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George Stephanopoulos reports on events in politics, Congress and the White House for ABCNews, on the air and online. He interviews top newsmakers, discusses the events of the week and looks to the week ahead each Sunday on 'This Week.'

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McCain: RNC's Obama-Blagojevich Focus Not Helpful

December 14, 2008 9:47 AM

In an exclusive interview with This Week, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said the Obama transition team should publicly release all information relating to the corruption investigation into Illinois Rod Blagojevich.

"I think that the Obama campaign should and will give all information necessary," McCain told me in his first Sunday interview since the election.

McCain suggested the Republican National Committee's calls for the Obama team to publicly release their conversations with Blagojevich and his people aren't helpful.

"With all due respect to the Republican National Committee, we should try to be working constructively together," McCain said. 

"I have some confidence that all of the information will come out. It always does it seems to me," he said.

McCain argued disgraced Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich should resign. 

"He should," McCain said, "there's a lot of corruption among Republicans and Democrats...I would hope that he resigns. Unfortunately it isn't confined to one city or one state."

--George Stephanopoulos

December 14, 2008 in This Week with George Stephanopoulos | Permalink | Share | User Comments (68)

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A sensible man you are, McCain.

Posted by: Kevin | Dec 14, 2008 10:21:55 AM

I'm sure they will and I wonder if McCains staff would have done it any faster?

Posted by: andie | Dec 14, 2008 10:37:07 AM

Yeah, that is why he should have won!

Posted by: MoViNg2CANADA | Dec 14, 2008 10:38:18 AM

Sarah Palin can explain it better, Barack Obama see Chicago so imperfect enough that he will pally around with crooks, we should call him out on that and I am doing it.

Posted by: Toyin | Dec 14, 2008 10:42:04 AM


I love Maccain's sound comment.

Posted by: zen | Dec 14, 2008 10:43:02 AM


even though blago is a terrible case,
i'm sure there must be couple of governors who are shaky these days.

Posted by: zen | Dec 14, 2008 10:45:10 AM

Has Palin released her contacts with the AIP. IS she still sleeping with there member.

Posted by: Bush did it | Dec 14, 2008 10:45:33 AM

the mac is back.....

Posted by: Toyin | Dec 14, 2008 10:45:59 AM

Has Plain released her Medical records.

More photos have come out that show she really wasn't pregnant at the time.

Posted by: Bush did it | Dec 14, 2008 10:46:26 AM

Would McCain's camp have released it faster? Um, they wouldn't have had this issue. This isn't even the issue that concerns me. As a former friend of the Obamas, there are a number of issues that will be surfacing over the next few years of significantly greater consequence.

Posted by: Anais | Dec 14, 2008 10:49:21 AM

McCain is wanting more limelight. The Obama Administration will turn over any of their files as soon as possible. He should be very careful as the Dems could pull out lots of things for the Republicans to explain. Especially his running mates large home in Alaska that was built by the same contractor who built the sports arena. Seems to be no paperwork on how that home was paid for.

Posted by: SUNMAKER777 | Dec 14, 2008 10:52:51 AM

Team Odrama needs some time to investigate all of the staff. They need to find out for certain--- "what do the Feds know and whan did they know it"! Odrama doesn't want to throw someone under the bus needlessly!

Posted by: roscoe02 | Dec 14, 2008 10:53:57 AM

It's not like it's easy to release this stuff. And the people criticizing Obama right now are the SAME ones who would criticize him/call cover up if they missed a record or two here or there.

So they are damned either way--delay to get things right = must be a cover-up. Don't delay and miss something = aha, they were covering up.

Put the focus where it belongs--Blagojevich. He is going to do everything possible to avoid heavy prison time...even if that means dragging innocents down with him

Posted by: jim | Dec 14, 2008 10:56:38 AM

Team Odrama needs some time to do a thorough investigation of all the staff. They need to fully understand "what do the Feds know and when did they know it"! Odrama certainly doesn't want throw anyone under the bus needlessly! Yes--- can you say "Transparency"

Posted by: roscoe02 | Dec 14, 2008 11:00:36 AM

McCain is an idiot.... why doesn’t he just change parties... If this was a Republican Governor, and McCain was the P-elect, you can surely bet that the media and the Democrats’ would be tearing up the Republican Party and McCain 24-7…….………. It quite obvious the media is doing it level best to protect BO, the chosen one, our savior……

Posted by: MediaTalkingPoints | Dec 14, 2008 11:06:55 AM

jim -- get real--- how long does it take to poll your key staff members and ask---- "do you have any involvment in this"? If the answer is "no": It's a done deal. Apparently, the staff investigation is becoming somewhat muddy! There's simply no other explanation for a disclosure to be taking this long---- this thing with Hot Rod went down on Tuesday morning-- now it's Sunday! God help us all if there is ever a crisis situation that needs an immediate response!

Posted by: roscoe02 | Dec 14, 2008 11:09:26 AM

To McCain: You lost. Now go away. No amount of posturing or subtle accusation will give you the Presidency at this point. Go Away.

Posted by: ladrema | Dec 14, 2008 11:19:52 AM

Y does everything have to be some conspiracy. G-Rod was recorded saying that President Elect Obama wouldn't give anything but "gratitude", if he went with his choice. Where were all u "nay sayers" during the "Bush Years"? You sat around pretending not to notice our country falling deeeeeper and deeeeeeeeper still into debt, poverty, homelessness, and despair, but would say nothing. Now any little thing concerning PRESIDENT ELECT Obama you jump on him instantly. G-Rob got himself into this mess, there is no Democratic led conspiracy, some of you need to get a clue and a life.

Posted by: Ijustdon'tunderstand | Dec 14, 2008 11:21:32 AM

Ohhhh, poor honest Mr. McCain... He was so forthcoming during the Keating 5 corruption scandal!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keating_Five

Posted by: John Kovacs | Dec 14, 2008 11:27:36 AM

Just wait until the Obama team starts digging deep into all the dirt that went on during the last 8 years with our alcoholic, faith-based Prez. The entire nation will be shocked by what they will find. MANY will be prosecuted, and these people are sweating right now.

Posted by: John Kovacs | Dec 14, 2008 11:30:49 AM

This was recently uncovered and clearly shows the Republicans were deeply involved in murder:

http://www.ronnierayjenkins.com/topics/deathinappalachia/Empty_Chairs/

Posted by: ronnierayjenkins | Dec 14, 2008 11:34:21 AM

The RNC knows something of which McCain is unaware. The democrats do not provide nor do they give a hoot about 'political correctness'. Why does McCain insist on 'walking on egg shells' when it comes to the democrats? This is the biggest reason he lost the election. If the GOP is committing malfeasance, are the democrats worrying about 'offending or political correctness'? That would be a big, fat no. Obama and his ilk make teflon look like fly paper.

Posted by: therockofages | Dec 14, 2008 11:36:56 AM

"As a former friend of the Obamas, there are a number of issues that will be surfacing over the next few years of significantly greater consequence.".... Nice touch Anais, as in-former republican, former aide to Bush, former nun, former White House press secretary. It woud have looked a little better though if you had typed 'As a former friend of the Obamas, I know.......'. But your form is understandable and probably midwest.

Posted by: Mike | Dec 14, 2008 11:41:14 AM

Roscoe--'this long'?? It's been five days, including a Saturday and a Sunday. The legal system does not move that fast.

Watergate wasn't solved in a week. Ted Stevens' issues weren't done in a week. Depositions for Barry Bonds and the case against him has gone on for years.

Be realistic.

This has nothing to do with political party and everything to do with the speed of the legal system. The saying goes 'The wheel of justice grinds slowly, but finely.' Let the system work.

Posted by: jim | Dec 14, 2008 11:44:29 AM

Remember when it was the birth certificate? That didn't work, so now the hopes are up for some kind of stickiness to Blagojovich. People who hate Obama will jump on ANYTHING to get to Obama and to get a thrill from it. The Republicans who say they are doing this because we gave Bush such a hard time are blind to the fact that no one gave him a bad time during HIS transition and no one gave him a bad time before during and after 9/11. Bush got trashed by his own hand. We watched for 8 years. It has really been only the last four years (since his reelection of fear campaign) that people began to see Bush and his administration for what it really was.
If anyone is even remotely aware of Illinois (especially Chicago) politics, they will know that Obama's democratic group didn't go anywhere NEAR Blagojevich's democrat group. The guy is a numnuts and everyone in IL knows that. He's been investigated for years! The only reason this came out so fast was because the Feds were afraid he WOULD sell Obama's senate seat.
McCain is right. Both parties are crooked (everywhere) and Obama's camp will come out with the info the MSM and Obama-haters are crying for. Don't you think the Feds already know what's on those tapes?
In a transition period when there are so many fires burning (thanks to the present administration) how much free time do you think Obama's team has?
But again, it doesn't matter to the nay-sayers. They are just lookin' for blood. It's easier than admitting they lost their majority.

Posted by: AmericanChick | Dec 14, 2008 11:47:12 AM

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