McCain trying to become tech savvy

SAN FRANCISCO, July 29 (UPI) -- Republican presidential candidate John McCain admits he isn't yet a "tech freak" but says he's not "out of the loop" either.

Campaigning in one the nation's top technology areas on Monday, McCain acknowledged he isn't yet big on text messaging or BlackBerrys but maintained as former head of the U.S. Senate Commerce committee he had helped the Internet thrive, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday.

"I do understand the importance of the computer. I understand the importance of the blogs," said McCain, who was in the Bay Area for a $1,000-a-head fundraiser event. "I am forcing myself ... let me put it this way, I am using the computer more and more every day."

To critics, McCain again pointed to his work on the Senate Conference Committee.

"We spent three quarters of our time on telecommunications issues, because that's what was driving the economy," he told the newspaper. "So to somehow allege that I'm not up to date on it isn't in keeping with my record as chairman."