Posted on 10/10/2005 7:05:39 AM PDT by areafiftyone
Speaking on Staten Island, Sen. John McCain said yesterday Mayor Michael Bloomberg was right to alert the public to the terrorist threat against the city subway system.
"I believe the mayor was right in saying that it's far better to overreact than underreact," McCain (R-Ariz.) told more than 600 people at a re-election fund-raiser for Borough President James Molinaro in the Excelsior Grand, New Dorp.
Officials here and in Washington continue to debate the legitimacy of the threat.
"What if there had actually been a real threat and they hadn't reacted? You're abrogating your responsibilities," McCain told the Advance earlier.
McCain, a Navy pilot who was held prisoner for five years during the Vietnam War, told the crowd the United States needs to win the war in Iraq to better fight terrorism in America.
"When we lost the war in Vietnam," said McCain, "the Vietnamese weren't interested in coming after us in the United States. Lose the war in Iraq, and they'll be very interested in coming to the United States to follow up in the path of Muslim extremism, violence and murder and hate and destruction."
McCain discussed a range of issues while speaking to the Advance before the fund-raising event.
He said former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, a potential rival of his for the 2008 presidential nomination, should have been put in charge of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
"We needed somebody who can say yes and no," said McCain, who called Giuliani "my hero." "Nobody does that better than Rudy Giuliani."
As for his own presidential ambitions, McCain said he would wait until after the 2006 mid-term elections before making any decisions. "This could be -- '06 -- a bad year for Republicans," he said.
McCain, whose 2000 presidential primary against George W. Bush splintered the Island GOP, called the borough "the bastion of the Republican Party."
"If anybody wants to do well as a Republican, they're going to have to do well on Staten Island," said McCain, who remains close to former Borough President Guy Molinari, who attended yesterday's event.
McCain also said he had an open mind about Bush's latest Supreme Court pick, Harriet Miers, despite the controversy the choice has caused among conservatives.
"I don't know if she's the best candidate who ever lived," McCain said. "But I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt."
Described by McCain as "a good and decent American," Molinaro said he would continue to champion the needs of children, seniors and the handicapped if re-elected.
"Government does not belong to the rich," Molinaro told the crowd. "It does not belong to the poor. It belongs to everyone."
Tom Wrobleski covers politics for the Advance. He may be reached at wrobleski@siadvance.com
RINOes of the Nation unite!
Sorry, but I can't help wishing sometimes that McManiac was still MIA.
Well I wouldn't wish that on anyone. But I think we have to get used to the fact that he's gonna run. Its going to be hard to find a candidate this time who can beat him too. Most of them are kinda drippy!
fact of the matter is, McCain right now looks to be the strongest candidate, as Allen, Santorum, are kind of lightweight, Guiliani is "blue" on social issues (McCain has a consistent pro-life record, although I don't honestly think he loses any sleep over the issue), and there is no doubt he's making a try at it.
Which is more preferable, a Republican who doesn't toe the line, or Hillary Clinton?
Barbour might be a spoiler to this whole scenario though.....
He will get his panties all in a wad and will then become the Ross Perot of 2008!
I don't think Haley Barbour will make it past the primaries. He's pretty dull and really doesn't have much appeal. Allen is polling at 1% and puts his foot in his mouth alot. I hate to say this but the RINOS are going to make a big impact this time in 2008. They will pull in he independents and at least half the Dems (the ones who aren't ultra leftists) to their side along with moderate repubs who want a change. The Republicans will be split apart this time. Just a prediction on my part only because I see the split widening every month.
And you know he will if he doesn't get the nomination.
If he becomes the Ross Perot of 2008 then we lose to the Dems.
Keep in mind his credentials. A Navy pilot, prisoner of war. Soiled by a funding scandal, Keating five and takes money from George Soros. People had better take a longer look at Senator's credentials. McCain's are not very strong.
McCain, who two weeks into the Afghanistan campaign called for 20,000 more troops, said it's better to overreact than underreact. Sorry. I don't want a CIC who panics.
Yes but as much as I hate to say this people like McCain. Look at all the Scandals that the Clinton Administration had in its first term and he was re-elected. We seem to forget about the likeability factor because we seem to live in our own little political world here on Free Republic. A McCain/Giuliani ticket will have a huge impact on people who are NOT big political junkies like Freepers and just want a likeable president. Believe me I've been following this and outside of FreeRepubilc these two are having a major impact on voters.
Nope he'll run as a Republican. Regardless of what we think he always says he's a Republican. Third parties don't win elections and it wouldn't be worth his while to do that.
I don't trust the guy, he has a temper and holds a grudge.
We'll just have watch and see.
I agree he has a temper. I'm not sure but from what I have been reading on the chat rooms, I think either a moderate Repub will win in 2008 or a Dem. I don't think the American people will nominate a real conservative again. I think they are weary right now.
AND she-of-the-cankles has REAL skeletons! All Queeg has is a couple of ball bearings.
McCain Praises Pooper Scooper Laws!
McCain Says The Sky is Big - Really Big!
McCain Likes Sandwiches - All Kinds!
McCain Loses Photo Opp, Feels Sad!
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