U.S. Sen. John McCain's visit to Prescott Monday is shaping up to be a huge event - and a late one.
Musical entertainment at the free event on the courthouse plaza will include country music star Hank Williams Jr., McCain's campaign announced Saturday.
Planners changed McCain's appearance from 9 p.m. Monday to midnight. It will be the last of his nine presidential campaign stops on election eve, and his only public event Monday in Arizona, organizers said.
His vice presidential pick, Sarah Palin will not attend, his staff said.
The Victory Rally kicks off at 9 p.m. with music and other Republican candidates, including 1st Congressional District candidate Sydney Hay and her family.
Fellow Vietnam veteran and Congressman Duncan Hunter, who represents the San Diego area, is slated to attend. So is McCain's wife Cindy.
Another surprise country western singer also might appear, Yavapai County Republican Chair Jan Smith said.
The streets directly surrounding the plaza will be closed to traffic Monday as early as 6:30 p.m.
Gates to the Victory Rally open at 9 p.m., and people will need to pass through a metal detector.
The public can pick up tickets in advance at the Yavapai County Republican Party headquarters, 112 E. Union St., just a half-block east of the courthouse plaza. It will be open from noon to 4 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Some tickets also will be available at the gate on Montezuma Street.
Smith noted that Republican candidates have rallied on the Yavapai County courthouse plaza since 1964, when Barry Goldwater spoke on the courthouse steps while running for president.
"Everybody says for good luck, we're coming to Prescott," Smith said.
The last time he stood on those steps in April, McCain spoke of his ties to Goldwater.
Contact the reporter at jdodder@prescottaz.com
Reader Comments
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
Hey Christopher!
Will YOU be willing to get behind the new president, regardless of who it is? I didn't think so! If you can't take the medicine, don't prescribe it.
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
To No Name Provided
I've been to over 3/4 of the United States and almost 12 foreign countries, and I still haven't been able to find Obama's qualifications! Being a world traveler does not mean your opinion is better than mine nor anyone else's.
I'm 'hoping' McCain will 'change' this Courthouse Steps tradition started by Barry Goldwater, who lost, to a win.
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
Amabo Kcarab
"YES WE CAN!"
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
No name provided
These all sound like comments made by Bush Loving Supporters in 2000 and 2004. And look where it got us! I lived half my life in AZ, and now it's so nice to live in an area where everyone is highly educated and can think on their own. I have been to every state in this country and to so many places around the world and what great diversity there is. I believe that many of you have never been outside of AZ and are scared of the rest of the world. You fear what you don't understand.
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
Christopher
Reward the Republican with 4 more years? Maybe if you got some of that Bush tax cut, but what a cost. There are somethings more important than upper income tax breaks, like our integrity as a nation, the debt upon the future and an economy that provides opportunity for this and the next generation. Republicans, you had your chance with McCain, and you chose Bush. Hope you will help heal the nation of these nasty personal character assassinations by resolving to end it from this point forward, and get behind our new president.
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
College Student Concerned with the Economy
Grassroots: Are you implying that because the Governor of Arizona is Democrat, that she is to blame for this state's deficit? According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Arizona, California, Florida, and Nevada hold the largest deficit figures with relation to their respective general funds (17.8%, 21,3%, 11.0%, and 13.5%, respectively). While Arizona is led by a Democrat -- California, Florida, and Nevada are led by Republicans. Not to mention, our federal government is led by a Republican (with the largest deficit in history -- the highest of all developed nations).
I voted EARLY. I'm not staying up LATE to see Leno, Letterman or ANY candidates. Vote for whom you want and may the best man (and woman) win! Boo-Yah!
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
VOTE FOR MCCAIN
I pray that our Country makes the right decision and votes for John McCain tomorrow, so that our children may have a future worth living and fighting for. Thank you McCain for serving our country, saluting our flag and being a REAL AMERICAN.
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
No name provided
Love you John McCain. Thank you for saluting the American flag as will as having Christian morals. Israel loves you too.
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
Grassroots
The hardworking, productive taxpayers must be at work, because most of these comments are sarcastic, naive and with no facts. All I can say is Janet Napolitano (Democrat) took this state from one with a budget surplus to where we are now - in a real mess. Obama doesn't even pretend to be a Socialist - to take money from the productive and give to the unproductive. He's the real deal. Obama's recipe for the USA is to kill it. And he will. All you Obama dreamers out there will be terribly disappointed.
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
to the hecklers tonight
Heckling is rude and disrespectful.
I do not agree with Obama's policies and politics, but I wouldn't go to an Obama rally simply to yell and interrupt him and be an immature little brat. There are much more productive means for expressing your freedom of speech.
I believe each candidate, whether you agree with them or not, deserves respect. Those heckling ANY candidate at a rally for that candidate ARE riff-raff.
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
A Prescottonian
So, will the City of Prescott be citing as 10 p.m. is the latest any event can be held on that Courthouse Plaza as the City of Prescott has cited a many festivals for being loud even 10 minutes after 10 p.m.. And they shouldn't allow the Republican party to not be cited because it is a Presidential candidate!!! A vote for McCain is really a vote for Palin and I really hope you choose wisely~
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
College Student Concerned with the Economy
Also, a few submissions seem to portray McCain as the safer choice. However, I am surprised that many have forgotten that McCain voted for Bush's "2006 Social Security Privatization Plan." If Bush and McCain had it their way, more of our Social Security money would have been risked and lost as a result of our current economic crisis. In a quick summation, McCain wanted to invest our Social Security into the markets! Certainly, some found this to be a good idea at the time. This is a point that the Obama campaign has seemed not to allude to...
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
Buzzer
My answer for the college student concerned with the economy. I hope after you finish growing up and finishing your formal education, you will have chance to earn a “walking around degree” in leadership. This on-the-job training means you will learn the truth instead of your liberal professors’ regurgitation. In addition, for your financial welfare, I hope your plumbing keeps working since there are not many liberal plumbers in this part of the U.S.
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
Jose Saleldo
RIFF RAFF? Bah! Freedom of speech, I heckled in April and I will heckle tonight! See you there.
You guys can't Lie your way outta this one!!
McCain's leaving Prescott just like all you LOSERS should, ALL "MAVERICKY" and with his TAIL BETWEEN HIS LEGS.
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
Tolerance
This is American culture. We will never be united with our backs up against each other like these comments display. Obama delivers a message of unity, McCain does not. To survive this mess, to put people back in their jobs, kids back in school, and our children at war back on our soil, we must support one another and listen to each other, irregardless of political dispositions. This one sided fire throwing is what got us into this situation in the first place, isn't that the point of history and mistakes---to learn? Let us exercise tolerance.
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
No name provided
Is McCain using a Character Assassination Strategy to win the Whitehouse?
Definition:
An intentional attempt to influence the portrayal or reputation of a particular person, in such a way as to cause others to develop an extremely negative, unethical or unappealing perception of him or her. By its nature, it involves deliberate exaggeration or manipulation of facts to present an untrue picture of the targeted person.
I was under the impression that everyone who lives in the United States is afforded the presumption of innocence, “innocent until proven guilty”. Apparently the McCain camp believes they are above this core value of America.
I used Google using the same key words for McCain & Obama to conduct my own research.
McCain & Mafia: Bonnano family in NY, Bronfman of AZ, Armer Hammer, Oleg Deripaska from Switzerland
McCain & Freddie Mac: Accepted $21,000 + Rick Davis, McCain’s campaign manager/lobbyist since 2000 has accepted ~$1.2 million (Newsweek + Opensecrets.org)
McCain & Adultery: Cindy Hensley, now Cindy McCain
McCain & ACORN: Keynote speaker at ACORN rally in 2006 and key sponsor of legislation that would promote ACORN vision and mission statement
McCain & Ethics Violations:
1. Senate Ethics committee found John guilty of “poor judgment” in Keating scandal– Cost tax payers a multi-million government bailout of failed S & L bailout (substantiated by Senate Ethics Committee)
2. Verizon & ATT building free portable cell towers for McCain’s private ranch. McCain is senior member of Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees the Federal Communications Commission and telecommunications industry. Verizon has contributed $1.3 million for McCain's presidential effort, and Verizon employees are among the top 20 corporate donors over McCain's political career, giving his campaigns more than $155,000 (substantiated by Washington Post Staff Writer).
3. McCain’s own admission to intentionally filing false income tax returns to defraud the IRS by not claiming thousands of dollars in gifts (~1986) (substantiated by John himself)
4. Palin found guilty of “abusing power” by a bi-partisan committee in Troopergate mattter
5. Palin charging State of Alaska tax payers to speak on religious matters (substantiated by AP press)
6. Palin falsifying expense reports after questioning on children’s chargers
Obama & Mafia: Rezko in Chicago
Obama & Freddie Mac: Accepted $126,340 (Opensecrets.org)
Obama & Adultery: No results
Obama & ACORN: Attorney at one point in time, Campaign donated $800,000 to their sister organization not Acorn
Obama & Ethics Violations:
1. Obama’s income taxes and honorarium violation based on Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Order of magnitude in question yet not substantiated $149,591. (no legal proceedings currently against Obama for this matter).
2. Couldn’t find anything on Biden
My conclusion is that McCain is using character assassination. It confuses me because in categories that he has attacked Obama, he has items in the same categories; oftentimes of a larger order of magnitude. It is fear based messaging that is trying to bring division in America versus unity to tackle the tough issues that face us based on him supporting Bush economic and war policies 90 percent+ of the time that have tanked the American economy and created scorn across the world towards America.
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
socialism and capitalism suck
Simple terms, grades are qualitative, the economy is quantitative. if the world consumed at the rate the average American, the planet would be used up in 15 years. (quantitative) socialism isn't the answer, but capitalism definitely is no longer the answer. if you want to have a planet to give to your grandkids we have to consider cutting our consumption at least by half.
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
Wow! Scroll to
Loved the response to the Obama supporter!! Obviously is misguided and well versed in "talking points". I would recommend a course in economics and strategies in foreign affairs.
Like all the other liberals - just dismiss the associations with whacko Rev Wright, domestic terrorists, shady business characters and the like. Obama has NO experience with the economy, foreign affairs, energy....
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
To: College Student
@ College Student Concerned with the Economy
Do you really think all of Obama's plans, his very pricey plans, will help our flailing economy? All his wonderful and marvelous ideas he wants to implement will require... you guessed it... RAISING TAXES.
Higher taxes are the last thing that a struggling economy needs. He will increase our deficit. For our government to get out of the debt hole that it's in, we need to cut programs. Not add and maintain current, worthless programs.
Please go retake Economics 101. Or do you go to Prescott College, where everyone is so wonderfully sheltered and oblivious to reality in between yoga classes, aura readings, and comparing dreadlock length?
I applaud you for taking an interest and attempting to be educated about the issues, as far too few young people do, and respect your right to your opinion, however I feel you are grossly naive and misinformed in very important areas.
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
Article comment by:
TOMUCHFOR ME
Marc, SURPRIZE I have more than the High school dipolma that many in AZ don't have. I am aware of who is the Gov . Are you aware that after the Sweep by the Democrats she most likely will join President Obama's staff . Perhaps as AG or some other cabinet post. I think and hope it is over for Republicans. I was one, then woke up to their BS. Time our Country got back on track. The AZ budget was trashed by the Republicans in office in AZ. Now they have no idea how to fix the problem. Can a State go Bankrupt?? AZ has a $Billion$ deficit, it's broke. The thought is to much for me.
Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008
Article comment by:
Citizen
Midnight? Those government doctors do keep Mac in "shape". I hope he'll last past the election. At his age I would worry about my health instead of dictate the world policies.
Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008
Article comment by:
Prescott christian
How would Jesus vote? If you are christian there is only one choice! Who comes first in your life?
