McCain's woes evident on campaign trail

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The trips, the speeches, and the moments of Decision ’08. A look at the campaigns of Barack Obama and John McCain.

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It's vintage McCain — the charm, humor and bile that helped him win the 2000 New Hampshire GOP primary by 19 percentage points of over then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

But things clearly have changed, including a renewed focus on fundraising reflected in an e-mail this week to self-identified supporters.

"This campaign is going to be won on the ground — vote by vote — and I'm convinced that if every voter learns of my unparalleled experience, we will win," McCain wrote. "I'm on the road trying to meet as many voters as I can, but I can't go it alone. That's where you come in. As you may know, asking for money is one of the hardest things a political candidate has to do — but also one of the most important."

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Despite near empty bank accounts and flat tires, McCain has maintained his irreverent and sometimes barbed humor.

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At a town hall-style meeting in Manchester, a young girl wearing flip flops and khaki shorts asked what McCain would do about Iran.

Without missing a beat, McCain recalled his controversial joke in April when he sang "bomb Iran" to the tune of the Beach Boys oldie "Barbara Ann."

"I gave a smart (answer) to that question a while ago and it didn't go over that well," he said. "Why, I still love The Beach Boys, but ..."

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