Time to 'raise McCain'

Clinton vs. Obama.

It’s all you hear. The Battle of Pennsylvania.

The problem is it’s only half the equation. The other half will be here this morning.

While Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama trade haymakers, John McCain quietly goes about his business.

The Arizona senator will turn up the volume a bit this morning when he holds a town hall meeting at Springfield Country Club.

It means that while the spotlight likely will shine on the Democratic donnybrook for the next six weeks, McCain actually becomes the first candidate to hit the ground here in Delaware County.

Former President Bill Clinton stumped at Penn State Brandywine last Friday. Michelle Obama held a rally at Villanova Thursday afternoon.

McCain is the presumptive GOP nominee, and about the only mystery left for Republicans will be who McCain selects as a running mate. Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, the nation’s first director of Homeland Security, is being mentioned.

The Delco GOP originally was lining up behind former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, but now are solidly in the McCain camp.

McCain will be on friendly turf, in the GOP bastion of Springfield. Looking down the line, McCain will be trying to reverse a troubling recent trend for the Delco GOP, which has seen the county go for the Democrat in recent presidential elections.

No doubt nearby will be Craig Williams, the Republican who is challenging first-term Congressman Joe Sestak, D-7. Sestak was on hand last week when Clinton came to town.

For a few hours this morning, the Republicans steal the spotlight from Democrats and their heavyweight battle.

It’s their chance to “raise McCain,” you might say.

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