McCain has German Experience in Columbus

Republican candidate dines at Schmidt's with business owners 

by Joe Hallett
Columbus Dispatch

As his Democratic rival addressed a huge crowd in Berlin, Sen. John McCain found a slice of Germany in Ohio's heartland, "with," he said, "American voters."

In Columbus for tonight's Lance Armstrong Livestrong Summit on cancer at Ohio State University, McCain had lunch in German Village with five Ohio business owners at the venerable Schmidt's Sausage Haus, operated since 1886 by five generations of the Schmidt family.

Asked if his choice of dining places was chosen purposely to contrast with Obama's vaunted address in Berlin, McCain replied, "I'd love to give a speech in Germany, a political speech, a speech that maybe the German people would be interested in, but I'd much prefer to do it as president of the United States, rather than as a candidate for the office of the presidency."

McCain had planned to spend part of today at an oil platform off the shore of Louisiana to promote his plan for off-shore oil drilling, but Hurricane Dolly got in the way.

"I'm sorry we were unable to go to an off-shore oil rig because I think that drilling offshore is a vital step in addressing the price of oil and America's energy needs, and I hope Sen. Obama will change his position and support offshore drilling," McCain told reporters after lunch during a gaggle in front of Schmidt's Fudge Haus.

The arrival of McCain's "Straight Talk Express" bus shortly before noon sent an excited buzz through the crowded restaurant as some diners crowded the front window with cell-phone cameras to catch the candidate walking in.

"I'm sure just by chance he said, ‘I want to go to Schmidt's for lunch,' " said Shirley Mertz of Westerville, who was meeting some former high school classmates for lunch.

Accompanied by Sen. Lindsay Graham, R.-South Carolina, McCain walked from table-to-table in the restaurant's front room, shaking hands and posing for pictures, including with Mertz.

"I thought they were kidding when they said McCain was coming to lunch," she said, excitedly.

Geoff Schmidt, the restaurant's owner, handed McCain a Schmidt's-emblazoned baseball cap.

"We've got to get a cream puff," McCain said. Schmidt's is famous for its cream puffs and " Bahama Mama" sausages.

McCain sat down for lunch with five small-business owners: Mary Leavitt, of The Flag Lady's Flag Store, Columbus; Phil Derrow, of Ohio Transmission and Pump, Columbus; Duane Hickerson, of Relay Gear, Columbus; Rick James, of Rick James Chevrolet, Picqua; and Dan Young, of Young's Jersey Dairy, Yellow Springs.

Reporters were moved to an upstairs holding room and were not permitted to listen to the luncheon conversation. Interviewed later, Hickerson and Leavitt said the conversation focused on the impact on their businesses of high gasoline costs, along with the rising costs of health care.

Hickerson, whose company makes uniforms and corporate apparel, said the company spent about $1.1 million to ship uniforms around the world last year, and the rising costs of fuel was costing it about $250,000 more this year.

Leavitt, known locally as "The Flag Lady," said she and McCain had an "exciting" exchange about patriotism and about the need for the United States to produce more of its own energy.

"It's so patriotic to think we will be providing for more of our energy under a President McCain," she said, noting that McCain had asked her to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis in September.

In remarks to reporters, McCain made no apologies for his harsh remarks suggesting that Obama was more interested in being elected than winning the war in Iraq. He criticized Obama anew for refusing to concede the effectiveness of the troop surge in Iraq.

"It is very clear that Sen. Obama took the very far left position," McCain said. "It is very clear that Sen. Obama does not understand what's at stake here, what was at stake in Iraq, and his refusal to acknowledge that the surge has succeeded is again a graphic demonstration of his lack of understanding of national security issues.

"No rational observer could look at the situation in Iraq today and compare it to two years ago and say the surge isn't succeeding. It's pretty obvious that he's taken this position in order to secure the nomination of his party by taking the far-left position he's been dictated to by Moveon.org and others and does not understand that the future of American's security rests on the success of the surge. We're having that same strategy employed in Afghanistan and the future withdrawals of American troops being based on conditions.

"Sen. Obama does not have an understanding of what was at stake with the surge, what is at stake in the future security of this nation. I stand by my comments and I think the record authenticates them."

McCain said his relationship with European leaders was strong: "I'm very happy that a lot of these new leaders in Europe, particularly France and Germany, are much more pro-American than their predecessors were. I intend to work with them."

McCain confirmed that he will meet with the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, Friday in Colorado.

"I have been a great admirer of the Dalai Lama and I look forward to the opportunity of meeting an individual who is a transcendent international role model and hero," McCain said. "I have admired him and respected him for the efforts he's made on behalf of the people of Tibet, but also all over the world."

After McCain finished his comments, Tim Dick, owner of Schmidt's Fudge Haus, gave McCain a box of Tressel Truffles, named after Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel. The 15-piece box cost $9.95 and McCain insisted on paying for it to "help a small-business owner."

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