McCain, Palin to Cedar Rapids Thursday

McCain, Palin to Cedar Rapids Thursday

The Republican ticket comes to eastern Iowa Thursday, as presidential nominee John McCain and Running mate Sarah Palin visit Cedar Rapids for a morning airport rally.

McCain and Palin have made most of their campaign stops joint appearances since the Republican National Convention. The Alaska governor has been a lightning rod for liberals but is popular with rank and file Republicans.

Most polls show Iowa leaning Obama, but competitive, and the McCain-Palin vist is a sign the GOP intends to keep Iowa on its map.

Ticket distribution is set to begin Monday at GOP headquarters across the eastern half of the state.

“John McCain and Sarah Palin value Iowa voters and they are committed to keeping Iowa a red state," said Iowa McCain spokeswoman Wendy Riemann in a press release which hit as many of the campaigns buzzwords as possible in the next sentence: "This is a team of Mavericks who will reform Washington, shake up the status quo, challenge the establishment and put government on the side of the people. We’re excited to welcome them to Iowa.”

Not to be outdone, Team Obama got its talking points into the in-box. "It's past due for John McCain to explain to Iowans why he wants to keep the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and oil companies, but completely leave behind Iowa middle class families and Iowa-grown renewable energy," said Iowa Obama chair Jackie Norris in a dueling press release. "The time has come to turn the page on this failed Bush agenda because working Iowa families can't afford four more years of the same."