Summary of John McCain's Detroit Area Speeches and Visits

July 10th: Innovative Technologies Cure to State's Woes

McCain spoke at an invitation-only Town Hall Meeting at the Bayloff Stamping Plant in Belleville. McCain supports free trade and admitted to the audience that some Michigan jobs may be lost for good; but new technology, such as a battery-driven automobile and the Chevrolet Volt, can create new jobs. McCain supports nuclear and “clean coal” power plants, as well as wind power. He also supports making research and development tax credits permanent, monetary support for displaced workers and a gas-tax holiday.

Sources:

• McCain says Michigan workers could play key role in solving energy crisis by Tina Reed / The Ann Arbor News (7/11/08)
• I do believe in free trade by Kathleen Gray / Detroit Free Press (7/11/08)

July 18th: Supports States Setting Their Own Emission Standards

McCain attended an invitation-only Town Hall Meeting at the GM Tech Center in Warren. McCain toured facilities and sat in the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in electric car. McCain sees the development of fuel-efficient automobiles, like the Volt, and alternate-energy sources as the way to bring new jobs to the state. In the meantime, he supports a $300 Million prize for the development of a fuel-efficient car battery and a $5,000 tax credit for consumers who buy plug-in hybrids. McCain admitted he supports allowing states to set their own emissions standards, something the auto industry warns could cost it billions.

Sources:

• McCain changes auto emissions stance by Gordon Trowbridge and J.J. McCorvey / The Detroit News (7/18/08)

August 5th: Comprehensive Energy Approach, Including Nuclear Power

McCain spoke in front of the Enrico Fermi Nuclear Plant about energy independence. McCain’s solution is a comprehensive approach, including the expansion of nuclear power, off-shore drilling and the pursuit of alternative fuel sources. McCain toured the plant and spoke of his belief in the safety of nuclear power.

Sources:

• McCain visits Fermi 2 by Tina Lam / Detroit Free Press (8/5/08)

August 13th: Acknowledged State's Ailing Economy

McCain was in town to attend three fundraisers, including one at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham where he held a press conference. In addition to answering questions about Georgia, he acknowledged the state’s ailing economy. His approach is to keep taxes low, fix the foreclosure crisis and build nuclear power plants. While he praised the auto industry's efforts in revamping for the future, he was vague on the topic of direct government assistance to the ailing industry.

Sources:

• McCain speaks on economy at Townsend / HometownLive.com (8/17/08)

September 5th: McCain and Palin Mavericks for Change

McCain and Palin spoke at Freedom Hill Amphitheater in Sterling Heights. Their main focus was in introducing Palin. They also reinforced their campaign's "maverick" theme. They did not spend a lot of time on issues specific to Michigan other than confirming support of off-shore oil drilling and the cutting of taxes.

Sources:

• McCain, Palin woo voters Duo focuses on military resolve, independence by Chris Christoff, Kathleen Gray and Justin Hyde / Detroit Free Press (9/6/08)

September 17th: Restore Detroit's Auto Industry

McCain and Palin attended a town-hall meeting at Grand Rapids Community College, where McCain spoke about restoring Detroit as the hub of the auto industry and bringing Palin to Washington.

McCain also visited the General Motors assembly plant in Orion Township, where he spoke in support of the $25 Billion package to the auto industry -- a change in stance. He also acknowledged Michigan’s high unemployment rate and criticized state leaders for raising taxes in an economic downturn. He said he will not raise taxes. He supports off-shore drilling, building of 45 nuclear plants and electicity-driven cars.

Source:

• McCain promises prosperity in Grand Rapids by Mark Hornbeck and Charlie Cain / Detroit News Lansing Bureau (9/17/08)