A recent Gallup survey asked Republicans about their choices in the 2008 presidential election and, for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the results cannot be called encouraging. The poll, conducted during June 26-29, found his “negatives” to be high–four out of 10 Republicans said McCain is not an “acceptable” GOP nominee. In terms of “acceptability” to Republicans, Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (73 percent) outpolls McCain 55 percent) by a wide margin, as does Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (68 percent). McCain has been a persistant critic of the Air Force and is line to become Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, but he may have difficulty winning the presidential nomination.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
