McCain Abroad

July 2, 2008— -- The questions about John McCain's trip to Colombia and Mexico have been swirling all week -- why go in the first place, given that he has the advantage in polls on foreign policy and national security? Why go now? Why is he talking up trade so much at the risk of alienating voters in the Rust Belt states?

The candidate himself seemed a bit defensive when he was asked these questions by ABC News' Robin Roberts on "Good Morning America" today. He defended his trip right from the start, noting that it was just a quick trip, but he focused on the drug trade, not free trade or other foreign policy issues.

McCain only briefly touched on hostages held by FARC, which is now interesting in hindsight with the news that the three Americans held by the left-wing guerilla group were rescued in a mission today. The bulletins broke late this afternoon that the three hostages had been rescued in a Colombian mission that occurred just as McCain's plane was taking off from Cartagena.

ABC News' David Wright reports from the Straight Talk Express plane that McCain and his traveling companions, Sen. Joe Lieberman and Sen. Lindsay Graham, were notified last night by Colombian President Uribe that a rescue attempt would be made today but the senators were not aware the mission was a success until Blackberries started buzzing on the plane en route to Mexico City.

How is that for stellar timing: McCain spends 24 hours on Colombia soil, hostages are rescued. (It sounds almost like a Chuck Norris Interweb fact...).

In a press availability today in Cartagena, McCain did not indicate that he was aware of the planned rescue attempt but did note that President Uribe had made "significant progress" against FARC.

McCain was asked by a Colombian reporter if he would make the release of the hostages a priority and what he would do to get their release.

"I would leave the modalities to the government of the country of Colombia, it's a sovereign nation. But I intend to do everything I can to support and increase their capabilities, to continue their success against FARC and bring about as quickly as possible the release of all hostages," McCain said.

McCain continues his foreign trip on Thursday in Mexico City and holds a media availability there.

"This was supposed to be a no rough stuff type deal!"

North Dakota is certainly getting some love from Barack Obama. Does he have a legitimate chance in the Peace Garden State or is it just a head fake to get McCain to play there?

The presumptive Democratic nominee heads to Fargo, ND Thursday to talk to veterans. The Obama campaign announced that North Dakota is one of the 18 states where they put up their first two ads of the general election.

Republican National Committee chairman Mike Duncan probably did not expect to hold bracketing calls focused on North Dakota this cycle but the party chair told reporters today that the presumptive Democratic nominee is "wrong for North Dakota."

"He's turned out to be an old fashioned politician," Duncan said, indicating a theme that will probably be used in other states. Just a hunch.

Keep an eye on. . .

June unemployment figures which will be released Thursday at 8:30am ET. Which campaign responds first?

On the campaign front. . .

JOHN MCCAIN

-- 3:30: Holds media availability, Mexico

BARACK OBAMA

-- 1:30 pm ET: Attends event with veterans and voters, Fargo, ND.

At the White House. . .

PRESIDENT BUSH

-- 10:05 am ET: Attends ceremonial groundbreaking of Walter Reed National Medical Center, Bethesda, MD.

LABOR DEPARTMENT

-- 8:30 am ET: Releases unemployment figures for June.

POLITICAL NEWS STORIES ON ABCNEWS.COM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller: Obama Fist Bump Refusal? Not So Fast...http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/07/obama-fist-bump.html

ABC News' Mark Mooney: McCain Dogged by Economy Commenthttp://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=5292190&page=1

ABC News' Rick Klein: RNC Plans Ad Assaulthttp://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/07/rnc-plans-ad-as.html

ABC News' Jonathan Karl: Pentagon Warns Against Israeli Attack on Iranhttp://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5294698&page=1

ABC News' David Wright: McCain in Colombiahttp://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/07/mccain-in-colom.html

ABC News' Rick Klein and Teddy Davis: McCain Campaign Shake-Uphttp://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/07/mccain-campaign.html

ABC News' Sunlen Miller: Barack Obama...Soccer Dad?http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/07/barack-obamasoc.html

ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman: Bush in Retrograde; Obama, McCain Risinghttp://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5286338&page=1

ABC News' Rick Klein: McCain's Temper Tantrum Tawdrinesshttp://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/mccains-temper.html

ABC News' Lindsey Ellerson: Vetting Obama's Canine Companionhttp://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/07/vetting-obamas.html

ABC News' Rick Klein: McCain in Colombia: Just Say No (Seriously)http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/mccain-in-colom.html

ABC News' Marcus Baram: Bacon Bounces Back, Say Watchdog Groupshttp://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5286626&page=1

ABC News' Rick Klein: George W. Obamahttp://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/george-w-obama.html

POLITICAL VIDEO ON ABCNEWS.COMObama's Switching to Center?

With the general election in full swing, Sen. Obama offers a more moderate message. LINK

Child Asks Obama for Hand Autograph

Sen. Obama visits children at the Eastside Community Ministry in Ohio. LINK

Israeli Attack: Psychological Warfare?

Jonathan Karl says Iran's foreign minister dismissed threat of Israeli assault. LINK

Bush Previews G8 Summit, Talks Oil

Bush briefs reporters on the upcoming summit and discusses oil and Iran policy. LINK

Obama's Enjoy Daughter's Soccer Game

Sen. Obama takes a break from the trail to assume the soccer dad role. LINK

The Economics of Politics

Why are candidates overseas when Americans' focus is on the economy at home? LINK

McCain in South America

The senator explains his concentration on foreign policy. LINK