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Republican presidential hopeful John McCain is using campaign appearances in New Jersey to signal he can be a contender in a blue state. In particular, he's touting his environmental record. WNYC's Bob Hennelly reports on McCain's visit to Jersey City's Liberty Science Center:

REPORTER: The Arizona Senator's boosters say his troubles with conservatives will serve him well in New Jersey, where independents outnumber Democrats and Republicans combined. At the Science Center, McCain highlighted his stand on global warming.

MCCAIN: I think there is no doubt that our environment globally is challenged. I think our environment in this country is challenged."

REPORTER: The environment is an easy sell in Jersey, but the Iraq war is another matter. McCain says the first four years were mismanaged, but now the US effort is back on track. McCain sounds eager to have Senator Obama to cast as naive and inexperienced.

MCCAIN: I am convinced that setting a date for withdrawal as Senator Obama wants to do will lead to chaos, blood shed and further sacrifice."

REPORTER: McCain staffers say he'll return to New Jersey. He'll need to. The last time a Republican carried the Garden State was in 1988 when George Bush's father beat Micheal Dukakis.

For WNYC, I'm Bob Hennelly