McCain: Here's the POW card again
Posted: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 8:57 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Per NBC/NJ’s Adam Aigner-Treworgy, McCain said this on Leno last night in response to the flap over how many homes he and Cindy own. “You know, could I just mention to you, Jay, and a moment of seriousness. I spent five and a half years in a prison cell, without-I didn’t have a house, I didn’t have a kitchen table, I didn’t have a table, I didn’t have a chair. And I spent those five and a half years, because-not because I wanted to get a house when I got out. And you know, I’m very proud of Cindy’s father, he was a guy that barely got out of high school, fought in World War II in the Army Air Corps, came home and made a business and made the American dream.”
Also yesterday, McCain accepted the endorsement of Puerto Rican rapper "Daddy Yankee," the Los Angeles Times reports. "McCain built up the suspense by withholding the guest's name at first, but then gave it away, saying, 'One of his most famous songs, I know you're very familiar with: 'Gasolina' ' -- drawing gasps of surprise from the crowd -- and then finally said, 'Well, here he is, Daddy Yankee.' Though McCain has sometimes shown surprising familiarity with rap stars and pop culture references because of the musical tastes of his daughters, it is unlikely that the conservative Republican would have made a point of mentioning the song had he known that the 'Gasolina' lyrics are loaded with sexual references. Although there's some debate about what the word 'gasolina' means in this context, one thing is certain: It's not a petroleum product." And it has nothing to do with off-shore drilling.
NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports on the return of Mark McKinnon to the McCain fold (at least for McCain week). He's helping Cindy McCain with her convention speech, which will occur on the third night of the convention. "Finishing touches" on the speech have been in the works for a couple of weeks. McKinnon describes Cindy McCain as "the best asset (for the campaign) I knew the least about."
McKinnon stepped away from a visible role in the campaign in June after a pledge that he would not craft the advertising campaign against Obama. McKinnon had said he would "not be the tip of the spear" attacking Obama. McKinnon does however offer some ideas and advice to the current McCain ad strategy.
Advisers say Mrs. McCain's remarks will "give a sense of her and who she is." Mrs. McCain, 54, will add dimension to her husband as a father and an example of service. The McCains have generally avoided discussing their four children on the campaign trail except for acknowledging frequent trail traveler Meghan. When Mrs. McCain introduces her husband at campaign events, she will sometimes briefly reference their two sons now on active duty. Despite the caution they've shown on the stump, advisers say Mrs. McCain is expected to talk about their sons' military service as her reason and motivation in this campaign. The campaign sought special permission for Jack and Jimmy to attend because their active duty status prevents them participating in political events. They will not be in uniform. The most shy and youngest, Bridget, 17, who was adopted from a Mother Theresa orphanage is also expected to make a rare campaign appearance at the convention.
Sen. John Thune says he won’t be McCain’s veep. “I would say I'm out of the running,” he said Monday.
