McCain will speak at dinner to raise funds for DeWine

It's the Arizona senator's second local fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
HANOVERTON -- U.S. Sen. John McCain, a potential 2008 presidential candidate, will return to the Mahoning Valley next month for a fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, a fellow Republican.
The DeWine fundraiser is scheduled for noon Aug. 21 at the Spread Eagle Tavern & amp; Inn here.
The event is sponsored by Columbiana County Republican Chairman David W. Johnson, president of the historic building. Johnson also is DeWine's Columbiana County campaign chairman.
A public rally is set for about 1 p.m. in front of the building.
People who want to purchase tickets for the luncheon can call Emily Brobeck at (330) 223-1551. Tickets are $100 per person or $150 per couple. Also, participants can pay $1,000 for VIP tickets.
McCain of Arizona was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986, and was re-elected three times. He unsuccessfully ran for president in 2000.
McCain campaigned for DeWine in Howland in October 2005 at an event at the Avalon Inn, raising about $100,000 toward DeWine's re-election effort.
McCain for president?
At the time, McCain said he was considering his options for 2008.
"Do I want to be president? Yes," he said. "The question is: 'Do I want to run to be president?' That's a different question."
McCain said he would evaluate his options after the 2006 election, saying he needs to determine if he can raise the money for the race as well as "the wherewithal, the ability and the chance" to win.
DeWine is seeking his third six-year term in the Senate during the Nov. 7 election. His Democratic challenger is U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown.
As of June 30, DeWine had $6.6 million in his campaign fund compared to $3.7 million for Brown. Most polls have DeWine slightly ahead of Brown.
skolnick@vindy.com