Up and Away With McCain
Straight off his New Hampshire victory, John McCain's resurgent campaign soared on a new 737 jet to campaign in Michigan and South Carolina today.
Though this fancy addition was scheduled before he took the Granite State, it's fitting that McCain and his staff are traveling in style after his huge win last night.
Plush leather reclining seats with shiny wood paneling are a major step up for his staff and reporters who have been shuffled on and off of vans, SUVs, buses, RVs and even a Marriott shuttle bus as transportation.
McCain came to the back cabin twice - once to say hello and another time to answer questions. Everyone ran to the huddle with cameras and audio recorders to see what the deal was, but we couldn't hear. Turns out it was mostly newbies asking general questions that he's answered a billion times for us seven or so reporters who have been covering him since before his surge.
While some reporters caught up on sleep from last night's primary, McCain advisors made their way through the bus and answered questions. Reporters listened intently and jotted down notes as everyone walked carefree through the cabin.
In fact, that may be the best part of riding the charter plane, not following the rules. People put on their seatbelts if they can, no one has asked me to turn off my Blackberry, computer or to even get off the phone.
We were also fed. Today it was tasty sandwiches, on the Straight Talk Express lately it's been pizza or Quizno's sandwiches. A few weeks ago, we were being served cheese puffs, cookies and soda all day.
McCain advisor Charlie Black said we should enjoy it, "The good news is Rick [Davis, campaign manager] paid for this plane through February 5th."
Of course, we'll be receiving a bill in the mail for each leg we're on the charter...