Gearing up at GM

McCain at GM

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By KATIE SEMINARA

Sen. McCain talks energy at Lordstown

He says he relishes the role of underdog in the race.

LORDSTOWN — John McCain knows he won’t get all the votes. But he says he’ll be back to keep working at it.

McCain fancies himself the underdog of the 2008 presidential election and doesn’t hesitate to visit venues that are attractive to younger voters. He even keeps an eye on MTV and Jon Stewart to stay informed on the trends.

The Arizona senator even takes campaign advice from his children, he told The Vindicator on the Straight Talk Express headed Friday to the General Motors plant in Lordstown.

“My daughter has a blog more popular than my Web site,” McCain said with a hint of laughter.

When the time comes, McCain said, he thinks his campaign will see a turnaround in younger voters.

“I realize that everyone won’t vote for me,” said McCain, who doesn’t doubt Ohio will be a swing state in the election.

He said he will come back to the Mahoning Valley to campaign — even though a large percentage of voters in the area are Democrats.

His visit to the GM plant was reality television, but had nothing to do with satirical news.

The reason for his visit clearly was to discuss his energy policy, called the Lexington Project, and how plants like GM Lordstown equate into his plans.

“I’m confident that we can lead the nation in green technology,” said McCain, who recognized the Valley’s concerns during a tough economic time.

He stressed that GM will be a necessary contributor to the Lexington Project, which proposes more electric cars, getting away from foreign oil and investing in alternative sources of energy.

“I’m convinced what is being done right here is the future of the automotive industry,” McCain said of the Chevrolet Cobalt development and the upcoming Volt production — which would use a lithium-ion battery.

“I came here to publicize more knowledge of this work force and to say we can put America back on top of the auto industry,” the Republican said.

American automotive companies getting back on top would mean more jobs. But, according to McCain, if a boom in the industry happens, the same old jobs won’t be there.

“New jobs are here at Lordstown,” he said. People will need ample training to get those jobs — and implementing quality educational programs was another large portion of McCain’s discussion.

With education comes more technology, and McCain is proposing that the creators of a more energy efficient car battery will receive a $300 million award.

This idea is not a gimmick, he said.

“We have offered awards for breakthroughs in technology numerous times in the past,” said McCain.

He argued that his plan for a gas-tax holiday also is no gimmick. It would be nice to give those sweating the high fuel prices some short term relief, he said.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, had a phone conference before McCain’s arrival in Ohio and countered McCain’s position.

“Do we want a gas-tax holiday gimmick, or do we want a plan with real relief for struggling families?” said Ryan, who also made a point to say that the energy crisis has been talked about in Washington for 30 years, and McCain has been there for 26.

McCain’s town hall meeting at the plant included several union workers, some who had experienced job loss and were looking to the senator for reassurance.

The United Auto Workers expressed its concern about McCain supporting NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) and asked what his plans would involve if he won the November election.

“I don’t believe every trade agreement is fair,” McCain said, noting he thinks when a free trade agreement is concluded, politicians can do a better job of recognizing unfair violations.

“I will do everything in my power to make sure trade policies are fair,” he said.

McCain did not back down on his support of NAFTA. He made it apparent that trading with countries in our own hemisphere is necessary.

McCain also addressed the concerns of high gas prices and housing foreclosures. He said he understands there are families in the area who don’t know where their next house payment will come from, and said he plans to act as quickly as possible to help the working people of the Valley.

Contributor: Vindicator staff writer Jon Moffett

seminara@vindy.com