Published: October 25, 2008 11:51 pm      

Ridge to boost McCain at rally

Although Republican presidential nominee John McCain trails in Pennsylvania polls, local supporters believe he has a strong chance to win both Cambria and Somerset counties.

On Thursday, that effort will get a boost from Tom Ridge.

The former Pennsylvania governor and U.S. Homeland Security secretary is scheduled to lead a McCain rally from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Richland Township fire hall on Scalp Avenue.

“We are thrilled Governor Ridge accepted our invitation to come here and be part of our effort to elect John McCain and the entire Republican ticket,” said Rob Gleason, who chairs the Cambria County and state GOP committees.

The event is free and open to the public.

No tickets are required, and the program includes food, beverages and music, organizers said.

Ridge, 63, was a six-term congressman and two-term governor.

While serving his second term in Harrisburg, he was tapped by President Bush to be Homeland Security adviser in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Ridge eventually became secretary of the newly formed Homeland Security Department. He left that post in late 2004.

He has been campaigning for McCain this year, and he briefly was considered as a possible running mate for the Arizona senator before Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was chosen.

According to polling data, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has opened up a significant lead over McCain in the Keystone State.

A poll released Thursday showed Obama up 11 points in Pennsylvania, which is considered a key swing state for both campaigns.

But in an interview with The Tribune-Democrat earlier this month, Ridge said McCain has bipartisan appeal and can win the state.

“We know we’re behind,” Ridge said at the time. “We also know that John doesn’t have ‘quit,’ ‘surrender’ or ‘give up’ in his vocabulary.”