September 30, 1999
Web posted at: 4:14 p.m. EDT (2014 GMT)

NASHUA, New Hampshire (The Telegraph of Nashua, September 28) -- With hamburgers grilling, confetti falling out of the sky, and University of New Hampshire cheerleaders chanting his name, U.S. Sen. John McCain officially announced his presidential candidacy Monday at a festive gathering at Greeley Park.

Declaring that public service should not amount to "a lifetime of privilege," McCain pledged to upgrade America's national defense, reform the political system and restore honor to the office of the presidency.

"As a candidate, I will campaign with respect for the dignity of the office I seek and the people I seek to serve," McCain told a crowd of hundreds on a picture-perfect fall day. "On my honor, I swear to you that from my first day in office to the last breath I draw, I will do everything in my power to make you proud of your government."

The Arizona senator's address at the park launched a four-day "kick-off tour" that took McCain to New York City for a fund-raiser Monday night. It will include trips to South Carolina, Michigan, California and Washington before wrapping up in his home state Thursday.

New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary has taken on added significance for McCain because he was the only major Republican candidate who boycotted the Iowa straw poll this summer and has said he may not compete in that state's first caucus.

The formal announcement of his candidacy initially was scheduled for the spring, but he delayed it because of the Kosovo conflict.

McCain, 63, alluded to his own service as a Navy pilot who was shot down over Vietnam in 1967 and spent 5? years as a prisoner of war. Several members of the crowd toted copies of "Faith of My Fathers," McCain's recently released memoir that details his military history and what he learned from his father and grandfather.

"I am the son and grandson of Navy admirals, and I was born into America's service," McCain said. "It wasn't until I was deprived of her company that I fell in love with America."

Overhauling the campaign finance system has become McCain's signature issue, and he described that fight as "the gateway through which all other policy reforms must pass." He criticized President Clinton for breaking a promise to protect the Social Security system and outlined a series of tax cuts that he said would benefit middle-class people instead of "the special interests and the big-dollar donors."

McCain vowed to repeal the tax penalty applied to married couples, slash the inheritance tax, end the earnings test penalty for senior citizens and raise the income limit for the 15 percent tax rate to $70,000.

"Day after day, I have fought to stop Congress from treating your money like lottery winnings," he said. "I want you to know what every member of Congress knows: That if I am president, I will refuse to sign any pork-barrel bill that crosses my desk. And if Congress overrides my veto and tries to force me to waste your money, I'll make sure you know who they are Ð every single one of them."

McCain assailed Clinton and members of both parties in Congress for weakening national defense by wasting money on unnecessary weapons and leaving 12,000 enlisted men and women to rely on food stamps. He said his military experience had prepared him well for the president's "most solemn responsibility" as commander in chief.

"The president is a lonely man in a dark room when the casualty reports come in," he said. "I am not afraid of the burden. I know both the blessing and the price of freedom."

In a dig at rival Patrick Buchanan, who is considering leaving the GOP to seek the nomination of the Reform Party, McCain also dismissed isolationism.

"We should build no walls in a futile attempt to keep the world at bay," he said. "Walls are for cowards Ð not for us."

Regarding education, McCain said he favored paying teachers based on merit and testing them periodically for competence. He also called for "a nationwide test of school vouchers" to give middle- and lower-income parents the ability to send their children to private schools.

McCain's audience was a mix of young and old. High school students were bused in for the event and stood shoulder to shoulder with aging veterans. Former Sen. Warren Rudman, McCain's most prominent New Hampshire supporter, introduced the candidate, and Mayor Donald Davidson and Executive Councilor Bernie Streeter also spoke at the event.

Pat and Tony Mandravelis, a Nashua couple, praised McCain's honesty and his commitment to reforming the campaign finance system.

"George Bush I don't think is ready for it yet. He's got a way to go," Tony Mandravelis said, referring to the Texas governor who holds a huge lead in fund-raising and public opinion polls.

Chris and Joy Barrett of Nashua plopped down on the grass with 2?-year-old Brendan after the event to enjoy some hot dogs. Joy Barrett said she appreciated McCain's support for private-school vouchers, while her husband pointed to his military background and tell-it-like-it-is persona.

"He's a straight shooter and I respect his views," Chris Barrett said. "I like the fact that he's been in military service and he's sacrificed a lot Ð a lot more than me."

The event also drew some who were merely curious.

Teri Puksta of Nashua had biked over to the park with her 4-year-old son, Matthew, to hear McCain speak. Before he took the stage, Puksta said she knew little about him and was most interested in hearing his views on education and taxes.

"I'm just here to learn," she said. "I don't know how long I'm going to stay."

Patricia Marston of Dover, on the other hand, was sold on McCain because of his background.

"The children of this country haven't had a hero to look up to, and if he's elected, John McCain would be that hero," she said.

Thursday, September 30, 1999

• Bradley outraises Gore in third quarter; Bush marches on
• Underage piercing out in Florida, as new state laws kick in
• House passes bill to make harming fetus a crime
• Gore and vice presidentitis
• Gore says he's the 'underdog'; announces lower fund-raising totals
• Judges interview possible Starr successors
• NHPrimary.com: New Hampshire sticks with February 1; Delaware blinks
• NHPrimary.com: McCain picks New Hampshire city to announce candidacy
• NHPrimary.com: GOP contenders ponder fate of Quayle supporters
• Reno chides reporters over conflict stories
• Clinton promises veto of GOP plan delaying help for working poor
• Beatty's 'majorette' speech leaves them guessing on presidential bid
• Though not in the race, Ventura has idea how to win presidency
• New Mexico governor supports legalization of drugs
• Clinton was prepared to testify in Cisneros trial
• Demonstrators protest outside Clinton's New York future home

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