Senator John McCain held a town hall meeting in Nashville today, telling audience members that he’s socially and fiscally conservative enough to be the Republican presidential nominee.
McCain answered questions for more than an hour, discussing topics ranging from the war in Iraq to cuts in capital gains taxes. But many questions related to whether McCain supports issues on the social conservative agenda like banning gay marriage or civil unions.
“On the issue of marriage, I just believe, frankly in the sanctity and unique status of marriage between man and woman. That’s what I believe.”
While that statement received a huge cheer from the audience at the Ryman Auditorium, many weren’t totally sure about McCain’s social views, even after hearing him speak. Seth MacDonald is a graduate student at Tennessee Tech University, who didn’t vote for McCain in the primary.
“He was my fourth choice for the Republican nominee but he’s better than the alternatives.”
MacDonald wants to see what he calls a ‘strong Christian’ on the ticket. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, a Baptist preacher, won the state’s Republican primary after Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson dropped out of the race.
Thompson did attend the town hall meeting in support of McCain. The former presidential hopeful was mentioned by several in the audience as the vice president they’d like to see.
McCain will attend two fundraisers in Nashville this afternoon.
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