John McCain argued Thursday that the United States would be safer with him as president than if his leading Republican rivals were commander in chief as he seized on newfound opportunities to revive his weakened candidacy. Once left for dead politically, McCain is sharply drawing distinctions between himself and his top GOP opponents as he seeks to capitalize on polls showing an extremely fluid race and a campaign flush enough to run ads in early voting New Hampshire. ``We don't have time or opportunity for on-the-job training, and the other candidates for president I don't believe have the qualifications that I do to hit the ground running and immediately address these serious challenges,'' the four-term Arizona senator and Vietnam veteran told reporters following a speech on the military. ``The country would be safer with me as its leader,'' McCain added. He said that while he respects his opponents, ``this is all about who is best equipped to take on the challenge of radical Islamic extremism.''
McCain, his party's presumptive front-runner late last year, underwent enormous political, financial and organizational upheaval this summer and now is looking for a comeback. Among recent positive developments is a new survey in New Hampshire that found he has gained ground since July and is giving chase to Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani. Actor-politician Fred Thompson trails.
Broke just three months ago, McCain also now has enough money to run a heavy level of TV and radio ads in that state. He is making New Hampshire - where he beat George W. Bush in 2000 - the focal point of his strategy and returns there this weekend to campaign. Despite the signs of life, many challenges remain, not the least of which is fundraising. The third financial quarter ends Sunday, and McCain is expected to show that while he brought in some money, he raised several million dollars less than his top competitors.