McCain's campaign emphasis questioned

WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- Some Republican Party strategists say they're puzzled by the foreign policy emphasis in the campaign of likely GOP U.S. presidential nominee John McCain.

A recent trip by McCain, R-Ariz., to Canada and a planned visit to Latin America this week -- at a time when polls indicate most voters are fixated on economic issues -- is causing consternation among some top Republicans, The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

"You can't shoehorn in an issue the American people aren't focused on every day at their kitchen table," Matthew Dowd, a former campaign strategist for President George Bush, told the newspaper. "The danger is you miss being where people are at."

But McCain's strategists say the trips are meant to burnish his image as a strong leader who will keep the country safe. They told the Times that even with the economy hurting from the mortgage crisis and high gas prices, voters will translate McCain's foreign policy strength to domestic issues.

"These things are always related," said McCain adviser Mark Salter.