McCain to tout military experience in Annapolis

Arizona Sen. John McCain's first trip through the Naval Academy from 1954 to 1958 was marked mainly by his impressive accumulation of demerits - a repeat member of the famed Century Club - as well as tales of his unruly behavior that friends say have grown along with the senator's fame.

"The most important thing I learned at the Naval Academy was that to sustain my self respect for a lifetime, it would be necessary for me to have the honor of serving something greater than my self interest," Mr. McCain said in a prepared statement.

This is the Republican presidential nominee's second campaign visit to Annapolis this year. His latest campaign swing, including stops in Florida, Mississippi, Arizona and Virginia, will highlight different portions of his biography as he makes a case for his leadership abilities.

"He's defining himself. That's what this tour is all about," Maryland Republican Party Executive Director John Flynn said. "It's very important to define yourself. You always define yourself before the opposition can."

Mr. McCain last visited Annapolis in February on the eve of the Maryland primary. On the verge of sewing up the Republican presidential nomination, Mr. McCain, who has drawn the ire of hardline conservatives, urged the fractious party to unite behind his candidacy.

"My job is to motivate every Republican to vote and unite our party," he said at the time.

Fifty years ago, Mr. McCain's job simply was to graduate from the Academy. The son and grandson of four-star admirals eventually graduated fifth from the bottom in a class of 899 in 1958.

What he may have lacked in academics, he made up for in "moral courage and ethical behavior," said simply was to graduate from the Academy. The son and grandson of four-star admirals eventually graduated fifth from the bottom in a class of 899 in 1958.

What he may have lacked in academics, he made up for in "moral courage and ethical behavior," said Frank Gamboa, Mr. McCain's Academy roommate of three years.

"That's what's gotten him into trouble sometimes," Mr. Gamboa said. "He always says what he's thinking."

Though he said some tales of Mr. McCain's hard-partying college years have grown with subsequent tellings, Mr. Gamboa realized later his roommate's sociable nature made him a natural politician.

"It doesn't surprise me he was able to adjust so well," he said.

It may take all of Mr. McCain's charm to win over rightward-leaning Republicans who have questioned the senator's conservative bonafides, but state officials predict his centrism will play well in Maryland.

"The polling numbers show Maryland is not that far off for him," Mr. Flynn said. "... We feel confident he can be pretty competitive in Maryland. He does have cross appeal to independents and some Democrats as well."

According to Federal Election Commission reports from January, the last time donations were tallied, Mr. McCain trailed his one-time competitors in fundraising in Maryland.

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney each took in more money from Maryland donors. However, Mr. McCain easily won the areas immediately surrounding the Academy.

Donors in ZIP codes beginning with 214 wrote him checks for $43,730, nearly $10,000 more than Mr. Giuliani.