McCain looks to shore up support, organization

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After clinching the Republican nomination, Sen. John McCain on Thursday is working to shore up support in battleground states and strengthen his organization going into the general election.

In addition to fundraising, McCain campaign officials said their focus will be on on devising policy speeches and initiatives.

Former Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas, a close adviser to McCain and a former presidential candidate, is working on an economic plan for the campaign, officials said.

McCain will also be traveling to some of the world's hot spots to indicate he has a command of foreign policy issues and will make an informed commander-in-chief.

Another top priority of the McCain campaign will be making the transition from a small band of advisers to a large, structured organization capable of pulling off a national run.

But his efforts, according to Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, will also focus on solidifying support among conservative Republicans, the majority of whom backed candidates other than the Arizona lawmaker in the primaries, according to exit polls.

"John McCain is going to be very focused on our base and the people that he wants to have in full force behind him," she said.

McCain campaigned in Florida on Thursday with Gov. Charlie Crist -- a popular politician largely credited for McCain's strong win in the Florida primary on January 29.

The two held a meet-and-greet at Howley's Restaurant and Diner in West Palm Beach, packed with crowds eager to see the presumptive GOP nominee.

When the Arizona senator praised Crist, a person in the crowd yelled out that he would make a good running mate.

McCain said Crist is a "great governor" who is "committed to serve the state of Florida ... But I know that Gov. Crist will continue to serve this country in many respects in the future."

As for the search for a vice presidential candidate, McCain said the process is just getting under way.

"Obviously have just begun that process and we in fact have not even outlined how we're going to go about this. ... We're looking at how that process was conducted by other candidates and nominees of their party," McCain said.

Former presidential candidate Bob Dole agrees with that strategy.

"It's so early ... I doubt if he's even looking," Dole told CNN's Larry King on Wednesday. "I remember in '96, we still weren't certain with four or five days to go. And all right, so one thing that McCain has is a lot of time to take a long, hard look."

Dole said McCain needs to pick someone "who's ready to do the job if anything should happen" -- and someone younger. Watch more of Dole's comments »

"Someone younger than he is, somebody, you know, who probably knows the ins and outs of how the government works," Dole said.

If elected, McCain, 71, would be the oldest president in American history.

When asked if age will be a factor, Dole said a recent poll showed "88 percent didn't think age was a factor."

Age or not, McCain will continue to rack up endorsements from GOP politicians and party stalwarts throughout the country.

On Wednesday, he received the endorsement from President Bush, who will now raise millions for the Arizona senator. Watch Bush endorse McCain »

But that money comes with what could be a hefty political price tag.

Bush's tenure in office -- marked by high gas prices, a deteriorating economy and an unpopular war in Iraq -- could hurt McCain among independents and so-called "Reagan Democrats."

"McCain's got to make it very clear that this is not a third Bush term, but a John McCain presidency," Republican pollster David Winston told The Associated Press.

Despite overall approval ratings hovering just above 30 percent, Bush receives far higher marks from conservatives, and the McCain campaign thinks the push from Bush will bring the party in line behind their presumptive nominee.

"He'll have the [Republican National Committee] behind him. He'll have a broad base of financial support. It's a big step," said Alex Castellanos, a GOP strategist and CNN contributor.

A senior administration official concurred Wednesday, saying Bush will raise "a lot of money" for McCain.

"He is extremely popular" with the GOP base, the official said. "And so can do a lot to drive the base in the election, which will help across the board."

William Bennett, a CNN contributor who was in the administrations of Presidents George H.W. Bush and Reagan, said Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will have to factor McCain into their strategies to secure the Democratic nomination, something that should help the Republican define whoever becomes his November foe.

"They have to factor that in as they debate each other every time they put out an ad and make a position," Bennett said. E-mail to a friend

CNN's Dana Bash and Carol Cratty contributed to this report.

Copyright 2008 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.

All About John McCain • Republican Party • George W. Bush