McCain Supporters Don't Let Obama Visit Pass Quietly


By Meranda Watling, Journal and Courier
August 5, 2008

Article Excerpt:

Purdue University senior Ross McMullin said he was encouraged by the response members of Students for John McCain received as they rallied Wednesday morning on the Memorial Mall along State Street.

About 20 students came out for the last-minute rally to hold signs and support the Republican presidential candidate, he said.

"The most exciting part for us was the number of honks we received," McMullin said.

It wasn't just students making a statement in support of McCain, either. While West Lafayette geared up for Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama's visit to discuss national security Wednesday, the Republican National Committee held a conference call to discuss Obama's visit.

Luke Messer, co-chairman of McCain's Indiana campaign, said Obama's visit to the Hoosier state was an attempt by the senator to hide his inexperience in national security by attaching himself to people with experience.

He cited the new Obama TV ad featuring Sen. Richard Lugar, an Indiana Republican, as a further attempt to do the same.

"There's a difference between a certificate of participation and a Ph.D.," Messer said. "Men like senators Lugar and McCain have a Ph.D." in national security experience.

As to whether McCain should see Obama's visit or his other moves to campaign in the traditionally Republican state as a threat, Messer said the GOP campaign is confident.

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