by Josh Drobnyk
John McCain is scheduled to return to Pennsylvania Monday for a two-day swing through the western and central part of the state, this time with former Gov. Tom Ridge at his side.
The trip had originally been planned as a western Pennsylvania bus tour, as Pennsylvania Avenue told you about a few weeks back. But plans changed after word of the tour leaked.
Next week's trip will begin in Erie as originally planned -- with Ridge at McCain's side -- and then head to Harrisburg. Details are still sketchy, but the tour is tentatively scheduled to then head to York and Lancaster on Tuesday.
The GOP in Pennsylvania has been pushing the McCain campaign to focus more heavily on central and western Pennsylvania, highlighting the importance of driving up McCain's margin of victory in traditionally Republican strongholds. So far, McCain's visits have mainly concentrated on southeastern Pennsylvania. He's been to the state a half-dozen times since early June.
The most recent Quinnipiac University poll has Obama up 7 points in the state and by 16 points in the heavily-populated southeast counties surrounding Philadelphia, a region that McCain's campaign thinks it must remain competitive in should it have a chance of carrying the state.
Ridge's appearance on the campaign trail alongside McCain will be the first time in months the two close friends have appeared together in public and is sure to refresh speculation that the former secretary of Homeland Security is among those McCain is eyeing as his running mate.
Josh Drobnyk writes for The Morning Call.
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Comments
Great. Two war criminals in one venue. I'm sure their every quotation will be duly recorded and broadcast by our stenographic press corps.
Posted by: Hillary as veep at least or we lose in the Fall, kids | August 7, 2008 12:59 PM
Senator " Questionable Conduct " McCain must be looking for some contributions from the former Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary Ridge !! I think he made out, quite well, while he was Secretary and I know he has done, fabulously, since his leaving our government. He must belong to the same firm that Ashcroft and Pearl, the NeoCon. They sure are some shrewd businessmen !! I wonder what their secret is, maybe they studied extra hard while they were in college, getting their MBA !!! Do ya think!!!?
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THE HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | August 7, 2008 1:35 PM
Ridge is a no-go for McCain due to his sketchy conservative credentials and his ties to the Bush administration; however strained those ties were.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | August 7, 2008 1:56 PM
Mr. Duct Tape? Good pick. Stuff will come in handy as the country falls to pieces.
Posted by: DD | August 7, 2008 11:29 PM