McCain Vows War on Poverty, Says Nation in Recession April 23 (Bloomberg) -- Republican John McCain, saying the nation is in a recession and ``families are hurting,'' retraced Lyndon Johnson's steps in eastern Kentucky and pledged to mount a war on poverty different from that waged by the former Democratic president. Midwesterners fight deadly spring floods As floodwaters pushed against the Valley Park levee, Tracy Ziegler pushed a cold beer toward one of his customers at Meramec Jack's bar and grill.