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February 14, 2008
New: McCain: I will carry Rhode Island / Photo

Journal photo / Mary Murphy
Republican GOP candidate Sen. John McCain speaks to supporters at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Warwick this afternoon.
WARWICK -- U.S. Sen. John McCain rallied a crowd of Republican Party faithful here today with a strong defense of the military surge in Iraq, a pledge to combat global warming, and a hope for economic recovery.
McCain also told the crowd that, though he respected his opponent, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, "I expect to be the Republican party nominee."
The senator spent the early part of the day campaigning in Vermont -- another fairly liberal Democratic state -- and the afternoon here in Rhode Island, which hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan in 1984.
The audience of more than 1,000 at the Crowne Plaza hotel was sprinkled with veterans and, as veteran McCain always does, he recognized them for their contributions and said that he would "fix veterans' health care" if he became president.
"I will carry the state of Rhode Island," he said emphatically. "I do believe I am on the path to getting the nomination of my party."
In an interview outside the rally, McCain was asked how he felt about former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee's announcement this morning that he will be endorsing Democrat Barack Obama.
Rhode Islander Chafee, who has since left the GOP, said he chose Obama because he had not supported the war on Iraq, as had McCain and other top Democratic contender, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton.
McCain replied, "I have great respect and affection for Senator Chafee and I respect whatever decision he makes."
Audio: Journal political columnist M. Charles Bakst interviews McCain (6 min, 46 sec).
-- Journal staff writer Scott MacKay, with reports from Journal political columnist M. Charles Bakst
Governor Carcieri, who originally supported former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the 2008 presidential race, gave a ringing endorsement today to McCain.
"I'm going to do everything I possibly can" to make sure that he's the next president, Carcieri said.
After leaving Rhode Island, McCain headed to Boston, where he is expected to accept Romney's endorsement.
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This man is the eptome of what a Hypocrite is-he talks out of both sides of his mouth-he's not to be trusted! He's a Bush and Carcieri darling!