McCain takes once high-flying bid to S.Carolina

McCain takes once high-flying bid to S.Carolina
By Steve Holland Mon Aug 13, 4:30 PM ET



COLUMBIA, South Carolina (Reuters) - US Airways Flight 3027 from Washington to South Carolina was cramped on Monday, carrying a full load of passengers that included summer travelers and Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

This is what McCain's legendary "Straight Talk Express" has become -- no huge bus and accompanying entourage -- just simply the Arizona senator, an aide carrying a briefcase, on a crowded commercial flight and a fairly anonymous arrival at Columbia's airport for two days of campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination.

At Washington's National Airport, McCain watched the electronic flight schedule warily, knowing he'd make his engagements "if the plane is on time," he said gamely. His flight was a half hour late in taking off and there were no first class seats.

McCain's campaign for the November 2008 election hit hard times when donations dried to a trickle after his stance in favor of a U.S. immigration overhaul angered conservatives, and an operation built for $100 million had to be stripped to the bone.

His support for the Iraq war has also cost him in public opinion polls.

Given a warm reception at the monthly meeting of Columbia's Rotary Club, a crowd that included a number of undecided Republican voters, McCain said campaign money is not everything.


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uhc comment: :rofl: :rofl: