McCain returns home to Ariz. for midnight rally

PRESCOTT - Republican presidential nominee John McCain returned home to Arizona on Monday to rally on the steps of a historic courthouse where former GOP presidential candidate Barry Goldwater launched his campaign for the White House decades ago.

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McCain set out on an energetic march across seven battleground states Monday and ended the day past midnight at what was Arizona's territorial capital and a traditional place for Republicans to rally. It was in Prescott on Sept. 3, 1964, that Goldwater started campaigning after winning the Republican nomination.

"My friends, it's been a long, long journey to get the nomination, and we got one more day," McCain told supporters, with his wife, Cindy, at his side.

McCain urged voters to head to the polls Tuesday, volunteer, and "do what's necessary" for McCain to secure Arizona and the election.

Country singer Hank Williams Jr. revved up the crowd, many who had waited in line for hours to hear McCain speak a day before voters decide whether the Arizona senator should be the next president.

"John and Sarah (Palin) tell you just what they think, and they're not going to blink," Williams sang. "They're going to fix this country, because they're just like you and old Hank."

"They're going to get it right, you're going to see the light, an old McCain-Palin tradition," he continued.

Phoenix resident Kerry Wallace, 60, said he's glad that McCain took the time to come to Prescott "to show he's thankful for the support Arizona has given him."

A large American flag was hanging just above the courthouse steps as a backdrop for McCain and people holding signs touting the Republican ticket, praising McCain's military service and running mate Sarah Palin's can-do attitude. Arizona's Republican Congressmen John Shadegg, Trent Franks, Jeff Flake and GOP nominee in the state's 1st Congressional District, Sydney Hay, were among the crowd.

Franks urged voters to keep McCain on their minds as they go to the polls Tuesday and pointed out what he considers the three most critical issues in the country — the economy, the constitution and national security.

"We absolutely must make sure we elect John McCain as president if we're going to protect those things," he said.

Polls had McCain trailing Democratic nominee Barack Obama, who has been running TV commercials in Arizona in the campaign's final days.

Phoenix radio host, Mike Broomhead, said McCain would have no problem securing the vote in his home state.

"Who owns Arizona?" he asked.

"John McCain," the crowd shouted.

Gerri Hofius, a 54-year-old Phoenix resident, was one of the first in line at 3:30 p.m. to await McCain's arrival. By the time people were let into the gates six hours later, the lines had snaked at least seven city blocks long.

"He believes in God, No. 1, served our country, has integrity, honesty, and the same goes for Sarah Palin," said Hofius, sporting a "Lipstick Republican" shirt. "They're all-American, and that's what we stand for."

Marc Johnson, 70, who traveled from Corpus Christi, Texas, to visit Sedona, the Grand Canyon and the McCain rally as "an added attraction," said simply that McCain represents America and the traditions that unify its citizens and make it strong.

Rochelle Malinowski, a 69-year-old Prescott resident, isn't thrilled with McCain but said she is against everything Obama stands for.

"I think it's scary a man like that is so close to becoming president," she said. "At least McCain is a patriot."