Most at YSU couldn’t see or hear McCain this morning

YOUNGSTOWN — Some of the approximately 700 people who showed up to see Sen. John McCain’s appearance on ABC TV’s “Good Morning America” show got to see him, but those were the lucky ones.

Most of them didn’t get to see or hear the Republican presidential nominee’s appearance on the show, which was broadcast live this morning from Beeghly Center on the campus of Youngstown State University.

GMA positioned the interview location and the crowd in such a way that most could not see the McCain interview. GMA also decided to not allow the audio to be heard in the center out of concerns that feedback would make it difficult for McCain and show host Robin Roberts to hear each other.

GMA’s handling of the situation didn’t sit well with many in the audience.

“I came all this way to see and hear him and I didn’t get to do either,’’ said Roxane Morris of Howland. “I’m very disappointed, but he’s still a hero to me.”

People began lining up outside the center as early as 1:30 a.m. today. The doors opened at 6 a.m. for the 7 a.m. show. McCain was on shortly after 7.

After his interview, McCain shook hands with a few people in the audience then left the center to return to his hotel room in Austintown, from where he was to conduct satellite interviews with media from across the country.

He is to appear at a rally at about 10 a.m. today at United Local High School on state Route 9 in Hanoverton.

For more on this story, see Saturday’s Vindicator or vindy.com