Republican presidential hopeful and Arizona Sen. John McCain smiles as he is introduced at the Milwaukee County Reagan Day Dinner in Milwaukee on Friday at American Serb Hall. Behind him is a portrait of former President Ronald Reagan.

MILWAUKEE - Dressed in red and wearing a Republican dress pin, Mary Ann Hanson looked patriotic as she listened to GOP presidential candidate and Arizona Sen. John McCain speak during the Reagan Day Dinner in Milwaukee on Friday night.

Hanson said she wanted to know more about the candidate who looks to be the Republican nominee for president.

"What are his priorities and how well do they mesh with mine?" she said about her questions before the dinner.

"He did well. He hit all the things I told you about," Hanson said afterward, referring to the war in Iraq, immigration and conservative values.

During his speech to a sold-out crowd at the American Serb Hall, 5101 Oklahoma Ave., McCain talked about the war in Iraq, immigration and border control, earmarked projects and re-energizing the Republican Party as supporters sat at tables eating fish fries.

"We’ve got to unite our party and re-energize our party," he said.

Looking back, forward

One topic that clearly united the audience Friday night was the war in Iraq.

"It’s a tough war. It’s a bad war," he said, emphasizing the need to take care of returning soldiers’ physical and mental needs.

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