That is what someone claimed he said. He has denied that.
No. He didn't deny it. He tried to weasel his way out of it by adding additional comments about Alito. And that "someone" was John Fund, not exactly a person that was out to get McCain.
“He tried to weasel his way out of it by adding additional comments about Alito.”
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If by “weasel(ing) his way out of it” you mean that he stated that:
1. He had no recollection of ever saying that,
2. That is not his position,
3. That he had stated on several other occasions that Alito is the kind of justice he would appoint.
Well, if that’s what you mean by “weasel(ing) his way out” then feel free to believe whatever you want.
From his website (http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/b8529d0e-381e-4a29-9c39-6a57c7e182c9.htm)
John McCain believes that shaping the judiciary through the appointment power is one of the most important and solemn responsibilities a President has, and certainly one that has a profound and lasting impact. When he was running for President in 1999, he promised that, in appointing judges, he would not only insist on persons who were faithful to the Constitution, but persons who had a record that demonstrated that fidelity. A President should have confidence in the judicial philosophy of those he is appointing to the bench. That is why he strongly supported John Roberts and Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court and that is why he would seek men and women like them as his judicial appointees.
Now compare that to Obama & Hillary who both voted against Roberts & Alito.