McCain got a wee bit defensive today when questioned as to why he left the country for three days when we have our own pressing problems. From ABC’s Political Punch:

Before Robin Roberts could ask a question, McCain said this:

“May I just say, I’m here for one day, I’m in Mexico the next day, then I’m back home — also drugs is a big, big problem in America, the continued flow of drugs from Colombia through Mexico into the United States is still one of our major challenges to all America.”

“I’ve been here many times, I’ve been here several times in the past, as well as with Mexico, and I think that it deserves our attention,” McCain added.

When Roberts asked why he was in Colombia when the economy is foremost in voters’ minds, this was McCain’s response:

“Well, I’d be glad to repeat myself,” he said. “There is clearly a continued threat of drugs pouring into the United States of America, which can harm us and our young people very badly. I’m happy to say that there has been some success. The cost of cocaine on the street is up.”

Not to belittle the nation’s drug plague — but in between the bird chirps, I think 1984 just called, asking for its candidate back.

Maybe this is huge with conservative voters and I’m missing something, but I had Nancy Reagan flashbacks. With the economy teetering, $80 SUV fill-ups, and two real wars, this is what McCain has chosen to spotlight in a foreign trip, four months before Election Day?

Just judging from the polls — shouldn’t he be a little more concerned with the price of gas than the price of cocaine?