McCain concentrates on Ohio's electoral votes

DEFIANCE and SANDUSKY - Supporters began lining up in the brutal cold as early as 5 a.m. Thursday for Republican presidential nominee John McCain's 10 a.m. rally outside Defiance Junior High School.

Just over 24 hours after his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, energized a packed Bowling Green State University Anderson Arena, McCain made his first trip to Defiance with Wednesday morning's Northwest Ohio stop.

McCain is seizing on reports of record oil company profits to draw a sharp new distinction with Democratic rival Barack Obama.

The Arizona senator said that Obama's rhetoric masks Obama's votes backing new tax breaks for the industry. McCain said the Illinois senator voted against those tax breaks and vowed not to let it happen if he's president.

McCain spent Thursday rolling across Ohio on a bus tour to compete for its 20 electoral votes, votes he badly needs to win the White House. In addition to Defiance, he stopped at a coffee shop in Tiffin, held a 10-minute rally in Downtown Sandusky, met supporters in Elyria, and held a "Road to Victory" rally at Mentor High School.

McCain will continue his bus tour through the Buckeye State on Friday, stopping in Hanoverton and then ending in Columbus for a 3 p.m. rally at Nationwide Arena with California Gov. Arnold Schwarznegger.

He spoke for about 20 minutes in Defiance, focusing on the differences in his economic plan with that of Obama, describing him as the Redistributor in Chief.

He told the crowd of several thousand people that he can still win with their help.

A number of young people attended - junior high and senior high students - and four marching bands performed.

By 2 p.m. in Sandusky the crowd grew restless, shouting chants, "USA, GO MCCAIN!"

Sen. John McCain's "Straight Talk Express" bus arrived at 2:14 p.m. to shouts and cheers from the crowd. Signs made by the local Republican party waved back and forth.

Pacing in the Washington Park gazebo, McCain gave about a 10-minute speech alongside Joe the Plumber.

"I know how important Ohio is," he said, discussing how the heartland of America should support him. If they do, he said, he'll never, never let them down. "I know that Ohio's hurting."

Joe the Plumber also said a few words.

"Take back our government," was among them.

McCain, his wife and entourage left the stage at about 2:25 p.m., shaking hands and waving to a cheering crowd as music blared in the background. They left the area by 2:30 p.m.

The presidential candidate was originally slated to speak at 1 p.m. Thousands were corraled back by yellow tape as the Teamsters and John McCain supporters chanted for Barack Obama and McCain.

A Secret Service agent monitored the crowd from the roof of a building at Wayne and Washington streets, other agents strolled among the crowd, keeping an eye on those gathered.

Earlier, a line wrapped around Adams Junior High School to Hancock Street to get into the fenced area close to the gazebo.

(The Sandusky Register, a FOXToledo.com media affiliate and The Associated Press contributed to this report)