McCain: ‘I Will Be a Candidate’

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has announced that he will be a candidate for president in 2008, and plans to announce his candidacy formally next month.

Appearing on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman Wednesday night, McCain confirmed publicly what has been understood for some time — he is running for the Republican presidential nomination.

I am announcing that I will be a candidate for president of the United States, said McCain.

The decision to declare his intentions on a popular TV show is in keeping with an increasingly common practice in the presidential contest, with candidates using a series of media platforms to draw maximum attention to their candidacies, the Washington Post said.

McCain, 70, lost the nomination to George W. Bush in 2000. Until recently, he was regarded as the front-runner for the GOP nomination in 2008, but former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has gained ground — and has overtaken McCain in some preference polls.