McCain woos Hispanics, Dems and independents

Listen to McCain’s 25-minute interview with me and three other reporters, conducted on his campaign bus after today’s town-hall meeting, by clicking here.

John McCain’s town-hall meeting held today in Las Cruces was obviously aimed at attracting Hispanic, Democratic and independent voters.

The Republican presidential candidate, who characterized himself as the underdog in the race, spoke about Hispanics during the event held earlier today, and he also asserted his independence from his party and special interests.

“I don’t work for a party. I don’t work for a president. I don’t work for a special interest. I don’t work for myself,” McCain said in talking about his commitment to serving the American people. “… I spoke up against the administration for their mistakes in Iraq.”

McCain also sought to reassure Republicans by pledging to pick a vice-presidential running mate who shares his values.

McCain’s focus on Hispanics and his playing up of his reputation for independence appeared perfectly tailored for the demographics in Doña Ana County, the state’s second largest: Some 65 percent of residents are Hispanic, while 50 percent of registered voters are Democrats, 29 percent are Republicans and 18 percent are independents. It’s a county that easily went to Hillary Clinton over McCain’s Democratic rival, Barack Obama, in the Feb. 5 caucus, and one where many Democrats regularly vote for Republican congressional candidates.

One Democrat who McCain has already won over is Nancy Hudson of Las Cruces, who chairs McCain’s women’s group in Doña Ana County. The campaign volunteer, who attended today’s event, said in an interview that she is crossing party lines to support McCain because he “has shown that he’ll do what he says he will and he’ll get things done.”

McCain was introduced at today’s event by Doña Ana County’s most popular Republican elected official, District Attorney Susana Martinez. The district attorney, who is unopposed this year after beating her Democratic opponent by 20 points in 2004, said in an interview before the forum that McCain can win the county despite the Democrats’ huge advantage in voter registration.

“The county votes on the issues and the candidates, and has gotten away significantly from straight-ticket voting,” she said in the interview.

In introducing McCain, Martinez cited herself and the Republican sheriff and treasurer as “proof that Republicans can win in this county.” She said that’s why McCain was in Las Cruces.

“We matter even if we are small-town America, and Sen. McCain knows that,” Martinez told a cheering crowd of several hundred people.

Before McCain took the stage, those in attendance watched his TV commercial “God’s children,” aimed at showing his respect for Hispanics in the military. McCain used the words “God’s children” to describe Hispanics again today when discussing problems on the border and immigration reform. He said most immigrants are coming to America seeking work, and, as a Judeo-Christian nation, when America learns about a teen girl who died in the desert trying to cross into the United States, “we have an obligation.”

He also made a point of mentioning Henry Cejudo, the son of undocumented immigrants who, on Tuesday, gave the United States its first Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling in 16 years. Cejudo once lived in Las Cruces.

Other topics

McCain spoke about other familiar themes at the event, including the economy and the Iraq war. He also responded to Obama’s Tuesday claim that McCain was questioning his patriotism.

“Let me be very clear: I am not questioning his patriotism. I am questioning his judgment. Senator Obama has made it clear he values withdrawal from Iraq above victory in Iraq,” McCain said. “He has made these decisions not because he doesn’t love America but because he doesn’t think it matters whether America wins or loses.”

McCain had sharp words for Russia in light of the recent conflict in Georgia.

“This kind of provocation is not acceptable in the 21st Century,” McCain said, adding that he hoped Russia would withdraw from Georgia, but, “I would remind you that wars have been started in other obscure places in the world.”

In an interview on his campaign bus following the event, McCain said he doesn’t believe Russia intends to start a larger war.

“I’m not concerned about a re-ignition of the Cold War,” McCain said. “… but I do see the Russians flexing their muscles.”

One of the hottest questions right now is who McCain and Obama will pick as their running mates. McCain fielded two questions on the subject during the town hall. The first was about whether he will pick a pro-life candidate. McCain in recent days has floated the idea of a pro-choice running mate.

“We’re going through the process,” was all McCain directly said in response, though he added that he is strongly pro-life.

A second question came from Greg Sowards of Las Cruces, a former congressional candidate who asked whether McCain will pick a running mate who “conservatives can rally around” or “someone who will inspire us to stay home.”

“I will nominate a person to be vice president — my running mate — who shares my principles and my values and my priorities,” McCain said.

A swing state

McCain was quick to talk about the importance of New Mexico during his visit. At the town hall, he said he believes New Mexico will be one of the states pundits will be talking about late on election night because the state’s vote tally will be too close to call.

“I believe this is going to be a close election. I believe I’m the underdog,” McCain said. “I believe New Mexico is going to be one of those states.”

He also talked about Las Cruces during the interview on his bus. McCain has traveled to the area in the past to campaign for other candidates.

“The Las Cruces area is fast-growing, a very attractive area. It’s part of the state where I think I need to do well,” McCain said.

Domenici and Wilson

McCain had kind words for U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, who is retiring this year after 36 years of service. McCain’s town hall was at New Mexico State University on the same day the Domenici Public Policy Conference began there.

“He is an institution in the Senate,” McCain said during the interview on his bus. “Nobody knows budget and other issues better than Pete. He’s one of the most lovable members of the Senate.”

McCain also praised U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, who lost the primary in the race to replace Domenici in June and leaves office at the end of the year. Since losing the primary, Wilson has devoted a great deal of time to promoting McCain.

McCain said, were Wilson interested, “she would get every consideration” for a job in his administration if he wins the race. He said she has “a very compelling résumé.”

However, McCain said in the interview that Wilson “loves it in New Mexico.”

“I know that Heather would prefer to stay in New Mexico, and she loves it here,” McCain said.

Update, 11 p.m.

Here’s another photo I took today that I thought was worth sharing. It’s of Martinez shaking McCain’s hand after introducing him.

A prior version of this posting incorrectly stated that Domenici had served 26 years in the Senate.