Update: McCain battles supporters’ boos when defending Obama as ‘decent person’

Update: During an afternoon session with 2,200 generally enthusiastic supporters in Lakeville, Republican presidential nominee John McCain repeatedly found himself facing the disapproving “boos” from many when he defended his opponent as “a decent person.”

Again and again, McCain found himself having to defend Barack Obama against comments from his own supporters, who spoke of their distrust and fear of the Democratic presidential nominee.

After McCain presented his stump speech that covered the financial crisis, taxes and the Iraq war, about a half-dozen questioners in the town hall meeting gave him an aggressive kind of pep talk, urging him repeatedly to “go to the mat” and get tougher with Obama, who has opened a lead in most national polls.

That line of questioning began with an elderly veteran who saluted McCain for his service.

“We all consider you a true American hero,” the veteran said, addressing McCain. “We would like you to remain an American hero. The people here in Minnesota want to see a real fight. We want a strong president to lead us in the next four years!”

At that, the crowd erupted in cheers.

McCain responded jokingly that he had received his marching orders from those on hand. But then he defended his opponent, something he would do several times throughout the afternoon.

“We want a fight, and I will fight,” McCain responded. “But we will be respectful. I admire Senator Obama and his accomplishments.”

Hearing that, the audience booed loudly.

“No, no,” McCain continued, louder. “I will respect him. And I want everyone to be respectful, and let’s make sure we are. Because that’s the way politics should be conducted in America.”

During another question about choosing Supreme Court justices, a man said: “We’re scared of an Obama presidency.” He said he was concerned about someone who associated with “domestic terrorists like (1960s radical William) Ayers.”

“First of all,” responded McCain, “I want to be president of the United States and obviously, I don’t want Senator Obama to be. But, I have to tell you, he is a decent person, and a person you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States.”

That brought boos from many in the room.

The continued remarks attacking Obama were clearly awkward for McCain, who seemed to get increasingly annoyed at having to admonish his supporters to be appropriate. Toward the end of the meeting, he even grabbed the microphone away from a woman who called Obama untrustworthy and “an Arab.”

McCain defended Obama yet again as a decent family man who he happens to disagree with.

The afternoon meeting had begun on an upbeat note when local political luminaries juiced up the crowd before McCain’s arrival. On hand, among others, were 2nd District Rep. John Kline, former U.S. Sen. Rudy Boschwitz and Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who introduced McCain.

Boschwitz called McCain “the only great man in this race.” Former Congressman Tim Penny praised him as “the ultimate of all veterans.” Pawlenty said, “John McCain’s entire life is a testimony to courage, duty, honor patriotism, service and sacrifice.”

The overflow crowd at Lakeville South High School meant some were even turned away. The gymnasium was draped with huge flags and a banner reading “Straight Talk Town Hall.” Audience members waved McCain-Palin signs, and one woman held up a card with her own statement: “Red Hot Moms for McCain.”

McCain entered the stage at the center of the room to his new theme song, “Danger Zone,” from the movie “Top Gun.”

The mood in the room was positive and supportive, but there was a sense of worry coming from some supporters who seemed compelled to “coach” the 30-year Senate veteran.

Overall, though McCain did give his supporters some of the red meat they came for.

Amid chants of “Go, Johnny, Go!” an audience member asked McCain to address alleged voter fraud involving the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), a progressive housing and community organization working with low-income people. ACORN has admitted that it has identified a paid canvasser in Las Vegas who falsified voter registration forms to pad their hours.

The GOP is hoping to tie the ACORN improprieties to Obama, and is working to turn up more suspicious voter forms across the country.

McCain drew loud applause as he called for a “full and complete and thorough investigation” of the ACORN allegations.

“If we … allow people who don’t deserve it to vote, or other abuses of our system, then obviously it’s a direct threat to the fundamentals of democracy.”

Afterward, supporters attending the town hall meeting seemed satisfied and said they enjoyed seeing McCain in person.

Christianne Droibie, an out-of-work mortgage broker from Apple Valley, said she’s extremely concerned about an Obama presidency.

“McCain is definitely the right one, no doubt in my mind,” Droibie said. “People need to look at their voting records and experience -- the type of men they are.”

Droibie said she has no problem fulfilling the price of admission to the event. In order to get tickets, supporters were asked to volunteer with the campaign and make 50 calls and sign up for one get-out-the-vote shift.

“I think it’s a smart idea,” said Droibie, who says she already made some calls to independents last night.

The event was part of a busy day for McCain that began at two Wisconsin towns. At an early-morning rally in LaCrosse, the Republican presidential nominee called for suspending 401(k) rules that require retirees to cash in the stocks from their retirement accounts when they reach 70-and-a-half years old. "To spare investors from being forced to sell their stocks at just the time when the market is hurting the most, those rules should be suspended," McCain said. Here is the text of his prepared remarks there.

Marisa Helms can be reached at mhelms (at) minnpost.com.