McCain's Blue Sky Bye-Bye

One of the things that set John McCain's campaign apart was its simplicity. He never traveled with an entourage, not even security guards, and there weren't even any formal credentials for reporters or staff traveling with him.

The campaign always seemed to have a shoot-from-the-hip quality, as did the candidate. More often then not, he would simply walk up to a microphone and answer whatever questions were on the voters' minds.

That same simplicity was seen as he bowed out of the race.

McCain stood with his wife Cindy in front of the cameras, with a backdrop of breathtaking beauty - the red-colored cliffs of Sedona, Ariz.

He was here because this is where his vacation home is, and he likes the place. So his Straight Talk Express wound its way to the top of the hill, over dirt roads in places, dodging coyotes darting across the highway. The bus parked and McCain walked up with Cindy to announce he was suspending his campaign and heading back to the Senate.

His aides stood off to the side, out of camera range, fighting back tears. Some failed.

McCain, though, maintained a calm composure as he thanked his supporters, asked them to keep fighting for what they believed and made clear that if George W. Bush, who will now be the nominee, wants his support to heal the party's wounds, he's the one who has to make the first move. There was no endorsement and McCain will hold onto his delegates.

He didn't take any questions after the speech, for one of the few times in this campaign. McCain had run the most open presidential campaign in modern history, surrounding himself with reporters on his campaign bus, on his plane, at all his events.

While reporters with Bush, Gore and Bradley were fighting to get close enough to shout a question, reporters with McCain often found themselves running out of questions to ask after a nonstop day of accessibility.

He clearly benefited from good media coverage - it's easier to write a story when the candidate will talk to you - but also seemed to honestly enjoy the give and take with sometimes tough questioners.

When the campaign finally was over and he no longer needed the press, he invited them all up to his house for a barbeque.