Sen. John McCain knows how to treat the press.

Unlike the reporters orbiting around Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama — who complain daily about lack of access to their candidates — Mr. McCain feeds his press corps daily, so much so that your blogger has heard more than once from reporters that they wish the straight-talking guy would just shut up for once.

But they really don't mean that, and they appreciate that Mr. McCain goes to great lengths to keep his gaggle of regular reporters happy. For those few American reporters who caught up with the Republican candidate in London and Paris? Mr. McCain took questions from nearly all of them, even though he had to dodge past pushy Brit reporters and sulking French journalists to do so.

And how about his weekends? After pushing nonstop on the road during his early run, once he sewed up the nomination, Mr. McCain began to weekend at his sweet pad in Cornville, Ariz., not far from Sedona.

The press corps, meanwhile, heads to a spectacular place called the Enchantment Resort.

"Surrounded by the majestic red rock formations of Northern Arizona's Boynton Canyon, Enchantment Resort combines luxury with rugged grandeur," the resort's Web site says, touting its "adobe casita-style accommodations [that] offer world-class comforts amid its pristine 70-acre setting."

The place really is spectacular. Reporters can enjoy the nine-hole pitch and putt course that rings the resort, play some croquet (David Gregory would loooove this place!), hit the tennis courts, lounge by the huge pool, or head into the Red Rocks for a long hike. There's also a world-class spa (with world-class prices — an hourlong shiatsu massage costs $145, and a 60-minute "many hands" rubdown runs $290).

Now, compare that with President Bush, who brings his press corps along to Texas when he holes up at his 1,500-acre Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford. Reporters, however, spend their days and nights in Waco — Waco. Most stay at the Waco Hilton (always under renovation and yearly invaded by giant crickets, which somehow even make it to the top floors). The No. 1 Waco attraction listed on the Hilton page is "1852 Suspension Bridge." Seriously.

Sure, you can pop down to the Dr. Pepper Museum, but once you know the story, it gets old. There's Baylor University, Lake Waco and the ever popular attraction: "Shopping @ River Center Square." Then there's something called the Earle Harrison House (who knows what that is).

In short, not a few reporters must be pulling for Mr. McCain so they can spend their downtime in Sedona (reporters during the re-election campaign of President Clinton were pulling for more summer vacations on Martha's Vineyard). President Bush famously told those reporters: "I know a lot of you wish you were on the East Coast, lounging on the beach, sucking in salt air. But when you are from Texas — and love Texas — this is where you come home. This is my home. … I don't mind the heat." No duh.

And one last thing: Mr. McCain spent the week running around the west, through California, Utah and Colorado. He ends up Friday in Nevada. Las Vegas, to be specific. In an ahead schedule, the campaign says: "Transportation provided by the campaign will end in Las Vegas, NV, and press must provide own travel."

"Um, yeah, tell my editors I've got to spend the weekend in Vegas — Mr. McCain just up and abandoned us here! I know! Well, I'll make do and catch up with the senator Monday morning. Later."

— Joseph Curl, senior White House correspondent, The Washington Times