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.

[King Black Robe]

Going to their bases rather than going to the middle? And who may I ask gets to define just where the "middle" is? McCain? Ha! The "middle" is the middle only by debate from all. It is not some arbitrary position that one can "go to." That's just manipulation speak for "listen to ME; I know everything." So-called moderates are rarely moderate. They are often hard nosed ideologues who will never budge on anything. (McCain, Jumping Jim...) Their absence of party loyalty just translates into self-loyalty. The people be damned. IMO, revenge is McCain's strongest driving force. What's moderate about that?

That, or they are mushy and indecisive women who sway according to how they feel about things on any given day. (Snowe, O'Connor)

[truthandlife]

Calm down everyone, there is no way Clinton and Company and the Democrat machine will let McCain be the VP candidate. The hard core left wing who is the majority of Democrat supporters would find this unacceptable and would vote for Nader.

McCain is just trying to get in the spotlight again. It will never happen.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I wish the hell McCain would just switch parties.

[BigSkyFreeper]

The reason there's low voter turnout is because there is no enthusiasm in the Democratic party. The only ones motivated are the hardcore leftists who are vessels of seething Bush hatred.

[King Black Robe]

And ego. McCain is driven by revenge and ego. Give me someone driven by shared principles any day over that. This stupid notion that either party should ignore their base is just a call to lie. I think they should say what they mean and mean what they say. They do not need to appeal falsely to anyone. Let the undecided have the facts and choose according to their own conscience. Representative government is poorly served by candidates who manipulate their rhetoric to deceive the maximum number of voters into thinking "he agrees with me." Just spell it out and let me make an informed choice. If that means an ugly debate then so be it.

[MEGoody]

Um, John, where the heck have you been. Kerry is a wimp like the Spaniards and the French.

[kdmhcdcfld]

Kerry not soft on defense?

And McCain isn't a RINO, either...

[VadeRetro]

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..."

My God, this is a bizarre tap-dance. All it needs is "OK, yes! HE'S WEAK ON DEFENSE!" at the end.

[wattsmag2]

Well, now we know. John McCain is running for the Democrat VP slot. (As if we didn't know this egotistic bleepard would do anything for press and power before.)

[bolthead]

Wow, a Kerry/McCain ticket...that ought to really rock on the charisma meter.

[jwalsh07]

McCain will never get over be left at the altar. He just is not man enough to do it. Sad.

But when he says that Kerry is not weak on defense, he is LYING. Of course if he has his way only him and his buds on the Networks and Cable Channels will be afforded free speech rights in political campaigns.

Go away John, go away.

[LADY J]

McCain's deluded sense of Kerry being strong on national defense is comparable to McCain's ability to fly a plane without cracking it up.

Both these guys will sell-out their country for face time and power.

[Types_with_Fist]

What does that say about the state of the Democrat Party?

What does it say about the state of the GOP?

[oyez]

Some things I'll never understand. How could McCain stand up for Keary when back in the early '70's Kerry and his people were figuratively kicking the POW's in the groin while they are Hanoi Hilton? I bet old Admiral McCain is spinning in his grave.

[oyez]

Some things I'll never understand. How could McCain stand up for Keary when back in the early '70's Kerry and his people were figuratively kicking the POW's in the groin while they are Hanoi Hilton? I bet old Admiral McCain is spinning in his grave.

[thiscouldbemoreconfusing]

Sen. johnnie mcCain, Revolting slug-Ariz., said Thursday he did not believe Democratic candidate johnnie john kerry, a very close friend and CPUSA colleague, was weak on defense but of course as a liberal slug, would compromise national security if the democrats can rig the election and annoint johnnie john kerry president.

and johnnie john kerry said "Thanks john, you can get up now."

[Buckeye McFrog]

Looks like old John F has cut himself three deals for running mates....McCain, Edwards, Hillary....what happens when he has to disappoint two of them?

[lilylangtree]

McCain's really hoping for that Veep job, huh? Yo John, you're viewing Ketchup thru rose-tinted spectacles.

[PhiKapMom]

McCain says nothing about the Republican Party -- how do you even pose such a statement. McCain is a maverick and does not represent the Republican Party. He is a lot more DemocRAT then Republican. What part of that don't you see?

Don't tar and feather the rest of Republicans because of McCain!

[PhiKapMom]

I wish the hell McCain would just switch parties.

You can me both and then look how fast the media would bury him when he is no longer in the Republican caucus!