Mystifying, says the McCain campaign. Political bloggers are apparently trafficking in rumors that John McCain had a cold and thus canceled his schedule for tomorrow.
Ms. Buchanan said she was mystified at where the illness rumors were coming from. After all, she said, he was plunging ahead with his town hall meeting at a high school here and a fund-raiser this evening.“He’s not sick,” she said. “Otherwise, we would have canceled this.
“It really is a scheduling issue,” she added but did not elaborate.
Mike Luo of the Times was also given conflicting information:
An aide also confirmed to The Times that Mr. McCain has a cold.
Perhaps HQ in Arlington didn't quite pick up the transmission from the roadshow. But the optics of McCain's canceling an appearance because of a cold are pretty cloudy; the guy generally campaigns through his colds, and, generally, doesn't have any incentive to allow voters and the media to see him in tip-top shape.
Update (midnight:20):
Well. I've been in contact with the aide who told me that McCain had a cold; I asked this person to reconcile the statement given to me with the one given to the traveling press by Ms. Buchanan. This person's answer I accept:
"Some events got moved around and rescheduled, a media avail got added and wires got crossed. So he's got a full schedule tomorrow. [I] Really do apologize for any confusion."
Well, my word is my bond, and my name is attached to the facts I present. But -- these things happen; on we go.
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