Cindy McCain provides an October surprise -- mingling with the media

Cindy McCain famously avoids contact with the reporters and photographers who cover her husband’s quest for the White House.

Although she often has accompanied John McCain on the road as his campaign plane flies from event to event, Mrs. McCain, like the wives of Republican nominees before her, has never been known to stroll back from the jet’s first-class compartment to chat with the 60 media members and Secret Service agents seated in the rear.

Until today, that is.

On a morning flight from Newark to Miami, an aide announced a “special surprise.” Mrs. McCain suddenly pulled back the dark Oz-like curtain separating the two sections and emerged with a nervous smile.

Behind her came Sen. Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican who is McCain’s long-time friend and frequent traveling companion. They both held out bright orange, plastic pumpkins filled with Halloween candy.

Moving down the aisle, they offered the goodies to startled reporters, some of whom tried not to stare. Her eyes, for the record, are bright blue. She wore an elegant grey flannel pant suit , a double-strand silver necklace and diamond Navy pin. Her blond hair was pinned back.

“Take more,” she urged softly, pushing the candy. “I know you guys are in the gym every morning,” she added, presumably as a joke.

How many days are left, someone asked. “Eighteen, but who’s counting?” she murmured, moving along.

Someone asked Graham what he plans to be for Halloween.

“The government guy who comes to bail you out,” he replied, after a moment’s thought. “Now that’s scary.”

What about Mrs. McCain? Who will she be?

"I’ll be Lindsey Graham,” she said quickly.

And then, with a woosh of the curtain, she was gone.

-- Bob Drogin

Comments

[Bettye Independent voter]

Cindy McCain - a great humanitarian, supporter of disabled children, a quiet dignified lady. She knows fashion - always wears attires appropriate for the situation. This ariticle shows she has a sense of humor as she connects with reporters in her own genuine way. SHE WILL BE ONE OF OUR BEST FIRST LADIES.

[Dharma Ann Greg]

Mrs. McCain is the epitome of class and grace. Watching her stump with the campaign made me realize how effortlessly she's performed her trailblazing role of playing second female fiddle because the VP candidate is Palin. Seriously, I watch her face and body language intensely and all I see is support and pride and teamwork. I like her very much.

[Seattle Democrat]

Whatever! Mrs. McCain walks down the isle for a minute and you Republicans part the sea for her. Give me a break! She avoids the "little people." Isn't it obvious? The McCains carry hand sanitizer to sanitize themselves when they have to shake the hands of the little people. The aricle said it was a complete shock for her to open the curtains and venture to the back of the plane. Sounds to me like it never happens. If she were approachable, she'd be back there with much more frequency than a single time in 20 months!

You Republicans need to give your collective heads a good shake!

[momof2or]

Cindy McCain is a disturbed individual. I would bet that when she supposedly injured her hand shaking supporters hands and had to go to the emergency room that it was just a ploy to get pain medication. I bet you anything she's popping pills again to deal with all the stress. She's not someone many women can respect. She is a homewrecker. McCain's first wife who waited loyally for him to return from Vietnam was in a terrible car accident and disfigured. McCain too was disfigured from his time in vietname but he was not pleased with his wifes appearance and divorced her with the caviot that he'd pay her medical bills for the rest of her life. Convenient. He was cheating on her with Cindy. Cindy just wants to fit in, in Washington and she doesn't. People there don't like her and she can't stand that. She doesn't belong there. Her and her husband live apart and are akward when they are together. I find that a bit disturbing.

[Darth]

Cindy McCain is a class act. She is a great humanitarian and John is an honorable man. Those of you who are critical of them eat your own fesses. Those who support the Obama’s are cool aide drinkers. Barry hasn’t a clue. Michelle Obama is hateful and that is why Barry dates other women. What comes around goes around and payback is a bitch. Keep up your negative crap and you’ll have it back on you ten fold!

Darth