When you go anywhere in this modern world you get the media of all kinds, who will kindly repeat your words, or some of them (and don’t give them the wrong ones !), out to where the voters you want are.
So you want to get that media time and use well-judged words. Even if you must go to Columbia and say nice things about Obama.
Still, Columbia is not physically safe. McCain should stay away from places like that. Bet the Secret Service detachment guarding him went nuts.