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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

‘Enthusiastic supporter’ injures Cindy McCain

Cindy McCain  is seen with her arm in a sling during a news conference Wednesday in Birmingham, Mich.  (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
By Seema Mehta Los Angeles Times

The rigors of campaigning caught up with Cindy McCain on Wednesday. She suffered a minor sprain after an “enthusiastic supporter” shook her hand at a fundraiser.

Later in the afternoon, McCain stood beside her husband, presidential hopeful John McCain, wearing a soft cast on her right arm supported by a black fabric sling with a sparkly brooch.

“I’m absolutely fine,” she said.

John McCain joked that his wife now would “not have to shake so many hands” while on the stump.

The injury occurred at a noon fundraising luncheon at the Shenandoah Banquet, Golf and Conference Center in West Bloomfield, Mich., the first of the day’s three McCain fundraisers. The handshake apparently aggravated an old problem for which the candidate’s wife had wrist surgery several years ago.

“During the rope line an enthusiastic supporter shook Mrs. McCain’s hand and exacerbated an existing condition,” according to a statement from the campaign. “Out of an abundance of caution, she decided to leave the event and visit the local hospital for X-rays where she was treated for a minor sprain. We appreciate everyone’s concern, and she is back on the campaign trail now.”