ELECTIONS

From campaigning with Sarah Palin in Cedarburg to working with Russ Feingold, John McCain's ties ran deep in Wisconsin

Bill Glauber and Craig Gilbert

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Republican candidate for President John McCain and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin (center) address a large political rally in Cedarburg in September 2008, the morning after McCain addressed the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. JOURNAL SENTINEL FILES

The late John McCain's ties to Wisconsin ran deeper than many realized.

It was in September 2008 that he brought his long-shot presidential campaign to Cedarburg in his first post-convention appearance with Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

And, it was a Wisconsin Democrat, former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, who spent years working with the Arizona Republican to pass a landmark bill regulating campaign finance.

"He was just a free spirit. His central core was independence," Feingold said of McCain in a recent interview with the Journal Sentinel.

McCain, 81, died Saturday of brain cancer.

"Like so many others, I will greatly miss my friend ... We will all be poorer without his leadership," Feingold tweeted.

McCain was mourned by Republicans and Democrats, a larger-than-life political figure who survived more than five years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, served Arizona in the House and U.S. Senate, and rose to political heights as the 2008 presidential nominee of the Republican Party.

For McCain, the 2008 campaign probably reached its dramatic point with his unconventional pick of Palin, then governor of Alaska, as his running mate. Palin electrified the GOP convention.

And then, they took their act on the road to Cedarburg, appearing on a stage just outside the Chocolate Factory, drawing thousands of people.

"This turnout in Cedarburg is what our campaign is all about,' McCain said. 'We're going to go across the small towns of America and we're going to give them hope, we're going to give them confidence, and we will bring about change in Washington, D.C."

Palin ignited the crowd's enthusiasm when she said: "John McCain doesn't run with the Washington herd, and that is only one more reason to take the maverick of the Senate and put him in the White House."

It didn't quite work out for the McCain-Palin ticket, which lost in the fall to President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

McCain was back in the state four years later to campaign on behalf of former Gov. Tommy Thompson. They didn't agree on everything, but McCain was behind Thompson in the U.S. Senate race.

Thompson lost to Democrat Tammy Baldwin.

"Today, we lost an American hero and patriot," Baldwin said in a statement. "John McCain's service to our nation will always be remembered. He lived a life driven by deep love of our country and his inspiration will live on."

Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said: “My sincere condolences go out to the entire McCain family. John was a true American hero. He will be missed.”

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Janesville said: “This is a sad day for the United States. Our country has lost a decorated war hero and statesman. John McCain was a giant of our time — not just for the things he achieved, but for who he was and what he fought for all his life.

"John put principle before politics. He put country before self. He was one of the most courageous men of the century. He will always be listed among freedom’s most gallant and faithful servants. Our hearts are with his wife, Cindy, his children, and his grandchildren. This Congress, this country mourn with them.”