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McCain to meet Mexican president at end of tour
By BETH FOUHY
Associated Press
July 3, 2008

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- John McCain has insisted that his trip through Mexico and Colombia was not supposed to be campaign-related. But there have been plenty of political overtones throughout.

The Republican presidential hopeful planned an early morning visit Thursday to Mexico City's famed Basilica de Guadalupe before meeting with President Felipe Calderon as he concluded a three-day Latin American visit aimed at promoting free trade in the Western Hemisphere.

The Basilica de Guadalupe is Mexico's holiest site for Roman Catholics, and Catholic and Hispanic voters are expected to be key swing voters in the November election. McCain's Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, has worked to woo Catholics and Hispanics as well after those groups voted heavily for Hillary Rodham Clinton during the primary season.

McCain has said he planned to seek Calderon's help in addressing illegal immigration, a key issue for Hispanic and many conservative voters. The Arizona senator has called for increased security along the U.S.-Mexico border.

He also has spoken out in favor of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the proposed Colombia Free Trade deal currently stalled in Congress. On Wednesday he said as president he might pursue a possible free trade agreement that would cover the entire Western Hemisphere.

Obama has spoken out against NAFTA and the Colombian free trade pact, both of which have been unpopular in important general election swing states like Ohio. McCain wants to help workers displaced by free trade agreements to receive job training and other benefits.

McCain and his wife, Cindy, planned to fly back to Arizona on Thursday to spend the Fourth of July holiday with family.

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