Supporters defend McCain grumpiness

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- John McCain's friends say they worry the Republican U.S. presidential nominee might be coming off as grumpy.

Politico reported Tuesday that when one of its reporters approached the Arizona senator after the Senate approved the financial bailout bill, the reporter wasn't able to ask McCain a question before the senator from Arizona snapped, "Excuse me, you're bothering me."

The Washington publication said what friends call "grumpy McCain" has increasingly been rearing his head on the campaign trail.

In another instance, McCain during the first presidential debate had avoided looking at his rival.

A close McCain friend told Politico that McCain is unhappy about having to run a campaign that goes against his persona.

"He is basically having to be somebody that he isn't," the friend said. "He is just not a guy that goes on the

attack in public. For him to be on the attack constantly, attacking (Democratic rival Barack) Obama's character ... McCain is uncomfortable with that, and it's made him grumpy."