Culver aides: McCain ignored request to cancel Iowa visit

By MIKE GLOVER • Associated Press Writer • June 19, 2008

DES MOINES, Iowa – An aide to Gov. Chet Culver said Thursday that Republican presidential candidate John McCain ignored the governor's request to cancel a campaign visit to Iowa amid a massive flood-recovery effort in the state.

Patrick Dillon, Culver's chief of staff, said the governor was concerned that local law enforcement would be diverted from the recovery effort to provide security for McCain, who toured flood-damaged southeast Iowa on Thursday.

"We privately made an effort to make sure that Senator McCain knew that state and local resources were still being deployed to support the flood fight and that now may not be the best time for a campaign trip," Dillon said in a statement.


Dillon's comments came as President Bush was touring the flood-damaged areas in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City ‹ a trip that required scores of law enforcement officers to provide security for him.

David Roederer, who chairs McCain's campaign in Iowa, said McCain's trip didn't hamper Iowa's recovery operation. He said McCain proceeded with the visit because the campaign was providing much of its own security.

"There was really no state resources diverted," Roederer said.

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama had been scheduled to stump in eastern Iowa last week but canceled his swing at the request of state officials who were dealing with flooding issues.

Dillon said the request from Culver – an Obama supporter ‹–was prompted by public safety and not politics. He added that McCain's trip – though poorly timed – may have some positive effects.

"We hope any attention brought to the state ‹ from Senator McCain or any other leader ‹ will help bring assistance and enduring commitments to support Iowa's recovery," he said.

Iowa Sens. Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley have teamed up for a tour of their own to see the flood damage across their home state.

While these high profile politicians bring attention to the flooding situation, they also bring headaches for hard-pressed law enforcement. Bush and McCain have security provided by the Secret Service and Bush calls in scores of local law enforcement to provide security during these appearances.

In Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, police have faced challenges dealing with thousands of home owners who have been evacuated. Many provided security as Bush and McCain offered pledges of support for Iowans affected by the flood.

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