news-record.com

The state Republican Party and Arizona Sen. John McCain's presidential camp opened their joint "Victory Office" in Guilford County on Monday, calling on former senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole to headline the event.

"Whether you're Democrat, Republican, independent or just drove in the wrong parkway here ... you want to elect people to office who understand freedom and liberty," Dole said.

Dole is the husband of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who is running for re-election this year against Greensboro state Sen. Kay Hagan, a Democrat. He noted that national democrats have said his wife has been ineffective in the Senate.

"What are they spending $8 million here for if she's not effective," Dole said, referencing an expected onslaught of third party advertising in the race.

The Guilford County office at 3800 Tinsley Road in High Point is one of nine across the state the party anticipates opening in advance of this year's election.

Democrats opened a similar office in Greensboro earlier this summer. The Obama campaign plans to open its 16th office in the state tomorrow.

Sen. Richard Burr, a Winston-Salem Republican, is McCain's leading surrogate in the state and was on hand for the headquarters opening.

"America's now paying attention," he told the approximately 80 people gathered at the opening. "This looks like a great year for Republicans in North Carolina."