Sen. McCain wasn't 'first choice' of ex-Sen. Burns
Former Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Montana) says Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) wasn't his "first choice" for president.

Burns didn't say who his "first choice" was but he is backing McCain nonetheless. Burns serves as chairman of McCain's Montana campaign.

Burns was scheduled to speak at a Montana GOP event this weekend but McCain replaced him with another person. McCain said the change had nothing to do with Burns' comments, which were made last week at an Idaho GOP event.

Burns lost his bid for re-election in 2006 after being linked to the Jack Abramoff scandal. McCain, as chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, led the investigation into the disgraced lobbyist.

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Burns replaced as McCain speaker (AP 6/19)