MCCAIN VISIT UPDATE: Oles, two other democrats to speak

VIENNA — Austintown Township Trustee Lisa Oles will be among local Democrats who will speak today at the John McCain and Sarah Palin rally.

Oles is among at least three Democrats who will talk at the Republican presidential-vice presidential nominees’ rally at Winner Aviation at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.

In an interview in a holding room at the airport, Oles said she’s supporting the Republican ticket because of McCain’s experience and because the Republican ticket is stronger on national security issues than the Democratic ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

“National security trumps all social issues,” said Oles, who added that she agrees with McCain on “most social issues,” but declined to give specifics.

Oles said she doesn’t know when she’ll be speaking at the rally.

“I hope I don’t mess up the speech,” she said.

Also speaking on behalf of the McCain ticket today are Campbell Councilwoman Juanita Rich and that city’s ex-Mayor Dominic Medina.

It should be noted that while the three are Democrats, they all ran in nonpartisan races.

Two Democratic officeholders — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Avon and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles — blasted McCain today on a conference call with reporters.

Brown said McCain is “clearly out of touch” on economy issues. Ryan added that the Republican presidential nominee is “so far detached from what the reality is on the ground.”

Also, Youngstown officials have confirmed that Biden, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, will hold a rally Thursday evening on West Federal Street in front of the city-owned 20 Federal Place, the former Phar-Mor Centre.

The event is to start about 6:30 p.m. Those wanting to attend the outdoor rally can show up as early as 5:30 p.m., said Phil Kidd, the city’s downtown director of special events and special projects.

The only entrance is the corner of North Phelps and West Federal streets, he said.

The campaign is expecting about 1,000 to attend the Biden rally.

Because of time needed to prepare for the event, West Federal Street between Phelps and Market streets will be closed beginning at 5 a.m. Thursday, Kidd said.

Check back for updates on today’s McCain-Palin rally.