Restrained crowd, conservative questions greet McCain in Michigan

Appearance is study in contrast with Michelle Obama’s in Pontiac

The mood was calm, and there was not much visible excitement in the crowd. The audience consisted of predominantly well-dressed middle-aged men. The few minorities and younger people in the crowd had seats on the stage to the candidate’s left.

That was the scene in Belleville on Thursday when John McCain came to town. It was quite a contrast to the impassioned, enthusiastic mood the day before when Michelle Obama was cheered by an audience of Michiganians including many women and minorities.

McCain’s visit came one day after Michelle Obama spoke in Pontiac to discuss her husband’s economic plan with women.

Continued -McCain’s invite-only audience was overwhelmingly white and male. They were offered valet parking. They listened to soft jazz before his arrival, enjoyed a catered spread and politely applauded a few of the senator’s lines. Visitors to Obama’s event in Pontiac yesterday were overwhelmingly African-American and female. They stood in line for free tickets, radiated boisterous energy, listened to Stevie Wonder before Obama’s arrival and contemplated whether to purchase $5 box lunches on the sidewalk outside the event.

At the McCain event, during the question-answer period, some seemed as though their ideals were more conservative than the Republican candidate’s. His positions on global climate change, immigration and free trade were scrutinized.

Some in attendance were undecided voters like John Bobrowski, 36, of Belleville. He thought the event was informative, though he said he was still undecided. But he said he felt more swayed toward McCain than he was before the meeting.

“I’m glad he didn’t key in on the negative. He focused on the issues, there was not a whole lot of mudslinging,” Bobrowski said. “It helped [me] to hear him answer the questions. I learned a lot.” But Bobrowski didn’t seem too confident that Michigan will be a red state in November. “It’ll be hard for him to win, except for maybe on the west side of the state,” he said.

But others there weren’t shy about expressing support for McCain. Penny Igielski of Plymouth enjoyed the program and agreed with everything he had to say, especially on the war in Iraq. “I definitely support the war,” she said enthusiastically. “Obama is a charismatic fellow, but he’s got no experience.” Igielski said McCain’s position on trade with China hit home when he said that if the nation sent the U.S. a tainted toy, that it would be the last toy it sent, explaining that her son contracted lead poisoning from his Thomas the Train. “They have to stop selling us junk,” she said. “I think the Chinese are trying to kill us off. They’re waging a weaponless war.”

Jose F. Aliaga, CEO of Aliaga Development and Consulting, said he shares dual citizenship of both the U.S. and Peru. “I was a Romney supporter and today I came to see John McCain and I liked what I heard. I like his position on immigration. I think McCain pretty clearly has the right idea for the auto companies. I will vote for John McCain because he represents what I stand for.” Will he win? Aliaga shrugged. “I don’t know. Right now the polls are really tight,” he said.

Larry Knurek of Novi was impressed after seeing McCain speak in person. “I enjoyed the program, it was very interesting,” Knurek said. “He explained his position on foreign trade, which is a big concern of mine, being in the manufacturing business.” Knurek expressed his concerns about the economy and said McCain’s positions would better the situation. “To see companies going overseas and nothing coming back is quite disturbing. I think his comments about research and development are very important to this country. For us to stay the leader of technology we have to be able to receive those tax credits so we can invest in people and new product.” Knurek seemed pretty confident that McCain has a good chance of winning in November.

“I think he’s very sincere in what he has to say. I think a lot of people see that as being one of his strong points. He’s very committed and it shows,” Knurek said.