McCain visits Huntsman, set to attend fund-raisers during Utah stopover

Just hours after announcing his 2008 presidential bid on David Letterman's late-night television show, Arizona Sen. John McCain arrived in Utah today for an overnight stay that includes meetings with a fellow Republican, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

Huntsman is backing McCain despite the popularity in Utah of another GOP presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who is credited with saving the scandal-tainted 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah.

McCain told reporters before heading into the Governor's Mansion for a meeting with Huntsman that he was not conceding the state to Romney. "No, of course not," the senator said. "But I know he's very popular here, and deservedly so."

Asked why Utahns should support him over Romney, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints like the majority of the state's residents, McCain said the campaign is about how to meet the challenges the nation faces.

"I believe that Gov. Romney is a very fine person and a fine governor. Mayor (Rudy) Giuliani is an American hero," he said, referring to the other major contender for the GOP nomination, the former New York City mayor.

"The Republicans have some good choices this time," McCain said, adding he believes he'll be able to convince the American people that he's the best candidate to make sure "the 21st century is the American century."

Huntsman surprised many Utahns by announcing he would support McCain. Even his own father, billionaire philanthropist Jon Huntsman Sr., is behind Romney. Many speculate that Gov. Huntsman would have a key role in a McCain administration.

"I know that Governor Huntsman is very happy as the governor of this state," McCain said. "We have not had that discussion. But I don't mind saying that he would certainly be involved in many of the major decisions that would be made at that time. But it's a bit premature to be talking about that now."

McCain is scheduled to attend a noontime fund-raiser at the home of David Simmons, owner of Simmons Media Group, which includes 25 radio stations nationally. Later today, McCain is expected to speak to a reception of financial executives in Deer Valley.

On Friday, McCain is scheduled to meet again with reporters at the Grand America Hotel before leaving the state. Last month, Romney held a fund-raiser at the same hotel, as well as in St. George, raising well over $1 million.

Romney was in New Hampshire today, where he criticized McCain's stance on immigration.