Posted on 05/15/2008 3:38:12 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
I just got off of another teleconference with John McCain. Here are my notes, not quotes, from the teleconference.
McCain's Opening Statement
I gave a speech this morning about how I would want America to look after my first term in office in 2013. I want people to see what I want to do. By 2013, I think we will have won in Iraq. There may be sporadic fighting or attacks by Jihadists, but the Iraqi military would have control of the country and American troops would be out of harm's way, even though we may still have our troops in the country.
I'd be glad to debate Obama or Hillary on whether the surge is working and whether we are winning right now. It's long, hard, tough -- and was mishandled for four years -- and I fought against that failed strategy, but in 2013 we will have won. That won't mean everything is perfect, but we will not have chaos, genocide, increasing Iranian influence -- and we'd have to go back. That's what would happen if Obama gets his way.
Q&A Session
What are your views of what is happening in Lebanon and do you think we should be talking to Iran? Also, Bush talked about the dangers of appeasement. Some comment on that?
Bush says he wasn't talking about Obama and there are plenty of examples in history of the danger of appeasement. I think one of the reasons the Democrats got so upset is because Obama is really naive to want to sit down with Iran. They pronounced Israel as a "stinking corpse," they're sending weapons into Iraq that are killing Americans, and they're a terrorist state.
In Lebanon, we essentially see a proxy war between the US and Iran. If Senator Obama wants to sit down across the table from Iran, what is it that he wants to talk about with them? The belief that communication has to be done face to face is unacceptable and that shows Obama doesn't have the knowledge, experience, or background to safeguard this country. I look forward to having that debate with him.
What would it take for you to sit down with Iran?
I would have Iran renounce their intention to wipe Israel off the map. If they did that and promised not to pursue nuclear devices -- and stopped training people to kill Americans in Iraq and their sponsorship of terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, then perhaps we can have a meaningful discussion.
They are not interested in doing these things because they are trying to realize age-old Persian ambitions in the region. What does he want to talk to them about? All he would end up doing is giving them a prestige enhancement and more sway in the region.
How do you hold your opponent accountable when his staff flat-out lies and the media covers for him?
Obama says he's going to unilaterally negotiate NAFTA. Canada said that they might sell their oil to China if that happens. But, in NC, he says he's a free trader. He's changing positions. He's inconsistent and contradicts himself.
Have you talked to Newt about issues?
I have talked to him a few times, have watched him on TV, and have read a couple of his books. I would be pleased to have conversations with Newt because I think he has some of the best ideas in this country. I intend to talk to him from time to time because I think he's a very smart person.
You say that you're against subsidies, but you favor helping nuclear power. How do you reconcile this?
The problems with nuclear power are of our own making. We don't reprocess nuclear fuel. It takes 10-15 years to get a nuclear power plant going. The Yucca Mountain gridlock is remarkable. I want to encourage research and push very hard for nuclear power. I think it's important to reduce greenhouse gasses. We should invest in clean coal technology as well. I have always supported government investment in research and development.
Why did you announce a timeline to leave Iraq? (Hawkins' Note: What a stupid question.)
Either you didn't read or understand my speech. I know that we're going to win in Iraq as we did in WWII and the Gulf War. With victory comes the withdrawal of troops. You don't set a date for withdrawal. There is no date for surrender. I will have it dictated by the facts on the ground.
Let me explain the difference: if you announce a date for withdrawal as Obama and Clinton want to do, it means you are surrendering, and the bad guys just wait for the date.
How do you plan to take care of those troops when they do come home?
I've been recognized time and time again for supporting the troops by veterans' organizations. I will do everything I can to care for them. I believe in improving health care for vets. I want to increase their educational benefits. I also want to encourage people to stay in the military. I will match my credentials with veterans with Clinton or Obama any time.
You say you want to work towards bipartisanship. What positions would you be willing to appoint Democrats to in your administration?
I have a clear record of working with Democrats. I don't have a specific position in mind, but I will ask the most capable people, Democrat or Republican, for a position. I will appoint Democrats to my administration.
Summary: I gotta tell you: McCain sounded good in this teleconference. He trafficked in ideas, he had an appealing vision for the future, and he drew pointed comparisons between what he wanted to do and what Obama wants to do at every opportunity. For all of his flaws, McCain comes across as a tough, experienced leader -- and an unaccomplished empty suit like Barack Obama is really going to come across like a lightweight compared to McCain once people start getting down to brass tacks and making the decision between the two of them.
PS: Go here to check out John McCain's vision for America in 2013. I don't agree with every single thing, but overall, it's a pretty picture, especially compared to the sort of socialism that Obama wants to inflict on the country.
PS #2: The teleconference was packed and although I wanted to ask him a question, I didn't get the opportunity. However, they did tell us we could email in questions and I sent the following question, which I would have asked, to the campaign to get a response,
Mr. McCain, let me read something you were quoted as saying a few days ago, "We get in this kind of a circular firing squad on immigration reform in the Congress of the United States and the lesson I learned from it is we’ve got to have comprehensive immigration reform."
Now, you've been saying for months that you learned your lesson and that we need security first, not a comprehensive immigration bill. That doesn't seem to gibe with that quote. So, could you elaborate a bit?
When I get a response, I will post it to RWN.
Good stuff...really sickening when you do the math...
You guys seen the editorial in this post ???
“stand up to the Dems”
In the past fifty years this country has managed to survive the presidencies of Johnson, Carter, Clinton, and both Bushes. The country is obviously a lot more resilient than you give it credit for being. I WILL NOT hold my nose and vote for another RINO for president. I repeat: No McCain in ‘08. Goodnight.
you have a point
Thanks Ernest_at_the_Beach.
Obama as Chamberlain (Neville, not Wilt) - Photoshop
ExurbanLeague.com | May 15, 2008 | Exurban Jon
Posted on 05/15/2008 12:58:33 PM PDT by inkling
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2016478/posts
A Whole Wide World Beyond Obama (Bush appeasement Comment Dems React)
NRO | May 15, 2008 | Kathryn Jean Lopez
Posted on 05/15/2008 12:22:39 PM PDT by Red Steel
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016463/posts
Ping to read later
His actions and record speak much louder than his words.
This post is fanastic and dead on.
This conservative is going to do everything in his power to make sure liberals like Clinton, McCain or Obama do not become the next president of the US.
I’ve read that before. My uncle sent it to me via e-mail some time back. It should be enough to bring a majority of the citizenry up in arms.
Dunno, glock. He may be selling oldies compilations
"Do Not Foresake Me"
"You Don't Own Me"
"Don't Fence Me In"
"What Kind of Fool?"
"They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha Ha"
"Fools Rush In"
"Twist and Shout"
"It's My Party..."
There's gotta be a million of 'em!
Nut case alert - Nut case alert - Nut case alert
1. "Amnesty" = Bush / McCain / Kyl
2. Censorship = McCain-Thompson-Bush-Feingold
3. Gas Tax Increase = Gas tax holiday = Gas Tax Decrease
4. Kerry’s Proposed Democrat Ticket = Fantasy
5. Turncoat Who Asked to Switch Parties: McCain (R) / Jeffords (D)
6. McCain’s American Conservative Union Rank 2007 = Higher than every Dem
7. New York Times (D) Endorsed crapped on: McCain
8. Voted to extend Bush tax cuts = McCain + No Ds
9. McCain wants to keep lower the Death Tax
10. McCain wants to raise fix Social Security
11. McCain Bob Barr (D-ACLU/Occupation) is Pro-Terrorist Right
12. McCain/Kennedy(D)/Edwards(D) = No such law; Tobacco = smoke it
>> “I think we will have won in Iraq.”
Wrong and overly simplistic terminology but maybe it will work with the clueless.
How Machiavellian of you.
He seems to be doing well but he can’t let go of his arrogant position on immigration.
I wish these people would defend the Constitution instead of trying to be the savior to the world. We can not import every person into this country that wants to be here.
And certainly not every person who says to themselves: all I have to do is walk on in and everything will work out.
Stupid!
“That’s his way of saying, “I’ve sold out and I don’t even have the job yet. Yes, I am a political whore, a real slut.””
Think you are being very rough here. He’s doing more than Obama ever has and is showing a card.
And what would be so bad about a Sam Nunn or Lieberman getting some role?
It would hardly be the end of the world.
And it makes Obama’s message of unity look ridiculous as he can hardly match McCain without alienating his marxist/moonbat base.
And that’s good!
Heck. McCain is probably going to select a Democrat for his Vice President...
last nite I reflected back on Ranches post yesterday...'what would it take to raise yer rifle...?'
why havent the mullahs done it for us ???
could it be that the 'vaccuum' would be [at least in their consensus] filled by 545 conservative citizens out of the MILLIONS who would, at once, realize that they are indeed the majority, once all the external BS is peeled away ???
the fear of the unknown that causes so many good people to 'cling to their entitlements' rathers than their guns and Bibles, is a very poisonous mindset...its debilitating and corrosive and a progressive illness IMO...
Unfortunately, one of those three IS going to be President.
As my Dad said, “No matter who wins, we’re going to have a Democrat in the White House.”
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