:15 will be second in line for hell... right behind the Bush family.

I can't stand Obama and his socialist approach to stuff but seriously McCain is part of the corporate bailout party.

I recall having more people show up to watch our Thursday afternoon practice than attended this rally.

Why are people still voting for these two parties. What they do is not working. It is time to go Independent.

Go Gators!

I don't want a President who spends time on the internet all day. So what McCain doesn't use google. He knows how to get up and take action.

Obama can spend all his time on TMZ.com, I want a president who actually works for a living and not internet-based community organizing.

Vote in the AOL Straw Poll:

http://news.aol.com/political-machine/straw-poll

As of this AM Obama is getting his clock cleaned with nearly 400,000 voters!

Obama better be careful with his criticisms of the Wall Street types!! He has received a bundle of money from those guys--Soros, etc.

Those small minded religious bigots who constantly clog up this blog with their rants are a prime example of why people of all Faiths need to step forward and speak out against this aspect of progressive secularism. It is ant-American not to mention being a time honored goal of socialists/communists to take God out of the lives of people so that the State can play the role of higher authority. Not going to happen, what is going to happen is a serious backlash against these aclu inspired hate mongers.

[Wall Street Lobbyists for McCain]

John McCain has been in Washington for twenty-six years and hasn’t lifted a finger to reform the regulations that could’ve prevented this crisis.

In fact, his campaign is run by some of the very same lobbyists who fought against these regulations and worked to put special interest giveaways in our federal budget.

[MCCAIN ADMITS HE DOES NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT ECONOMICS]

"Lehman Brothers", the fourth-largest U.S. investment bank, is going Bankrupt. "AIG" may fail next without a loan from the Federal Reserve.
"Merrill lynch" is doing a forced sale to Bank of America.

The law that made this all happen was the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act brought to you by John McCain and the Republican Party, with Phil Gramm McCain's ex-Campaign co-chair, and Secretary of Treasury Designate as prime sponsor.

Besides all that, McCain admits he does not know much about Economics. Indeed, America can Not afford to have another incompetent Republican in the White House.

REPUBLICANS HAVE KILLED THE ECONOMY.

[Obama Broke the Law]

Obama has violated the Logan Act and must be prosecuted!!!

http://thinkinboutstuff.com/thinkinboutstuff/nfblog/2008/09/15/proof-obama-violated-the-logan-act/

[Buh-Bye, Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, Rangel, and Obama.]

Senator Dodd and Congressman Rangel need to be held accountable.

Nancy Pelosi refuses to remove Rangle from his Chairmanship.

Dodd got sweetheart mortgage deals just like Rangel.

The Pelosi Reid Democrat Congress is a true Abomination...electing Obama would make it worse.

How?

Neither Lehman Brothers nor Merrill are (were) commercial banks that would have had their business regulated under Glass-Steagall (which Gramm Leach repealed).

That and Bill Clinton signed Gramm Leach into law.

_______________________
"Lehman Brothers", the fourth-largest U.S. investment bank, is going Bankrupt. "AIG" may fail next without a loan from the Federal Reserve.
"Merrill lynch" is doing a forced sale to Bank of America.

The law that made this all happen was the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act brought to you by John McCain and the Republican Party, with Phil Gramm McCain's ex-Campaign co-chair, and Secretary of Treasury Designate as prime sponsor.

Yes he did, more proof. The man is as non-American and self-serving as they come!

http://theamericansentinel.com/2008/09/15/bring-criminal-charges-against-obama-now/

[The Economy]

Eight years of Republican policies that have shredded consumer protections, loosened oversight and regulation, and encouraged outsized bonuses to CEOs while ignoring middle-class Americans have brought us to the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression.

[Buh-Bye, Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, Rangel, and Obama.]

Dodd's the Chairman of the Banking Committee, Rangel of the Ways & Means Committee -

They have FAILED America with lack of ETHICS and OVERSIGHT.

The Dem-led Pelosi and Reid Congress needs to go.

America deserves better and the American Public will let them know November 4th.

How could the Democrats in charge of our government let this happen? I guess when you see the quality of leadership it is easy to understand how screwed up they have allowed our economy to become in two years. The Congress approval rating sure does show that!!! Out with the Dems and Obama!!!

[Corrupt Republicans crashed the Economy]

Eight years of Republican policies that have shredded consumer protections, loosened oversight and regulation, and encouraged outsized bonuses to CEOs while ignoring middle-class Americans have brought us to the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression.

[get-smart]

Wall Street Lobbyist

You are right. McCain is in congress. They a just one vote in many. They have no accountability.

Governor, Mayors are executives. They make real decisions, for good or bad depending which side of the aisle you are on.

Palin has the most executive experience. McCain being a retired Navy man is next. He knows how to give orders and take them. He knows the senate and how it works - haha. Biden - He sat in the senate for 40 years so he got a good line of crap. Obama - empty suit.

The R voted in the D primaries to knock out Hillary. Kennedy hates the Clinton's and the liberal Media created the BO image. Which is now worn out.

The financial crisis was created by greedy criminals on Wall Street in collusion with treasons criminals in DC. These criminals are both Rep & Dem. They need to be thrown in jail.

From reading this blog it seems some don't understand what a lobbyist is.

If you belong to AARP you are supporting lobbyist.

If you belong to Chamber of Commerce you are supporting lobbyist.

If you belong to non profit groups you are supporting lobbyist.

It is the criminal lobbyist that needs to go.

All the lobbyist should do is get your POV in front of congress. It is not to pay these politician/lawyer's off or write legislation.

Cheers! .

[Out With the Dems]

Two years+ of Democrat policies and lack of financial oversight that have shredded consumer protections, loosened oversight and regulation, and encouraged outsized bonuses to CEOs while ignoring middle-class Americans have brought us to the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression.

[No need for change vote Bush/McCain]

“the fundamentals of our economy are strong” - John McCain 9/15/08

Sen. McCain still doesn't get it, but I suppose that is why he votes for Pres. Bush's proposals over 90% of the time!

There is no FDIC insurance. It is rolled into General Revenues.

If you have more than $100,000 in the bank you had better take it out before you lose it.

The Republicans are saying all is well with the Economy while they secretly take the money and run. Leaving the middle-class holding the bag....an empty bag at that.

Check out all the money Obama is getting from these Wall Street criminals. That's why he wants to try to blame it on the repub. He is as guilty as anyone for this disaster!!!

[Out WIth Obama]

Obama has violated the Logan Act. That may well cause him to have to withdraw from the race for President. An investigation should be started as soon as possible for this awful action by him!!!

[We are ALL suffering because of failed Republican policies]

12:32 You are just another example of the lies and misinformation the Republican Party is using in an attempt to shed all blame for the disaster they have caused for this nation - Democrats, Republicans, Independants ARE ALL PAYING FOR REPUBLICAN MISMANAGEMENT.

[Buh-Bye, Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, Rangel, and Obama.]

Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, and Rangel are the leaders - they need to be held accountable.

The American Public will start to do just that on November 4th.

"NO" to Obama and the Dems running for Congress - they sat on their hands complaining about Iraq and Oil for 2 years.

Pelosi, Reid, Obama, Dodd, and Rangel must go.

[DNC Endores McCain]

DNC Reform endorses McCain/Palin ticket:

http://nounity.blogspot.com/2008/09/dnc-reform-endorses-mccain-palin-ticket.html

[REPUBLICANS CRASH ECONOMY]

Treasury secretary Henry Paulson to speak from the White House at 1.30pm maybe Ben Bernanke is to be made CEO of the only bank left after all the others crash, the newly named "Republican Federal Bank of the United States of America".

Even the NY TIMES knows it time...

"Mounting embarrassment for taxpayers and Congress makes it imperative that Representative Charles Rangel step aside as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee while his ethical problems are investigated."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/opinion/15mon1.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, Rangel, and Obama must go.

[Defeat Bush/McCain in 08]

It's time to put an end to the partisanship that Karl Rove and his minions are using to mask the failures of the Bush administration. Everyone is hurt by Bush's failures, and it's no time to ignore our danger for the sake of abstract ideology. We are in real danger here - we cannot survice 4 more years of irresponsible Bush policy. Republicans have ben betrayed by John McCain - wake up - he has sold you down the river and struck a deal with the Bush faction in a dishonest attempt to win an election. We cannot affort the price that all of us would have to pay for his victory.

[Collapse]

Maybe not Black Monday today, but could be "Terrible Tuesday," after all the sell offs happen overseas during the night.

I think down 500 today, and probably another 300 to 400 tomorrow. Then perhaps we'll stabilize a bit. Of course, that will only be until AIG or Washington Mutual collapse. Then Look Out Below.
Oh yea, Thanks for nothing Republicans.

[Buh-Bye, Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, Rangel, and Obama.]

Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, and Rangel are the leaders - they need to be held accountable.

The American Public will start to do just that on November 4th.

"NO" to Obama and the Dems running for Congress - they sat on their hands complaining about Iraq and Oil for 2 years.

Pelosi, Reid, Obama, Dodd, and Rangel must go.

[Will work for Fools]

Merrill Lynch/Bank of America Will Fire 20,000 people plus.

How's that Republican trickle down working for you now?

[My money]

Does anyone else see that the Big Boys are using FED borrowed money right now to shore up the Markets!!! Money YOU and I will have to pay back!!??