In Their Words: McCain, McMahon, Simmons

John McCain, a veteran of the Vietnam War, seemed comfortable in Danbury Monday before a crowd of more than 350 people, many of them veterans themselves.

The people who came were carrying paper and pens. They wanted an autograph from their rock star, but McCain wasn't playing the star at first.

"I feel a bit like Zsa Zsa Gabor's fifth husband on their wedding night," McCain said. "I know what to do, but I'm not sure I can make it exciting."

At every pause in his speaking, the crowd let him know he knew how to make it exciting.

"I'd like to tell my fellow veterans it doesn't take much talent to get shot down. It doesn't make me a hero to intercept a surface to air missile with my airplane," McCain said.

In his more serious comments, McCain said he knows how vital the Electric Boat shipyard is to the United States, because his father sailed out of there. "I know you're proud of the subs and the people who work there."

When Linda McMahon spoke, she saw the crowd was decorated with numerous red T-shirts that said Veterans for Linda.

"I couldn't be more proud to be represented by such a crowd," McMahon said. "Thank you so much."

McMahon said the election is about jobs.

"My opponent still hasn't presented his jobs plan," McMahon said, repeating a constant theme she has used throughout her campaign to beat Chris Murphy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Joseph Lieberman.

Rob Simmons, a former U.S. Congressman, said he was honored Monday to be introducing John McCain, "A true American Hero. My hero, John McCain."

"You may not know this, but U.S. Senator John McCain holds the same senate seat that was formerly held by Barry Goldwater."

Simmons said if McCain had won the 2008 presidential election, the terrorists in Libya would not have dared to attack our embassy. He said John McCain stood by Simmons in a difficult election and helped get him elected.

"Five days before the election he took a chance on a fellow veteran. We beat a 20-year incumbent," Simmons said.