McCain plans step toward run in 2008

WASHINGTON – Sen. John McCain, a likely candidate for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, intends to launch an exploratory committee next week, GOP officials said Friday.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting a public statement from the four-term Arizona senator. McCain, who unsuccessfully sought his party’s nomination in 2000, already has opened a bank account for the committee, one official said.

Aides to McCain say the senator will discuss whether to seek the presidency with his family over the Christmas holiday.

Establishing an exploratory committee allows a potential candidate to raise money for a White House run and travel the country.

If McCain were to run, he would turn 72 on Aug. 29, 2008, at the height of the campaign. Only President Reagan was older – 73 at the start of his second term. McCain’s health could be another issue. The senator has had several cancerous lesions removed from his skin.

Since losing to Bush in 2000, McCain has alternately challenged and embraced the president, building a reputation as an independent who isn’t afraid to speak his mind. At the same time, he’s sought to mend fences with conservatives he alienated in his first presidential run.

After Republicans lost control of both the House and Senate on Tuesday, McCain called for a return to the conservative principles he said make up the foundations of the Republican Party.

“We came to Washington to change government and government changed us,” lamented McCain. “We departed rather tragically from our conservative principles.”

He urged the party to return to a time when it was known for careful stewardship of tax dollars, less government, less regulation, lower taxes and a strong defense, as well as community and family values.