McCain made the brief stop at engine company 56, the nearly 60-year-old landmark in the heart of the Fox Chase neighborhood. The republican standard bearer brought donuts along to discuss emergency prepardness and equipment with these first responders. Then he paid tribute to the ones now operating in the storm-wracked gulf coast. "We are grateful for their great work that is minimizing casualties," said Sen. McCain. McCain was not supposed to take questions from reporters, but he did respond to one question about his running mate designate Gov. Sarah Palin and her pregnant and unmarried teenage daughter. He was asked if he make a hasty decision to tap Palin without a full investigation of the Alaska Governor. "The vetting process was completely thorough and I am glad about the results," said Sen. McCain. Despite his low profile, John McCain subtly used his visit to Philadelphia to court the region's Catholic voters. Fox Chase, for example, is one of the most heavily Catholic sections of the city McCain also had a private meeting with archbishop Cardinal Justin Rigali on Monday.
Polls show McCain is trailing Barack Obama in Pennsylvania largely because of Obama's strong support in Philadelphia.
