VT GOP, Dems prepare for McCain visit

The Vermont political establishment is preparing for the Thursday John McCain appearance with Jim Douglas Thursday in Burlington.

State Republican Party chair Rob Roper said that, although the visit falls on a weekday during a snowstorm, Republicans were expecting a healthy turnout.

“McCain is popular across party lines here,” Roper said.

A Vermont Democratic Party staffer, meanwhile, says the party is preparing to hit Republicans on the John McCain appearance with Jim Douglas. The office of former ambassador and potential gubernatorial candidate Peter Galbraith is also planning a hit.

Jim Barnett, the New England political director for McCain’s campaign who is a Vermont native and has worked for Douglas, is playing a hand in organizing the event. Barnett says the event came together Tuesday “very quickly,” and that he first got wind of the event several days ago from higher ups in the McCain organization.

Barnett says he expects other state Republicans to appear at the event, including Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie.