Opinion: But, wait! There’s more.

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Everybody who runs for president, it seems, has to write a book, often with somebody else. It’s probably a mere coincidence that they’re published around campaign time to create some buzz, contribute positively to the public persona of the candidate and create an endless series of excuses to be interviewed by the media about the book and beyond.

Sen. John McCain’s got a new book just out, along with frequent co-author Mark Salter. It’s titled ‘Hard Call,’ analyzing the common traits of some hard decisions made in history. Nice timing for the senator who needs some publicity and, more importantly, some funds for his stumbling campaign for the Republican nomination.

And nice topic for the senator, a former Vietnam POW who was tortured and has a well-earned reputation for making some tough calls. Few have ever doubted his courage. Whether it’s unsuccessfully taking on George W. Bush, the party establishment’s candidate in 1999, or more recently supporting the Iraq war and comprehensive immigration reform, despite its current political unpopularity.

The campaign sent out a special notice to supporters today. ‘With your generous contribution of $250 or more, we will send you an exclusive autographed copy of Hard Call,’ it said.

But, wait! There’s more!!

If you go to the campaign website now and donate $1,000 or more to his presidential campaign, they will send you the complete McCain book collection -- all five volumes, each of them also autographed. There’s ‘Character Is Destiny,’ ‘Why Courage Matters,’ ‘Faith of My Fathers,’ and ‘Worth the Fighting For.’

Don’t let us keep you. This item ends here.

--Andrew Malcolm