In interview, McCain says he'll reduce taxes for 'everybody'

By SHAWNE K. WICKHAM

New Hampshire Sunday News Staff

Sunday, Sep. 14, 2008

John McCain yesterday said he will take Barack Obama's New Hampshire pledge not to raise taxes for anyone making less than $250,000.

"Not only that, I'm going to cut taxes for literally everybody," the Republican nominee said yesterday in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C.

McCain will appear at today's NASCAR race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon. His visit will follow Democratic nominee Barack Obama's two-day swing through the state.

The reason for all this attention by the campaigns is clear, McCain said.

"It's obvious that New Hampshire will be one of those battleground states," he said. "I think the polling data shows it's very close.

"And on my part, I've grown to love New Hampshire over the years."

Voters here, he said, "take their responsibility with the utmost seriousness. They're used to their first-in-the nation status, and they do examine the candidates, there's no doubt about it. They expect you to be there."

Asked about Obama's criticism of McCain's campaign ads, notably on taxes, as "dishonest," McCain replied, "Let's point out the fact that his ads were the first ones that were negative."

He cited ads by the Democratic National Committee, 527 groups and unions as evidence.

And he repeated his contention that "the tenor of this whole campaign would be different" had Obama agreed to town hall-style joint appearances.

Why? "Because we're two people on the same stage; the discourse becomes much more civil," McCain explained. "That's the experience we've had in New Hampshire, that's the experience we've had nationally."

So how does it feel to have been overshadowed over the past two weeks by his vice presidential pick, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin?

"It feels wonderful," McCain said, chuckling. "I can't tell you how overjoyed I am to have her as a running mate."

McCain said he loves visiting New Hampshire, especially at this time of year. So any chance he'll make his summer White House here?

"The least I can do is go stay at (Mitt) Romney's place," he quipped. "I've heard it's a beautiful home."