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Local Couple Meets With McCain, Palin

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Sep 3, 2008 9:41 pm US/Eastern

Local Couple Meets With McCain, Palin

Reporting
John Shumway
WASHINGTON (KDKA) ― A local couple unexpectedly got to meet Vice Presidential Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin and GOP Presidential Nominee Sen. John McCain during their visit to Washington County last weekend.

They share something in common with Palin. They also have a child with Down Syndrome.

In a sea of smiling faces at Consol Energy Park, Kurt and Margie Kondrich, along with their daughter, Chloe, caught the attention of the candidates.

"Chloe was blowing kisses to them and we saw from inside the bus a couple flashes, so they were taking pictures of us standing there with our sign," Kurt said.

Dismounting from their campaign bus, Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin drove home their campaign points as Margie Kondrich held her sign which read: "We (Heart) Kids With Down Syndrome."

"I wanted to let Sarah know that I was also a mother with a child with Down Syndrome and that I supported her and that I understand what she has gone through," Margie said.

And it worked. As they waited to see the bus leave, a Secret Service agent approached them. Moments later, they were ushered into an inner circle near the bus where the McCains and Palins were waiting.

"They just came up as warm as could be and said 'Hi' and they thanked us for coming," Kurt said.

Gov. Palin asked if she could hold Chloe. Meantime, Sen. McCain got to know Nolan, Chloe's big brother.

"They were just really genuine. No rush, down to earth," Kurt said of the candidates. "At that point they brought down little Trig, their child with Down Syndrome from the bus."

"I got to see him, it was very emotional for me but I was very proud of him and my daughter and I both kissed him on his chubby little face," Margie said. "I actually told her her son was beautiful and that they would all be fine and it's a lot of work but they are very blessed with having a child with Down Syndrome."



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