McCain holds town meeting in Pemberton
PEMBERTON, N.J. - June 13, 2008 Barack Obama is expected at the Sheraton City Center in Philadelphia for a private fundraiser Friday evening.
Obama was in Columbus, Ohio earlier in the day where the focus was on social security.
Obama said he would apply the social security payroll tax on all incomes above $250,000, affecting the wealthiest three percent of Americans.
Currently, the tax is applied to all income up to $102,000, which means most Americans pay social security taxes on all their income.
Obama criticized John McCain.
"Now my opponent in the general election, John McCain, his idea on Social Security amounts to four more years of what was attempted and failed," Senator Obama said.
Obama also rejected McCain's proposal for 10 joint town hall meetings.
John McCain held his own town hall meeting in Palmerton at the Burlington County Community College.
The gym at the college was filled with about 2,000 supporters.
McCain answered questions from the audience and told the crowd there are stark differences between him and probable Democratic nominee.
"I want your taxes to stay low. I want every American family to double their tax break from $3,500 to $7,000 for every child," Senator McCain said.
McCain talked about the war, social security and soaring gas prices.
"The only thing really going to fix that problem is when we no longer have to import it," McCain said.
McCain said Americans need to develop alternative energy sources.
"It's got to be wind and tide and solar and nuclear power has got to be a big part of that," McCain said.
The latest polls show McCain trailing Obama in New Jersey, but with a huge number of independents, McCain's campaign sees New Jersey as a state in play.
"We have a pretty solid base, we've got a lot of work to do and we've got to campaign hard, but I intend to compete here," McCain said.
McCain is the first Republican presidential candidate in 16 years to open a New Jersey.
McCain then traveled to Medford on his Straight Talk express for a private fundraiser, but promised to return and work at winning over women and independents.
