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Politics

A conversation with Sen. John McCain

"I’m doing what I hope is right for every family in America."

By BILL ADAIR
Published February 10, 2007

Q: You’ve said the Pentagon mismanaged the war from the start, didn’t have enough boots on the ground. What makes you think they can get it right now?

A: We’ve got a new strategy and new leaders and finally a recognition that the previous strategy was failed.

Q: You’ve been especially critical of Secretary Rumsfeld and Vice President Cheney and how they have handled the war. Why?

A: Particularly Rumsfeld. That latest thing about Cheney was vastly overblown. I said all the administration (is to blame). I’ve said for months and years, this business of inflating expectations of the American people was wrong. It was "Mission Accomplished," "Last throes" . . . there is a litany of statements (by the Bush administration) that did not comport with reality on the ground. So, for the last three and a half years, I and others have used every possible tool we could to try to get a different strategy. It wasn’t just not enough troops. It was the firing of everybody in the Army, it was allowing the looting from the beginning, it was "de-Baathification." There was a failure to make a quick transition to an Iraqi government. Look, these failures have been well-chronicled in Fiasco and Cobra II. It’s not John McCain’s assessment. It’s everybody’s assessment of the mishandling.

Q: I read Fiasco and at the end was waiting for Tom Ricks, the author, to say "here’s our way out of Iraq." He doesn’t sound very optimistic.

A: A lot of people think it’s too late (for a solution in Iraq). I don’t think so. I think we have a good chance of success with a new strategy and new leadership. But do I think there is a risk of failure? Absolutely. I can’t guarantee success. But I can guarantee the results of failure. Fortunately, some Americans are beginning to think about that.It’s one thing to be frustrated and say withdraw. But then you’ve got to think about the consequences of withdrawal – and it’s chaos.

Q: How much is your support of the troop increase hurting your presidential campaign?

A: I have no idea and I don’t worry about it.

Q: The polls in New Hampshire show a steady decline. Does that trouble you?

A: There is one poll that shows that. There are other polls that show it just steady. But I don’t worry about it.

Q: Why don’t you worry about it?

A: This is far more important than any political ambitions I might have. I go out to Walter Reed and Bethesda (military hospitals) and see kids who have given one heck of a lot more than I could ever contemplate.

Q: But why be so vocal about this? You’ve become the most vocal supporter of the plan.

A: I was the greatest critic of the way it was conducted - and I end up being a supporter. It’s got to do with my visibility on the Armed Services Committee, the view that people have of me in the country as one of the people who is listened to on national security.
You’ve got to do what you think is right.

Q: I know you don’t like talking about your kids...

A: I won’t. I won’t talk about my kids.

Q: Why won’t you talk about them?

A: I’m doing what I hope is right for every family in America.

Q: But I think anybody who is a parent is going to be struck by the fact that you are calling for a troop increase that could lead to Jimmy going over there.

A: I cannot allow that to be a consideration.

Q: Does duty come before family in this case?

A: I do not talk about my family.

Q: Why do you want to be president?

A: Because I think we’re in very challenging times in America and I think my life and my credentials and my experience and my vision for the future of this nation qualifies me to be president.

Q: You’re in a different position now, if not the front runner, one of them. There was always an appeal to McCain as the underdog, as the maverick. Is that going to change the dynamic this time around, that you’ve become the one to beat?

A: Already, when MoveOn.org is running hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of ads attacking you in January of the odd-numbered year, then you know that certainly the dynamic has changed in some represent. Every comment I make is under a microscope and the attacks from the far left have intensified.

Q: Does that alter your strategy at all?

A: No.

Q: You’re a shrewd legislator, you’ve gone after Abramoff and many others. But being president takes different skills. Why would you make a good president?

A: All my life, I’ve been involved in national security issues in one way or another, I’ve been involved in leadership on many many issues, working both sides of the aisle. I have a clear record of legislative achievement. I have been in positions of leadership.

Q: Why are conservatives wary about you?

A: I think because there have been times when I’ve taken positions that they may not agree with on specific issues. I’ll match my record of being a conservative on social, economic and national security issues with anyone.

Q: The Democrats are calling the troop increase the Bush-McCain escalation. . .

A: Actually they’re calling it the McCain Doctrine. (laughs)

Q: You like that?

A: Not everybody has a doctrine named after them. I’ve got to say thanks. The MoveOn.org ad, there’s a good shot – they are all shots of me with Bush – of me with sunglasses on. I thought it was a pretty good shot.

Q: You’re 70 years old now. You would be the oldest president, even older than Reagan. Are you fit enough to be president?

A: I’ve got more scars than Frankenstein and I’m older than dirt. But I’ve learned a few things along the way. Last August, I hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim with my son Jack. We had a great, great hike…it almost killed me. (laughs)

Q: Do you think you have the vigor . . .

A: I work 16-18 hours a day, seven days a week. Ask anybody who has been on one of these trips to Iraq with me. They say I almost kill them - they call it the Death March. I get 'em up early and come back late at night.

Q: How is your family? Are they ready for this?

A: I think so. They’re older. They have certain reservations, of course, but we continue the discussion. I think they are favorably inclined, with a lot of concerns of course. Kids in their teens like to lead their own lives.

Q: Romney has come out the gates fast, with lots of endorsements, particularly in Florida. Do you need to pick up the pace to get your campaign up more quickly?

A: We’ve got a lot of good support down there. We expect that it will increase over time. I’m very happy with where we are.

[Last modified February 10, 2007, 21:52:06]