McCain says he and Bush share philosophy

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Republican presidential nominee John McCain said Sunday he and President George Bush share a common philosophy.

In an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" program, the Arizona senator said that while he and the president have a common view as Republicans, he is his own man, noting he has opposed the president on such things as government spending, the Iraq war and global warming.

"The fact is that I am not George Bush," McCain said. "Do we share a common philosophy of the Republican party? Of course. But I'm still up against my own party."

McCain provided no examples of his philosophical commonalities with the president.

On polls that show him trailing Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama nationally and in key battleground states, McCain said his campaign is enthusiastic.

"I choose to trust my senses as well as polls and the enthusiasm at almost all of our campaign events is at a higher level than I've ever seen," he said. "I've been in a lot of presidential campaigns, usually as the warm-up act or one of those things. I see intensity and I see passion."