YOUR COMMENTS

Sir, I am inclined to believe you, and that puts you in a small number of candidates I might support; however, do you really mean it when you say you'll veto all bills with pork barrel spending? If you do, then why don't you talk about what you envision happening as a result, because you're talking about a revolution in the legislative process, one we would need, but I would like to see more of your thoughts on this subject.
I am also not sure how social security could be saved or if it can. Show me that you command you an understanding of a solution with facts please. How can the electorate make informed decisions if every candidate shies from discussing the facts of the situation. How can I know your solution won't cause an economic earthquake without facts? How can I know you truly command an intelligence of our vast economy if you refuse to address what our fiscal policy is doing to social security right now? Currently I believe we'll be able to meet our obligations nominally, but the money we give our retirees will be worth-less. What about the moral responsibility that generation owes us for voting for politicians who created a debt that now leaves us with a devastating debt that now decreases the value of the payments they will receive? Isn't their some poetic justice here? Are you fiscally conservative enough to let the chips fall where they will? Will you bail out mortgage lenders who took too much risk? Will you bail out automakers who took no risk? Yes, honesty has great value, but without promises it is only talk. Step by step what will you do? If its another mess like the immigration bill then you don't have my vote.
- Ron Engler, Grand Junction

Sen. McCain has been the standout champion in the Senate for exposing and speaking against pork barrel spending for decades. I can believe him 100% on that. He has also shown the guts to tackle the tough problems where there are no popular solutions (even during this election cycle while running for president). Because compromise and bipartisanship has to happen to some extent to get any of the systemic major problems solved, the solutions won't please everyone - but at least McCain will have the courage to lead us somewhere better when the track record has been to stay on the road to disaster. He has my vote.
- Bill Hicks, Kailua, HI (formerly Portsmouth, NH)

I read the comments above and agree with the tone. We do not trust our government. We see big problems being swept under the rug. Where I respectfully disagree with some of the comments, I do not believe that Senator McCain is part of the problem.

I want a president that has the guts to tell me what I don't want to hear. I want a man of character who has been tested and shown the depth of his conviction. I want someone I can believe is doing everything he can for the future of this great nation. I only see one candidate. Senator McCain, you have my vote.
- Rod Van Sciver, Rye, NH

I'd be curious to know if Sen. McCain feels that it is necessary for Pres. Bush to ask Congress for the authority to attack Iran. I'd also be curious if Sen. McCain would vote to give Pres. Bush the authority to launch the attack. In addition, I'd like to know what Sen. McCain would do if Congress did NOT give Bush the authority and Bush attacked Iran anyway. Please, no responders that I am some wacky lefty hippee. I am not. I feel Sen. McCain should address these issues, as it goes to how much authority he feels the President has in sending our nation to war.
- Stephen Boyington, Chester

Mr McCain, I completely respect you for the service and the sacrifice you and your family have done for this fine country. I also appreciate your candor on these subjects as well. But, I will not vote for you in the coming primary. Social security does not need another government bandaid. The system should be dissolved and the people of this country given the choice to have private accounts outside of government control. If you truly feel strongly about social security, then why don't you elect out of your government pension and chose social security as your retirement plan? In fact, why don't you propose that if elected you will sponsor a bill stating that all government employees have to use social security instead of their government retirement program. There is no incentive in Washington to overhaul social security unless the same politicians have a vested interest in fixing the system and what better way of having a vested interest than having to collect it once you all retire? The same could be said for the public school system. None of the washington politicians actually send their kids to the public school system in Washington, so what incentive do they have to propose major changes in how schools are run? A leader in my book is one who sacrifices for the best interests of the people. If you want my vote, then sponsor bills giving the citizens more control of their retirement dollars and education dollars and allow them to make their own decisions.
- Kyle, bedford, nh

It is alarming and in fact frightening when "conservatives" continually talk about "priorities" in federal spending or reducing spending by such and such a percentage over ten years, or nominally cutting taxes to stimulate the economy. Frankly, I am not interested in these promises. I am interested in a President that will veto any piece of legislation that includes a federal expenditure that does not stem from an enumerated power in the Constitution. We need to move away from preferences and toward the dictates of the Constitution. It is very simple, but seemingly unattainable.
- Joe Geiger, Merrimack

Nice hearing from McCain just after the campaign-finance law that bears his name--the one that would not let me take out an ad referencing him within 30 days of an election--has forced Gingrich out of the race. McCain-Feingold has CRIMINAL penalties for a man such as Gingrich who thinks he can exercise his Constitutional right to stand for election, and his Constitutional right of freedom of association, at the same time. (And the victim of this criminal offense is?)

(Enforcing such laws like this, of course, requires runaway spending.)

Senator, you would not have to put "straight talk" on the side of your campaign bus if it were true.
- Spike, Brentwood NH

Sen. McCain has a proven track record of being truthful with the public. In fact, many would say the Senator tells it like it is to a fault. I find his candor refreshing from the usual partisan rhetoric that dominates the presidential campaign. He has my trust and my vote.
- Mike, Manchester, NH

Mr. McCain, why people distrust their government and elected officials is simple: they repeatedly don't tell the truth, and often say one thing while doing the other. Your "Baghdad Bob" episode in the Iraqi market with heavy security this summer is a good example. You have some work to do to regain our trust.
- Stephen Boyington, Chester