By Xie Yifan

Photos by Xie Yifan

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Republican presidential candidate John McCain gave the last stump speech at battleground state Virginia, urging voters to "fight til the end" on midday Saturday with only 72 hours left before the election day.

"I'll shake up Washington and take American in a new direction from my first day in office until my last," said McCain with his wife Cindy before the nearly 3,000 supporters in Springfield, "I'm not afraid of the fight. I'm ready for it."

While bashing the Democratic Senator Barack Obama's tax plan, McCain said that he would "not going to let this Congress tax away your retirement" by cutting the capital gains tax to help create jobs and keeping American business in America. "Raising taxes makes American economy worse." added McCain.

Charles Harvey, the chief Get It Done Officer of the McCain campaign said his biggest reason for allying the GOP ticket is because they are "pro-free trading".

"We're absolutely confident as the polls during these days are shifting."said Harvey.

"Don't give up hope," McCain said. "Nothing is inevitable here. We never give up. We never quit."

About 3,000 supporters swarmed to the Interstate Van Line's headquarters, many in red shirts, holding banners such as "Keep Virginia Red", "Record Over Rhetoric" and "Mac Attack".

"I think he is a big public speaker, "said Swo Han, a Korean physician who has been living in America for over 40 years, "He's honest and you can trust him now, in turmoil, in economic crisis, in wars."

"Country first and I'm voting for someone who has experience. I'm voting for someone who keeps our American dreams alive," said Sasha Gong, a Chines-American sociologist after the McCain's twenty-minute speech. "You have to devote your conscious."

McCain's unexpected choice of Sarah Palin as running mate surely energized the Republican ticket as well, even if she was not here today.

"You have a woman who manages a city, a state and a family." added Gong.

As a self-described big supporter of Palin, James Conley, a business man and donor of the Republican party said that Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin are "totally opposite".

"She has strong faith in God, family and hard work with great personal accountability. She stands enough for the health of the least fortunate people and the society. She's wonderful. "Conley said.

Michelle Detweller, a mother of five who dressed in red suit like Palin with the symbolic beehive and glasses, said: "I think she is a quick learner and smart though I do wish she has more experience."