While the Democratic candidates are still trying to close the deal on the nomination, presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, is out showing his softer side by doing a tour of “forgotten places” in America - some of which just happen to be in potential swing states such as Ohio, Kentucky, and Arkansas. He wrapped up the tour last Friday in Arkansas, meeting with college students who’ve participated in the Our Kids Program, a mentoring program which helps provide positive role models for young black males - a pretty education-focused event, at least for McCain.

And he held an event with Mike Huckabee, Arkansas’ popular former governor and until recently, a McCain rival for the GOP nomination. Huckabee made it clear he’ll be stumping for McCain in the lead up to the general election. Huckabee is certainly more prone to discussing domestic policy issues than McCain, including education. I wonder if he’ll be dispatched to help sell a kinder-gentler-cares-about-kids version of the Arizona senator to voters.