Senator John McCain Gives Support To Topinka

Senator John McCain Gives Support To Topinka


Blagojevich Campaign Spokesperson Brushes

Off McCain's Stumping As Merely
"Part Of The Political Process.


Judy Baar Topinka rubbed shoulders Saturday with fellow Republican John McCain and got a little fundraising help from him, hopeful the U.S. senator known for his maverick streak will attract swing voters to her quest to unseat Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
"When somebody of John McCain's reputation comes to
support me for governor, I'm thrilled by it. I'm quite awed,"
Topinka said after a luncheon featuring McCain at Stonewolf Golf Course in this St. Louis suburb. "He could be just
about anywhere else, but he chooses to be here with me,
which I think does tell you it's going to be a close
race. And yes, it will be a close race."

The Arizona senator's visit followed recent appearances on the three-term state treasurer's behalf by other high-profile Republicans including President Bush and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who are trying to add to a campaign war chest that's dwarfed by Blagojevich's.

"I'm here because Judy Barr Topinka is a quality candidate and one who has the experience and talent to be elected," McCain told reporters. "We think it's winnable, and we think that we have a winning candidate. I think you're going to see a lot of people here between now and November in support of Judy's candidacy."

Blagojevich campaign spokeswoman Sheila Nix brushed off senator McCain's stumping for Topinka as merely "part of the political process."

Come November, Nix said, voters will decide the race
"based on what the state has done for them and how it has benefited their kids more than who came in for a
campaign visit in July."
A Topinka aide could not specify how much was raised by Saturday's fundraiser, which featured lunch for the
roughly 120 who attended, though Topinka later remarked
she was well aware of the disparity between her campaign coffers and her rival's.

"He's got money to burn," she said.

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