CEDAR FALLS - The latest polls here in Iowa show John McCain trails Barack Obama by an average of nearly twelve points.

But McCain believes he can still win this state... and its seven electoral votes.

Before Sunday's rally he sat down with KCRG T-V Nine's Bruce Aune for a one-on-one interview:

It's easy to get John McCain talking... even about ideas that might not be too popular here in Iowa.

For one, he wants to eliminate the federal subsidy on ethanol.

I mentioned how a farmer told me that could kill the ethanol industry... but McCain feels that subsidy hurts consumers.

I asked him what message he needs to put out in the next nine days to win over undecided and wavering voters.

McCain: "Well, number one is I don't want to re-distribute the wealth. That's what Senator Obama said, we need to, quote, "...spread the wealth around." And, by the way, that ethanol farmer? Look at what his estate taxes would be under Senator Obama when he wants to pass that onto his children. Look at the small business people who 50 per cent of the income would be taxed by Senator Obama. And obviously he wants to raise taxes on the, quote, "rich." A lot of people would be surprised to find themselves in that category. Finally, Senator Biden said it most clearly. He said there's going to be an international crisis that will test this inexperienced young president. Like the Cuban missile crisis. I was in that Cuban missile crisis. That was close to nuclear war. I've been tested. I think it's pretty obvious to me that if I'm president there won't be a need to test me.

Aune: Aren't we at the point right now where the effort really has to focus on getting out the vote?

McCain: O yeah. I think that's very important. Senator Obama has spent a lot more money than I have. I understand that. But he didn't tell the American people the truth when he signed a piece of paper and said he would take public financing if I would back when he was a long shot candidate. He didn't tell the American people the truth when he looked in the camera and said he would sit down with me. In a debate with Senator Clinton he said twice, "I'll sit down and negotiate with John McCain." He never had the intention of that. He didn't tell the American people the truth. American people want to be told the truth."

Aune: Senator McCain told me he is hoping for a big turnout for this election. He still voices confidence. But it's the voters who will determine if that confidence is merited.