John McCain hasn’t been elected president, but he’s getting chief executive treatment today as he traveled around Phoenix to vote and then to the airport to jet off to a couple of campaign events in states next door. Security has been intense, with hundreds of local police closing off freeways to give McCain’s motorcade free passage. Motorcycle officers also have been blocking off every street, driveway or cart path along the route.

While President Bush has visited Phoenix several times during his administration, such sweeping traffic closures are rare enough that dozens of people came out of their homes and businesses this morning to stand on the sidewalk and just watch what’s going on. The photo below is of a group of health care personnel from a private surgery clinic near McCain’s central Phoenix condo at about 8:45 a.m. who came outside for at least 10 minutes to gander at all of the security and vehicles hanging around.

(Photo by Le Templar/Tribune)
Assuming the police will follow similar procedures this afternoon when McCain returns to Phoenix, expect huge traffic tie-ups during the rush hour around Sky Harbor International Airport and whatever freeways the motorcade travels.