An Oct. 16 article in Newsweek suggests the Arizona senator wants to be seen as a diplomat above the fray, not hamstrung by the exigencies of a political campaign.

McCain has spent the majority of this fall conducting Congressional business, where he is the chair of the Commerce Committee, and stumping for Republican candidates in his spare time and cutting radio and televisions spots for tight races.

Davis said the Bush campaign requested McCain's presence at the first presidential debate, held Oct. 3 in Boston. But the request included a proviso that McCain be one of Bush's surrogates, selling the campaign's theme to the press after the debates.

The senator refused.

"Not only was there Congressional business at the time, but you don't turn John McCain into a spinner," Davis said.

But the senator agreed to most other requests, said Todd Harris, another top aide to McCain.

"We have been able to accommodate them on almost everything that they've asked us," Harris said.