DaytonDailyNews.com

BEXLEY — Republican John McCain cast himself as the man Americans need in the White House to root out Wall Street corruption while blasting Democrat Barack Obama as a hands-off observer, unqualified to lead the country in dangerous times.

McCain's blasts in this Columbus suburb on Monday, Sept. 29, came before the U.S. House's vote defeating a $700 billion financial bailout plan and opened McCain up to criticism from Democrats for taking credit for a deal that so far has failed.

"It seems to me that Sen. McCain has in fact failed in providing needed leadership in this crisis and that is evidenced by the fact that members of his own party, many of whom met with him personally, have decided not to follow his recommendation and voted 'no' on this bailout bill," Ohio Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland told reporters.

Here at Capital University's Capital Center, McCain was received as a hero by 9,000 cheering fans who packed the gym floor and also whooped it up for Sarah Palin, McCain's vice presidential running mate.

To the crowd's delight, Palin said, "We need to take the maverick out of the Senate and put him in ...the White House."

McCain pledged to end the "corrupt practices" and "backroom deals" that have led to the current financial crisis.

"When it comes to growing the economy and protecting you from the corruption of Wall Street, Barack Obama just doesn't get it," said McCain, echoing a theme from the presidential debate on Friday, Sept. 26.

McCain defended his action last week, saying he put his campaign on hold to return to Washington to work on lining up support for a bailout plan, contrasting himself with Obama.

"I went to Washington last week to make sure that the taxpayers of Ohio and across this great country were not left footing the bill for mistakes made on Wall Street ...and greed in Washington," he said.

Meanwhile, Obama was "monitoring the situation," said McCain.

"That's not leadership, that's watching from the sidelines," McCain said.

While McCain got top billing at the Capital Center, many in the crowd seemed more pleased to see Palin.

"I love her," said Sharon Wilson, 59, a retired Columbus police officer. "She's just like I am, a regular person."

Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608 or whershey@DaytonDailyNews.com.