Milwaukee Notes REPUBLICANS, DEMS GEAR UP FOR McCAIN VISIT While Republicans are gearing up for presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain's first major post-primary fundraiser in the state and a town hall meeting in Greendale tomorrow, Democratic activists are getting ready to protest and hold their own activities. Thursday's visit will mark McCain's second visit to the state since the Feb. 19 primary, when he visited Serb Hall in Milwaukee for a GOP Reagan Day Dinner. He returned last month for an economic summit in South Milwaukee.   McCain spokesman Jeff Sadosky said Wisconsin is going to be an important state for McCain.  Sadosky said McCain is the “type of Republican who can appeal across party lines,” something he noted is important in a state like Wisconsin.  “His plain-spokenness, willingness to take on the issues and appeal across party lines makes him a strong candidate in the state,” Sadosky said. And while McCain's visits have so far been in Southeastern Wisconsin, Sadosky said McCain intends to visit more of the state as the campaign season progresses. “We'll be back many times and across as much of Wisconsin as we can visit,” he said. Bob Spindell, chairman of the 4th District GOP, says McCain has been focusing on the Milwaukee area in hopes of having a strong showing here. “I think he thinks he can do very well in this area,” Spindell said. “In order for a presidential candidate to win Wisconsin, they have to do somewhat well in Milwaukee County, certainly much better than other (Republican) presidential candidates have done previously.” In addition to its electoral importance, Spindell acknowledged that with its concentration of business professionals Milwaukee “seems to be one of the best areas for Democrats and Republicans to raise funds.” He noted, however, that both Madison and Green Bay are also good areas to raise funds. “Milwaukee is a primary area to raise money, but it's not the only good spot for that,” he said. Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Joe Wineke highlighted the high cost of McCain's fundraiser and said the McCain campaign “threw in” the town hall meeting “so it looks like a little bit of public policy is being made so he can get on the 10 o'clock news.” While supporters will be paying $10,000 for a private reception with McCain and paying $2,300 for a photograph with him, Wineke said Dems “are going to show instead that we are very different” by holding a $10 fundraiser in Milwaukee with $2.30 photos with elected officials. Wineke noted that Democrats have still been battling for the nomination, so haven't been able to focus attention on states other than those holding primaries. But Wineke said he doesn't consider McCain's recent stops here to be dedicated campaigning.  “We don't consider McCain (as) being here on a regular basis; we consider him coming in to raise some money and then leaving and throwing in a photo op,” Wineke said. “I don't consider that long term campaigning.”  In response to the Dem criticism over the cost of McCain's fundraiser, Republican Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Mark Jefferson quipped that “until Democrats are prepared to say they will not hold any more fundraisers either, I don't think they have any grounds to complain.” Jefferson says McCain's continued visits show “McCain takes Wisconsin seriously and is intent on winning the state” and that his early presence in the state is going to be helpful. Jefferson said he expects McCain will be visiting areas all across the state, but that he's starting now in the higher population areas.   Wineke scoffed at the notion that McCain could do well in Milwaukee County. “When it comes down to it in presidential years we always do extremely well in Milwaukee County,” Wineke said. “I predict in Milwaukee County we will exceed usual Democratic performance.” Wineke said that “one of the untold stories” in politics over the last few years has been that usually Republican-leaning areas like Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha and Appleton are becoming areas where Democrats are picking up increased votes. “These guys shouldn't worry so much about Milwaukee, they better worry about their own back yard,” Wineke said. In addition to the DPW fundraiser, a coalition of Democratic-leaning groups is planning a protest outside of the town hall meeting, and MoveOn.org held a “Bush-McCain Challenge” in downtown Milwaukee. During a conference call today hosted by One Wisconsin Now, which is helping to organize the protest, several Wisconsin residents detailed their struggles to afford housing and health care in the current economic environment.   Speakers blamed the Bush Administration’s policies for weakening the national economy. They denounced McCain for supporting some of these efforts, such as continuing the war in Iraq, and suggested that if elected president, McCain will preserve Bush’s policies and the current economic conditions.    “The policies of this administration, that have been rubber stamped by McCain, have put us in this economic situation,” said Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now.   Greg Hinds -- an employee at Appleton’s Creative Converting, Inc. – blames international free trade agreements for diminishing U.S. manufacturers’ competitive edge, leading to the closing of the plant where he works.   “Through the years, the costs of our plant have not been able to stay competitive with international firms,” Hinds said. “We talk about free trade and fair trade but what we need is something like a balanced trade.”   Caroline Castore of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now said that the sub-prime mortgage crisis could have been averted had the Bush Administration recognized the signs of increasing predatory lending.   “I am upset to see the government bailing out companies like Bear Stearns and not providing help to people,” said Castore.   She says McCain’s plan to continue to loosen the regulations of lending practices will inflict even more damage on an already struggling economy. *For information on McCain's fundraiser visit: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=126683 *For information on the town hall meeting visit: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=126877 *For more information on the DPW fundraiser visit:  http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=127244 *For details on the protest visit: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=127273 *For information on the MoveOn.org event visit: http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=46934&r=3133&id=12725-3128222-v5p1Fk WisPolitics.com Milwaukee Notes Milwaukee, WI info@wispolitics.com --Compiled by WisPolitics Staff ©2010 ESE Magazine is a product and service of wisnet.com, LLC