McCain: Kentucky is a swing state

Senator McCain and his unlikely press conference companion, Debbie Blevins, of Warfield

INEZ – (Updated) John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, said he will probably be spending more time in Kentucky as the general election campaign heats up.

“I think that I have to campaign hard here. In some ways you can view it as a swing state,” McCain said. “I have to come back here. Kentucky plays a very big role... so I can not take anything in the state of Kentucky for granted.”

McCain made the comments during a press availability at a construction site in the eastern Kentucky town of Inez. Earlier, McCain held a town hall meeting in front of an enthusiastic, capacity crowd.

During the availability, the Arizona Senator emphasized his disapproval of an advertisement run in North Carolina Republican Party featuring Reverend Jeremiah Wright.

"We called and ask them not to run that message. Its not the message of the Republican Party and its not the message of my camapign. I pledge to conduct a respectful campagin and I urge - time after time - various entities within the Republican Party to also do that," said McCain. " I sent an email today asking them to pull down that ad. I can't dictate to them...But, I want to be the candidate of everybody. i want to be the candidate of republicans and democrats and people across the political spectrum."

McCain also extended his congratulations to Senator Hillary Clinton for her Tuesday victory in the Pennsylvannia Democratic Primary.

"I congratulate Sen. Clinton...She proved in Pennsylvannia she still has very, very strong support amongst members of her party, So I congratulate her on her victory last nite," said McCain. "It means I have to continue my campaign, campaign everywhere, and take nothing for granted."

Senator John McCain at Inez press conference

McCain also responded to a questioner who asked what his presidency would do about rising obesity rates and declining health in the Appalachian area where Inez is located.

"What we need to do is emphasize wellness and fitness...It isn't just, frankly, this part of the country," said McCain.

With regard to a policy solution, he referenced his proposal for health care tax credits for families..

"I want every family to have a $5,000 refundable tax credit so they can... aquire some level of health insurance," noted the candidate. "We need to set a better example for young Americans as far as wellness and fitness is concerned, combined with the ability for them to obtain health insurance so they can get regular check ups and routine treatment."

During the availability, members of the press mingled with some residents from the area while McCain spoke.

At the onset of the press conference, when it became clear McCain's remarks would be unamplified, one bystander yelled "I can't hear you!"

McCain subsequently invited her to stand with him next to the podium, and she obliged for the entirety of the event.

After McCain finished speaking and hugged her goodbye, Debbie Blevins of nearby Warfield expressed her surprise at the Senator's invitation.

"I certainly didn't expect that," said Blevins.

Updated/Corrected: Polwatchers reports Blevins was at the event to protest McCain's appearance, and she plans to vote for the Democratic nominee for President.

"I didn't want to go up there," Blevins told PolWatchers. "But how could I tell him no in front of all those people?"