McCain says he's cancer-free since 2000

PHOENIX — John McCain declared Monday that he has been cancer-free since a bout with skin cancer 7 ½ years ago, although the pending Republican presidential nominee underwent a full medical examination — including a cancer screening — earlier in the day.

The 71-year-old Arizona senator pledged to release the test results before the end of April, the same time frame for releasing his income-tax returns.

In August 2000, doctors operated on the left side of his face to treat melanoma, the source of a cancerous growth on his temple.

The medical exam was the first order of business in McCain's first full week as the presumed GOP nominee.

The Arizona Republican plans to buff his foreign-policy credentials, remind the nation of his long military history and try to frame the issues for the November election — while his two Democratic opponents continue to struggle for their party's nomination.

McCain turned to raising campaign cash Monday with a stop in St. Louis for a fundraiser. He planned to continue today in New York, Wednesday in Boston, Thursday in Pennsylvania and Friday in Chicago.

Next week, he heads overseas for a visit to Europe and the Middle East that will also include a stop in Iraq.

Republican defends Obama remarks

DES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa Republican congressman Monday defended his prediction that terrorists would celebrate if Democrat Barack Obama were elected president, despite a rebuke from aides to John McCain, the GOP's apparent presidential nominee.

"[Obama will] certainly be viewed as a savior for them," said Rep. Steve King. "That's why you will see them supporting him, encouraging him."

King said his offices have been bombarded with calls — positive and negative — since he said Friday that al-Qaida "would be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on September 11 because they would declare victory in this war on terror."

King cited Obama's pledge to pull U.S. troops from Iraq, his father's Muslim roots in Kenya and his middle name, Hussein, which King said has a meaning to terrorists.

Asked about the remarks, Obama said, "I think that Mr. King has it backwards. The fact that the continuation of a presence in Iraq as Senator McCain has suggested is exactly what, I think, will fan the flames of anti-American sentiment and make it more difficult for us to create a long-term and sustainable peace in the world.

"But I have to say that Mr. King and individuals like him thrive on offensive or controversial statements as a way to get in the papers, so I don't take it too seriously. I would hope Senator McCain would want to distance himself from that kind of inflammatory and offensive remarks," Obama said.

Also

Pennsylvania Democrats have added more than 65,000 voters to their rolls since last fall, a reflection of the high level of interest in the contested race for the party's presidential nomination and the state's April 22 primary.

Seattle Times news services