The Straight Talk Express

It was me and four other print reporters, including Carl Lindquist from the York Dispatch. The campaign organizer -- who appeared very competent and whose job I don't envy -- rounded us up once McCain's "Town Hall Meeting" at the York Expo Center was over.

We waited around while McCain taped a piece for Fox News, then we approached the bus. Former Pennsylvania Governor and Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge was there, but didn't board the bus with us. Along for the ride were U.S. Rep. Todd Platts, R-York County, and Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman.

On board, I had just enough time to look around and note that it was kind of cramped in there, before they brought us into a back room. We crowded around a table. I was right next to McCain.

The bus drove along Route 30 to Lancaster, where McCain was making his next appearance at a high school. It was strange for me, to look out the bus' tinted windows and see such familiar scenes, while simultaneously being in such an unfamiliar situation.

Somebody brought McCain a cup of coffee and he started talking. And ... well ... he seemed kinda grumpy.

All of us reporters were asking questions, and some of his answers were on the lengthy side. So I only managed to ask two questions. And maybe it's just me, but both of my questions seemed to irritate him.

During the Town Hall Meeting, he frequently mentioned Russia's attack on Georgia, and the need for taking a firm stand against it. He brought up the subject again on the bus.

In retrospect, it makes sense. In fact, it fits right in with the message his campaign has been trying to get across lately. To wit: Hey, if Putin gets it into his head to re-establish the Soviet Union, who do you want in office -- an untested pretty boy like Obama, or a guy like me who knows a thing or two about fighting communists?

I noticed he didn't specifically mention military action, so I asked him if that was on the table. He said it wasn't, and he instead advocates the U.S and European powers standing together to condemn the attack and maybe impose economic sanctions.

He didn't seem pleased with the question, which puzzled me because I thought it was fairly innocuous. But maybe it wasn't. On the one hand, he understandably doesn't want to imply that his administration would start a war with Russia while our troops are committed in Iraq. On the other hand, saying that your proposed hard line against Russia would be entirely diplomatic in nature doesn't lend itself to campaign rally saber-rattling.

I'd received a phone call from my editor, informing me that the Obama campaign was running a radio ad in York that day. It alluded to recent job losses at the Harley-Davidson plant and accused McCain of failing to support "Buy American" initiatives.

I figured I'd be doing McCain a favor by letting him respond to it.

I started the question by saying "The Obama campaign..." and he immediately grumbled "Here we go again!"

As I asked the question I was thinking to myself: "You're annoyed that I mentioned the Obama campaign? Hello? You're running a presidential campaign against them, remember?"

His answer, by the way, was that he'd want his campaign to take a look at the issue before he answered it. Personally, I'm cool with that. A lot of people complain about the way modern presidential campaigns meticulously parse and analyze a candidate's every statement. But I figure what the hell, everybody does it and that's just how the game is played.

So the bus reached Lancaster. One of the other reporters had asked McCain about a running mate. McCain responded that he understood he had to ask that question, but he just couldn't answer it right then.

When I said goodbye to Todd Platts, who was sitting next to McCain, I joked "If you get tapped as running mate, me and Carl will be the first ones you call, right?"

As I got off the bus, McCain -- who of course overheard my exchange with Platts -- was wearily repeating to himself "The first ones we'll call. The first ones we'll call."

If I'm making McCain sound like a total sourpuss, I'd hasten to add that I first met him back in 2006 and didn't get that vibe at all. In fact, he seemed pretty affable.

From my years of reporting, I know that running a campaign at any level -- such as city council or county commissioner -- can be a grueling ordeal. And a presidential campaign? Man!

In the weeks before the primary during which Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were campaigning in Pennsylvania, I was exhausted just covering it. I can't even begin to imagine what it's like to actually be at the center of those primary battles, then finish up only to redouble your efforts in campaigning for the general election. And while it's happening, the competition, assorted pundits and an anonymous horde of Internet smart-asses are continuously sniping at you.

So if the presidential candidates aren't in a perpetually chipper mood, I can certainly understand.

Then again, maybe it was just me. I tend to have that effect on people.