By Liz Burlingame, Charles Cadwallader, Cailin Magruder and Will Mari

WACO – Over 500 people from all around Texas braved the wind, the cold and the rain to pack into the creative center at the Heart O’ Texas Fair and Coliseum for the John McCain town hall meeting.

Some of the people had the available seats while others proudly stood in the back, overflowing the space projected for the meeting. Kids sat on the shoulders of their parents and many people of all ages stood on their tip-toes to see Senator John McCain speak.

McCain kept his remarks brief, saying that he wanted to get on with the town hall style meeting. “I have learned more from town hall meetings than any other experience in my life,” McCain said, “it is the best way to get in touch with the views of the people.”