McCain takes mother campaigning

John McCain jokes his mother shows he has good genes

US Senator John McCain countered claims that he is too old to be president by campaigning with someone who will always consider him young - his mother.

The 71-year-old Republican introduced mother Roberta, 95, to residents of a retirement home in South Carolina.

"I am so happy to be here. I think I'm going to cry," she said.

Mr McCain is considered an outsider in the race for the White House. He trails other Republicans in the polls and in fund-raising figures.

But he appeared to be popular among the 200 elderly residents he met on Wednesday, including Faye Trueblood, the community's self-proclaimed oldest resident at 103.

She said she was a Southern Baptist and a committed Republican.

Senator McCain's campaign manager said that despite a drop in funds his campaign was still on sound financial footing - and gaining momentum in states that vote early in the primary season.