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.
A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes in the Middle East are flying with fresh modifications as the Air Force looks to make the plane more versatile amid America’s ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and a tenuous ceasefire in the U.S. air war against Iran.