NASHUA - When Senator John McCain left New Hampshire after his smashing victory in the Republican presidential primary three months ago, he promised to return. Yesterday, he made good on that commitment, though not as the conquering hero.
Instead, he came as yet another supporter of George W. Bush. But it was hard to tell that from the standing ovation and cheers he received from the audience at Daniel Webster College, where the Arizona senator delivered the commencement speech and received an honorary degree.
''I'm here to introduce a man who's known to all of us in New Hampshire,'' said Robert Collings, the college's chairman. ''A man who probably knows more about this state than any of us do. He's well-loved in New Hampshire and probably wishes he were loved as much in other states.''
Coming just days after his endorsement of the Texas governor for president, some in the audience wondered whether McCain's New Hampshire return marked the conclusion to his 2000 presidential campaign or the opening of a shot at the Oval Office in 2004.
Adding fuel to the speculation was the fact that McCain is scheduled to return to Daniel Webster on Saturday to conduct a town meeting with New Hampshire Representative Charles Bass of Peterborough.
But there were no clues to be found in his patriotic and warm commencement speech, delivered at the small liberal arts college that sits next to the runway of an airfield.
Not once in his speech did McCain mention Bush, or whether he will make another run for the presidency.
In an interview after the graduation ceremony, McCain said he figured that in 2004 he'll be campaigning for President George W. Bush's reelection rather than embarking on another attempt at the office for himself.
McCain also dismissed the idea that he was anything less than enthusiastic about supporting Bush. ''That whole medicine comment was a joke that was misunderstood,'' said McCain, referring to his quote Tuesday that the endorsement was an effort to ''take the medicine now.''
McCain even suggested that at the age of 63, he might be getting altogether too old for the rigors of the presidential campaign trail.
Asked whether he would consider a Cabinet post, he replied, ''I am very happy in the Senate and I'm happy staying there. But it would be arrogant of anyone to say outright that he would not consider serving if his president asked him to do so.''
It is that sentiment of patriotic duty that became the theme for McCain's speech to the graduates.
He even made that point by placing himself at the center of a joke. He told the crowd that his professors at his alma mater - the US Naval Academy, class of 1958 - would be shocked that he was asked to deliver a commencement speech and receive an honorary degree.
''I graduated fifth in the bottom of my class ... it just goes to show you anything can happen in America,'' he said.
And from there, McCain urged the graduating class to become active participants in their country's future, though not necessarily as politicians.
''I appeal to you to be patriots,'' he said, ''and to be part of something larger than yourselves.''
He said that despite the never-ending tales of disenfranchised youths in this country, he was overjoyed that 28 percent of his support in the Michigan primary came from young Americans who were voting for the first time.
''I was reminded every day of my campaign what a special thing it was to be an American,'' he said.
McCain added that the greatest threat to America was ''the pervasive cynicism'' fueled by politicians and ''and lies we all spin.''
He said that cynicism has ''paralyzed'' politicians and ''allowed us to put our personal, partisan interest above the needs of our country.'' And he voiced his fear that the government the way it is today, is not able to keep its promises and fulfill the needs of the nation.
