Pocono News Section

Senator McCain Arrives in Northeastern Pennsylvania

Senator McCain Arrives in Northeastern Pennsylvania - Monday, September 22, 2008 at 12:16PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Sep 22, 2008 @ 12:16am EST
PITTSTON TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY - Senator John McCain arrived at the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton International Airport Sunday night, one day before he has a town hall meeting in Scranton.

Just after 8:00 PM Sunday night, Senator McCain's plane touched down at the airport. With only a quick wave, the Arizona senator got off the Straight Talk Express and went into a waiting SUV. Security was tight and supporters were on hand, but McCain made no public statements.

Earlier in the day Sunday, at the Senator's campaign headquarters in Scranton, volunteers were busy getting signs ready for McCain's visit. People were painting signs. They know Northeastern Pennsylvania is key to the election.

"Scranton is very key to his (McCain's) election. I believe if he takes Scranton, he takes the state," volunteer Jeff Proof said.

Monday morning, McCain will hold an Irish-American town hall meeting at the Scranton Cultural Center. Doors will open at 8:00 AM. The event begins at 10:30 AM. Tickets are required. This is Senator McCain's second trip to northeastern Pennsylvania and his first stop in Scranton.

It comes as the latest Gallup Daily Tracking Poll shows McCain's post-convention boost is dropping. In a poll released Sunday, McCain trails Senator Obama 44-to-50 percent.

Not everyone is excited to see Senator McCain in Scranton. A small protest was held Sunday afternoon on courthouse square in Scranton. Several people were upset at Senator McCain's plan to privatize social security.

"With the collapse of Wall Street last week, it's really important to understand how John McCain is just representating a third Bush term and he just wants more of the same," Abe Amoros of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party said.