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Last-Minute Stumps: McCain In Moon, Clinton For Obama

President Clinton Will Support John Murtha Today In Tight Race

UPDATED: 7:24 pm EST November 3, 2008

One day before Americans will decide whether or not he's the next president, Sen. John McCain visited the Pittsburgh area to do some last-minute campaigning on Monday afternoon.

McCain, the Republican nominee, held a rally in a hangar at Atlantic Aviation in Moon Township, accompanied by wife Cindy and former Gov. Tom Ridge.

Last-Minute Stumps: McCain In Moon

McCain was introduced by state Attorney General Tom Corbett and Melissa Hart, who's trying to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire in the 4th Congressional District.

McCain spent much of the time thanking the 1,000 supporters that showed up, and asking one last time for their vote.

“Let me give you some straight talk,” McCain said. “Just one day left until we take America in a new direction, and we need to win Pennsylvania tomorrow, and with your help we will win.”

Ridge drew a comparison between the McCain campaign and the Steelers.

He noted how the black and gold are underdogs versus the Washington Redskins Monday night, and said McCain has been an underdog his entire life, but both can come out winners.

“That’s why you play the game, and why you got to vote because the pundits will be wrong on both on Tuesday night,” said Ridge.

McCain also advised not to underestimate his chances of making it into the oval office.

“Pundits have written us off just like they have done four or five times in the past,” McCain said. My opponent is measuring the drapes in the White House. They may not know it, but the “Mac” is back.”

During his 18 minute speech, McCain touched on the differences between himself and Sen. Barack Obama, touching on subjects from health care to energy police to the distribution of wealth.

“Sen. Obama is running to spread the wealth, I’m running to create more wealth,” said McCain.

Many in the audience noticed an emotional man reenergized for the final hours of the campaign.

“It’s kind of like a runner giving his kick right down the stretch and I think it’s paying off,” said supporter John Perry.

Relishing in the underdog role, McCain showed he still has plenty of fight left in him.

“I am an American and I choose to fight. Don’t give up hope – be strong, have courage, and fight for a new direction for our country,” McCain said.

Also in town was Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who supported Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama with a visit to Obama's Mt. Lebanon campaign office on Washington Road.
Watch Video: Hillary Clinton In Mt. Lebo

Clinton said the Obama campaign asked her to stop in Pittsburgh, not only to thank the campaign volunteers, but to remind everybody how important it is to vote on Tuesday.

Clinton stopped and chatted with every volunteer in the room, thanking them for their work. She also spoke to a large crowd that gathered outside to see her.

"This election is critical. It's going to determine the future of our country. Anybody who voted for me and supported me has so much more in common with Sen. Obama and his policies and agenda for our nation," Clinton said.

Clinton left Mt. Lebanon a little before 11 a.m. to head to another swing state, Missouri.

Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, campaigned for Democratic Rep. Jack Murtha at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's Sports Center.

Murtha, a 34-year congressional veteran from Johnstown, is in a tight race against Republican William Russell in the 12th District.

Murtha admits he was blindsided by a challenge from Russell.

Now his campaign is scrambling to keep his seat after Murtha called his western Pennsylvania home base a racist area.

"I'd be here for Jack Murtha anytime because he's been a friend of mine and a friend of Hillary's. When I was president, he was always there," said Clinton.

Polls show the race is within four points, the closest election Murtha has had since his first run for office in 1974 when he won by just 120 votes.

Russell held his own rally in downtown Johnstown on Monday.

He alleges that the Murtha campaign has spread lies about him in the past two weeks, and said he wants to focus on the important issues such as the economy and energy independence.


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