McCain boosting Bush in bus tour to Philadelphia

By Matt Kelley\Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- John McCain, defeated in the primaries but still seeking the spotlight, set out Saturday for the Republican convention in a campaign-style bus caravan.

The Arizona senator is now campaigning for his former rival, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, but McCain is keeping a schedule fit for a candidate. After a planned rolling press conference from Washington to Philadelphia, McCain will campaign for a congressional candidate, speak at a rival "shadow convention," address his delegates and speak to the convention in prime time.

As he boarded his bus Saturday in Arlington, Va., McCain said the trip would not be a bittersweet one in light of his loss to Bush last winter.

"We had a great time. This will remind us of what a great time we had," McCain said.

All of his campaign efforts, he said, are to help Bush.

"There's certainly not any intention" of stealing the limelight from Bush, McCain said Wednesday. "I've talked with Governor Bush and he's pleased with what I'm doing."

After the convention, McCain plans to join Bush on a campaign swing through the West, playing host to Bush and his wife, Laura, for a night at McCain's ranch near Sedona, Ariz.

McCain was Bush's toughest competitor in the GOP primaries, drawing independent-minded voters with calls for trimming the influence of money in politics.

McCain won seven primaries and had 231 delegates before he ended his presidential bid in March. Some of those delegates have been replaced by Bush supporters or have already pledged themselves to Bush, and McCain plans to tell his remaining delegates at a Sunday afternoon meeting to support Bush.

"Anyone who is missing from my speech to them will lose their (convention) credentials," McCain added jokingly.

First on the agenda Saturday afternoon is a town-hall campaign event with Pennsylvania state Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, a Republican trying to displace Democratic Rep. Joseph Hoeffel. Greenleaf is one of more than 125 House candidates who have asked for McCain's campaign help -- assistance McCain hopes will prevent Democrats from gaining the six House seats they need to win a majority.

"I think he (McCain) is very well liked in this suburban district," said Greenleaf, who will be making his fourth campaign appearance with McCain.

Before McCain meets with his delegates Sunday, he will address the shadow convention organized by satirists, campaign finance reform advocates and others. While some Republicans grumble that speaking there is giving aid and comfort to the enemy, McCain said he will try to win more voters for Bush.

"You win elections by winning the center," McCain said.

Also on tap for Sunday: an interview on CBS' Face the Nation, a speech to a pro-Israel group and a book signing for his best-selling autobiography, which chronicles the five years he spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

Monday's events include an appearance on MTV and a news conference with Rep. J.C. Watts, R-Okla.

Tuesday night, McCain will address the convention at 10:30 p.m. Eastern time.

Some observers think that, despite his denials, McCain is laying the groundwork for a presidential run in 2004, should Bush lose this year.

"He's not acting like a candidate, he is a candidate," said University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato.

Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Saturday, July 29, 2000

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• McCain boosting Bush in bus tour to Philadelphia
  
• Odds dwindle for major legislative achievements
  
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• Clinton presses for minimum wage hike in weekly radio address
  
• Pennsylvania governor predicts different kind of GOP convention
  

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