http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061021/NEWS01/610210328/1002/NEWSNo-show McCain phones in
Arizona senator skips Reynolds fundraiser, citing relative's illness
Joseph Spector
Staff writer
(October 21, 2006) — The banner read, "Congressman Tom Reynolds Welcomes Sen. John McCain."
It looked nice. The problem was McCain was not there to receive the welcome.
Because the Arizona senator's mother-in-law is "gravely ill," McCain cancelled a planned fundraising event Friday with the embattled Reynolds in Rochester. McCain spoke to the 350 attendees by telephone for about 15 minutes, discussing national policies and the need to re-elect Reynolds.
Democrats "believe that if they could beat him, then it's much larger than just one congressional district, because he's one of the foremost leaders of our party in the Congress," McCain said of Reynolds over speakers in a banquet room at the Clarion Riverside Hotel.
Democrats have been knocking Reynolds after McCain, a leading Republican candidate for president in 2008, last week canceled visits to Buffalo that were initially scheduled as part of Friday's swing through western New York. Democrats questioned whether McCain wanted to be seen with Reynolds, who has been embroiled in the sex scandal involving former Rep. Mark Foley. McCain has called for an independent investigation of the House page scandal.
But aides insisted Friday's cancellation was legitimate. Presidential political strategist
Karl Rove was to take the place of McCain at the Erie County Republican events later Friday.
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