McCain Says Kerry Not Weak on Defense

Yahoo ^ | 3/17/04

[11th Earl of Mar]

WASHINGTON - Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Thursday he did not believe Democratic candidate John Kerry (news - web sites), a friend and Senate colleague, was weak on defense or would compromise national security if elected president.

AP Photo

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"This kind of rhetoric, I think, is not helpful in educating and helping the American people make a choice," McCain said on "The Early Show" on CBS. "You know, it's the most bitter and partisan campaign that I've ever observed. I think it's because both parties are going to their bases rather than going to the middle. I regret it."

Republicans, including President Bush (news - web sites) and Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites), have sharply criticized Kerry on a range of defense and security issues, including not supporting the war in Iraq (news - web sites), voting against a measure to provide the war effort $87 billion, and voting against weapons systems critical to waging war.

"The senator from Massachusetts has given us ample doubts about his judgment and the attitude he brings to bear on vital issues of national security," Cheney said in a speech Wednesday.

Asked on NBC's "Today" if he thought Kerry was weak on defense, McCain said: "No, I do not believe that he is, quote, weak on defense. He's responsible for his voting record, as we are all responsible for our records, and he'll have to explain it. But, no, I do not believe that he is necessarily weak on defense. I don't agree with him on some issues, clearly. But I decry this negativism that's going on on both sides. The American people don't need it."

When asked on "The Early Show" if Kerry's election would compromise national security, McCain responded: "I don't think that — I think that John Kerry is a good and decent man. I think he has served his country."

McCain, Bush's rival for the Republican nomination in 2000, said he believes Bush has led the nation with clarity since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and that he supports Bush's re-election. "But I would certainly hope that we could raise the level of this debate. Otherwise, we're going to have very low voter turnouts in November," he told CBS.

McCain and Kerry, both decorated Navy veterans of the Vietnam War, have worked together on veterans issues in the Senate. Although McCain said last week he would consider an offer from Kerry to be his running mate, McCain's office later issued a statement saying he would not run with Kerry.

"I don't want to be vice president of the United States. I do not want to leave the Republican Party. I would not be vice president of the United States on either ticket," McCain told CBS on Thursday.

[Reagan Man]

John McCain, agent provocateur, or a-hole. LOL Maybe a bit of both.

[kellynla]

McCain needs to be taken out to the woodshed! Either support W or get out of the GOP! Time to quit whining about the 2000 primary and move on.
Kerry is a lying traitor! And that's the bottom line!
Semper Fi, Kelly

Viet Nam Veterans Against John Kerry
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnkerry.com

[BibChr]

Oh my gosh, that idiot. That blithering, posturing, puffed up, raving, ankle-biting idiot.

It's clear that his "Get-the-H-over-yourself" prescription is LONG expired.

Good heavens, what a ponce. For the love of all that's decent, Senator -- SHUT UP.

Dan

[Redbob]

Which "John Kerry" is he talking about?

[CheezyD]

McCain is making Jumpin' Jim Jeffords appear like a loyal Republican.

[Solamente]

Stockhold Syndromed Manchurian Candidate @#$%#$@!

[Darlin']

McCain is unstable, untrustworthy and the consumate back stabber.

[Pukin Dog]

Calm down. This is GREAT for us.

McCain is doing us a great service. You guys have to look at the big picture. Just like when the Democrats embraced a fool like Wes Clark, what does it say about a party that would put a Republican on their ticket in order to have a chance to win.

You think the American people are that stupid? McCain is helping to point out that the Democrat party has no soul. You should all be encouraging McCain to become as tight with the Democrats as he can get. You see what happened to Wes Clark, and the same will happen to McCain. Only a Democrat picks a leader based on the chance to win.

Most Americans pick a leader, based on LEADERSHIP. McCain is no leader, nor was Clark, so since we know McCain has no soul (to go with his great SAM dodging skills) we should be grateful that his wonderful brand of selfishness will now infect the Democrats.

Be happy.

[BibChr]

...and that's on his GOOD days.

...which are few.

[EternalHope]

So now we know: John McCain has his price.

Make him the VP nominee on the Democratic ticket and he'll sell out his party, his nation, and his soul.

[hosepipe]

[ McCain Says Kerry Not Weak on Defense ]

Hmmmmm Wonder what Hillary has on McLaim....

[ClintonBeGone]

Doesn't suprise me. McCain is as much of a traitor to our country as Kerry is.

[BibChr]

<< Hmmmmm Wonder what Hillary has on McLaim.... >>

Well... she's a better dancer...

< /Airplane II humor >

[11th Earl of Mar]

McCain needs to be taken out to the woodshed!

Yeah... Maybe one of Saddam's woodsheds.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Leave McCain alone.

He has finally been invited to sit at the adult table of the Socialists and has probably been offered a nice healthy re-election campaign check from Soros.

The fact that he is debating whether to accept it is what pisses me off.

[jordan8]

John, John, John, they'll date you but they'll never marry you.

[Lancey Howard]

When can Arizona unload this guy?

[rintense]

I do not want to leave the Republican Party.

Yes, but does the Republican Party want YOU to leave?