It is amazing how the Ledger's political editor gives Republicans so much coverage. Democrats get almost no coverage at all. John McCain's visit to Lakeland drew pages of before and after coverage. Here are just two write-ups of the events. Katherine Harris got in on the act as well.
McCain: Enforce Borders And Allow Guest WorkersLAKELAND -- U.S. Sen. John McCain faced a staunchly conservative crowd in Lakeland on Saturday night for the annual Lincoln Day Dinner and left them cheering, though not committing to vote for him for president.
McCain hammered on the need to find a workable immigration policy. He said that doesn't mean "200,000 buses stretching from San Diego to Alaska" to deport the more than 11 million illegal immigrants thought to be in the country.
McCain also talked about staying the course in Iraq. In coming to the Lakeland dinner, McCain knew he was wading into territory occupied by some conservative opponents.
He received large applause for his argument that the U.S. must stay in Iraq. "My dear friends, the question should not be when we leave, but how we leave. President Bush has done an outstanding job," he said to a round of applause.
And Katherine Harris had a bunch of tables as she returned to her home county to rally with McCain.
Harris brings campaign home.DAVID MILLS/THE LEDGER
U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, speaks with U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, R-Fla., who grew up in Bartow, at a Republican fundraiser Saturday at The Lakeland Center. Polk County Commissioner Paul Senft, center, who also serves as Florida's GOP National Committeeman, looks on.