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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

McCain: Eats hot dogs, loves ABBA

By Ken Herman | Wednesday, October 17, 2007, 04:07 PM

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During a campaign bus swing through South Carolina today, Sen. John McCain demonstrated his love of hot dogs and declared his love of ABBA. The comments about the Swedish group came up on the bus as he talked about what’s on his iPod.

“Dare I say ABBA. Everybody says, ‘Ehhh, ABBA.’ Why is that? ABBA was the largest selling (recording act ever). Nobody likes them but they sold more records than anybody in the history of the world, including the Beatles. But everybody hates them. (But) you’re a no-class guy if you like ABBA. Why does everybody go see ‘Mamma Mia?’ Hypocrisy! Rank hypocrisy! I’m not embarassed to say I like ABBA, ‘Dancing Queen.’”

More from McCain. If elected, “the background music would be ABBA in the elevators all over the White House.”

And even more.

“‘Take a Chance on Me.’ Maybe that’s what we should have as our (campaign) theme song. That would be good.”

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Perry puzzled by interviewer

By Ken Herman | Wednesday, October 17, 2007, 10:12 AM

Texas Gov. Rick Perry knew who he was supposed to talk about when he went on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” this morning to announce his endorsement of GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani.

Perry, however, didn’t seem to know who he was talking to as he began the interview with Fox anchor Brian Kilmeade.

KILMEADE: Joining me right now with his perspective on the presidential race for 2008, with a major announcement, I understand, Texas Governor Rick Perry. Governor, welcome to “Fox & Friends.”

PERRY: Good morning, Sean. How are you?

KILMEADE: Well, first off, yes, Sean’s coming up a later bit later on tonight.

PERRY: Brian.

KILMEADE: And actually, we’re going to replay some of Rudy Giuliani’s interview with Sean. And that’s going to come up later in the show.

But, Governor, I understand that you have a major announcement.

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Texas Governor Endorses Giuliani

By Scott Shepard | Wednesday, October 17, 2007, 09:59 AM

In some parts of Texas, “New York City” is a punchline to a joke. But that didn’t stop Texas Gov. Rick Perry from endorsing former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani for president Wednesday.

Neither did their differences over abortion.

At a news conference with Giuliani at a hotel in Washington, Perry, an abortion foe, told reporters that the GOP frontrunner’s support for abortion rights was not a deal breaker for him.

“I go to buy a pickup truck, if it’s got one option on it I’m either not particularly fond of or not looking for, it doesn’t mean I discard that pickup truck,” Perry said in response to a question about the ex-mayor’s liberal social views.

The Texas governor said that in private conversations with Giuliani, the New Yorker had assured him that as president he would appoint judges who view the issue of abortion conservatively.

“The one that I wanted to hear him give me an answer and look me right in the eyes was that issue of who can I expect, what type of individuals can I expect on the Supreme Court,” Perry said.

“He clearly said … you can look for people like (Antonin) Scalia and (John) Roberts and (Samuel) Alito. Let me tell you, I can live with that,” Perry said.

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