McCain on Purpose, Welfare, Education while in Mississippi

Hundreds of Mississippians and elected officials joined John McCain on his visit to Meridian and Jackson. The Meridian Star reported that the Democrats were not as successful: Few turned out in Meridian for the Democratic rally. Party spokesman Terry Cassreino blamed the low turn-out the weather of overcast skies and occasional light rain. In Meridian, McCain received a positive response from the 600 hundred plus in attendance, drawing copious applause. In his speech, McCain tied the parenting theme in with the recession and the welfare and unemployment insurance programs, calling those programs "antiquated" in their current state. "The mother or father who has lost hope along with their job can unintentionally impart that hopelessness to their children," he said. "A welfare check can't give a parent a sense of purpose." McCain concluded his speech by talking of the lessons he'd learned from his family, including the "sense of purpose" that he spoke of earlier. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, sens. Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran, Rep. Chip Pickering, local officials, and members of the Mississippi Legislature, attended McCain's speech. After leaving the MSU Riley Center, McCain visited Hope Village for Children in Meridian, a home for abused and neglected children. He spoke with the board of directors and key staff and took a tour of the facility, according to Hope Village staff. (Read the Full Story Here)

WLBT asked John McCain about education issues: Arizona Senator John McCain made a brief stop though the capital city for a fundraising luncheon. McCain was greeted by supporters as he left the plane and again as he entered the Regions Bank building in downtown Jackson. He was joined by Governor Haley Barbour, Senator Roger Wicker, Representative Chip Pickering and former Senator Trent Lott. All touted McCain's record on national defense and the war on terror.

But we asked the senator his plans for reducing the drop out rate here in Mississippi. To which McCain responded, "In my state of Arizona, we have a lot more charter schools. They provided competition. We're going to have to fully fund special education programs. I understand the challenge here in the state and it's a lot of help that's needed, but I do think the governor and the legislature are working hard on that issue." He also wants to fix the federal "No Child Left Behind" program and to help fund autism programs. (Read the Full Story Here, With Video)