McCain Reacts to Endorsements

By: Andante Higgins
Topics: John McCain

(CBS)

From CBS News' Dante Higgins:

FORT MYERS, FLA. -- John McCain talked to reporters earlier today about the newspaper endorsements he received this weekend, including the suprising endorsement from the Des Moines Register.

"First I'd like to say that obviously I appreciate very much of the endorsements of the Des Moines Register, the Boston Globe, the Portsmouth Herald," he said.

"The effect of it is that it will cause many of the undecided voters, which there's a majority of Republican voters now in this primary are undecided, to have a look at John McCain ... Obviously that will help me as we get down in the last few weeks in the Iowa caucuses."

"I appreciate the endorsements all of them say the same thing, that I have the experience, judgement, and I have been the one who is presidential ... I am grateful ... I am appreciative of their comments and this will give an added boost to our campaign."

When asked if he had any inkling he was going to receive the Register's endorsement, he responded, "I'd like to give you a little straight talk my friend. I was surprised. I appreciate it very much, but I am very appreciative."

The one endorsement he didn't talk about today but will spend a lot of time talking about tomorrow: Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.)... stay tuned.