By Kevin Robbins

Staff Writer

   Republican presidential candiate Sen. John McCain made a campaign stop at the Maine Military Museum on Broadway in South Portland on Monday. In his campaign speech he talked about the nation’s dependence on foreign oil and the role of veterans in war.

   At his campaign stop Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins accompanied McCain. Snowe commented how she has known McCain for 25 years since they both entered the House of Representatives together in 1982. Snowe said McCain is strong, prepared, equipped, and experienced for the role as president.

   Collins, who is running for reelection this year, introduced McCain. She described McCain’s history as a Vietnam War veteran and prisoner war and how that will prove valuable in his race for the presidential election and as president.

   “Forty years ago McCain proved his courage, commitment, and his character. He has brought that same character to the [election],” Collins said.

   After Collins’ introduction, McCain began his speech by praising Maine’s senators.

   “They are independent, they always put Maine first, and they always put their country first,” McCain said. “They are worthy successors and dear friends of mine.”

    McCain also thanked all veterans present at the campaign stop. He asked those who served in war to raise their hands while the audience applauded. He also stated his intent to win the state of Maine in the election race.

   “I will win and compete in the state of Maine. I need the vote and consideration of every person in Maine. I am honored to have the Republican nomination along the likes of Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan,” McCain said.

   McCain went on to address the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. He said the dependence on foreign oil has threatened national security and led to economic trouble. He stated he had a plan to reduce the dependency on oil by building 45 nuclear plants in the United States that will create roughly 700,000 jobs.

   “We can be independent, we will be independent, and we must be independent,” McCain said. “We need to develop clean-coal products and become independent.”

   McCain said if he is president, a war veteran will never come home defeated and he never intends on losing a war. McCain said he has been consistently right about the United States strategy in the war against Islamic extremists while his Democratic opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, has been consistently wrong.

   “No one besides a veteran knows how terrible a war is. They will come home in honor and not in defeat. I know how to win wars. We will need more troops and participation from allies. I would rather lose a political campaign than lose a war,” McCain said.

   McCain told an anecdote about his experience as a prisoner of war in a North Vietnamese war camp. He told of a friend, Mike Christian, who was a Navy officer and fellow prisoner of war. During his internment Christian would sew the American flag into the back of his shirt. When Vietnamese soldiers found out,  they beat him. McCain concluded this anecdote by saying that Christian, despite the beating, continued sewing the American flag into his clothes.

   “It was the most important and meaningful time for him. He knew how important it was for the rest for us. I believe I can inspire a generation of Americans to do something for others,” McCain said.  

   McCain’s campaign stop also drew protest groups. Sarah Bigney is a member of Maine Fair Trade Campaign, a group protesting at the Maine Military Museum. The group is composed of labor, environmental, social justice, and human rights groups. Bigney said McCain voted to support the North American Free Trade Association and the Central American Free Trade Association.

    “We are here protesting today because Senator McCain supports the failed NAFTA trade model that has been devastating for our state and Mainer’s have seen this with a loss of 24,000 jobs since NAFTA and the same time this model increasing global warming and rewriting the rules of the global economy to favor corporations and non-working families,” said Bigney.

   Trevor Sullivan-Smith is a college student and resident of South Portland. He thinks that Maine could not handle McCain as president.

   “I believe that Maine is too liberal of a state. It [McCain] is not going to stand a chance because it will have negative impact on the state,” said Sullivan-Smith.