Free Republic

Sen. John McCain on Tuesday became one of the highest-profile Senate Republicans to say that his party could take control of the upper chamber in the midterm elections. In an interview on the "Imus in the Morning" show, McCain (Ariz.) criticized President Obama on national security issues and said that if Republicans win the Senate, he would become chairman of the Armed Services Committee and could further influence the debate. "I thought the important thing is, particularly on national security issues, but other issues — I think I have a lot to contribute. If we, and I think we can,...

TOKYO (AFP) — US Senator John McCain has met with Japanese government leaders and lawmakers to discuss a wide range of energy and security issues including North Korea, officials said. The Republican senator from Arizona and rival of President Barack Obama during the 2008 elections met with Prime Minister Taro Aso and Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone late Thursday, officials said. In the closed-door talks they discussed issues including North Korea's rocket launch last weekend and climate change, the foreign ministry said without giving further details.