McCain defends Kerry on defense

MSNBC/AP ^ | 3/18/2004

[B Knotts]

Arizona senator says GOP rhetoric 'not helpful'

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

“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.”

...

'Today' appearance

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.”

[B Knotts]

An oldie but a goodie. John McCain standing up against President Bush in favor of his good friend, John Kerry, who served in Vietnam.

[Maynerd]

Global warming ninny McCain is an absolute conservative fraud. Those who vote for him believing he’ll be tough on terrorists will be dissapointed.

[Nat Turner]

I hope you FLORIDA CONSERVATIVES are reading this... McStain must be STOPPED and STOPPED NOW!!!

[bushinohio]

It’s as though he WANTS us to despise him. If this man gets the nomination I think I can write off the GOP for good.

[TommyDale]

March 18, 2004

Old news.

[B Knotts]

Agreed!

[Sister_T]

All the more reason not to vote for this RINO.

[B Knotts]

I stated that in the comment when I posted the article.

[bmwcyle]

McCain is a Kiss Up. The people that he can’t please is the Conservatives voter.

[kinoxi]

He is first and foremost a politician. Principles come somewhere further down McCain’s list from what I’ve seen.

[facedown]

I think it’s because both parties are going to their bases rather than going to the middle.

I'd be happy to tell you where you can go, John.

[TommyDale]

But you notice that many people don’t see that. They think this is current news.

[glennshepard]

Knock this crap off. McCain, isn’t standing up for Kerry, he’s standing up for amicable campaign tactics. You know as well as I do that McCain and Kerry have very different views on national security and foreign policy and trying to pretend otherwise is ridiculous.

[notaliberal]

Voting for McClain is voting for a democrap—Just like our RINO governor in CA.

[B Knotts]

Well, I tried to point it out. I searched to see if this had been posted in 2004, but it appears it hadn’t.

[JHL]

"I think it’s because both parties are going to their bases rather than going to the middle. I regret it.”

This demonstrates John McCain's political philosophy. He doesn't want to appeal to the Republican base, that would be "regrettable."

[Radix]

Has Kerry collected his $1,000,000.00 from that bet he made with T. Boone Pickens yet?

[SE Mom]

This is the second OLD piece I’ve just read here WITHOUT the ACTUAL date -which you can always add in parentheses when posting the piece.

Believe me- I am delighted to see any article that shows McCain for what he is :) but we need context.

[gathersnomoss]

McLame needs to get rid of that bad taste in his mouth. And Kerry will be happy to deliver the specimen.

[Perchant]

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

Kerry was calling for immediate withdrawal from Iraq and McCain endorsed this as being strong on defense. I clearly remember Kerry using those beheadings that were posted on the internet as a reason why we needed to leave there fast.