McCain visit focuses on funds, not votes
Limited contact set for local citizens
Buffalo ranks as an important money stop today for Sen. John McCain’s Republican presidential campaign, but apparently not as a source of votes.
The traditional dominance of Democratic presidential candidates in New York may explain why McCain’s campaign decided not to plan any contact with local citizens or reporters when the Arizona senator attends tonight’s fundraiser in Albright-Knox Art Gallery. The event is expected to clear more than $1 million.
The only scheduled contact will be a photo opportunity when the Republican presidential candidate’s plane arrives at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, according to McCain staff.
And while contact would never be limited to that extent in battleground states such as Florida or Ohio, New York politics already has the McCain campaign looking ahead to its next stop.
“They’re basically saying they want to concede New York,” said one GOP source, echoing the thoughts of several top local Republicans. “There’s a frustration about it that’s deep and about to explode.”
Nevertheless, the most lucrative political fundraiser in Western New York history will go on as scheduled today, beginning with the 5:30 p. m. arrival of McCain and his entourage at the airport’s Prior Aviation terminal. McCain will be greeted by several event organizers, including Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, Erie County Republican Chairman James P. Domagalski and possibly County Executive Chris Collins, according to a source familiar with the planning who asked not to be identified.
Event sponsors expected to be on hand include businessmen Russ Gugino, Anthony H. Gioia and Pat Cipolla, along with congressional candidate Christopher J. Lee.
After a brief welcome, McCain is expected to proceed directly to the North Buffalo home of Gioia, the former ambassador to Malta and top GOP fundraiser, who with his wife, Donna, will host a dinner for about 50 high-end donors.
The senator will then make the short jaunt to Albright- Knox for photos with those who made the maximum individual contribution of $2,300, followed by a general reception. That’s when McCain is expected to deliver brief remarks.
All told, event organizers say about 200 supporters from Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse will see McCain at both locations.
At least one local group promoting abortion rights and other women’s health issues will stage a simultaneous “counterevent.” Amy White-Storfer, a member of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said her organization will sponsor a 5:30 p. m. gathering at the Western New York Book Arts Center, 468 Washington St.
“We want to make people aware of Sen. McCain’s record on women’s health issues, which we think will be reaching a crescendo while he’s in town,” she said.
White-Storfer said comments the senator recently made on issues such as abortion are highlighting a Planned Parenthood advertisement being aired in competitive states, and the spot will be featured at the Washington Street event.
Also, a protest against the Iraq War, which McCain has supported, will be held at 5:30 p. m. across from Albright-Knox.
