by Jill Zuckman
BURBANK, Calif. – The day after winning the all-important Florida primary, Sen. John McCain told reporters aboard his airplane today that he was looking forward to meeting with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is set to endorse him at 3 p.m. PST at the Reagan Library.
McCain said he had not spoken to Giuliani yet, even though word leaked Tuesday night that the former mayor would drop out of the presidential race and endorse McCain.
Tony Carbonetti, Giuliani's closest adviser, visited McCain's Miami hotel Tuesday afternoon and met with the senator and his top aides to make the arrangements.
"We waited for a phone call and we got the phone call," one McCain adviser said, explaining that they did not initiate any request for an endorsement after Giuliani finished a dismal third place in the Florida contest.
Asked why he thought he beat former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, McCain joked, "I would like to say it was charisma."
He chalked up the win to doing well on the economy and national security. "There's a lot of military connection here, a lot of patriotism," said McCain, who touted his experience as a Naval aviator.
McCain said he was surprised by the margin of victory – he won by five points. But when asked if he now considered himself the frontrunner, he said, "trying not to."
"I know we've got a ways to go," he said, acknowledging tensions within the Republican Party. "You've got to really have a united party. We all know that the party has great challenges. I see the polls that show the Democratic Party has more favorabilities on issues. We've got a lot of work to do. And a united party is really vital to do that."
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Comments
"MCCAIN SPEAKS"
WATERBORDING IS TORTURE AND THE PRESIDENT ORDERED IT. EVEN WHEN THERE WERE NO WMD'S, EVEN WHEN THE WEAPONS INSPECTORS FOUND NO WMD'S AND EVEN WHEN HE BYPASSED THE UN AS THE DICTATOR OF THE WORLD.
IT'S MIDNIGHT MR. PRESIDENT HOW CAN I HELP YOU? ARE YOU ON BOARD OR NOT JOHN?
ON BOARD!
Posted by: Roger Morris | January 30, 2008 5:28 PM
Rudy and John McLame:
Two dictator wannabe's who deserve each other.
Posted by: John E | January 30, 2008 5:35 PM
Don't trust McCain on illegal immigration of our so-call freetrade. In other words don't trust open globalist open-border, free-marketeers?
It has just been learned that the just passed House Stimulus package
intended to jump-start a sagging economy by giving citizens rebates,
also includes cash benefits for illegal aliens!
Yes, you read that right.
According to FOX News, the plan would benefit those illegal aliens
who qualify as "resident aliens" - meaning they have
spent a substantial amount of time in the U.S. and have not
yet been deported.
These so-called "resident aliens" also must have been assigned
an Individual Tax Identification Number.
What?
Assigning a tax number to an illegal alien in-effect legitimizes
their right to be in the U.S!
As Rep. Tom Tancredo said to FOX News, the bill will certainly
stimulate "more illegal immigration."
David, once again this is a slap in the face to citizen taxpayers,
and I'm calling on you to take immediate action with me by calling
your Senators and demanding rebates to illegal aliens be dropped
from this bill.
Here's your contact information for:
GRASSFIRE.ORG
Posted by: DavesBrittanicus | January 30, 2008 8:59 PM
a vote for mccain is nothing more than the continuation of bushies failed policies, both internationally and domestically.
more lopsided tax cuts for the uber-wealthy, more war, more torture, more arrogance, more incompetance, more domestic spying, more subversion of the constitution, more illegal immigrants, more, more, more.....of the same.
there is nothing more disasterous to this nation than a mccain presidency.
Posted by: brucer | January 30, 2008 10:37 PM
Stop whinning about illegal immigrants. Bashing helpless people. What a bully and coward you people really are. . .besides, that won't put food on the tables for American families.
This year, Americans will be voting with one hand in their pocket books. . .
You can run on illegal immigrants all you want. All the jobs are being sent overseas. No money! No Honey! :-)
Posted by: Lou | January 30, 2008 11:25 PM
He lost the debate as he first opened his mouth,the way he fumbled his words from the start till the end fighting and petty arguing thinking it was his way or the highway was totally wrong,he even appeared he may have been drinking? this should just go to show if he was involved with all the conflicts we have had how did Iraq or why so many troubles with this conflict?and to this end if Ronald Regan was alive he would by no means support him for president other then maybe a rumsfield type for Secretary of defense and nothing more? for the mere fact he supports part time Americans picking lettuce than the unemployed full time American? for the mere fact he used his power in the senate to delay the investigation that cost not only Americans but Californians and cost these citizens money for his sick and twisted benefit? I am sorry but Ronald Regan is spinning in his grave for him ever thinking he would support him?
GO MIKE ,the best choice
Posted by: Tom Smalley,IOWA | January 30, 2008 11:30 PM
Mc Cain is not going to win. Romney is posed tp win.
McCain is not a conservative--he has no charisma--no anything. 66 percent of GOP voters didn't vote for McCain this is all driveby BS that he won in God's waiting room in Florida. Loserman helped him with the Jewish vote the rest were moderates and Dem crossovers.
This is not a coronation the drivebys can't contol Rush and that drives them nuts. Tuesday 22 states with 1093 delegates will vote Huckleberry is running flank for McCain and Ron Paul is disgusting and messing up the field. GOP don't give our nomination to the drivebys. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | January 31, 2008 7:36 AM
Bad polling news for Democrats--McCain beats both Clinton II and Barack H.
"The latest Rasmussen Reports survey of Election 2008 shows Republican frontrunner Senator John McCain with single-digit leads over Democratic Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. McCain now leads Clinton 48% to 40%. He leads Barack Obama 47% to 41%....
McCain has led Clinton in four of the last five polling match-ups conducted by Rasmussen Reports. He has had the edge over Obama in three of the last four polls. (see history and trends). Following his victory in Florida, Rasmussen Markets data indicates that McCain is the overwhelming favorite for the Republican Presidential nomination."
From Rasmussen, Jan. 30th. We'll see if the Democrats who write for the Swamp mention this poll.
Posted by: Bruce | January 31, 2008 8:53 AM
Brucie:
Why is it that every time a poll shows a Democrat in front, you say the poll means nothing. But this poll is suddenly important.
The last time I checked, the election is more than 9 months away - and a poll taken now means absolutely nothing.
Posted by: BobinATL | January 31, 2008 9:37 AM
DavesBrittanicus:
As soon as you mentioned Fox news as your source, and Tom Tancredo, you lose all credibility on this subject.
Posted by: BobinATL | January 31, 2008 9:52 AM
Bruce--so? Don't you know ANYTHING about polls and polling? Geesh!
And by the way, if I was McCain, I should wouldn't want a sleazy guy like Rudy endorsing me.
Posted by: Janstress | January 31, 2008 9:55 AM
Bruce,
You could you please clarify when we should pay attention to polls and when we should NOT. Yesterday you mocked Swamp reporters for reporting poll results, today you are trumpeting them. Why do you flip flop?
Posted by: janet | January 31, 2008 10:09 AM
Why do you flip flop?
Posted by: janet | January 31, 2008 10:09 AM
Because he's an idiot, like most Repukes.
Posted by: chimpymcflightsuit'snavigator | January 31, 2008 11:24 AM
Hey chimpymcflightsuit'snavigator!
Calling Republicracker Bruce an "idiot" is an insult to idiots.
Posted by: Doomiss | January 31, 2008 12:54 PM
Hey chimpymcflightsuit'snavigator!
Calling Republicracker Bruce an "idiot" is an insult to idiots.
Posted by: Doomiss | January 31, 2008 12:56 PM