Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain says Wisconsin is a battleground state and he says he'll need support from women. The Republican candidate spoke Friday morning at a town hall meeting in Hudson. An invited audience of more than 500 women packed an industrial building where McCain pointed out the political gains made by women. McCain's mention that a woman (Rep. Nancy Pelosi) serves as Speaker of the House of Representatives drew hisses from the crowd. “I just wish she'd switch parties,” McCain joked.
McCain also spoke of his support for women's issues. “I'm committed to making sure that there's equal pay for equal work,” said McCain, who's been criticized for missing a Senate vote this week on a bill overturning a US Supreme Court decision making it more difficult for working women to file lawsuits challenging corporate pay practices that discriminate against women.
McCain accused Democratic candidate Barack Obama of trying to impose a “crushing” mandate on small businesses to provide health care for their workers. McCain claims it would be a $12,000 impact on every job. McCain mocked Obama's “Yes We Can” campaign slogan by accusing the Illinois Senator of saying “No We Can't” when it comes to increasing oil supplies and supporting the growth of nuclear power. He also criticized conservatives for blocking “green technology” and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The loudest cheers of the morning came when McCain denounced the Supreme Court ruling that prisoners at Guantanamo Bay should be allowed the right to challenge their accusers and get a timely trial. He called for an “effective and fair” judicial process for the detainees, but added “I don't think we have to read them their Miranda Rights.”