McCain Express stops at BC3
Sen. John McCain's "Straight Talk Express" made a stop at Butler County Community College Wednesday with visits from former Gov. Tom Ridge and former Steeler Lynn Swann, along with a country music concert by Sammy Kershaw.
The "Victory Concert" and McCain campaign rally kicked off at the Succop Theatre on campus with about 50 people who attended to build up support for their presidential candidate. The election is Nov. 4.
Lori Maihle of Butler sat in the second row and said she believes more people need to voice their support for McCain to make sure the country is in good hands come January.
"We need to get to these rallies and let McCain know that there are still people who care about the safety of our country," Maihle said.
She also said she feels more people should recognize McCain and his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, as the candidates they can trust.
"Palin added a breath of fresh air to the campaign," Maihle said. "She is just like you and me and we need some honesty back in Washington."
The crowd clapped along with the songs sung by Kershaw, who is a nationally known country singer. He dedicated one song to "the working girls" and also threw Mardis Gras beads into the crowd, with Swann being one of the recipients in the middle of the auditorium.
"I think a lot of people in D.C. seem to forget that it's real people like you and me who run the country," Kershaw said before his last song.
Ridge addressed the crowd after the concert, introducing Jerry Coffee, who was McCain's cell mate in a North Vietnam Prisoner of War camp.
Coffee said the first time he met McCain, both cell mates had to tap out their names in Morse Code. Each night before they fell asleep, Coffee said, they tapped out, "God bless you," followed by "God bless America," to each other to keep their faith for the future.
"We couldn't have a more open book than John McCain, and he steps up because it's in his genes," Coffee said. "He is his country's man, and that is why we can always rely on him to put his country first."
Ridge urged those who attended to network with everyone they knew to build support for McCain, whether it's picking up the phone or sending letters to a Christmas card list.
"It's about integrity, honor and a track record," Ridge said.
Ridge said Wednesday's tour began in Erie and moved through Crawford and Mercer counties as well. The group had one more stop in Westmoreland County last evening.
He said his message to voters in Pennsylvania has been that they have a clear choice in this election, and should look at the candidate who is most ready to serve.
"During perilous international times, we need someone who has demonstrated their personal courage and political courage and his leadership, both in the military and in government to make a difference to build a stronger and safer America," Ridge said.
"The other part of the message is the other man is a gifted speaker, but his lack of experience and, frankly, lack of judgment in certain areas suggests that he is just not ready yet."
