McCain campaign opens up Oregon headquarters

U.S. Sen. John McCain: Getty Images PhotoOREGON CITY -- The Oregon headquarters of Republican presidential candidate U.S. Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) campaign opened its doors to Oregon volunteers Friday evening.

Specifically, it was a garage door, thrown open to let the cool evening air into the converted warehouse space where the presumptive Republican presidential nominee will base his headquarters. A front office decorated with color photos of McCain and his wife, Cindy, serves as a lobby. McCain supporters drank sodas and munched on chips as they admired the photos. Other volunteers also got a sneak peak at a large back room with McCain yard signs neatly hung along one wall. Conference tables were lined up down the center of the room, and call sheets were being passed around. This is the room where phone calls will be made, envelopes will be licked and bumper stickers will be distributed.

And, as McCain's campaign staff hopes, it will be where Oregonians, who have thus far given Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) a comfortable lead in the polls, decide to throw their support behind the Republican presidential candidate.

"I wouldn't even try to guess how many people we have in the entire state working hard to get John McCain elected," campaign spokesman Rick Gorka said. "From the county chairs, down to the people knocking on doors and making phone calls, we have a lot of people and they all make a difference."

About 60 volunteers from as close as Oregon City and as far away as Allbany gathered for snacks after work. Several prominant Oregon Republicans were on hand to boost the energy of the volunteers.

"If you bring in 10 more people to volunteer, those 10 people that you bring in to volunteer need to go out and get 10 more people because we cannot do this without you," implored State Rep. Linda Flores (R-Clackamas).

According to Gorka, the gathering on Friday night was just the beginning in terms of how much support McCain has here. Gorka wouldn't comment on how many more offices would be opening, but he did confirm there will be more.

For now, enthusiasm for the GOP candidate spread through the newly opened headquarters. State Rep. Scott Brunn (R-West Linn) urged the volunteers to keep the faith. Republicans have challenges ahead, he reminded the volunteers, but their mission to give all seven of Oregon's electoral votes to McCain is doable.

"In 2000, it came down to about 2-3 votes per precinct," Brunn said. "So don't let anyone convince you that Oregon is not a swing state."