The dueling rallies scheduled for Mankato today on behalf of Republican congressman Gil Gutknecht and Democratic challenger Tim Walz lost some of their pizzaz Tuesday night when Sen. John Kerry pulled out of the Democratic rally.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the front-runner for the 2008 Republican nomination for president, is the star attraction at a rally at the Midwest Wireless Civic Center for Gutknecht and Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee pulled out of the DFL event, which will still be held, as the result of a controversy over comments he made Monday inCalifornia.

Walz communication director Meredith Salsbery said Kerry canceled his visit to keep the focus on the issues and away from Kerry’s comments and McCain’s response.

She wouldn’t comment on whether Walz asked Kerry not to campaign for him, but said the decision was ultimately the senator’s choice.

Both of today’s rallies are free and open to the public and are expected to last about an hour. McCain will be in the East Banquet Hall at the Civic Center. The event begins at 10:10 a.m., but people need to arrive by 9:50 a.m. The doors open at 9:15 a.m. No backpacks or other bags are allowed.

Doors open at MSU’s Taylor Center at 11 a.m. for the Walz event with music by Martin Zellar beginning at 11:15 a.m. The rally begins at noon. Parking around campus is expected to be very limited, but shuttle buses will run starting at 10:30 a.m. from the Madison East Center.

—Free Press staff