GOP Nominee
Former Candidates
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to listen in on a conference call with John McCain, who was campaigning in South Carolina. I came away impressed with his candor, and spirit. He covered a number of issues over the half hour or so he spent, but always came back to two or three points. The questioners seemed to ask questions that directly related to one already addressed, but it was still interesting to be able to listen in. It is a very effective method of communicating with your supporters.
Opening:
- McCain started off the call by stating that Americans are growing increasingly concerned with the US relationship with Iran, and thinks that this becomes an even greater concern in regards to Israel. Other concerns of the population are health care and immigration reform.
First Question- Foreign oil and energy independence
- said there are two issues to deal with? foreign oil and climate change. Ultimately, he thinks greenhouse gas should be top priority. He believes that serious progress needs to be made, using an international agreement that includes China and India.
Second Question- Would he use force when dealing with Iran
- McCain didn?t completely answer this question. He said that he supports the Bush plan, and that he thinks there are a lot of ways of putting pressure on them. He would not directly say that he supports a pre-emptive strike, which was the original question.
Third Question- Mismanagement of Medicare
- McCain focused on the negligence in regards to Walter Reed and veterans care. He said it was a disgraceful mishap, but is encouraged by the seemless transition report that had come out in the last few days.
Fourth Question- Asked to clarify his criticism of Rumsfield
- He stood by his criticism of Rumsfield. He is still angry that Rumsfield refused to listen to advice. He is optimistic after his recent trip to Iraq, but wonders if we have time in public opinion. He drew comparisons with Vietnam and how in both cases there were divisions between the government and those on the ground.
Fifth Question- how would he deal with illegal immigration
- McCain got grilled on this one by the questioner. He said that there has been not enough done because people were cynical of border security, which comes from the growing lack of trust that people have in the government. He promised to secure the borders before coming up with a new plan, but is still in favor of temporary worker visas for agriculture.
Sixth Question- Social security reform
- He gave Bush credit for trying. He said the solution requires reaching out to democrats to fix it, by sitting down and working it out. He didn?t give any specifics, but noted eight or nine different options.
July 30th, 2007 at 12:04 am
how does one listen in on these types of conference calls?
July 30th, 2007 at 12:28 am
an intresting op-ed in the NYT today from 2 dem leaning Brookings wonks.
Basically, it says that the surge has produced noticeable results and that things have been improving militarily. It goes on to say that any imminent withdrawal would basically throw all the gains away and would lead to a much more adverse situation. It concludes by saying that it should be allowed to continue, if not be ramped up, at least into the spring of 2008.
It will be very interesting to see what happens and what becomes of this. Without Iraq improving the GOP had no shot in 2008. However, if, and this a clearly a huge if, the situation does improve and Iraq gets to the point where it is either a success or at least not a failure(more likely)m the GOP stands a very good shot of winning.
Come Spetember, it will be very difficult for the dems to pull the plug if this artcile is correct. This should also help the wavering Republicans stay on board. The longer Iraq goes on is also better for us as the left will continue to get upset, and it will increase the chance of a 3rd party from the left or that many become so disgusted they simply stay home. The activists could attempt to force a McGovernesque withdrawal now candidate such as Edwards or it might give Obama the push he needs.
Now, if Bush were to combine the success in Iraq with a success either against AQ in Pakistran or against Iran’s nukes, I think the GOP would be sitting pretty.
Bush basicallly went all in with the surge back in January, and we all know he’s apoker player. Well, we’re waiting on the flop, and the river may just drown the dems.
July 30th, 2007 at 12:47 am
Sampo (post 1)- just dont expect to call collect because McCain cant afford to accept the charges.
July 30th, 2007 at 1:24 am
Jim, very optomistic.
“if Bush were to combine the success in Iraq with a success either against AQ in Pakistran or against Iran’s nukes”
If Iraq can get better then Bush is doing ok, but I think its too late to resurrect his legacy. People on the street won’t give him the benefit of the doubt. “This guy keeps Alberto Gonzales saying he’s doing his job, thought Browne did a good job over Katrina, felt Rumsfeld was marvellous, then says Iraq is going well and expects us to belive him?”
His judgment is not trusted. And Iraq is not a success as long as the deaths in Iraq (Iraqi & US) keep coming. Even if the rest of the country does well…
July 30th, 2007 at 1:24 am
husky,
you’d be surprised how long you could talk on the phone for 2 million dollars.
July 30th, 2007 at 8:45 am
I don’t believe compromise with the Democrats is possible on Social Security. Any Republican who wants to compromise with the Dems on the issue is just admitting that he will agree to an increase in payroll taxes or in the wage ceiling, or will just redistribute some money to lower-income folks. McCain is great on Iraq, but he can’t be trusted on domestic issues.
July 30th, 2007 at 9:02 am
“you’d be surprised how long you could talk on the phone for 2 million dollars.”
But what if you owed the phone company, staff, and other businesses more than the 2 million you had in the bank? I guess you would ask your friends not to call you collect.
Cant he call Charles Keating and his 5 friends? They have money dont they?
July 30th, 2007 at 9:04 am
Marksal, you realize that without keeping all options on the table nothing can get done right? We’ve already had an attempt at social security reform with a republican president and congress.
I would say make no compromises until we get into that situation again at which some compromise will still probably be needed but due to the republican power in washington it can be a compromise more tilted towards the right. the problem is that we might not get that situation for a long time due to current voting trends. I feel as if an opportunity to social security reform the right way has been lost and it’s only a matter of time before it’s done the wrong way by the democrats.
July 30th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
There are plenty of ways a person of true “Democrat” governing philosophy could help reform Social Security without raising payroll taxes. In fact, George W. Bush’s proposal included one or two of those ways. If the Democrats ever again become well-intentioned, then by all means deal with them. But if they just want to score political points, then leave things as they are.
July 30th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Hello, all-
I tried heroically to trackback this outstanding summary of Senator McCain’s conference-call (I wasn’t on it), as I tracked it back first thing Monday morning. For some reason, it didn’t kick in.
Well, it’s on The Tower now - just click my screen name and it’ll take you to it, it’s a couple of stories down from the front by now, but it’s there…
Speaking of which - echoing the comment above - for which group was this conf-call for (I’ve participated in new-media calls, for example)… your version was the only one I was able to find online… if you could let me know that would be great.
As noted - awesome job on the summary.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Huh? McCain so obsessed on his military advantage? He was asked about “Mismanagement of Medicare”, which means the whole lot of health care for poors and aged, and he answered about “the negligence in regards to Walter Reed and veterans care.” Come on, the whole healthcare programs by Government is totally screwed up, and what are you going to do about it?