STURGIS, S.D. (AP) -- Republican John McCain has gotten an approving roar from the thousands gathered at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.

He mentioned how Democrat Barack Obama was cheered by a large crowd recently during his speech in Berlin. McCain told the Sturgis crowd, "I'll take the roar of 50,000 Harleys any day."

McCain also criticized Obama for supporting a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq. McCain says he wants us to come home with victory and honor "so we will never go back again."

Cindy McCain also spoke, thanking the gathering for supporting the troops, and recounting how she has two sons in the military. Her husband joked that she should enter the event's beauty contest so she could be both Miss Buffalo Chip and first lady.

McCain was seeking blue-collar and heartland support by visiting the giant motorcycle rally.

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