For Immediate Release: August 10, 2008
Bush Loyalist Campaigning for McCain in Hamilton County
8/10/08
Campaign appearance reflects sagging voter support for McCain in county
FISHERS - As if any further proof was needed that John McCain is campaigning for George W. Bush's third term, look no further than who his campaign is sending to Fishers this Tuesday. Rob Portman, who has spent his entire career with the Bush family, will be here to stump for McCain. Portman began his political career by joining George H.W. Bush's general counsel staff. While serving in the House, Portman began as the liaison between George W. Bush and the House Republicans. In his most prominent roles in the current Bush Administration, Portman was Bush's appointee as U.S. Trade Representative and eventually the director of the Office of Management and Budget.
"If you loved Bush, then you'll love McCain," says Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair, Keith Clock. "If you love the free trade agreements that have destroyed manufacturing in Indiana and if you love the record budget deficits dumped onto our children to deal with, then you'll love the approach and people McCain is surrounding himself with."
Portman's visit will be the McCain campaigns first visit to the county and only the third visit to the state by the campaign as a whole. Obama however has appeared in Indiana 46 times, including one campaign stop in Hamilton County and several others by national level surrogates.
In past elections, Republican presidential candidates have relied on the large population of Hamilton County to carry the state. However, several national polls show that Sen. Obama has a small lead in Indiana, making Hamilton County an important player in the Presidential race. According to internal polling done by the Hamilton County Republican Party, Sen. Obama has a 10 point lead in support over John McCain.
Dozens of events in support of Sen. Obama have taken place in Hamilton County in the past few months. A search for local campaign events on John McCain's website shows not one event within 100 miles of Hamilton County. However, there are over 50 Obama events within 15 miles of Noblesville and nearly 100 within 15 miles of Fishers according to his website.
"The fact that so many people, including Republicans, are opening up their homes to host events in support of Sen. Obama in Hamilton County, shows that his message of change in Washington is resonating," said Clock. "This McCain event demonstrates that he is not doing well in Hamilton County, which does not bode well for a statewide success. The notion that they have to bring in someone for support shows that voters here are tired of the failed Bush policies and that the McCain campaign's message is not carrying in Hamilton County."
For more information: Keith Clock, 317-522-1669
# # # Paid for and authorized by the Hamilton County Democratic Party, Keith Clock, Chairman. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
