McCain announces White House bid

Republican senator John McCain will officially enter the presidential race - his second run after a bitter loss to George Bush in 2000 – with a formal announcement in early April after a trip to Iraq.

The Arizona senator discussed the timing of the long-expected announcement with reporters at an awards reception last night a few hours after taping an appearance on CBS’ Late Show With David Letterman.

McCain told Letterman: “The last time we were on this programme, I’m sure you remember everything very clearly that we said, but you asked me if I would come back on this show if I was going to announce. … I am announcing that I will be a candidate for president of the United States.”

McCain said he would make a formal announcement in early April. He later told reporters that he would visit Iraq first and that his campaign would be about “whether I have the vision, experience and knowledge to lead the nation".

Former New York governor George Pataki introduced McCain to reporters before the Irish-American 10th Annual Awards reception. Asked about polls showing him trailing former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, McCain said: “We keep doing the best we can. We’re very happy with the way things are going.”