President Joe Biden addressed Arizona, paid tribute to John McCain during visit

PHOENIX - President Joe Biden arrived in Arizona for the second time since August.

Air Force One landed during the evening hours on Wednesday at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. The president traveled to Arizona from San Francisco, where he was attending a fundraiser.

The visit was announced a week ago. On Thursday in Tempe, Biden delivered a democracy-focused address and also paid tribute to the late John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential candidate who represented the state in the U.S. Senate for more than three decades.

The issue of "preserving democracy" is expected to be a key theme in President Biden's campaign for a second term in office. It was an issue that has been battled in and out of court several times in Arizona.

Some, however, have criticized the president for not having plans to leave the Phoenix area and head to the U.S.-Mexico Border, at a time when the area has made national headlines for being one of the busiest spots in Southwestern U.S. for illegal migrant crossings.

In the meantime, area sheriffs, like the sheriff in Cochise County, are demanding the president send relief.

Read excerpts from his speech here

Biden announced new McCain National Library at ASU

During his speech Thursday, Biden formally announced the creation of the John S. McCain III National Library on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University.

"John's one of those patriots that when they die, their voices are never silenced," said President Biden, during the announcement.

The library will serve as the official Arizona home of the McCain Institute "and provide education work, and health monitoring programs to underserved communities."

"John McCain is a national hero, an Arizona icon, and an inspiration to Americans from all walks of life for his robust defense of democracy, his patriotism and love of country, and his commitment to service," McCain Institute Executive Director Evelyn Farkas said in a news release. "It is fitting to honor a statesman of Senator McCain’s caliber with this federally funded library. The McCain Library will be an outstanding resource for the McCain Institute, Arizona State University and the wider-Tempe community. We are proud to be a part of this effort."

"This future library will provide the beating heart and soul to help further the causes John so dearly believed in," said Sen. McCain's widow, Cindy McCain.

Gov. Katie Hobbs and Cindy McCain were also on hand to help make the official announcement. Cindy revealed the significance of President Biden's announcement.

"There were two people that came over to me and said ‘you have got to meet this man,’" Cindy recounted. "President Biden and Mrs. Biden introduced me to my husband, and I am so grateful for that."

"By the way, when he found this magnificent woman and got married, I'm the one that convinced him to run in Arizona as a Republican. Bless me father!" President Biden quipped.

Sen. McCain’s Congressional papers, as well as memorabilia from his military service, will be among several of his personal items that will be put on display at the future library. The facility will also include a research center, as well as conference facilities.

"We hope that the library, McCain Library, will sit as an asset that will attract people from all over the United States and the world, about how do you build democracy, how do you advance democracy, and how do you protect democracy," said ASU President Dr. Michael Crow.

The library will also be Federally-funded, paid for by the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan stimulus package that was signed into law by President Biden two years ago.

President also attended fundraising event

During his visit to Arizona, President Biden also attended a fundraising event at a private home in North Central Phoenix.

"It's been a lot of activity, and a lot of security helicopters going around," said Carol Meissner, who lives in the area where the fundraising event was held.

"It’s a big deal," said Dean Gehr. "Doesn’t matter whether you’re Democratic or Republican. It’s kinda cool to have the President on your street. I think that was really cool."

The private home belongs to Jim and Roberta Pederson. Jim Pederson has been involved in Arizona electoral politics in the past, as he has previously ran for Governor and the U.S. Senate.

Many high profile VIPs were reportedly in attendance, including Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and WNBA player Brittney Griner. 

"He talked about the economy, global warming. He talked about a lot of great things coming, like he’s bringing a lot of this chip companies to Phoenix," said Munish Gupta. "He was really very personable. He walked all the way in the middle of everybody, and kind of addressed everybody, looking at them."

President stayed in downtown Phoenix

After Air Force One landed in Phoenix, the presidential motorcade arrived at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Phoenix.

Phoenix Police and the Secret Service blocked off some roads in the area as a result, and light rail stops have been closed.

The following westbound stations were closed downtown until 3 p.m. Thursday:

• 3rd Street/Washington
• Washington/Central
• Van Buren/Central

Riders were advised to plan for delays.

People were able to walk around the area of the hotel Thursday morning. However, when the president arrived around 8:30 p.m., that was not the case.

Even guests who had left the hotel for any reason were not allowed back inside while the motorcade was passing through. 

One guest mentioned receiving an email the day before notifying her about extra security, but it was still a surprise to learn that the reason was because the President of the United States would be staying in her hotel.

"Just letting us know, the high security made me worried. I talked to my boss who is also staying here, and we found out that they weren't explicitly stating it, but they were implying that the President of the United States would be staying in our hotel," she said.

She also mentioned that her vehicle was inspected by the Secret Service when she arrived.

Major closures in Tempe

The president's speech resulted in significant closures in the Tempe area. 

The closures affecrted a portion of Rio Salado Parkway, Priest Drive, and the Tempe Town Lake Elmore Pedestrian Bridge. Closures began at 8 a.m. 

Additionally, there were closures along the south bank path, while the north bank path remained open. A temporary buoy line was also set up to keep boating activity away from the west side of the railroad bridge.

The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report.

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