Campaigning in Ohio, John McCain today is boasting that he suspended his campaign last week to participate in talks on the Wall Street bailout and ripping Barack Obama for saying he was available if needed.
"It's not my style to sit and phone it in," McCain told a few thousand supporters in Columbus, Ohio.
Channeling his inner Teddy Roosevelt, he said that leaders "belong in the arena."
And he belittled Obama, saying, "that's not leadership, that's watching from the sidelines...watching from the sidelines is exactly what got us in this mess."
A crowd of a few thousand poured into a college field house to hear McCain and running mate Sarah Palin. The 30-minute rally did not fill the large room, which included an indoor track. 
Despite criticisms of her from several conservative columnists, Palin was greeted like a rock star as usual by the rank and file. "Sarah, Sarah, Sarah," they chanted when she walked in.
She noted that she faces rival Joe Biden this week in their only debate. "I guess it's my turn now," Palin said. "I'm looking forward to meeting him. I've never met him."