WAUKESHA, Wis. - Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin addressed thousands of supporters in Waukesha Thursday.
Despite the growing lead of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in recent Wisconsin polls, McCain said he is still confident of his chances of winning the state.
We can and must and will win the state of Wisconsin,"" McCain said.
Former Gov. Tommy Thompson spoke before McCain and Palin took the stage, showing his support for the duo and emphasizing the important role Wisconsin has in this election.
""We're the pivotal state because if we turn this from a blue state to a red state, we can carry the presidency for John McCain,"" Thompson said.
Much of the conversation, which was styled in a town hall format, revolved around the current economic crisis.
McCain said lending companies, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, contributed to the downfall of the economy that has resulted in a mortgage crisis and record tumbles in the stock market.
""They encouraged people to buy homes that they could not afford, and this house of cards finally has collapsed,"" McCain said.
McCain said he and other members of the Senate wrote a letter two years ago warning about the impending economic crisis.
According to McCain, Obama ""did not lift a finger"" to attempt to reform these companies.
McCain also criticized Obama's stance on health care, saying anyone who likes Obama's single-payer health-care system should ""go to Canada.""
He brought up the need for the U.S. to become energy independent and stop sending $700 billion a year overseas to foreign oil companies.
Palin said the country must take an ""all-of-the-above approach"" when it comes to lowering gas prices, and stressed her belief that drilling for oil in Alaska would be an important solution.
""We have got to be able to drill here and drill now because domestic supplies are waiting for us,"" Palin said, adding it is also important to explore alternative sources of energy.
Gov. Jim Doyle also visited Waukesha Wednesday to host a counter-rally, criticizing McCain for his recent negative attack ads and telling community members that Wisconsin cannot afford a McCain-Palin administration.
