WOLFEBORO, N.H. -- Flying around the country with an entourage and meeting new people is great and all, but Sen. John McCain plans to make this his first and last presidential run. Unless he pulls an upset and wins the White House, that is.
"I would never do this again. I'm too tired," McCain, R-Ariz., told reporters who surrounded him on Sunday. "I think it's fun once. I don't see how it's fun twice." His wife, Cindy, "You've got my vote."McCain, 63, is tied or leading Texas Gov. George W. Bush for the Republican nomination in New Hampshire in most polls. There's not much time to rest between town hall meetings, television commercials and preparation for Tuesday night's debate here.
All the other candidates were making final campaign swings through Iowa.
But lacking an organization in that state and support for his positions on some agricultural issues, McCain is staying back East. After the caucuses end tonight, he planned a rally at Dartmouth College.
Today also marks McCain's 100th town hall meeting.
But his and his wife's absence is taking its toll on their seven children, who are staying home in Arizona, McCain said.
"It's very, very hard on our kids," McCain said.
One presidential campaign is enough, unless he wins the White House, he said. "I don't get it, how people keep going back and back and back," said McCain. He is propelled through this campaign by a steady stream of sugar and caffeine. Somehow, he manages to get some sleep.
Saturday night, as he returned from a swing through South Carolina, the hotel's fire alarm blared in the morning's wee hours. Should they evacuate? Cindy asked.
"Forget about it. I'd rather burn to death," McCain replied.