Small crowd greets McCain at presidential announcement

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. -- Shortly before Arizona Senator John McCain was scheduled to formally kick off his presidential campaign with a rally at a waterfront park here today, the crowd size for such a big event was relatively small.

According to Portsmouth police, about 250 people were at the event with plenty of media in tow. Many of those interviewed said they were at the event mainly out of curiosity, not necessarily because they were supporting McCain.

As a result, in this city where local parking issues dog the City Council, there were plenty of parking spots to be had in walking distance of the park about 45 minutes before the event started.

But this has all the signs for a made-for-TV event. There are plenty of McCain signs to wave in front of television cameras., and a large podium on a raised stage with prominent New Hampshire supporters behind him.

And above McCain's head will be a view of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.