Republican presidential candidate John McCain spoke in Woodbridge Saturday before thousands of enthusiastic supporters in an attempt to shore up support in the Old Dominion — a former Republican stronghold that has now become a key battleground state.
An estimated 5,000 to 8,000 people began lining up for the rally at the Prince William County Complex as early as 11:00 a.m.
Maya Hudson of McLean, Va., — a Lebanese immigrant who has been voting since 2001 — said she was impressed with the diversity of the crowd, noting that a number of people from various parts of Virginia were in attendance.
Former Virginia Governor and current Republican Senatorial candidate Jim Gilmore walked along the line of those waiting, introducing himself and shaking hands with potential supporters.
Gilmore and Keith Fimian, Republican candidate for Congress in Virginia’s 11th District, addressed the crowd prior to McCain’s arrival.
Fimian portrayed himself as a “total outsider,” saying that his opponent — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connelly — “annihilated” the county budget. Connelly’s financial management was “more than poor planning” said Fimian, but “gross incompetence.”
Gilmore, who is currently trailing his opponent Mark Warner by 20 to 30 points, told the crowd not to worry about polls.
“The polls are being used to discourage you from working and voting,” he said.
“Who can you trust?” Gilmore then asked the crowd, responding “McCain, Palin, Gilmore!”
The day started out as bright and sunny but turned much crisper and cooler by the time McCain took the stage just before 3:15 p.m.
Taking the stage to raucous chants of “John McCain!” Sen. McCain told the crowd who he believed came out on top in his debate with Barack Obama last Wednesday.
“The real winner this week was Joe the plumber,” he said, referring to Joe Wurzelbacher of Ohio, who questioned Obama about his tax plan during the Senator’s recent visit to Ohio. “It’s not just Joe the plumber — it’s Rose the teacher, and Phil the bricklayer,” continued McCain, referring to two signs that supporters held up behind him.
“We have a lot of small businesses in Northern Virginia,” said Carolyn Winters of Loudoun County — who organized a “Veterans for McCain” rally in Leesburg earlier this month — after the speech. “That message hits home.”
