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Rumors squelched that VP candidate Palin also would be in area

October 9, 2008

A quiet McCain hits Scranton

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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PITTSTON TWP. -- Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain arrived in Northeastern Pennsylvania on Sunday night when his plane touched down at the Wilkes-Barre%2FScranton+International+Airport%22>Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport at 8:04 p.m.

McCain, of Arizona, was ushered from the airport to a vehicle waiting to take him to the Hilton Hotel, Scranton. McCain did not address the crowd at the airport, nor did he offer any comment at the hotel.

McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, will not be at today’s event in Scranton. She will be joining McCain later today in Media, Pa., for an event there.

However, Republican sources said plans are in the works for a Palin visit to Northeastern Pennsylvania in the near future – possibly within one week.

When McCain’s “Straight Talk Express” landed at the airport, Secret Service agents rushed from the rear exit of the plane to waiting vehicles. Carrying their duffle bags, the agents made their way to the motorcade.

McCain exited the front of the aircraft and stopped briefly to wave to the media and a few onlookers.

While in Scranton, McCain will participate in the Irish Presidential Forum – the first Republican candidate to do so. The town-hall-style meeting will be at 10:30 a.m. today in the Scranton Cultural Center, North Washington Avenue, Scranton. Doors open at 8 a.m.

The Luzerne County Republican Headquarters on Public Square and the Republican Victory Center in Dallas are both sold out of tickets for today’s event, said Bob Davison, a volunteer. Davison and his daughter, Kristin, were at the airport to help welcome McCain.

Speculation was running rampant Sunday night at the airport about the possibility that Palin would join McCain in Scranton today. The rumors were quickly quelled by the McCain advance press staff.

Brooke Buchanan, McCain’s traveling press secretary, met briefly with reporters in the lobby of the Hilton. She issued a statement from McCain on the economy.

The McCain-Palin presidential campaign announced Sunday that McCain and Palin will participate in a Main Street USA Event in Media, Pa., later today. The event is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at the Delaware County Courthouse.

The Irish forum is held during every presidential election season, according to a report in The Irish Voice, published online at www.irishabroad.com, an Irish news and social networking Web site.

Six questions will be asked of McCain -- the same six questions posed to Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., when she appeared before the forum in March in New York City as a Democratic presidential hopeful.

The forum has invited McCain’s Democratic opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, to schedule an appearance before the forum, but he has not yet responded.

The visit

Arizona Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, will hold a Town Hall meeting at 10:30 a.m. today at the Scranton Cultural Center, North Washington Avenue, Scranton. Doors will open at 8 a.m.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, can be reached at 829-7218.

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