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Protests greet McCain at Toledo fundraiser

FOX Toledo

DOWNTOWN TOLEDO -- In making his first appearance in Toledo since the Ohio Primary, Republican presidential nominee and Arizona Senator John McCain was greeted with protesters outside the Toledo Club before a private fundraising event Tuesday evening.

Lucas County Democrats marched downtown in unison with members of the AFL-CIO with signs, cheers and even props, protesting McCain's policies saying nothing will change if McCain takes office.

Protesters used McCain's visit as an opportunity to talk for change in 2008. Those voicing their opinion say McCain is not part of the plan to change America for the better.

"Voting for John McCain would be the equivalent of voting George Bush into office for a third term," said Wade Kapszukiewicz, Lucas County Treasurer. "McCain's the same as Bush."

McCain supporters were entering the Toledo Club late Tuesday afternoon for the $1,000- or $2,300-a-plate dinner with the presumptive Republican presidential nominee on the evening of the Pennsylvania primary.

The $2,300 price tag not only included dinner with the senator, but a photo opportunity.

It's fine, it's part of American politics," said Ron Rothenbuhler, Chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party.

But Democrats say it's also a way to help change the future, with the majority of the focus on the economy, the struggling American dollar, healthcare and jobs.

In Ohio alone, Democrats say 200,000 manufacturing jobs have left the Buckeye state.

"We're tired of people losing their jobs, we're tired of people not having health insurance, losing their retirement security."

Foreclosure rates in Northwest Ohio are extremely high.

"The numbers are just astounding," said Tina Skeldon-Wozniak, Lucas County Commissioner. "We're finding the problems to a point where we can't help."

So far through the first quarter of 2008, over 1,260 home foreclosures have been filed in Lucas County alone. Ohio's currently ranked seventh in the nation when it comes to foreclosures.

But Republicans out to support McCain say voters will see through dramatic displays like the one Tuesday evening when the vote counts in November.

"I think they'll see McCain as someone with a solid record, who doesn't just tow the line necessarily, but takes a very strong stand on what people care about," said Ohio Sen. Randy Gardner, a Republican who represents the 2nd District.

The fundraiser was a private event and McCain didn't address the assembled media. But a McCain camp spokesperson said the protest in Downtown Toledo during the senator's visit was nothing more than "partisan politics."

Before arriving in Toledo, McCain was across the state at Youngstown State University. His reason for the visit was that he can relate to the rust belt city.

He told an audience at YSU that the city and other hard-hit steel towns remind him of his presidential campaign last year.

McCain was out of money and losing staff, but he went on to win New Hampshire and is now the presumptive Republican nominee.

He says Youngstown can come back, too. The Republican says the important thing is that it didn't give up and won't give up.

McCain also says U.S. heartland cities such as Youngstown, Canton, Lima and Akron matter and should be considered a priority.

(FOX Toledo's Shaun Hegarty, Allison Brown and the Associated Press contributed to this report)