Straight talk

PHOENIX -- When Sen. John McCain came to the press area of the Straight Talk Express this evening on his way back to Arizona, his wife, Cindy, and close friends Sens. Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman joined him. The trio had tears in their eyes.

The Arizona senator spoke, without tears or any sign of emotion:

"Well, my friends, this is our last flight on this airplane together, and so I just wanted to stop back. Yesterday, I know, was really a fun day, starting out at the crack of dawn and ended up at 2 a.m.; we went 3,700 miles yesterday. We had a great ride, and we’re looking forward to the election results tonight. Feelin’ good, feelin’ confident about the way things have turned out.

"We’ve had a great ride, a great experience, and it’s full of memories that we will always treasure, including the last one up there in Colorado, where people were so warm. And the enthusiasm, as you have seen, in rallies has really been quite remarkable and quite heartwarming.

"So we’ve spent a lot of time together. Some have been together for almost two years; others, most of the ones that rode around in the van with us and on the $39.99 flight to Manchester. So any way, we’ve had a great time, I wish you all every success and look forward to being with you in the future. Thanks very much.”