McCain’s PoW footage is out

London, Oct. 23: The French national archive has released a footage of Republican presidential candidate John McCain being interviewed as a bedridden prisoner during the Vietnam War. Mr McCain, who was filmed smoking, was emotional during the interview, the Sky News reported. The video portrays Mr McCain as a hero but the message may be tarnished as he is filmed smoking a cigarette.

In the footage an emotional and shirtless Mr McCain passes a message to his wife saying he will get well and loves her. He also describes being shot down over Hanoi in 1967, and parachuting into a lake.

At times, when speaking of his family, Mr McCain’s lower lip trembles and his voice breaks. "I was on a flight over the city (Hanoi) ... and I was bombing and I was hit by a missile or anti-aircraft fire, I’m not sure which," he said, adding that his plane "when straight down." —ANI

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Defends Palin shopping spree

Ormond Beach, Florida, Oct. 23: Presidential candidate John McCain isn’t happy about having to explain why the Republican Party has had to buy running mate Sarah Palin $150,000 in clothes, hair styling and accessories.

Mr McCain was asked several questions on Thursday about the shopping spree, and he answered each one more or less the same way: Ms Palin needed clothes and they’ll be donated to charity. Mr McCain offered no further comment, except to say that the Republican National Committee doesn’t buy his clothes. News of the purchases contrasts with the image Ms Palin has crafted. —AP