ORLANDO, Fla. -- Both presidential candidates have made it clear that Central Florida -- The Interstate-4 corridor -- is critical to winning the presidency.

Monday, Local 6 spoke one-on-one with Sen. John McCain and asked several questions submitted by viewers.

"The housing market collapse and soaring unemployment are two pressing issues here in Central Florida," Local 6 anchor Jacqueline London said. "Why should people struggling to pay their bills, trust you with their vote?"

"The first thing I would do is make sure we go and buy up these bad mortgages (and) give people mortgages at the new value of their home so they can stay in their homes and realize the American dream," McCain said. "This administration and the treasury secretary are not giving that the effort and priority that it deserves."

"There has been a big change in the polls in the last month," London said. "Why do you think you have slipped in the polls here in Florida? What are voters telling you?"

"I have to show the people in Florida I have a plan of action to take our economy in a new direction and fix it," McCain said. "And I can do that."

London then asked McCain a viewer question from Lloyd in Melbourne. Lloyd asked, "Do you have a plan to help people who are retired or close to retirement?"

"Well, first of all, I'll protect their Social Security and that is my commitment," McCain said. "Second of all, I would protect their savings and I would not force them, when they reach a certain age, to withdraw their investments. And we will have more ways for them to increase their savings and protect them."

Carolyn, another Local6.com viewer, said her employer does not provide health care, and when she tries to buy insurance for herself, she is excluded because of preexisting conditions. She asked McCain if his health care plan helps her.

"Yes," McCain said. "To start with we will give every family in America a $5,000 refundable tax credit so they can go any place in America and get the health insurance they need. Second, if Carolyn is not able to qualify for any health insurance policy, we will establish government approved plans to give them the health insurance they need."

"What is your strategy for the last two weeks of this campaign?" London asked. "Will we see something new from John McCain?"

"When Sen. Obama told Joe the Plumber that he was going to spread the wealth around, that is what Sen. Obama wants to do," McCain said. "That is not what small businesses want. Small businesses want to create jobs and Sen. Obama would increase taxes on 50 percent of the income of small business people in Florida and across this country. I will keep their taxes low. I won't raise them (and) he wants to raise them. And I'll cut spending and I'll give them affordable and available health care. I'll give them a government they can trust. And that is the message."