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McCain launches White House bid McCain launches White House bid
(about 1 hour later)
The US Senator, John McCain, has announced that he will officially enter the race to be the Republican candidate for the presidency in 2008.The US Senator, John McCain, has announced that he will officially enter the race to be the Republican candidate for the presidency in 2008.
Mr McCain confirmed the news in a TV interview, to be shown on Thursday.Mr McCain confirmed the news in a TV interview, to be shown on Thursday.
He formed an exploratory committee last November and since then has been making public appearances throughout the US.He formed an exploratory committee last November and since then has been making public appearances throughout the US.
But in recent weeks the former mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani, has widened his lead as the favourite candidate among Republicans.But in recent weeks the former mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani, has widened his lead as the favourite candidate among Republicans.
Dragging it out
Mr McCain, 70, made the announcement during a pre-recorded interview for CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman," which will be broadcast on Thursday evening.Mr McCain, 70, made the announcement during a pre-recorded interview for CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman," which will be broadcast on Thursday evening.
"I am announcing that I will be a candidate for president of the United States," he stated."I am announcing that I will be a candidate for president of the United States," he stated.
McCain has sought support from other Republicans, like California Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger
He formed an exploratory committee in November and has been holding public meetings to further his prospects.He formed an exploratory committee in November and has been holding public meetings to further his prospects.
Mr McCain told David Letterman that his formal announcement of candidature would be made in April.
"You know, you drag this out as long as you can. You don't just have one rendition," he went on.
Pressed by Mr Letterman, he joked: "This is the announcement preceding the formal announcement!"
Age factor
A Vietnam veteran, Mr McCain served five years as a prisoner of war, after being shot down as a Navy pilot in 1967.A Vietnam veteran, Mr McCain served five years as a prisoner of war, after being shot down as a Navy pilot in 1967.
The Arizona senator has been a key ally of President Bush in Congress on the war in Iraq.The Arizona senator has been a key ally of President Bush in Congress on the war in Iraq.
He has backed the president's increase in US troops for Iraq, but he has also been critical of former Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who, he said, would go down as one of the worst in history.He has backed the president's increase in US troops for Iraq, but he has also been critical of former Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who, he said, would go down as one of the worst in history.
The BBC's James Westhead says his age may be Mr McCain's biggest handicap. If he won the presidency, he would by then - at 72 - be the oldest man ever elected to the White House.The BBC's James Westhead says his age may be Mr McCain's biggest handicap. If he won the presidency, he would by then - at 72 - be the oldest man ever elected to the White House.