McCain repeats vow for balanced budget

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain promised Wednesday to balance the federal budget despite the nation’s deepening economic distress.

McCain said he would “confront” the massive federal debt and would balance the annual federal budget by the end of his term in office, without specifying whether he meant in four years or perhaps eight years should he be elected twice.

McCain has long promised to balance the budget but this was the first time he renewed the pledge since the enactment of a $700 billion bailout this month of troubled financial institutions which could complicate such an effort. Many presidential candidates have promised to balance the budget but the last to do so was Democrat Bill Clinton, who had four budget surpluses beginning in 1998. That was the first surplus since 1969 and the first string of surpluses since one that ended in 1930.

Speaking to a rowdy crowd of supporters in this eastern Pennsylvania town, McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, both challenged Democrat Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign claims. Dismissing Obama as just “a guy who’s just tried to talk his way into the White House,” vice presidential candidate Palin said the Democrats’ ideas are stale and dangerous.

“He’s not willing to drill for energy, but he’s sure willing to drill for votes,” Palin said, eliciting cheers of “Drill, baby, drill” from the crowd, which often interrupted the candidates during their joint appearance.

McCain’s remarks about Obama were interrupted with shouts of “socialist,” “terrorist” and “liar.” At another time, a man in the bleaches shouted “No more ACORN,” referring to a group that registers poor voters.

“We’ve all heard what he’s said. But it’s less clear what he’s done, or what he will do,” McCain said.

The crowd replied with chants, “Nobama.”

Similarly, Palin said there were too many questions about Obama’s past: “John McCain didn’t just come out of nowhere. The American people know John McCain.”

Advisers say the Republican ticket will continue this forceful tone as the campaign enters its final months. Obama leads in national and state polls; McCain is looking for a way to change that.

McCain is trying to move Pennsylvania and its 21 electoral votes out of the Democratic column; President Bush lost the state to Democrats in 2000 and 2004.