Cindy McCain: Husband committed to serve nation

Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential nominee John McCain, held a rally in downtown Philadelphia yesterday morning touting her husband's candidacy and stressing his readiness to "put country first."

The rally, held at the National Constitution Center, came just 14 days before the country goes to the polls to vote for president on Nov. 4.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Louisiana's First Lady, Supriya Jindal, introduced McCain.

She spoke extensively on her husband's personal story and the issues she sees as important to voters.

"My husband's been serving this country since he was 17 years old," McCain said. "And from that day on, he has always served a cause greater than himself."

McCain then asked the crowd of more than 200 people what they thought of her husband's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for vice president.

The crowd erupted in applause.

Palin's appeal was evident among audience members, with a number of women wearing buttons and shirts strictly dedicated to McCain's running-mate.

Cindy McCain said Palin "could not be a more perfect choice" for the vice presidency, noting Palin's "record of reform" in Alaska.

McCain also said her husband is the only man who can bring change to Washington, and that Americans are ready for tax cuts.

Channeling a populist tone, McCain said Americans "need a candidate who will stand up for the interests of 'Joe the Plumber.'"

Joe the Plumber - or Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher - is an Ohio voter made famous during the final presidential debate. John McCain attacked Democratic nominee Barack Obama for telling Wurzelbacher in the days prior to the debate that Obama wanted to "spread the wealth around" through some tax increases.

"We believe in spreading opportunity and jobs," Cindy McCain said.

Turning to energy, McCain said Pennsylvania needs clean coal technology, which she said Obama opposes. Obama, however, has said he supports such technology.

In his remarks, Giuliani stressed the importance of the war on terrorism and economic issues.

"America needs a great president with the capacity to handle a crisis," Giuliani said.

"John McCain has proven that he has the judgment and the ability" to be president, he said.

Giuliani then turned his attention to Obama, saying that "this is not the time for on-the-job training."

Seeing an opportunity to rally women voters, Giuliani said, "The Republican Party has great women in office across the country, and we nominated a woman for vice president."

Following the rally, Matthew Wolfe, a Penn alumnus and Republican ward leader, addressed the challenges McCain faces in winning Pennsylvania.

"We need to focus on the areas Republicans can win in Philadelphia," Wolfe said. "The city's Democratic Party is firmly rooted in voter fraud, and we'll have to watch for that."

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