But while U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said he believes Graham’s efforts are sincere, they are a “long shot,” do to “the philosophical feelings of Republican senators” and “grassroots opposition to closing Gitmo.”

“If Lindsey Graham came to Chuck Grassley and said, ‘Well, if I can make a deal with the president to close Gitmo, move these people to continental United States, and we don’t give them our constitutional rights, we’ll still try them in military commission,’ would I be for it?  I’d say no,” Grassley said in a conference call with Iowa reporters.

Republicans have attacked President Barack Obama’s plans to close Gitmo and move terror suspects to a maximum security prison in Illinois, just across the Mississippi River from Clinton. The facility, which has remained mostly vacant since it was opened in 2001 due to Illinois budget issues, is expected to house fewer than 100 terror detainees along with more than 1,000 other extremely dangerous federal prisoners.

There are already 350 inmates in U.S. prisons convicted of international or domestic terrorism, including 35 in Illinois.

While many of the 12 people interviewed by Iowa Independent after the event had yet to cast their vote, all but one had already decided to support the Republican ticket.

Joe Pacha, who wore a McCain-Palin t-shirt and attended the rally with his wife and three flag-waving children, said he wanted his entire family to be a part of this moment in history.

“I wouldn’t have missed this,” Pacha said while the family waited to exit the bleachers. “It was important to bring the whole family because I believe John McCain stands up for all of America’s families.”

Pacha believes the McCain campaign hit a home run by discussing Sen. Barack Obama’s failure to vote on a Senate measure that supported Gen. David Petraeus.

“That was my favorite part because I think it really emphasized that Obama has not stood up to his obligations as a United States Senator,” Pacha said.

The attacks on Obama were delivered prior to McCain’s speech by South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.

“Barack Obama was in the Democratic cloak room,” Graham said. “It would have taken him five seconds to come out of that room and cast a vote on behalf of General Petraeus, but he couldn’t muster the courage to tell MoveOn.org that they were wrong. He does not deserve to be Commander In Chief.”

What Graham neglected to tell those in attendance at the rally, however, is that Obama had already voted in support of an amendment offered 20 minutes earlier that same day. The amendment Obama supported not only condemned the attacks on Petraeus, but also condemned the right wing attacks on veterans Sen. John Kerry and former Sen. Max Cleland.

Graham also made a point of marking the anniversary of the date that McCain was shot down over Vietnam and taken captive.

“Forty-one years ago today he fell into enemy hands,” Graham said. “He was shot down over North Vietnam 41 years ago today. Ladies and gentlemen, he’s been fighting for us, so now let’s fight for him.”

The message wasn’t lost on Marilyn Allison, an undecided senior citizen who skipped church services and drove two hours to attend the rally.

“I’m still trying to make up my mind,” Allison admitted in a whisper outside of the ladies’ washroom. “I like John McCain’s history of service to his country. It’s a very powerful story. I’m also concerned about Barack Obama’s ties to less savory people. At the same time, I really think we need some new and younger blood in Washington. I don’t think McCain provides that.”

Allison agreed that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin brought youth to the Republican ticket, but otherwise had strong remarks regarding McCain’s selection.

“I hoped [Gov. Sarah] Palin would bring that vitality to his ticket, but I’m not impressed with her,” she said. “I was leaning more heavily toward [McCain] before he picked her. I don’t believe she is ready to be anything more than a pretty pitbull — an attack dog minus the smarts needed to run the country.”

Allison knows she has a big decision to make before she casts her vote next week and says that she’s “going to pray a lot.”

Three young people in attendance were strong McCain supporters, even if one is not yet old enough to vote.

“I think [the rally] was great and had a really nice energy,” said Cedar Falls High School senior Michael Rogers. “People seemed to be really into McCain and his message. Most importantly, I think he was able to bring the message he really wanted to get out.”

Rogers, who is the son of Republican Iowa Senate challenger Walt Rogers, said he would definitely vote for McCain — and his own father — if he were old enough to cast a ballot.

Two University of Northern Iowa students — Jill Raymer from Mount Pleasant and Chelsea Oschylski from Des Moines — said they came to the rally for the sole purpose of supporting the Republican ticket. Raymer has already voted absentee and Oschylski plans to cast her ballot on election day.

“I was really impressed most with McCain energy plan,” Raymer said. “I think McCain was also able to highlight the differences between himself and Obama today.”

“Some of the things that were said about Obama really suprised me,” she said.

Sen. John McCain addressed a crowd of roughly 2,000 in Cedar Falls on Sunday afternoon.

CEDAR FALLS — Red meat was on the menu when the McCain campaign visited the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls Sunday afternoon, but Sen. Chuck Grassley wasn’t serving much of it.

Grassley, who was given the honor of introducing Sen. John McCain after South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham revved up the crowd, focused his speech on McCain’s record of service.

“John McCain doesn’t just say ‘Country First,’ John McCain has lived country first,” Grassley said as the crowd of 2,000 in the University of Northern Iowa’s West Gym began a “John McCain” chant. “He hasn’t lost faith in America. He instills faith in America.”

Grassley left the harshest of the campaign rhetoric to the candidate and Graham, but he did give the rally participants at least one opportunity to cheer.

“When John McCain is elected as President of the United States,” Grassley said, “America won’t have to cross its fingers and hope.”

If Grassley’s performance left the audience desiring more direct criticism of Obama than he delivered, Graham and McCain more than compensated for it. Graham, in particular, took Sen. Barack Obama to task in terms of the economy, service to country and readiness for office.

“You may have read Obama’s book ‘Audicity of Hope’ but you may not have known he’s written a sequel,” Graham said. “It’s called ‘The Times I Stood Up To the Left.’ Yeah. It’s a short read. The truth is that Obama has never told the left things they didn’t want to hear.”

Such actions or inactions, according to Graham, have shown “insight in Obama’s political soul.”

While “Joe the Plumber” made more than once appearance in the speeches, there was another Joe who seemed to draw more applause: “Joe the Biden.”

“Mark my words, Iowa, John McCain has already been tested,” Graham said. “And, to our enemies who are watching what’s happening here, you need to know that John McCain is watching you.”

It was a theme that McCain carried over into his own speech, indicating that he would strengthen the nation’s defense while lowering taxes.

“Our next president won’t have time to get use to the office,” McCain said. “We can’t wait as we have for the past 8 years.”