Senator John McCain entered the No Spin Zone yesterday and answered questions from Bill O’Reilly.
The interview was very cordial and polite.
John McCain’s comments are below.
“Obama’s main weakness is inexperience and lack of judgment, such as sitting down with leaders who want to destroy Israel, and raising taxes, including capital gains taxes.”
“If Iran abandons their rhetoric on issues such as Israel, then perhaps sitting down can work.”
“The issue of Reverend Jeremiah Wright is between Obama and the American people. Obama says it is a legitimate political issue. I condemn Reverend Wright’s remarks, and will let the American people decide for themselves.”
“This campaign will be about vision, a plan of action. People are hurting right now.”
“The worst time to raise taxes in an economic downturn.”
“If you call 100 million people rich, I don’t think that is the rich in America, and they do not see themselves as rich either.”
“I steadfastly reject and repudiate Pastor Hagee’s comments. I accept his endorsement. He endorsed me.”
He answered the issue of the Jayson Blair Times’s hit job on him regarding a female lobbyist with dignity.
“I have had tougher times in my life than a political campaign, my friend. I have faith in the American people and their judgment.”
O’Reilly hit hard regarding one of the worst pieces of legislation to come into existence in recent years.
“George Soros was the main beneficiary of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform law.”
McCain shifted the debate, not wanting to discuss that issue. He laughed regarding Arianna Huffington’s comments about him faking being tortured. He does not read the Huffington Post.
O’Reilly then bashed oil companies in a manner that would make socialists proud. McCain referred to his plan to repeal the gasoline tax from May through September as temporary relief. O’Reilly then asked why gas prices have gone so high. McCain blamed the Cartel that can set prices as they see fit.
As for drilling in ANWR in Alaska, John McCain is against drilling there or in the Grand Canyon or the Everglades.
O’Reilly point out that nobody lives there. McCain responded that the areas are pristine, leading O’Reilly to retort “So what?”
On illegal immigration, McCain does not approve sanctuary cities.
With regard to health care, “it’s not quality of health care, it is cost issue. If your employer is paying for it, you won’t care.”
He will be releasing his medical records “very soon, in the next couple weeks or so.”
As for this interview, it did not break any new ground. Both men were respectful, but the interview was on the bland side. There did not seem to be any passion in O’Reilly, with the exception of his off target attacks on the oil companies.
I found very little to criticize about this interview, but if it changed anybody’s mind, I would be surprised.
McCain is at his best when he speaks from his heart. He has always been a “reluctant hero.” While there is much truth to the notion that real heroes do not need to announce that they are heroes, Senator McCain needs to open up more and let people in.
No, I am not advocating they he imitates Barbara Walters, and starts revealing details nobody wishes to hear. I just think that he is too reluctant to mention the sacrifices he has made for America. His remarks about “having faced bigger troubles” than comments from people like Arianna Huffington, are too subtle.
O’Reilly did not say or do anything inappropriate, but his show is known for tough questions and answers that give us more insight into the interviewee.
That did not occur during the first half of his interview with the Senator.
eric
O’Reilly has a lot of Blue Collar Democratic and Independent voters watching his show, so McCain stood to gain from that appearance, especially if Obama is the Democratic nominee, as many working class White Democratic and Independent voters will not bring themselves to vote for a black man. McCain needs those voters as many Rightwing voters just may sit this one out, angry because of such inane “issues” as McCain-Feingold and the Gang of 14, which ironically are typical of this base’s track record of voting against their own interests.
The interview that was more guarenteed not to make much difference was McCain’s appearance on The Daily Show, Wednesday night. Stewart’s audience will not be swayed by anything McCain says. What few Stewart fan/McCain supporters there are will stay the same, as with McCain’s detractors. Stewart’s audience is also less likely to vote for McCain as a protest against a black candidate. On the other hand, I think McCain figures that it humanizes him and makes him look more palatable to the parents of Stewart’s youthful audience.
JMJ
“If Iran abandons their rhetoric on issues such as Israel, then perhaps sitting down can work.”
If I heard right McCain will be discussing foreign policy with Bill today.
I can only assume thats why he didnt go into more detail about Irans role in Iraq and the nuke thing.
Abandoning the rhetoric on Israel is not half as important as making sure they dont attack them.
i thought this was a bit of a softball interview but still informative. while Mccain didnt do much to help himself with conservatives he may have gained some moderates. his sanctuary city position will not at all placate the right but is probably adequate to many in the middle and his gas tax plan should yeild similar results. i thought the senators “tougher times” comment was well placed and served as a reminder to those who know of his military service without giving the impression of trying to capitalize on peoples sympathies. i think his service in viet nam could be used more effectively in the general election. at some point the left will give into the temptation to question the accounts of his imprisonment and this would be the perfect time for mccain to deliver a reaganesque “IM PAYING FOR THIS MICROPHONE” comment simultaneously silencing the extreme left and igniting the right and the moderates alike even if only for a short time. obviously mccain doesnt excite the extreme on either side of the isle but if common sense prevails the moderates will see obama for the ultra leftist he is.