With Democrat Barack Obama continuing to run strong in North Carolina, the campaign of Republican John McCain is ramping up its efforts here.
Next week both McCain and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin are expected to campaign here, Rob Christensen reports.
Although nothing has been announced, McCain is likely to make his first general election appearance in the state on Saturday, Oct. 18th. The most likely location is Hickory — although Charlotte and Wilmington had also been discussed.
The event would be designed to rally the state GOP's western base.
Palin will attend a fund raiser next Thursday at the Greensboro home of the McCain-Palin finance chairman, businessman Louis DeJoy. She is also likely to have a public rally. The McCain-Palin campaign is looking strongly at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh.
North Carolina has been a traditionally Republican leaning state in presidential politics, but the Obama campaign has made it into a battleground. The McCain campaign is picking up the pace in recent days in effort to keep the state red.
In recent days, Warren Tompkins, a respected Republican operative in South Carolina and a protege of the late Lee Atwater, has been surveying North Carolina for the McCain campaign to determine what can be done to shore up the state.


Comments
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 10:56pm — OlderWhiteWomanTwo Medical Diagnoses that mysteriously disappeared from Senator John McCain’s medical records:
* Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) = symptoms include explosive temper, cursing, sick humor, emotional outbursts, trouble concentrating, and hyper vigilance to threat.
* ELECTile Dysfunction (ED) = symptoms include an inability to hold a lead in the polls.
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
February 7, 2009 - 9:50am — g88ky07Yeah, BRING IT ON McPalin!
Should be a hoot!
Re: one reason-maybe two,
October 9, 2008 - 8:30pm — dennis1I think I am right on the mark. McCain had a lot of character when he was a young man in a Vietnam prison. He apparently started losing his character when he was unfaithful to his disabled wife and married "that other woman" the day or the day after the divorce became final. That took some character also but he didn't show any.
Where do you come up with the phrase "God bless the corpse of the constitution of the USA"?
Who has the power to change our constitution? Bush has tried to push the envelope on this be he still can't change the constitution. Neither can Obama nor McCain.
" Oh ye of little faith"
I know I am not going to change your opinion of Senator Obama and neither will you change my mind about McCain. But that is one of the wonderful things about our great USA--We can voice our opinions without being shot or locked up.
Re: one reason-maybe two,
October 9, 2008 - 8:02pm — codycoyoteCharacter is a supreme consideration. How is it that we arrive at different conclusions then?
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 6:49pm — nomvrk08I hope they do.
Re: one reason-maybe two,
October 9, 2008 - 6:32pm — ThoughtCrimeswell. glad you have us all figured out. maybe i despise him because of the content of his character? did you ever consider that?
BTW, I despise McLaim too. is that because he's white? and he has an irish sounding name?
And, no, you won't go to hell for voting for this crackpot, but the country will. God bless the corpse of the constitution of the USA, it was a good run, we did a lot for the world, and now it's time to slide into the dark abyss.
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 6:47pm — nomvrk08AT THIS POINT WHAT'S THE USE?
McCain is no maverick
McCain does not have integrity= keting 5 (stole from us citizens 112,000)
McCain ready for war= Voted with Bush on all count to invade Iraq
McCain responsible for all our billions going to Iraq
McCain very responsible for these corporate moguls ripping us off and devastating the US economy.
McCain cannot bring himself to say middle class much less care about the poor in this country.
McCain goes nasty with desperation of lies, innuendos; someone like this should be hiding his face from the American people. McCain cannot say these things to Obama's face because he is a lier
My Old saying is not about acquaintances, but on liars.//forget Palin she needs to get back to Alaska and never get back out from under that rock.
We have lowered the United States American standard for VP so, that now any bumb or pimp that has the gift of gab can now become VP. Our values and decency is out the window. SHE IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR IRREGULARITIES IN HER OWN STATE, WHERE THE HELL DID THEY FIND THIS NO BRAINER?
"It is easier to get away from a thief than it is to get away from liars” This is the reason many innocents are in jail. Look at all the shady people McCain has been tied into. Look at his lobbyist, McCain is the foreigner he was born in Central America so why is he trying Obama's middle name on us. We know his middle name and we love his middle name because it belongs to OBAMA NOT ANYONE ELSE, HE WAS GIVEN IT BY HIS MOTHER AND FATHER, ONE WHITE AND THE OTHER BLACK. so don't try to make OBAMA something he's not.
America is in a sad state and McCain emphasizes his desperation to win the white house by uttering lies. THIS MAN IS REALY SENILE
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 4:18pm — codycoyoteFor thee genteel southern Christian folks: Yes, you have all that with Obama. He is an American also, and he wants to help other Americans. What are you thinking? He honors the flag and is more likely to keep you hunting and fishing in our natural preserves than McCain.
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 4:11pm — AVLGUYSome of us don't need a "crystal ball" to predict an outcome. Our theories are grounded in history, science and mathematics. Unless the repugs come up with a way to steal the election, Obama will be the next president of these great United States.
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 4:00pm — dennis1McCain is desperate. He acts like a bitter old man who can't get his way.
For the ones who claim Obama will take away our hunting rights, ban all guns, change our christian views, not be patriotic etc--you are fishing!!
Don't beat around about what you really mean. Most of the people who despise Obama do so for one reason-maybe two. His race and his name. He was not given a choice in either one. Look at the whole person and not the color of his skin.
I am caucasian,65 and am also a Christian!! But that does not mean I will go to Hell for voting OBAMA.
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 3:56pm — avila65Wow, can somebody tell me where I can get a crystal ball like you all apparently have? How cool to know what everyone else is doing or thinking!! Amazing!!
I have just got to get me one.
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 3:44pm — carbonLibI've been waiting and waiting for McCain and Palin to say SOMETHING that would be other than just mudslinging at Obama. They haven't. It's obvious that they are desperate, and this is about all they can muster. Even NC is starting to wake up....and that spells doom for their ticket.
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 3:42pm — acidqueenGee, I hope the SS won't ban me from campus if I show up wearing an Obama shirt when Sarah Palin comes to Reynolds.
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 3:38pm — AVLGUYNope - doesn't hurt at all. I just think that McCain and Palin are disgusting hatemongers. You fail to mention Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager, getting paid up to 2 million dollars in consulting fees from Fannie and Freddie for him and his lobbying firm. Again - a repug double-standard. And you think that McCain and Palin aren't spreading misinformation and lies about Obama? You've obviously already drank the kool-aid.
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 3:21pm — GWPADGETTWe thee people of NC welcome Mr McCain & Ms Palin! We are truly southern christian folks, who love thee outdoors & our freedom to hunt & fish in our state! We were raised to work for what we need, & be thankful for what we have & to be thankful & blessed to be born in thee USA! A country where our fore fathers laid thee ground for our future! Remember also we are proud of our men & women in uniform, & we salute Mr McCain for being an American veteran & hero! Also we want a President who will honor our flag & all who serve under her! Always remember "We are one Nation under GOD" Amen!!!!!
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 3:12pm — Vegasjoe57The truth hurts, doesn't it?
Obama spews lies and misinformation.
Why does he fail to disclose he was #2 on Fannies list of PAC money to buy protection? Why does he not talk about his ACORN community organizing group and their indictment for voter fraud in many states?
Why is Clinton Croney, Frank Raines, who stole shareholder money in cash and options from Fannie as CEO, and cooked the books with brilliant accounting fraud, and who is Obama's top advisor, not exposed for the thief and liar he is?
What is pathetic is that your head is in the sand.
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 2:57pm — pkscoutAll these McCain/Palin haters need to take a broader view. If McCain and/or Palin come here, they can't be campaigning in actual battleground states. Obama might lose the battle and win the war. '-)
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 2:05pm — AVLGUYThe sad part is all the hate and venom they'll spew while they're here in our state. Whether they win NC or not, they will not win this election. It was over after this last debate. They are just out to see how much anger and divisiveness they can generate before they are done with this campaign. It's pathetic.
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 1:59pm — agmThey should save their money. NC has no interest in this loser pair. Michelle Goldberg's column in the Guardian UK got it right. Palin has lowered the bar on female candidates as well as pubic discourse. Appalling is the only word for it. NC women are not dimwitted - will not be voting for her.
McCain is an over the hill flip-flopping public menance. Frankly, if this pair is the best that the GOP can produce, they should turn over the keys and key out the lights...
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 1:56pm — Ebube1Indeed, McCain and Palin visit will not matter much. Although North Carolina has voted more of Republican tickets in the federal level, it does not appear that it will be the case this election period. Suffice to say that McCain-Palin ticket has no credible solutions for the economy or other issues this great nation face today, the assumption that the citizenry is unable to decipher they will be a continuation of Bush administration is unfortunate. McCain has had several opportunities to show how he is different from Mr. Bush including the two televised debates but he failed to do so. As an unaffiliated voter I am tired of rhetoric and character assassination. Thus, it seems to me McCain and Palin visit will not turn things around for them in North Carolina. Further, while I am not in a position to advise his campaign but he will be better off concentrate his resources in those states he has solid chances of winning.
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 1:02pm — bendalVoters are realizing that McCain/Palin is a losing ticket; he has no substantive plans for the economy, opposes alternative energy proposals, would continue Bush's assault on the Constitution and his "War on Terror" to infinity, and is quite frankly, prone to irrational outbursts as he's gotten older. His decision making and recollection abilities are also bad, as is shown by his choice of his VP candidate.
As for her, the less said the better. Empty suit, empty head is a good description of her.
Thankfully there's less than a month to go before these two will fade away.
Re: McCain, Palin to visit N.C.
October 9, 2008 - 12:47pm — riverrdI will not matter if these two losers do come to our fair state. North Carolina will vote DEMOCRATIC this year from the top down! The people have had enough of the lies, corruption and hypocrisy of the repoblican party. Have Hope! The Day of Liberation is at Hand!!!