Senator John McCain speaks on the Courthouse steps in Prescott, Arizona.

In a speech that looked both forward and backwards, United States Senator John McCain , the presumed Republican nominee for President of the United States, spoke on the courthouse steps in Prescott, Arizona today before a (mostly) supportive crowd.

Taking the opportunity to hear the man who might possibly be the next President of the United States, thousands of people stood on the lawn surrounding the Bucky O'Neill statue. Some carried signs that they held up, with slogans such as "Prescott, Arizona Loves John McCain" and "President McCain". Others held up signs criticizing McCain - usually for his position on the Iraq war - or offering a rather confusing plea for the protection of the petrified forest.

Cody Newport graduated from Prescott High School in 2006, and is now a student at Northern Arizona University (NAU) in Flagstaff. He is also president of the NAU chapter of the College Republicans. He explained why he and a group of several other students came down to hear McCain, "I'm with the NAU College Republicans, and we came down to support our man, John McCain. He will not be coming to Flagstaff, so we wanted to take this opportunity to come down to Prescott and support him in any way we could."

It was a Who's Who event for local politicians; Prescott Mayor Jack Wilson and all the Prescott City Council were in attendance, except for Councilwoman Lora Lopas. Chino Valley's Mayor Karen Fann and Prescott Valley's Mayor Harvey Skoog were also there. Other familar political faces included Arizona State Representatives Lucy Mason and Andy Tobin . Kris Mayes , the Arizona State Corporation Commissioner, was also in attendance. Former President of the Arizona State Senate, Ken Bennett , joined the crowd, shaking hands. Bennett is carefully weighing what his next political role will be.

Senator McCain was accompanied by his wife, Cindy, and United States Senator Jon Kyl .

Senator Kyl, who introduced Senator John McCain to the crowd, began by saying, "Fellow Arizonans. Each time that John McCain has announced his candidacy for United States Senate, he has come to these historic courthouse steps in Prescott, Arizona. Following in the great tradition of Senator Barry Goldwater when he became the Republican nominee for the presidency in the United States, John McCain is back in Yavapai County, Arizona as the Republican candidate for President of the United States. He has stood by my side at this same podium, and I am proud to stand by his side today. All Americans know that this is the time of need for leadership, the kind of leadership that John McCain can provide because he does not put politics above principal. John McCain says what he believes, he acts on what those beliefs, even when there is political risk in doing so. And that, my friends, is why he is going to be elected the next President of the United States of America. "

Senator Kyl then introduced Cindy McCain to the cheering crowd. She said with a broad smile, "I am so glad to be home, I can't tell you. And I also cannot begin to describe to you the kind of emotion I feel standing here seeing so many people out to greet my husband and in support of who he is. Arizona, you are absolutely the best and I am so proud to be an Arizonan."

"As was mentioned," Cindy McCain continued, "We have four children. Two of our young boys are active duty military. They aspire to do a job that is incredible only because they've had such a great example in their father. They wanted to be a part in all of this, they wanted to serve their country like their father has. He has been a great inspiration to our children, Megan, Jack, Jimmy and Bridget, and he has been a marvelous inspiration and a good example for all children in the state of Arizona and our nation. That's the kind of president that I want, and that's the kind of president that I hope you want."

Senator McCain speaks 

Senator McCain spoke nostagically about the rich historical roots Prescott has played in Arizona politics, noting that both the Goldwater and the Udall families were friends living in Prescott in the early part of the 1900's, "Prescott, Arizona's Territorial Capital, occupies a special place in the history of Arizona and in the Goldwater legend. Barry's grandfather, Michael, opened a dry goods store here. Mo Udall's grandfather, David, served in the legislature. David Udall was prosecuted for perjury long ago in a land claim dispute; Michael Goldwater posted his bail. The former was a patriarch of what would become the most prominent Democratic family in Arizona. The latter was a patriarch of Arizona's most famous Republican family. The Goldwater and Udall families began with that long ago act of generosity and friendship. The grandsons of Michael and David, despite their differences in political parties and philosphies were very, very close friends. The friendship of Barry Goldwater and Mo Udall was based in their mutual respect for each other's character, devoted service to the state they loved and patriotism."

Mary Williams, President of the Republican Women of Prescott holds up a sign of support for Senator John McCain.

While Senator McCain encouraged Americans to hold vigorous debates over the issues that they care most about, he also reminded those listening to him that the debates can, and should be, conducted with respect. "Despite the increase in harshness of our debates, and the lack of respect it often occasions for each sides' good will, I still believe we can and must come together on issues that cannot be addressed without our cooperation. Mo Udall and Barry Goldwater taught me to believe that we are Americans first and partisans second. And I want to be a president that honors their faith in us."

"We have our disagreements, we Americans, we contend regularly and enthusiastically over many questions," McCain went on to list some of the general areas of discussion, "Over the size and purposes of our government. Over the social responsibilities we accept and accord with the dictates of our conscience. Over our role in the world and how to defend our security interests and values, in places where they are threatened."

And, what does McCain think about these issues? "These are important questions, worth arguing about. We should contend over them with one another. It's more than appropriate, it is necessary that, even in this crisis - especially in times of crisis - we fight among ourselves for the things we believe in. It's not just our right, but our civic and moral obligation."

And, then, McCain allowed a quiet glimpse into his core values, as he said, "But we deserve more than tolerance from each other. We deserve each other's respect. Whether we think each other right or wrong in our views, as long as our character and sincerity merit respect, and as long as we share, for all our differences, for all our noisy debates that enliven our politics, a mutual devotion to the sublime idea that this nation was conceived in, that freedom is the inalienable right of mankind and in accord with the laws of Nature and Nature's Creator."

At that point, McCain solemnly reminded those in the audience, "We have so much more that unites us than divides us. We need only to look to the enemy that now threatens us and the benighted ideals to which Islamic extremists pledge allegience - their disdain for the rights of man, their contempt for human innocent life - to appreciate how much threatens us, and how much unites us. Let us argue with each other, then. By all means, let us argue; our differences are not petty. The often involve cherished beliefs and represent our best judgment about what is right for our country and humanity. Let us defend those beliefs. Let us do so sincerely and strenuously. It is our right and duty to do so. Let us exercise our responsibilities as free people, but let us remember, we are not enemies, we are compatriots defending ourselves from a real enemy. We have nothing to fear from each other. We are arguing over the means to better secure our freedom, promote the general welfare, and defend our ideals. It should remain an argument among friends. Each of us struggling to hear our conscience and heed its demands. Each of us, despite our differences, united in our great cause, and respectful of the goodness in each other."

After the loud applause, McCain wrapped it up, saying, "Ten years have passed since Barry Goldwater and Mo Udall, the best of friends, honorable public servants and Arizona's favorite sons, died in the same year. But their example showed us how to be better Americans and better people. I intend to wage this campaign and to govern this country in a way that they would be proud of me, as I always am proud of them. Thank you and God bless."

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