Biden's Cincy appearance closed to public

Joe Biden is scheduled to be in town on Tuesday morning, but he is not expected to make a public appearance.

The vice president plans to speak at a private fundraising event for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Ted Strickland, who faces GOP incumbent and Terrace Park resident Rob Portman in the November election.

The event is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at the Westin in Downtown. It will cost a minimum $500 to get in the door.

Watch for traffic delays and street closures in the area of Fountain Square.

Strickland cruises, turns focus to Portman

Biden joined President Obama in endorsing Strickland in Ohio's U.S. Senate race ahead of last week's Democratic primary. Polls are showing Ohio voters are narrowly divided on Strickland and Portman.

The nation is expected to be watching as Strickland and Portman do battle over a bellwether state. The fact Biden is coming to town a week after the primary underscores the importance of the race for Democrats, who hope to regain control of the Senate.

Biden has visited Greater Cincinnati a handful of times since becoming vice president. In July 2009, he stood in front of the old American Can Building in Northside to announce stimulus money to redevelop the property into apartments. Two years later, he spoke at a Labor Day event at Coney Island.