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McCain: I 'Absolutely' Want to Be President
newsmax.com ^ | Wednesday, June 1, 2005 2:29 p.m. EDT

Posted on 06/01/2005 11:49:06 AM PDT by InvisibleChurch

McCain: I 'Absolutely' Want to Be President

Sen. John McCain says he "absolutely” wants to be president – but hasn’t yet decided if he’ll run in 2008.

In a wide-ranging interview in the June edition of Men's Journal magazine, the Arizona Republican also reveals: John Kerry "discussed” the possibility of McCain running as his vice presidential candidate. U.S. troops could be in Iraq for another 50 years. Colin Powell will never run for office. Dan Rather was definitely fired over the Rathergate flap. In the interview, McCain – who has had prostate surgery and treatment for melanoma – said his health is "excellent” and sees no problem in running for president even though if elected in 2008, he would be 72 – "about what Reagan was.”

Asked point-blank if he wants to be president, McCain answered: "Absolutely. I think every member of the Senate wants to be president.”

McCain said he wants to gain the White House "because I think I’m qualified to help make the world a better place.”

As president, McCain said his foreign policy would greatly mirror President Bush’s: "I believe we have a unique opportunity, particularly now, to spread democracy and freedom throughout the world.”

He continued that domestically, "one thing is to expand opportunities for national service – the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, neighborhood and community organizations. You see, I think after 9/11 we had a golden opportunity to call all Americans to serve the country – not just to tell them to take a trip and go shopping. And I think they would have responded. I think they will still respond.”

McCain told Men’s Journal he’s going to wait a couple of years before making a decision on running for the White House in 2008, in part because he wants to devote his energy to the Senate and as a former candidate he’s already laid the groundwork for a campaign.

Looking back on the last election, McCain said he believes John Kerry mishandled the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth controversy.

"He should have responded immediately. I think that was a mistake – not responding. You can’t leave charges like that unanswered.”

As for what he personally thought of the attacks on Kerry, McCain declared: "I said when they questioned John’s service in Vietnam, it was both dishonorable and dishonest.”

About Kerry’s much-bruited offer of the vice president slot, McCain confirmed that while "it was never officially offered,” Kerry "certainly discussed [it] with me on several occasions.”

Asked if he saw a U.S. presence in Iraq for 50 years, the senator replied: "In some form or another, as a military presence? Sure. Like I can see us in South Korea for another 50 years. We can be in Bosnia for another 10 to 15 years. Or Kosovo.”

Among McCain’s other comments:

On the right wing’s view of him: "They’re more accepting of me than they used to be – not accepting, but more accepting – because of the fact that I worked hard for Bush’s re-election.”

On whether Colin Powell will ever run for elective office: "No. His wife is convinced that somebody would try to kill him.”

On Dan Rather: "I feel sorry for Dan, because I think he obviously made a serious mistake, but he also paid a heavy price for it. Anybody who believes he lost his job for any other reason just doesn’t recognize the truth. His career was terminated.”

On Dick Cheney: "He will be seen as the most powerful vice president in the history of the country and a major impact on the conduct of national security policy.”


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: electionpresident; mccain2008; mccrook; mcrino; mcvain; thestrawberries
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1 posted on 06/01/2005 11:49:06 AM PDT by InvisibleChurch
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To: InvisibleChurch

And you're absolutely will never be president ... not as a republican


2 posted on 06/01/2005 11:50:21 AM PDT by clamper1797 (To say that there is no difference between a liberal and a jackass ... wrongs the jackass)
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To: InvisibleChurch

I was a McCain supporter in 2000.

Never again will I make that mistake!


3 posted on 06/01/2005 11:50:40 AM PDT by MplsSteve
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To: InvisibleChurch
That absolutely terrifies me and I'll absolutely not vote for him.
4 posted on 06/01/2005 11:51:09 AM PDT by Millee (So you're a feminist......isn't that cute??)
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To: InvisibleChurch

And it will be my pleasure to deny you that!


5 posted on 06/01/2005 11:52:07 AM PDT by stevio (Red-Blooded American Male)
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To: InvisibleChurch

I'll vote 3rd Party before I give him my vote.


6 posted on 06/01/2005 11:52:16 AM PDT by theDentist (The Dems are putting all their eggs in one basket-case: Howard "Belltower" Dean.)
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To: InvisibleChurch

He's nuts, genuinely nuts.


7 posted on 06/01/2005 11:52:45 AM PDT by thegreatbeast (Quid lucrum istic mihi est?)
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To: InvisibleChurch
Are crazy people allowed to be President?


8 posted on 06/01/2005 11:52:52 AM PDT by Pete
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To: Millee

Why does AZ vote for him?


9 posted on 06/01/2005 11:53:21 AM PDT by Sybeck1 (chance is the “magic wand to make not only rabbits but entire universes appear out of nothing.”)
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To: InvisibleChurch

McCain is the number one RINO - the GOP pushes this backstabber and unfortunately he has no opposition when he runs for office. McCain is the enemy, the enemy within.


10 posted on 06/01/2005 11:53:36 AM PDT by theinwithin (Tolerance is the virtue of believing in nothing)
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To: clamper1797
And you're absolutely will never be president ... not as a republican

Thats the day I either skip voting for POTUS or go third party ( on the outset write in someone)
11 posted on 06/01/2005 11:53:56 AM PDT by Conservative4Life (Blaming GUNS for crimes is like Blaming SPOONS for Rosies morbid obesity....)
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To: InvisibleChurch

Nope, no way. This guy sold his party out so many times, when there was so little pressure on him, it makes you wonder what song he was singing and how loudly he was singing all those "OTHER" years.

This guy can not beat Hillary, and that's the acid test.


12 posted on 06/01/2005 11:54:19 AM PDT by konaice
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To: InvisibleChurch

I am absolutely certain that folks in America overuse the word "absolutely".


13 posted on 06/01/2005 11:56:15 AM PDT by RexBeach ("Anyone can see what's wrong, but can you see what's right?" -Winston Churchill)
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To: InvisibleChurch
As for what he personally thought of the attacks on Kerry, McCain declared: "I said when they questioned John’s service in Vietnam, it was both dishonorable and dishonest.”

McCain still grabs his ankles for Hanio John and uncle Ted!

14 posted on 06/01/2005 11:56:31 AM PDT by MarineBrat
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To: InvisibleChurch
On the right wing’s view of him: ''They’re more accepting of me than they used to be – not accepting, but more accepting – because of the fact that I worked hard for Bush’s re-election.''

John's been snooping around in Cindy's stash.

15 posted on 06/01/2005 11:57:25 AM PDT by elli1
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To: InvisibleChurch
because I think I’m qualified to help make the world a better place

What on earth does that have to being President of the United States of America?
16 posted on 06/01/2005 11:57:55 AM PDT by andyk (Go Matt Kenseth!)
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To: InvisibleChurch

I absolutely want to have a passionate affair with Nicole Kidman...but I'm not holding my breath waiting for it to happen.


17 posted on 06/01/2005 11:58:07 AM PDT by RichInOC (...oops, did I say that out loud?)
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To: theinwithin

*Bttt


18 posted on 06/01/2005 11:58:25 AM PDT by T Lady (G.W. Bush to Kerry & the MSM: "I've come to settle the Family Business.")
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To: InvisibleChurch

And the North Vietnamese, the Russians (former KGB Soviet folks) and all of the people who spent tireless hours and days programming him for the job hope he will pull it off.


19 posted on 06/01/2005 11:58:35 AM PDT by Paloma_55
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To: InvisibleChurch
who has had prostate surgery and treatment for melanoma – said his health is "excellent”

....hopefully his doctors are wrong....(did I say that out loud??)

20 posted on 06/01/2005 11:58:38 AM PDT by colorcountry (To disagree, one doesn't have to be disagreeable. ....Barry Goldwater)
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