AP News, May 1st, 2007
John McCain's answer was both practical and deeply personal when he was asked in the 2000 presidential campaign what item he'd most like to have if he were stranded on a desert island: "SPF 45 sunblock."
He wears sunblock religiously, having coped with several bouts of skin cancer since 1993. Now, more than five years after his last melanoma surgery, his answer to the same question was routine. He said he'd like to have books with him.
Among other presidential hopefuls asked by The Associated Press to name their desert island necessity, one was ready to settle under a palm tree with a cigar while another asked for a boat to get off in a hurry.
Books were the main bring-along for those who took the question to be about objects. Others named spouses.
AP is asking the candidates a series of questions about their personal tastes, habits and backgrounds. Today's question and their answers:
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What is your desert island necessity?
DEMOCRATS:
Delaware Sen. Joe Biden: "Jill, my wife."
New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton: "A good book."
Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd: "Coffee with cream and sugar."
Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards: "A book."
Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich: His wife, Elizabeth.
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama: "Other than my wife and my kids, an inanimate object I would have to have would probably be a good book."
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson: "Blackberry and a Davidoff cigar."
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REPUBLICANS:
Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback: "Tarp."
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani: "Books and music."
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: "Laptop with satellite reception."
California Rep. Duncan Hunter: "Mrs. Hunter."
Arizona Sen. John McCain: "Books."
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: "My wife, Ann."
Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo: "Boat."
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NEXT: REALITY TV
