McCain arrives in Mexico for free trade push

By Jeff Mason

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain arrived in Mexico on Wednesday to promote free trade after his visit to Colombia coincided with the daring rescue of 15 hostages from leftist rebels.

McCain, who will face Democrat Barack Obama in the November 4 election, used his short trip to the region to draw contrasts with his rival, who has opposed a free trade agreement with Colombia.

McCain also took steps to improve his campaign structure at home by promoting strategist Steve Schmidt to the No. 2 position. Schmidt served as California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign manager and as an aide in President George W. Bush's White House.

Some experts saw the move as an attempt to allay concerns among Republicans that the McCain campaign has lacked a consistent message.

His push abroad for congressional approval of a stalled U.S.-Colombian free trade agreement carried political risks as voters in battleground states like Ohio and Michigan have been disenchanted by policies that have permitted manufacturers to ship jobs to countries where labor is cheaper.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe called McCain during the Arizona senator's flight to Mexico City to confirm troops had rescued French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, three Americans and 11 other hostages from leftist guerrillas who had held them for years in secret jungle camps.

Uribe and his defense minister pulled aside McCain and the two senators traveling with him on Tuesday night to inform them of the planned rescue, he said.

"This is great news," McCain told reporters on his plane. "Now we will renew our efforts to free all of the others, innocent people who are unlawfully being held hostage."