McCain Takes Step Toward White House Bid

In this photograph provided by "Meet The Press", Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks on "Meet the Press" during a taping at the NBC studios in Washington Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006. McCain said he is taking the initial steps for a White House bid in 2008, setting up a committee that allows a potential candidate to raise money and travel the country to gauge support. (AP Photo/Meet the Press, Alex Wong) (Alex Wong - AP)

WASHINGTON -- Republican Sen. John McCain will file paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday to create a presidential exploratory committee, his aides said Wednesday.

The Arizona senator also launched a Web site _ http://www.exploremccain.com_ that allows supporters to donate and join his effort. His speech before the conservative group GOPAC on Thursday will be broadcast on the site.

The move was expected _ the senator discussed it Sunday on national television. McCain insists he won't make a final decision about running for president until after the Christmas holidays.

McCain, a former Navy pilot who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, ran for president against George W. Bush in 2000 and lost in a bitter two-way race.

If McCain were to run again, he would turn 72 on Aug. 29, 2008, at the height of the campaign. Only President Reagan was older _ 73 at the start of his second term.