PHOENIX — Sen. John McCain is finding out what the Republican presidential nomination is worth this week.
Then he plans to buff his foreign-policy credentials, remind the nation of his long military history and try to frame the issues for the November election — in three separate tours as his two Democratic opponents struggle for the party nomination.
“Whenever you’re the nominee of your party, I think people will want to re-examine the candidate,” the senator said before leaving Arizona after a weekend at home. “I’d like to believe that all 300 million Americans know me, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. I’ll have to work hard to attract their votes.”
But first, the 71-year-old McCain had a full medical screening on Monday. While McCain has previously been treated for skin cancer, he said there was nothing that precipitated his visit, which included a full medical work-up. He said his dermatologist also performed a cancer screening during the past few weeks. Results from all the exams will be released April 15, he said.
“Everything’s fine,” McCain told reporters during a news conference.
Six days after clinching the GOP nomination, McCain headed Monday to a fundraiser in St. Louis. He planned to continue Tuesday in New York, Wednesday in Boston, Thursday in Pennsylvania and Friday in Chicago to counter an explosion in giving to the Democratic contenders.
On Wednesday, McCain will hold his first general-election town-hall meeting in a nostalgic locale: New Hampshire. The Exeter event is a nod to the state’s pivotal role as host to the first primary McCain won en route to the nomination.
In the coming weeks, McCain also hopes to deepen voters’ understanding of his background and policy views.
His first effort comes in foreign policy next week. McCain keeps a previously scheduled commitment to join a congressional visit to European and Middle Eastern capitals. Upon his return, McCain plans a major foreign-policy address.
McCain’s most immediate concern, though, is money.
During the current election cycle, Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton have not only outraised him, but far exceeded him in cash on hand.
As of Jan. 31, Obama, of Illinois, had raised $141 million, with $25 million cash on hand; Clinton, of New York, had raised $138 million and had $29 million cash on hand.
By contrast, McCain has raised $55 million and had $5.2 million cash on hand at the end of January.
