Wednesday’s appearance by Sen. John McCain in Westport and Greenwich showed his command of the issues and his willingness to face tough questions without offering one-liners or vague promises so common of Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama.

Despite the analysis of the Hartford Courant, Sen. McCain did offer a clear outline of how he would keep America strong from threats abroad and unleash the potential of our economy through innovation, investment and tax relief.

The 300 employees of Bridgewater Associates, an investment company built from scratch by Ray Dalio, who encouraged his employees to let fly with questions. It wasn’t a “scrubbed” political crowd, and the questions were reasoned and intelligent.

Sen. McCain was up to each query, saying he would cut the corporate tax rate, make the 2001 tax cut permanent and provide job training and placement for workers who have lost their jobs through foreign competition.

Sen. McCain also took aim at corporate greed and overblown executive compensation and stock manipulation. Hardly Republican orthodoxy and a point ignored by the Courant and others.

Sen. McCain also pointed out the progress made in Iraq and made no apologies for America’s continued vigilance against Islamic terrorism. It is a point which McCain understands the dangers this country faces and will not surrender to the Democrats who don’t see it.

The event showed Sen. McCain isn’t afraid to face the public and give some straight talk. He was and is in full grasp of the facts and provides a clear plan of action of America - one that relies on the genius and sacrifice of its citizens, not the failed paradigm of big government, high taxes and redistribution of wealth.