CINCINNATI, OH — While Sen. McCain intended to defend his record before the NAACP Wednesday, he began by treading very lightly and lavished some praise on Sen. Obama to start his address.

“Don’t tell him I said this, but he is an impressive fellow in many ways. He has inspired a great many Americans, some of whom had wrongly believed that a political campaign could hold no purpose or meaning for them. His success should make Americans, all Americans, proud,” McCain said, adding that as the first-ever African-American presidential nominee, Obama has made history and “achieved a great thing for himself and for his country.”

But McCain was quick to joke that, “of course, I would prefer his success not continue quite as long as he hopes,” getting some laughs.

With that the presumptive GOP nominee began his full-throated case for school voucher programs and greater accountability, also returning fire at Obama for accusing him so using “tired rhetoric.”

“Senator Obama dismissed public support for private school vouchers for low-income Americans as, ‘tired rhetoric about vouchers and school choice.’ All of that went over well with the teachers union, but where does it leave families and their children who are stuck in failing schools?,” McCain asked. “When a public system fails, repeatedly, to meet these minimal objectives, parents ask only for a choice in the education of their children. Some parents, some parents may choose a better public school. Some may choose a private school. Many will choose a charter school. No entrenched bureaucracy or union should deny parents that choice and children that opportunity.”

McCain also attacked Obama for opposing the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship, a federal voucher program, and committed to expanding similar programs if he wins the White House.

“If I am elected president, school choice for all who want it, an expansion of Opportunity Scholarships, and alternative certification for teachers will be part of a serious agenda of education reform,” he said to scattered applause.

McCain faces very long odds in gaining any percentage of the black vote this year and asked for members’ support despite receiving a 7 percent on the NAACP’s most recent legislative scorecard for the 109th Congress. The group gave the Arizona Senator a Grade of F for opposing 26 of their 28 legislative priorities during the term.

Recent polling also does not bode well with the CBS-NY Times poll out today showing McCain with a five percent favorability rating (57 percent not favorable) with the community.

Additionally, he will likely struggle matching Bush’s totals in 2004, who pulled in 11 percent of the African-American vote. The NY Times poll currently has McCain at 2 percent.

Though he may have gone one step in the right direction today as McCain received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks.

Riding the line between energizing conservatives and attracting moderates and independents this election year continues to prove difficult for John McCain.

In its latest email to supporters a leading social conservative group, the Family Research Council, is taking issue with recent, contradictory statements out of the McCain campaign on gay adoption and calling on the GOPer to stand by the “traditional family unit.”

In an interview late last week with the New York Times, McCain said he opposed gay adoption, adding that “I think that we’ve proven that both parents are important in the success of a family, so, no, I don’t believe in gay adoption.” While the stance may be controversial to gay voters and some liberals, he curries some favor with a larger group social conservatives he needs to energize for November.

But wait.

The campaign then issued a clarifying statement to blogger Andrew Sullivan, stating that McCain believes gay adoption is a state issue but added that “as an adoptive father himself, McCain believes children deserve loving and caring home environments, and he recognizes that there are many abandoned children who have yet to find homes. McCain believes that in those situations that caring parental figures are better for the child than the alternative.”

The FRC, led by Tony Perkins, is now alleging the statement “muddies the waters,” and warns in an email sent to supporters Tuesday night that the McCain camp “should not fall into this ‘lady or the tiger’ trap and should emphasize the need to rebuild the natural family.”

Email after jump…

(more…)

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Seeking to counter Sen. Obama’s major foreign policy address today, Sen. McCain pounced on his Democratic rival for announcing his strategy for Iraq and Afghanistan before he is set to travel to the two war zones.

“I note that he is speaking today about his plans for Iraq and Afghanistan before he has even left, before he has talked to General Petraeus, before he has seen the progress in Iraq, and before he has set foot in Afghanistan for the first time,” McCain told about 200 voters at a town hall meeting in Albuquerque, in remarks originally set to be delivered Thursday but moved up to coincide with Obama’s speech. “In my experience, fact-finding missions usually work best the other way around. First you assess the facts on the ground, then you present a new strategy. So this is certainly a departure to what I have usually done.”

The presumptive GOP nominee also criticized Obama’s recent statements about the surge as taking flip-flopping to a “new level”–pointing to Obama’s remarks that he had “no doubt” the military surge would succeed despite other statements to the contrary.

“My friends, flip-floppers all over the world are enraged..it give new meaning (to the term),” McCain told the town hall, later adding aboard his bus that Obama’s evolving position on Iraq “exceeds every (flip flop) that I have ever observed and I have seen some egregious ones.”

His criticism came during a speech where he called the current situation in Afghanistan “not acceptable” and laid out his “comprehensive strategy for victory,” which includes sending up to 15,000 additional troops to that battlefront in order to turnaround recent Taliban advances.

“Our commanders on the ground in Afghanistan say that they need at least three additional brigades. Thanks to the success of the surge, these forces are becoming available, and our commanders in Afghanistan must get them. But sending more forces, by itself, that by itself is not enough,” McCain said, later clarifying that the brigades would not just be American but be made up of a combination of U.S. and NATO forces. But the GOPer added today that more troops is not the only solution to bringing down the violence.

“What we need in Afghanistan is exactly what General Petraeus brought to Iraq: a nationwide civil-military campaign that is focused on providing security for the population. Today no such integrated plan exists. When I am commander-in-chief, it will,” he added.

Speaking to reporters aboard his bus, McCain also had some uncharacteristically tough words for Afghan leader Hamid Karzai, stating that he has not met U.S. expectations.

“Karzai has not been effective. Karzai has not been the strong leader that we hoped he would be,” McCain said. “He’s a very fine man–just not has (exercised the) strong leadership that we would (have) hoped.”

SAN DIEGO - Sen. McCain took the fight to a new opponent Monday, the “cable monster.”

“Americans have expressed their frustration with the sound bites, the charges back and forth, the cable monster that has to have a news story every hour, the sound bites and the surrogates and all that,” McCain said, taking a slight detour from his prepared speech before the National Council of La Raza–which focused mostly on the economy and immigration.

The presumptive GOP nominee rebuked what some analysts have termed the “A.D.D. election” during his speech, renewing his pitch for Sen. Obama to join him at town hall meetings and allow voters to see a debate on the key issues instead of relying on the sound bite picked out by the press.

“I think Americans deserve better. I think Americans deserve a side-by-side appearance of both of us,” he added, even though McCain has also recently acknowledged that the prospect of joint town halls is essentially zero after what he sees as a lackluster response from the Obama campaign.

In attacking the 24-7 media environment, McCain is also partly pushing back on recent criticism he has faced for being “off message.” A number of media outlets ran stories at the end of last week arguing that his intended message on the economy was overshadowed by misstatements made by the candidate and his surrogates on birth control, social security and Iran, among others.

Though most of those gaffes were short snacks for the hungry ‘cable monster’ and are likely to have little long-term impact, former Sen. Phil Gramm, a leading McCain economic adviser, served up a three-course meal when he referred to the economic woes as a “mental recession” and called Americans “whiners.” The campaign had to schedule an impromptu press conference on Thursday where McCain forcefully rebuked Gramm as out of touch with voters and his message.

The Arizona Senator made a veiled reference to the incident today when he added that voters don’t pay attention to “surrogate” gaffes that are played repeatedly on the 24-hour networks.

“Times are tough…and Americans don’t want to hear the sound bite, they don’t want to hear the misstatement, they don’t want to hear the surrogate who may have made a mistake. They want to know about us,” McCain added.

HUDSON, WI — Sen. McCain cast himself as the best choice for American women today during a town hall at J&L Steel Erectors, a female-owned business based in the Badger State.

“Women in America not only take care of the children, manage the household budgets and balance the pressures of work and family, they also run the enterprises that keep our country running,” McCain told the nearly 500 strong, female-majority audience. “There has been enormous progress. That progress, by the way, is far from, far from complete…we have not done enough, we have not done enough.”

While the presumptive GOP nominee lauded the progress women have made in politics, NGOs and business, he vowed today to work toward “equal pay for equal work” and ensure that “there is equal opportunity in every aspect of our society.”

McCain, campaigning with his wife Cindy and one of his chief female surrogates, Carly Fiorina, attacked his Democratic rival one day after Sen. Obama reached out to female voters in New York and Virginia.

“Senator Obama went on at great length about how much he cares about women’s issues. I believe him,” McCain said. “And my opponent was saying all the right things, but the fact is this: When you cut through all the smooth rhetoric, Senator Obama’s policies would make it harder for women to start news businesses, harder for women to create or find new jobs, harder for women to manage the family budget, and harder for women and their families to meet their tax burden.”

The Arizona Senator has an uphill struggle ahead to capture the votes of female voters this fall with the latest Pew poll, released yesterday, showing Obama up by 14 (51%-37%) among women.

For it’s part the Obama campaign countered that McCain “seems stuck in an outdated view of American families.”

“Senator McCain thinks the Supreme Court was right to make it harder for women to challenge pay discrimination at work, and he opposed legislation that Obama co-sponsored to reverse that decision,” said Anita Dunn, an Obama campaign adviser. “Senator McCain has suggested that the reason women don’t have equal pay isn’t discrimination on the job-it’s because they need more education and training. Senator Obama couldn’t disagree more.”

OAKDALE, MN — While he was hammering away at the ill-effects of sugar subsidies on the American economy during a conference call with moderate and “independent-minded” Virginia voters this evening, Sen. McCain stopped for a moment when he heard what sounded like a faucet running on the other end of the phone.

“It’s harmful to the American economy and at this particular time we can’t be wasting…that kind of money — it sounds to me like you’re washing the dishes while your listening?” McCain asked a voter who was introduced prior to her question as “Raquel from Centreville.”

“I am,” Raquel admitted, as McCain chuckled.

“I’ve got six kids and I’m trying to buy food for my family and, you know, I don’t understand why I can’t pay the world prices for sugar,” she added, returning the topic at hand.

Despite the fact that the presumptive GOP nominee is campaigning in the Minneapolis area this evening, he spoke to voters from northern Virginia on the phone on what the campaign is calling a “tele-town hall.” Reporters were allowed listen to the call but not ask questions, which included “thousands” of Old Dominion voters, according to a campaign aide.

BELLEVILLE, MI — Former Texas Senator Phil Gramm was once talked about as a potential McCain Treasury Secretary but today may be unqualified for Ambassador to Belarus.

The presumptive GOP nominee had stern words for one of his senior economic advisers and close friends Thursday after Gramm told the Washington Times that America is going through a “mental recession” and Americans are a “nation of whiners.”

“I don’t agree with Senator Gramm. I believe that the person here in Michigan that just lost his job isn’t suffering a ‘mental recession.’ I believe the mother here in Michigan and around America who is trying to get enough money to educate their children isn’t ‘whining,’” McCain told reporters today. “America is in great difficulty and we are experiencing enormous economic challenges as well as others. Phil Gramm does not speak for me. I speak for me. So, I strongly disagree.”

McCain has previously said that “no one is more qualified” on economic issues than Gramm, who serves a national campaign co-chair, but made clear today that he was unhappy with the former Texas senator when asked if Gramm would have a role in a future McCain administration.

“I think Senator Gramm would be in serious consideration for ambassador to Belarus, although I’m not sure the citizens of Minsk would welcome that,” McCain said.

Obama hammered McCain for the Gramm comments during a speech today in Virginia noting, “America already has one Dr. Phil. We don’t need another one when it comes to the economy - we need somebody to actually solve the economy. It’s not just a figment of your imagination, it’s not all in your head.”

McCain responded today by by declaring that Obama has earned a Ph.D of his own when it comes to energy policy.

“He is opposed to everything, whether it be off shore drilling, whether it be nuclear power, whether it be any of the efforts we need to make…you are talking about Dr. Phil. He is Dr. No. He is Dr. No on energy,” McCain declared, smiling. “I speak for me, I have been speaking to the American people and I have been leading us forward with plans of action to address our economy and our need for energy independence.”

PORTSMOUTH, OH — While McCain rarely mentions “values” issues on the stump, he received a standing ovation today after stressing the importance of respecting the “unborn.”

“We should do everything that we can…(to show) respect for human life, both the born and the unborn,” McCain told more than 500 voters at a town hall in one of the most conservative areas of Ohio–the second Congressional District (home of Rep. Jean Schmidt). “It’s one of big differences between myself and Senator Obama, who….voted against a ban on partial birth abortion-one of the most odious things that I have ever heard of.”

McCain, who was responding a question about how he would help restore the American family, also said that adoption needs to be more widely available, adding “I want us to understand that every life is precious.”

The presumptive GOP nominee’s reluctance to discuss social issues on the trail has irked religious conservatives for months. For his part, McCain told reporters aboard his bus recently that he believes he sufficiently addresses social issues on the trail.

PORTSMOUTH, OH — The normally “straight talking” McCain admittedly punted on one topic Wednesday aboard his campaign bus when asked whether he believes it is unfair that some health insurance companies cover the cost of Viagra but not birth control.

McCain, who has voted against mandating birth control coverage, attempted to skirt the issue a number of times but the ever-persistent Maeve Reston of the L.A. Times pushed the topic to the point that the GOPer acknowledged he was ducking the question.

McCain surrogate, Carly Fiorina, first brought up the issue Monday at a DC event where she declared that “women would like a choice,” when it comes to birth control coverage.

Today’s exchange (filled with moments of awkward laughter) aboard the bus:

Reston: Earlier this week Carly was meeting with a bunch of reporters and talked about it being unfair that insurance companies cover Viagra but not birth control. And -

McCain: I certainly do not want to discuss that issue.

Reston: But apparently you’ve voted against-

McCain: I don’t know what I voted -

Reston: Voted against coverage of birth control, forcing health insurance companies to cover birth control in the past. Is that still your position?

McCain: I’ll look at my voting record on it, but I have, uh, (5 second pause) , I don’t recall the vote right now. But I’ll be glad to look at it and get back to you as to why, I don’t -

Reston: I guess her statement was that it was unfair that health insurance companies cover Viagra but not birth control. Do you have an opinion on that.

McCain: (after 8 second pause) I don’t know enough about it to give you an informed answer because I don’t recall the vote, I’ve cast thousands of votes in the Senate. I will respond to - it’s a, it’s a-

Reston: Delicate issue?

McCain: It’s something that I had not thought much about and I did hear about her response but I hadn’t thought much. But I will get, I will get back to you today on it.

Reston: Ok

McCain: I don’t usually duck an issue, but I’m, I’ll try to get back to you.

Sen. McCain will co-host an event with the less controversial Bush July 21 when he heads up to Kennebunkport, ME for a fundraiser with Bush 41 and his wife Barbara at the Walker’s Point Resort.

It will cost donors $2,300 for entry to the VIP reception and a photo opportunity

The last time McCain appeared with the former President was February 18, when Bush the elder endorsed the presumptive GOP nominee in Houston.