"I understand the necessity to preserve the great country, the treasures of the West, but also there are emerging challenges that are very serious," McCain said. "Water will be probably the most critical natural resource issue facing the West in this century."

McCain spent just three hours in Utah on Thursday, collecting $429,000 in contributions and, as importantly, the blessing of the state's two most popular political figures - Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who ran the 2002 Winter Olympics.

The candidate posed for photographs in a private reception for supporters who gave $2,300 each to the campaign before speaking to a $1,000-a-plate luncheon, where he delivered a standard stump speech, touching on Iraq, the need to curb earmarks, and energy independence, according to several who attended the closed-door fundraiser.

Speaking to reporters alongside Romney and Huntsman afterward, McCain said he is pleased with how the party has come together, and Romney, who sparred bitterly during his bid for the nomination, said he wholeheartedly backs McCain now.

"The last thing America needs is Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama with a very shortsighted philosophy taking the reins of America at a very critical time," said Romney. "Like any good family that has squabbles from time to time we come together when a decision is made and that decision is made and this is our candidate and he needs to be president."

Romney pummeled McCain in Utah's February primary, drawing 90 percent of the vote and got the loudest ovation during the luncheon Thursday.

After his lunch address, McCain had a private meeting with EnergySolutions president Steve Creamer and company executives. "We talked about how to expand nuclear energy," McCain told The Tribune. "I'm a great supporter of nuclear power."

EnergySolutions vice president of communications Greg Hopkins said the company wanted to thank him for being "by far the most articulate spokesman on the national stage for the need to increase nuclear energy."

"There was just a general discussion on how we move the ball forward in terms of increasing nuclear power in America and reasserting American leadership" in the field, Hopkins said.

Democrats questioned McCain's true Western draw, noting he has not fared well in Western Republican primaries, narrowly winning his home state.

"One of the things about John McCain is we're not really sure who he is at this point, said Nevada Democratic Party executive director Travis Brock. "He has transformed, sort of, from this straight-talking maverick into this continuation of the Bush administration."

In an interview before heading to the airport for a Denver fundraiser, McCain said immigration would be among his top priorities, but he would not say whether his proposal would include earned citizenship, a controversial measure he championed for several years.

"I think we can sort that out based on the principle that no one who came here illegally should have priority over someone who came here legally," he said. "We can sort that out."

Huntsman said he has "every belief and confidence that the federal government .Ê.Ê. will engage as quickly as possible to address this issue."

During a question-and-answer period at the luncheon, House Speaker Greg Curtis put McCain on the spot, asking the senator whether either of the governors on the podium - Romney and Huntsman - would be considered as vice presidential picks.

McCain noted that millions of Americans had voted for Romney, but made no commitments. Speaking to reporters afterward, McCain said both men were "absolutely" qualified, although Huntsman said he did not want the job.