Sen. John McCain joins parade of Republicans in Kansas in support of Roberts Senate campaign

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts was able to introduce a high-profile visitor he called “one of my heroes” to an enthusiastic crowd of GOP supporters Wednesday. Sen. John McCain, a Republican and the senior senator from Arizona, joined a handful of famous Republicans visiting Kansas to support Roberts in his campaign against Independent candidate and businessman Greg Orman.

At the Johnson County Republican Party headquarters in Overland Park, Roberts raised familiar GOP rallying cries, criticizing government “over-regulation” and calling for a return to the values of the U.S. constitution and “the values of Kansas.”

Roberts also said leaders like Sen. McCain can “bring back common sense to our foreign policy and our national security policy.”

“I don’t claim to be an expert on the people of Kansas,” said McCain during his brief remarks, “though I have known thousands.” But, he said, what he knows about Roberts’ opponent, Orman, is that he is on the side of the Democrats.

Orman called the remarks “desperate,” reports the Associated Press.

The race is getting national attention — “a lot of people are watching the race here in Kansas,” said McCain Wednesday. Our colleagues at the PBS NewsHour reported on McCain’s visit and the Senate race. And Greg Orman was recently dubbed “Stormin’ Orman” by the Economist, in the run up to the Nov. 4 elections.

McCain and Sarah Palin were expected for campaign events with Roberts Thursday in Independence, Kansas, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was expected in Wichita Sept. 29. Bob Dole came out in support of Roberts Monday.