McCain to Visit S.C., Oppose Rebel Flag
Former Republican presidential candidate John W. McCain plans to go to South Carolina today, where he will announce his opposition to the Confederate flag flying above the state Capitol, sources said.
The announcement is a marked shift from his comments during the heated primary season, in which McCain and rival George W. Bush refused to take a stand on the divisive issue during their battle to win the state’s Feb. 19 contest.
Top campaign aides said McCain regrets not urging the flag’s removal during the primary, from which he has withdrawn. “It’s the one thing we didn’t do on principle,” said a McCain aide.
The senator from Arizona still has not explicitly endorsed Bush, mostly because of lingering resentment that the Texas governor conducted a vicious campaign that smeared him and his family’s reputation. The men will meet May 9.
In Michigan, Bush reiterated his stance Tuesday that the decision to fly the flag is a local issue.
Bush has softened his hard-line stance on other matters, agreeing, for instance, to meet with gay Republican supporters last week after initially rejecting such a gathering.
Vice President Al Gore has steadfastly urged the removal of the flag from atop the state Capitol.
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