David Rogers
Politico.com
After a losing presidential campaign in 2000, John McCain came back to the Senate and established himself as a force no White House could ignore. Eight years later, he’s home from defeat again, facing a very different landscape dominated by President Barack Obama and the collapsing American economy.
From Afghanistan and Iraq to military procurement reform, McCain tells POLITICO he is already working with Obama. Last week alone, he had breakfast with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, appeared with the president at a White House press event and took a phone call from Vice President Joe Biden soliciting McCain’s input on how to crack down on pork barrel spending.
“These are terrible, perilous times, so I will seek ways to work with the president of the United States,” McCain says in an interview. “I don’t want him to fail in his mission of restoring our economy.”
But there’s the rub: On the central issue of the economy, the two men are so far apart it is difficult to see them collaborating effectively.
| Art |
March 10th, 2009 11:35 am ET Hi David, Mr. McCain needs to retire! We need some fresh air! |
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| Claudia, Houston, Tx |
March 10th, 2009 12:01 pm ET John McCain hasn't been to school in a 100 years and when he in school he was a failure. If you listen to McCain, he doesn't talk about the economy based on economic study, it's from listening to what others say like a parrot. McCain would serve this country well by just retiring, he has nothing to offer. He doesn't know anything about war, he was a war prisoner and the truth will come out about that. |
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| Joe G. (Illinois) |
March 10th, 2009 12:28 pm ET Mr. McCain, speaking entirely as a Conservative who voted for you most recently, I say “We all know that your poise is not refrained but empty and barren.” Step aside Mr. McCain.. Do not concern yourself if we (The Conservatives) have no Fantasy Hero yet to call our own. We don’t need one.. We don’t want one.. We are in no hurry or rush.. The Liberal Democrats are now beating themselves up where it hurts them the most all on their own… We don’t need a Fantasy hero.. Step aside I said Mr. McCain.. Thank you and good day. |
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| Michael "C" Lorton, Virginia |
March 10th, 2009 12:39 pm ET If Obama fails---at least it will be trying to succeed-–time will tell. |
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| lampe |
March 10th, 2009 12:52 pm ET If Sen McCain, is being called and asked his views, then I don't see what the problem is. If he is helping Obama, there is nothing in the world that is wrong with that. If he is trying to make sure that Obama fails (which I very much doubt), then I have a real problem with that. McCain and Biden, have been around for a very long time, they know each other, and know how to work together ( acccording to biden himself), so no there is no problem with McCain, being a helping hand. |
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| Mari, Salt Lake City |
March 10th, 2009 1:57 pm ET @ Joe G. (Illinois)........ wow...... I am not a conservative, but I like what you said to McCain. McCain is all about politics, he is up for re-election in Arizona as state that almost...... turned blue! What I find offensive about the comments of the far-right is that they offer no new ideas nor solutions! Only criticism and complaints! Come on, IF you are complaining please do tell us what you would do to solve the Bush Disaster? And where were all these so-called-fiscal-conservatives for the last eight years as our National debt doubled and the TRUE COST of the war with Iraq was......... hidden????? I am a former Republican, now Independent who voted for President Obama...... why? Because I am sick and tired of the vile politics of the far-right, the lies and fear-mongering. Our Nation WILL recover! Obama WILL succeed, millions of us here and abroad (I have friends in Europe) are praying daily for Obama. YES WE CAN RECOVER AMERICA! KEEP HOPE ALIVE! FEAR IS NOT FROM GOD! |
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| JC- Los Angeles |
March 10th, 2009 5:27 pm ET John McCain married into money which enabled him to become a Senator and a homeowner eight times over; it's hard to believe he knows what "perilous times" look like. |
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| Ed Iowa |
March 10th, 2009 5:38 pm ET I appreciated your stand this weekend to shut down Citigroup. But I find it a little confusing when just a week ago Citigroup was looking for a tazpayer handout in the form of billions of dollars. Then you and another senator indicated that maybe instead of a hand out we should shut Citigroup down. Now today they are showing a profit. Are we the American people being scammed. Lets make sure some one is accountable here. This is why the American people are scared and will not invest today. |
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| Gilbert Martinez |
March 10th, 2009 6:09 pm ET McCain is a hero beyond anything that we could ever fully understand. There is a man that has tried to behave honorably and lead by example. He may be things that his public persona is not, but he certainly has never shown the American People anything less than a truly inspiring man. His only mistake was not to denounce the corruption and mismanagement of the Bush White House. But I guess he felt he needed to remain loyal to his party. He should have sided with the American People instead. He might have been our President today. |
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| Joshua |
March 10th, 2009 9:51 pm ET It makes no difference how far apart Obama and Mccain are on the economy issue.Ideas can come from unlikely sources,even the opposite side of a debate.Still, its Americans themselves that will save the economy not Obama or Mccain personally.Just make sure that money has a string attached to it and media remains responsible. |
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