Culver aides: McCain ignored request to cancel Iowa visit

DES MOINES, Iowa — An aide to Gov. Chet Culver said Thursday that Republican presidential candidate John McCain ignored the governor's request to cancel a campaign visit amid a massive flood recovery effort in the state.

McCain toured flood-damaged sites in Iowa on Thursday, including the town of Columbus Junction in the southeast.

Patrick Dillon, Culver's chief of staff, said the governor was concerned that McCain's trip would divert local law enforcement from the flood recovery effort to provide security for McCain.

David Roederer, who chairs McCain's campaign in Iowa, said McCain's trip didn't hamper Iowa's recovery operation. He said McCain proceeded with the visit because the campaign was providing much of its own security.

"There was really no state resources diverted," Roederer said.

The mayor of Columbus Junction, Dan Wilson, agreed.

"Certainly, Mr. McCain's visit today in no way hindered any relief efforts or any of our efforts on recovery or security or whatever we were working on," Wilson said. He said McCain's staff called him Wednesday night and Thursday to be sure the visit would not cause a problem.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama canceled a scheduled visit to eastern Iowa last week at the request of state officials.

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"As a courtesy _ and as we did for Senator Obama _ we privately made an effort to make sure that Senator McCain knew that state and local resources were still being deployed to support the flood fight and that now may not be the best time for a campaign trip," Dillon said in a statement.

Dillon's comments came as President Bush toured the state, and hundreds of law enforcement officers were diverted from flood recovery to provide security for him.

Culver, who endorsed Obama well before the primary campaign with rival Hillary Rodham Clinton was settled, is expected to be one of Obama's biggest supporters in Iowa during the general election.

Dillon said the issue was not about the election but about recovering from flooding.

"At the end of the day, it's not about politics but about what's best for Iowa," he said. "We hope any attention brought to the state _ from Senator McCain or any other leader _ will help bring assistance and enduring commitments to support Iowa's recovery."

Iowa Sens. Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley also have teamed for a tour of their own to see the flood damage.

While these high-profile politicians bring attention to the disaster, they cause headaches for hard-pressed law enforcement. Bush and McCain are protected by the Secret Service, and call in scores of local law enforcement to provide security during local appearances.

Comments

[Sparty1]

I saw that part of Morning Joe today and I agree with you. He and Mika were going on and on about how Obama's flip-flopping on fec money. I mean seriously Obama has to deal with MSM, McCain and the 527's all against him. He's right to opt out and make his own money. I couldn't even bother to watch the rest of Morning Joe. When Pat Buchanan says that Obama was right to raise money and outspend McCain 5-1, I know it's time for me to change the channel.

[lochnessmonster]

I don't know how you could watch one minute of that "news show". I watch C-SPAN instead.

[Robespierre]

It's a "News Show"? I thought that it was just another foolish attempt to compete with "The View"! Either way, both are a waste of production dollars!

[Joeblue]

Why isn't joe blow in jail for killing his intern girifriend?

[1PALady]

So, Mc.C a i n's campaign is in trouble again! Umm, starting to be a daily thing. But, Joe S c a r boro ugh this morning was going on and on about O flip flopping. Funny, I haven't heard him railing about Mc.Same's flips flops ever. Seems to me he has about one every 2 days. That's why I cannot stand Joe!

Don't know if anyone else noticed this, but Joe had Rudy G. on the other morning and grilled him regarding something or other that O had said. I found that very interesting. Joe never grills any Rethug on anything unless it's for his benefit. Joe was auditioning for Tim's job! I hope they do not give it to this partisan!

[Tommygun264]

Scarborough has his finger in the wind, flipping and flopping whichever way public opinion takes him ever since Keith Olbermann started climbing in the ratings. He was the biggest Bush/Cheney cheerleader until the mid-term elections and then ole' Joe suddenly developed a critical eye. He panders almost as much as McSame.

[lochnessmonster]

That is all it really is about, ratings. The just want to sell commercials they are NOT journalists.

[memphispaul]

Concur.
Selecting Joe would be an admission that NBC tried for Hannity or Ingraham, but failed.

[PAposter]

Don't worry PALady, they would never give such a respectful position to Joe Scarborough. An email just came in and slammed him and Buchanan as Republican Right-wing Extremist. They know most of us feel this way. Dang! another email just called him stupid.

[mcole]

you know, i simply didnt miss joe while he was gone. i thought mika did very well without him, and i actually tuned in quite often, but now that joe is back mika too has returned to her usual mindless oohs and aahs and seconding errthinh joe scarb says.

sad, really.

[abigail1]

i so agree with you. msnbc should dump Joe and keep Mika.

[rtnd22]

I agree as well I noticed how she totally agrees with him now...he finally beat her into submission ...He has women issues thats why he left race to the white house after Rachel Maddow ,,,itch slapped him...LOL that was so funny he actually left the set...could you image Joe and Rachel being forced to work together it could be like Hannity and Colmes except the Liberal would whoop azzz every morning...LOL

[rtnd22]

Hey guys maybe we should flood MSNBC with request to replace Mika with Rachel Scrabourough and Maddow in the Morning...Jow would be pissed and quit then we could have Maddow in the Morning...Whoopie..