McCain makes economic pitch in Memphis

By Halimah Abdullah
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April 16, 2007

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., urged fellow Republicans to remember their roots as "tight-fisted stewards of the federal treasury" and curb excessive governmental spending during his presidential campaign swing through Memphis today.

"...Government should never ask from American families more than is necessary to do the things they cannot do for themselves. It should spend money as wisely as they would, and exercise its responsibilities as competently as they exercise theirs," McCain told members of the Economic Club of Memphis who gathered at the Holiday Inn on the University of Memphis’ campus.

McCain’s speech focused on such economic issues as reforming Social Security, trimming congressional pet projects from the budget and tracking the success of government agencies. While he maintained his position that troops should remain in Iraq until the war is won, McCain steered clear of discussing the war’s rising costs.

His financially focused address coincided with news of money troubles within his own campaign. According to campaign finance documents, McCain raised less but spent more than many of his Republican opponents. As of March 31, Mc Cain had $5.2 million cash on hand. Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani reported $10.8 million and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney $11.9 million .

"I didn’t do a good enough job," McCain said."

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