Republican John McCain began his weeklong tour of Selma, Ala., Monday.

The visit came just after the anniversary of "Bloody Sunday," when residents remember a civil rights march that turned deadly 40 years ago.

McCain hopes the visit will gain the attention of black voters who make up 70 percent of Selma's population.

"I am aware the African-American vote has been very small in favor of the Republican Party," he said. "I am aware of the challenges, and I am aware of the fact that there will be many people who will not vote for me, but I'm going to be the president of all the people."

McCain accused other candidates of ignoring Selma and its poverty-stricken communities.

That jab wasn't the only one he directed towards his opponents.

McCain brought up Obama's relationship with former terrorist William Ayers as a way of saying that Obama is unfit for duty.

"I'm sure he's very patriotic, but his relationship with Mr. Ayers is open to question," McCain said. "He became friends with him and spent time with him while the guy was unrepentant over his activities as a member of a terrorist organization."

Last year Obama, along with the Clintons, visited Selma to remember the Bloody Sunday march which took place March 7, 1965.

Source: The Associated Press