Sarah Palin

John McCain will make a final push in Pennsylvania on Monday when he campaigns in Moon Township, just northwest of Pittsburgh.

The mid-day rally will take place at Atlantic Aviation.

McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin have consistently campaigned in Pennsylvania the last several weeks, considerably more so than their Democratic rivals. 

And their efforts might be paying off -- the latest Rasmussen poll indicates they are down only 4 points to Barack Obama. 

Fox News is showing Sarah Palin's speech from Latrobe on TV right now. Could a visit to Latrobe have anythign to do with the Bill Russell and John Murtha race which is quickly turning into one of the top three races in Pa.    

According to a source in the audience Sarah Palin got a big arousing boo when she took the state in Erie just minutes ago. Palin was not properly prepared and congratulated the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. Any local could have told her that wasn't the local team of choice. Palin was introduced by former Governor Tom Ridge. This just days after Ridge said he would have been a better pick than Palin for Pa. 

Those in attendance at the Lawrence County League of Women Voters debate last night were all in agreement, Melissa Hart won the debate. Hart debated an empty chair as freshman Congressman Jason Altmire did not show up at a scheduled debate for the second night in a row. Last week Melissa Hart backed out of debate to attend a rally with Sarah Palin and this week Altmire has backed out of two chances to debate Hart to attend rallies of his own.    

With both campaigns making their final push for Pennsylvania's 21 electoral votes, the vice-presidential nominees will be here Thursday.

Democrat Joe Biden will hold rallies in Williamsport and Allentown. Republican Sarah Palin will be in Erie before also visiting Williamsport. She is scheduled to stay in the state Friday for events in York and Latrobe.

Most polls have Barack Obama and the Democratic ticket leading John McCain and Palin by double-digits. 

Clarifying once again his comment that his presence on the GOP presidential ticket would have changed the dynamic of the race in Pennsylvania, former Gov. Tom Ridge issued a statement late Friday saying his words had been taken "completely out of context."

"I was asked a question, and I delivered an honest answer that was taken completely out of context," Ridge said. "I wholeheartedly believe that John McCain made the right choice by selecting Sarah Palin to join him on the ticket. As a former two-time Governor of Pennsylvania, I was simply making the point that, of course, the dynamics of the race in PA would be different if the former governor of PA were on the ticket."

The statement continued: "The dynamics of the race would be different in Florida if Governor Crist were on the ticket. Or Minnesota if Pawlenty had been selected. That's a given. I have stated many times, as I did today, that I believe John made an excellent choice and that Governor Palin will make a great Vice President. I have witnessed firsthand the excitement she has generated in Pennsylvania and throughout America and I believe she will help deliver our Commonwealth's 21 electoral votes to our GOP ticket this November 4th."

CHAMBERSBURG -- Former Gov. Tom Ridge (R) Friday afternoon defended comments he made earlier in the day that his inclusion on the Republican presidential ticket would change the "dynamics" of the race in Pennsylvania.

"If Senator Obama takes (as vice president) a former governor of another state, would he be doing better in that part of the state than he is today?" Ridge asked. "Probably."

Ridge spoke with reporters on board one of John McCain’s "Straight Talk Express" buses as the former governor toured south central Pennsylvania rallying support for the GOP ticket.

Asked if his inclusion on the ticket would have changed the race nationally, Ridge said he's "not in a position to make that calculation."

Emphasizing that he approved of the Palin choice, Ridge said: "I'm in a position to say John made a very good choice. It's energized the base around the country. I don't think John is looking for someone to win a state."

He's looking for someone who could make a national impact, Ridge said.

"She precisely the running mate he wanted."

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Reprising a line from the final presidential debate, John McCain in Downingtown today gave a nod to his supporters at a rally.

"You know there's been some comments about people who come to our rallies," McCain said, referring to criticisms of aggressive, sometimes racially-tinged exclamations made by his supporters at recent rallies.

"I cannot tell you how proud I am of all of you," he said to applause. "I cannot tell you how proud I am of every working man and woman who's here."

His appearance comes in the midst of a busy week for his campaign in Pennsylvania, one that concludes when vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin rallies in Lancaster on Saturday.

With Republican worried that the state is slipping away from John McCain but the official party line still one of confidence, the GOP ticket has a busy week in Pennsylvania.

It started Tuesday with a rally in Blue Bell. It continues when McCain visits Downington Thursday. And it concludes Saturday when vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin visits Lancaster.

"Pennsylvania has been of the utmost importance from day one," McCain state director Ted Christian told PolitickerPA.com recently.