DAVENPORT -- This time, it will be different, presumed Republican presidential candidate John McCain promised the crowd at the Radisson Quad City Plaza Hotel in Davenport Saturday night.

"You dissed Iowa in 2000. I was wondering why we should support you now?" a young man asked Mr. McCain following his speech.

The U.S. senator from Arizona told the mostly Republican audience -- and a few members of the local and national media -- that money, not motivation, was behind his decision to skip the Iowa caucuses during the 2000 Republican presidential campaign. He instead focused on New Hampshire.

"It had nothing to do with my appreciation for the heartland ... we'll have the resources to come back this time. I'll be here many times," Mr. McCain promised.

Mr. McCain has not formally declared his candidacy, but he spoke Saturday as if the decision were simply a formality.

He said his priorities if elected president are to curb runaway federal spending, extend the Bush administration's tax cuts, reform Social Security and Medicare, make sure the nation's borders are secure, and make sure judges are appointed to the Supreme Court who strictly interpret the Constitution.

He also said he places education high on his list, adding that teachers need to be paid more, but also be accountable, and that he's pro-ethanol, but won't support subsidizing it.

Mr. McCain -- who likened himself to former president Ronald Regan more than six times during his speech -- alternately shook hands, signed autographs, told jokes, and answered questions from the crowd about health care, Medicare, education, taxes, and the war in Iraq.

Iowa City school teacher Nicole Rodriguez said it will take more than an evening of campaign promises to get her vote. The 27-year-old attended the event with her stepfather, Mike Tataroff, and her mother, Nancy Bodinet, of Davenport.

"I don't know who I am going to vote for yet," Ms. Rodriguez said. "I'm not a Republican or a Democrat; I like to decide based on the person. (Mr.) McCain piqued my interest, and I think I want to know more about him, but I'm not ready to support anybody yet."

Before his speech, the senator spent some time shaking hands with attendees and signing autographs.

Debbie Burner, of Rock Island, didn't get close enough to get an autograph, but she was still impressed by Mr. McCain's speech.

"I think we definitely need a change in this country, and I think McCain has the insight and strong points, from all he's been through in the military and in his career," she said. "I think he can turn this country around."

Also appearing at the town hall meeting was former Texas Sen. Phil Gramm.