wOw: What’s the hardest part about your job?   

Blackford: I don’t think the hours are bad. I think it’s frustrating not being able to penetrate that wall of the mainstream media who have just decided what they think about the Right and you just can’t convince them otherwise.

wOw: What’s the hardest part of Mrs. McCain’s role now? 

Blackford: I think again it’s reinforcing the message of the campaign and reinforcing what they’ve tried to articulate to voters: that they’re two very different candidates running for president who have very distinct positions on issues and that the senator is a man whom she has been married to for almost 30 years is the best person for the job.

wOw: What girl-talk do you talk about on the bus? 

Blackford: Shoes. Shoes are always a perennial favorite and the latest Hollywood gossip. We have all the magazines.

wOw: What’s she downloading on her iPod? 

Blackford: Her iPod is much more wide-ranging then mine. She’s savvy. She downloads “America’s Dirtiest Jobs,” “Deadliest Catch” and now it’s the “X-Files.” She listens to Cream and various other performers.  She’s very eclectic.

wOw: What does Mrs. McCain wear to relax? 

Blackford: She’s always in a baseball cap, jeans or sweats and a sweatshirt.

wOw: Do the polls or negative criticism about Mrs. McCain get to you? 

Blackford: They get to me of course, because I spend time with her and I see who she is.  She’s so smart and lovely and beautiful, so yes, they get to me. But I don’t think she takes things too seriously. I’m just perplexed by it all.

wOw: What’s the biggest bonus of having this job?

Blackford: This is the greatest election cycle in recent history. It’s spectacular to watch it on the front lines instead of being on the sidelines.  As a gal from Memphis, it’s a chance of a lifetime for me!

wOw: How do you deal with stress?

Blackford: Campaigns are naturally stressful places.  It’s not like you can escape it.  But I try and take a nice hot bath every single night unless we’re in a really disgusting hotel, and I always have a good book with me. Oh, and I’ve developed a fondness for a dirty martini at the end of each day. I really like the taste of olives!