The Trail

"John is what I think I am, a principled pragmatist," Baker said at a news conference, after McCain spoke to students and professors at Baker's Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. "He prefers to get things done rather than to insist on ideological purity."

In comparing McCain to Reagan, Baker said the former president was a staunch conservative -- "Nobody ever accused the Gipper of being squishy," he said -- but willing to compromise when necessary.

Baker said McCain is that way.

"Like the Gipper, John McCain knows that sometimes it's better to take 80 percent of what you want rather than go over the cliff flying your flag," Baker said. He said McCain embodies the "roll-up-your-sleeves, bottom-line approach" that Americans want.

McCain accepted the endorsement as he continued to hammer Barack Obama for his comments about al-Qaeda in this week's Democratic debate. He said Obama's desire to withdraw troops from Iraq will lead to "chaos."

"We will continue this debate and discussion," McCain vowed.

-- Michael D. Shear

LONG SHOT'S RUNNING MATE

Matt Gonzalez Is Nader's Choice

Ralph Nader, beginning his third long-shot run for the presidency, called a news conference for noon Thursday at the National Press Club to announce his running mate. To add to the intrigue, Nader aides teased those arriving by handing out sheets of paper identifying the vice presidential candidate only as "?"

Nader entered the room. Aides removed the duct tape covering the campaign poster on the lectern -- revealing the running mate's name.