ONCORD, N.H. - Senator John McCain knows people are watching him more closely now. The holidays are over. The first primary looms.
And McCain the insurgent, who, despite 17 years as a senator, has built his candidacy on his image as a truth-telling outsider and underdog, is the man to beat in this state.
His campaign stops are now attended by twice as many reporters as before, and seats in the back of his ''Straight-Talk Express'' more coveted, and more cramped. These days, a second bus accommodates the overflow.
Until now, remarks that from other candidates might have been considered gaffes have generally been let slide, as McCain's image as a lovable if none-too-tactful maverick has held audiences and some reporters in thrall. But that image could also make him more vulnerable than his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, a possibility the candidate is well aware of.
''You could get away with mistakes a month ago that you can't get away with now,'' McCain said on his bus yesterday. ''People will be focusing a lot more attention.''
Within an hour of making those comments yesterday morning, McCain faced more scrutiny than usual, on his views on abortion. It is a topic on which the pro-life candidate has seldom been challenged by conservative audiences.
McCain was speaking to workers at Providian Financial, a credit card and financial services company in Concord. The message of the day was to be his vehement opposition to taxes on Internet shopping. But, as is his wont, McCain was not exactly wedded to his issue of the day.
In the lobby at Providian, McCain paced back and forth and sped distractedly through a prepared address arguing that taxes on Internet purchases would cripple ''one of the greatest economic engines of our time.''
But when the questions came, McCain returned to the smooth style that has endeared him to other audiences, delivering a selection of his well-traveled one-liners, engaging his questioners on topics ranging from education - he favors school vouchers and more charter schools - to the plight of the nation's veterans and rescuing Social Security.
Then Kathleen Jovin-Leach, a Providian employee, asked McCain whether he would commit to choosing a pro-life running mate, and to appointing only pro-life justices to the Supreme Court.
McCain said he would impose no such litmus test. Further, he said he thought pro-life and pro-choice activists should work together on areas of common interest, such as adoption and improving foster care.
''I respect the views of those who are pro-choice, but I don't agree with them,'' McCain concluded.
''I'm a little concerned you're taking a moderate road on that,'' Jovin-Leach said, adding that McCain's answer had given her pause about whether she could support him. ''There seems to be little bit less passion in your voice.''
Texas Governor George W. Bush, McCain's chief rival for the Republican nomination, would appoint only ''strict constructionists who interpret the law and do not make law from the bench,'' said his deputy press secretary, Scott McClellan. ''As the governor has appointed judges for vacancies, he has appointed people who have a conservative judicial philosophy.''
McClellan would not say whether that would necessarily mean candidates must be pro-life.
As to the heightened scrutiny of candidates now that the primary is in view, McCain said he is more at risk than the others.
''It doesn't work against candidates who are scripted, it works against me, because of the way we conduct the campaign,'' McCain said. ''On every candidate, when there is increased visibility, there's less of a margin for error.''
But he defended his open policy, citing his friend, former senator Bob Dole, whose presidential campaign cut itself off from reporters in 1996. Reporters ''were trying to do a job, and they couldn't communicate with the candidate,'' McCain said.
