Leaving on a Straight Talk Jet Plane

June 30, 2008— -- John McCain is firing up the brand spanking new Straight Talk Express Airborne Edition for a quick trip to Indianapolis Tuesday before jetting down to Colombia to start his three-day foreign swing.

The trip down south highlights McCain's foreign policy and national security bona fides but polls show that he already leads Barack Obama in those categories.

So why take three days off the campaign trail, with just 126 to go until Election Day? Especially when Americans are saying loud and clear that their Number One issue is the economy?

McCain's foreign travel showcases his ability to lead on foreign policy and national security -- still key issues for voters (especially Republicans) despite the focus on the economy. Any day that the campaign dialogue is about foreign affairs is probably a good day for the McCain campaign -- at least they seem to think so, or else they would not schedule this trip for the week of Fourth of July. (Can the advance team drape some red, white and blue bunting at his events in Colombia and Mexico?)

This is not McCain's first trip abroad since wrapping up the Republican nomination -- he was in Canada earlier this month and Europe and the Middle East in March. But the timing of that trip made more sense because at the time, Obama was still locked in a bitter duel with Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.

There are no electoral votes in Colombia or Mexico so whether this trip helps move McCain closer to the White House is unclear. Obama has his own trip abroad planned for later this summer, with stops in Europe and Iraq and Afghanistan, but he stands to gain points in the areas he needs to by burnishing his foreign policy and national security credentials with meetings with foreign leaders and U.S. military leaders.

On Tuesday in Cartagena, McCain will tout his support for free trade with Colombia and point out that his opponent does not agree with him on this issue. Later in the week, expect McCain to talk about immigration reform in Mexico as well the drug trade.

McCain meets with Colombia President Uribe Tuesday evening. On the agenda, per ABC News' Bret Hovell: FARC, stopping the drug trade, border security and how to deal with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (another area where McCain can talk about the differences between him and Obama). McCain will have quite the foreign policy tableau in Cartagena. Joining the presumptive Republican nominee and Uribe will be the Colombia's Ambassador to the U.S. Carolina Barco and U.S. Ambassador to Colombia William Brownfield and several cabinet ministers.

McCain also has a media availability on his schedule tomorrow night. That four-hour flight south on the new plane may be a good time to brush up on any obscure foreign policy issue that may come up in a question from the local media.

First though, McCain heads to Indianapolis for remarks to the National Sheriffs' Association. Look for the senator to talk about crime reduction measures and contrast his stance on crime with Obama's.

Dial My Heart. . . At last, Obama and former President Bill Clinton connected by telephone. Oh to be listening in on those phone lines… (We couldn't listen in this time, but if the emergency call comes in while Obama is overseas next month, perhaps we can tap the call and retroactively get a warrant -- thanks to legislation he plans to vote for this week.)

ABC News' Sunlen Miller and Sarah Amos report that the two spoke today at 11am ET while Obama was enroute to his event in Independence, Mo and Clinton was in New York.

"They spoke for 20 minutes. Obama asked the former president to campaign with him and for him. The Obama campaign said Bill Clinton told Obama he is excited about that prospect."

From the Obama campaign:

"Senator Obama had a terrific conversation with President Clinton and is honored to have his support in this campaign," said Obama spokesperson Bill Burton.

"He has always believed that Bill Clinton is one of this nation's great leaders and most brilliant minds, and looks forward to seeing him on the campaign trail and receiving his counsel in the months to come."

And from the Clinton office, a slightly more effusive statement than the one we saw last week:

"President Clinton had a very good conversation with Sen. Obama today. He renewed his offer to do whatever he can to ensure Sen. Obama is our next President," said Bill Clinton spokesperson Matt McKenna. "President Clinton continues to be impressed by Sen. Obama and the campaign he has run, and looks forward to campaigning for and with him in the months to come. The President believes that Senator Obama has been a great inspiration for millions of people around the country and he knows that he will bring the change America needs as our next President."

Obama holds an event in Zanesville, OH on Tuesday.

On the campaign front. . .

JOHN MCCAIN

-- 11:00 am ET: Delivers the keynote address at the National Sheriffs' Association, Indianapolis, IN.

-- 12:00 pm ET: Attends fundraising event, Indianapolis, IN.

-- 1:00 pm ET: Speaks with members of the media, Indianapolis, IN.

-- 6:50 pm ET: Arrives in Colombia and is greeted by U.S. Ambassador Bill Brownfield and Colombian Ambassador to U.S. Carolina Barco, Cartagena, Colombia.

-- 7:30 pm ET: Meets with President Uribe, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Trade, Minister of Mines and Energy, Vice Foreign Minister, Ambassador Brownfield and Ambassador Barco.

-- 8:15 pm ET: Meets with members of the media, Cartagena, Colombia.

BARACK OBAMA

-- 2:05 pm ET: Visits community ministry, Zanesville, OH.

At the White House. . .

PRESIDENT BUSH

-- 1:55 pm ET: Attends private fundraising event, Jackson, MS.

-- 4:15 pm ET: Participates in a Roundtable on Housing Counseling sponsored by the Consumer Credit Counseling Service, North Little Rock, AR.

-- 6:05 pm ET: Attends private fundraising event, Little Rock, AR.

POLITICAL NEWS STORIES ON ABCNEWS.COM

ABC News' Teddy Davis and Molly Hunter: Dem Guru: McCain Limited by POW Years LINK

ABC News' Jennifer Parker and Sunlen Miller: 'I Will Never Question the Patriotism of Others' LINK

ABC News' Rick Klein: Can Democrats Get Iraq Mo-Jo Back? LINK

ABC News' Jan Crawford Greenburg: Hitting the Trail LINK

ABC News' Rick Klein: Clark's Clunker LINK

ABC News' David Wright: Candidates Take '08 Race International LINK

ABC News' Ben Feller: President Bush Signs GI Bill LINK

ABC News' Martha Raddatz: Is White House Blocking Search for Bin Laden? LINK

ABC News' Nancy Ramsey: Race for the White House Hits the Big Screen LINK

ABC News' Luia Martinez and Theresa Cook: Alleged USS Cole Mastermind Charged LINK

ABC News' Sunlen Miller and Sarah Amos: Obama Calls President Bill Clinton LINK

ABC News' Rick Klein: Peripatetic Pursuits LINK

POLITICAL VIDEO ON ABCNEWS.COM

Obama Defends his Patriotism

Democrat responds to criticism from blogosphere. LINK

Obama and McCain Jet Setters

Presidential candidates take '08 issues abroad. LINK

McCain: 'I'm Proud of my Record'

McCain reacts to Wesley Clark's tough talk against him on his military service. LINK

Bush Signs GI Bill Overhaul

Bush signs legislation that will fund the war through the end of his presidency. LINK

Mugabe Sworn In

The president of Zimbabwe is under fire after a controversial election. LINK

New White House Battle Plans?

New leaked reports have exposed U.S. covert operations in the Middle East. LINK

The Candidates Campaign Abroad

McCain and Obama are traveling the globe to address certain campaign issues. LINK

Who's Walking the Walk?

Rep Rahm Emanuel and Gov Tim Pawlenty spar over candidate's reform credentials. LINK

Ralph Nader Laughs Off the Critics

The five time presidential takes aim at both Sens McCain and Obama. LINK

Roundtable: Risky Moves

Katrina vanden Heuvel, Byron York, Hugh Hewitt and Arianna Huffington. LINK

The Green Room: Will the Left Desert Him?

Backstage: Katrina vanden Heuvel, Byron York, Hugh Hewitt, Arianna Huffington. LINK

Going After the Swing Vote

McCain and Obama are battling over Hispanic votes. LINK

D.C. on Holiday

Lawmakers have left behind some unfinished business. LINK