McCain 'cool, comfortable' at town hall meeting

WILKES-BARRE – Presidential hopeful John McCain visited Wilkes-Barre Wednesday for a town hall meeting in which the Arizona senator credited President George Bush’s lifting of a presidential ban on offshore drilling as the reason behind the recent $10-per barrel drop in oil.

Besides the cost of and America’s dependency on foreign oil, McCain spent most of his one hour appearance discussing the war in Iraq, education and his disdain for pork barrel spending among other topics. He took questions from nine audience members and allowed some debate on his answers.

That style impressed John Ord, of Harmony Township, Susquehanna County. Ord said the way McCain allowed the questioner “to hold onto the microphone after asking the question so he can debate back and forth with you was awesome.” Others said they were most impressed with McCain’s personality, his sense of humor and his stage presence.

“I think he was cool and comfortable,” said Paul Stebbins, of West Pittston. Stebbins arrived to the F.M. Kirby Center at 5:30 a.m. and found himself fourth in line. He was one of about 50 people invited to sit on the stage behind McCain.

After McCain left the Kirby Center his Straight Talk Express bus headed a few blocks away to the Westmoreland Club on South Franklin Street for an invitation-only $250 a plate fundraising lunch.

For the full story, read Thursday's edition of The Times Leader.

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