John McCain redesigned his stage in St. Paul to resemble an intimiate town hall meeting. Tonight's scene in Columbia felt similar to that.

Members of the MU College Republicans and Boone County Republicans watched as John McCain took the stage.

They said despite the negative media attention surrounding vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, they think the pair is sure to destoy the Obama-Biden ticket in November.

Even if that means disassociating McCain from President Bush.

"People think if you elect another Republican you'll have the same policies, but that's really not true. John McCain is a maverick," Nicholas Jain, a McCain supporter, said.

"He doesn't make decisions based on what's best for himself, his party or special interests to his donors. That's why I'm supporting John McCain. I think he has the political courage to be a wonderful president," said Jeremy Hagen of the Missouri College Republicans.

Boone County Republicans said they will be busy fundraising for the campaign up until the election.

That includes a 72-hour telethon before the polls open.