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McCain: 'Too Early' to Tell If Obama Has Put Nation at Risk of Terror Attack
March 17, 2009 12:40 PM
Today, I tried something new.
I interviewed Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., via Twitter, the micro-blogging website. I received a lot of questions for the senator from the Twitter community -- thanks for those.
McCain and I discussed the AIG bailout and bonuses; whether he agrees with former Vice President Dick Cheney that President Obama has put nation at risk of a new terror attack; which nation worries him more: Iran or Pakistan; and his reaction to his daughter's recent feud with radio talk show host Laura Ingraham and Ann Coulter.
McCain said it is "too early" to tell if President Obama has put the nation at risk of a terror attack, refusing to agree or reject Cheney's recent comments. McCain also said he is working on alternatives to Obama's budget plan, and pointed to Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., as someone with "great ideas."
On his daughter, Meghan's, recent feud with Ingraham and Coulter, McCain said he's proud of his daughter and "she has a right to her opinions."
Below is a transcript of my "twitterview" today with Sen. McCain. It was an interesting experiment!
--George Stephanopoulos
SenJohnMcCain hi george im a little slow
SenJohnMcCainHappy St. Patricks day
GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain Happy St Patrick's Day! First things first: How do u tweet -- dictate or type? Blackberry or pc?
SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos Happy St. Patrick's day - slow, sometimes pc somtimes bb
GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain AIG: Would a President McCain break bonus contracts? Obama teams says that would cause more harm than good
SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos i would have never bailed out AIG, the real scandal is billions to foreign banks.
GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain ok, but today: should bonus contracts be broken? Dodd wants a targeted tax on bonuses OK with that?
SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos i haven't seen it but i would explore every option. i repeat, we wouldn't have this problem if we hadn't bailed them out
GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain RIght, but didn't you vote for first TARP, which went to AIG?
SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos i voted for first tarp but that doesn't mean i voted to bail out AIG.
GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain Obama says GOP can't "just say no" on budget Will you offer a full alternative to Obama budget?
SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos I'm working with others on alternatives - cong paul ryan has some great ideas.
SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos to follow up - first AIG bailout was pre-tarp.
GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain Take point on 1st AIG bailout How about budget? Will you offer alternative?
GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain What worries you more: Pakistan or Iran?
SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos both. the challenges are different but both significant.
GStephanopoulos@SenJohMcCain Cheney said on CNN that Obama putting US at risk of new terror attack Agree?
SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos too early to draw that conclusion.
GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain Lots of twitterers want to know: what do you think of Meghan's feud with Coulter and Ingraham?
SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos I'm proud of my daughter and she has a right to her opinions.
SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos like any family we agree on some things and disagree on others.
GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain Thanks for your time Senator.You're a good sport I know I'm not getting anymore on Coulter and Ingraham Happy St Pat's again
SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos Thanks a lot george, let's do it again soon. now i look forward to reading our followers comments and insults.
SenJohnMcCain had a lot of fun george: http://tinyurl.com/dl2w9t
Follow ABC News' Chief Washington Correspondent and "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos on Twitter HERE. Bookmark "George's Bottom Line" blog and "friend" George on Facebook.
March 17, 2009 in Capitol Hill | Permalink | Share | User Comments (142)
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Props for trying this, George. Wish you could have pinned him down on the iran/Pakistan issue more. I like his voice on that. You tweet well, my friend.
Posted by: Curt Taylor | Mar 17, 2009 12:59:16 PM
OMG! What a massive waste of my time. I can't believe I got sucked into reading this silly twitstuff between two silly men. Shame on me.
Posted by: hang | Mar 17, 2009 1:01:33 PM
Why is no one suggesting an amendment to the Tax Code to recapture the IGA bonuses?
Posted by: Old Jim | Mar 17, 2009 1:02:36 PM
This rhetoric from conservatives that Obama is a danger" to America is flat disturbing. These folks should know better...
ttp://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | Mar 17, 2009 1:04:47 PM
Just a minor typing error Sen. McCain. Always we start a sentence with a Capital Letter. (i) as well is always written in Capital Letter (I), whether its at the beginning of a sentence or anywhere it is placed!
Posted by: RS | Mar 17, 2009 1:05:05 PM
We are in danger because we kill so many in foreign lands. Their loved ones kind of get angry. We also support unfair policies especially with regards to the Israeli/Palestinian issue. At least Obama is willing to engage our so-called enemies.
Posted by: Huh | Mar 17, 2009 1:15:19 PM
I'm with Senator McCain. We should have NEVER bailed out AIG In the first place.... and both nations are of threat to us. Great answers John McCain!!!
Posted by: joe | Mar 17, 2009 1:24:35 PM
The thing is...the Republicans already failed on the security issue as did the entire government. Case in point; 911. What was the result? Punish the American people with a draconian act called the Patriot Act. A rush to paranoia caused the government to blithely do away with many freedoms we once enjoyed such as conversing on the phone without the NSA listening in. There is no one expert on security especially when dealing with zealots. All we can do is support the President and hope they have the American people and their best interest at heart.
Posted by: GMorgan | Mar 17, 2009 1:25:10 PM
It is so funny that now that McCain is using the computer he think he is the man. McCain agreed with Bush/Cheney torture so he irrelavant.
Posted by: gl | Mar 17, 2009 1:26:50 PM
We're in less danger now because we will be invading foreign lands less, and no longer turning our backs to those we deem our "enemies". God forbid what McCain would be doing right now if president.
Posted by: keredte | Mar 17, 2009 1:28:27 PM
SenJohnMcCain hi george im a little slow
and too old to move into the 21 centruy so I can not give you my input becasue I still love Bush polices! McCain is a old fool.
Posted by: gl | Mar 17, 2009 1:29:01 PM
Too bad the most important question to ask McCain right now is not in there:
What does McCain think of the leaked ICRC report? He has stated repeatedly that he is against torture and, unlike most of his party's bosses, not just the word but the act in itself.
Is he willing to follow through and help bring the perpetrators to justice?
Posted by: El_Pajaro | Mar 17, 2009 1:30:19 PM
RS, Did you really just correct Senator McCain on his Twitter grammar? Way to have your priorities straight. Do you have any Spring fashion advice you want to interject into the conversation about Iran or AIG?
Good interview George. Next time, make it longer if possible. Oh yeah, don't forget to have your tweets proofread by your editor before publishing. We don't want RS to get distracted from the primary topic.
Posted by: ms | Mar 17, 2009 1:30:45 PM
Very interesting -- I am a conservative, but all I could think of was a team of PR folks surrounding McCain and telling him (or doing it for him) what to tweet. His answers were way too sterile and took way too long to tweet (thinking too much). I guess once a politician, always a politician, which is a shame. Don't think this is the most effective medium for political landscape, however, a great social media experiment. "A" for effort, "F" for substance (in time, perhaps).
Posted by: terimoore | Mar 17, 2009 1:32:02 PM
John McCain voted for the bailout for AIG. I guest with him being so old and forgot!
Posted by: gl, Pittsburgh | Mar 17, 2009 1:33:05 PM
I enjoyed the "twitterview," and am glad that George S. chose John McCain, the public figure I most admire, as its subject. McCain gave such intelligent, sensible answers. And he is right to be proud of his daughter, Meghan, who is a refreshing new presence on the scene, speaking up for moderation, centrism, and tolerance.
Posted by: Laurel F. | Mar 17, 2009 1:33:57 PM
McCain is smart and experienced. Too bad he's still involved in a pissing contest with the Nation's elected choice for president. You can't be a sore loser forever. And as long as you are, you are not looking out for the people who elected you. Get over it and get back to your job.
Posted by: scottmcatee | Mar 17, 2009 1:37:01 PM
Mr. McCain, no insults here, Keep strong and keep fighting. Thank you for all your years of service to our country. God Bless!
Posted by: afan! | Mar 17, 2009 1:39:52 PM
Great idea using Twitter! Big supporter of the McCain point of view. I agree soon time will tell the results of the decisions Obamahas made towards our country. Let's stay the course and be ready to pick up the pieces soon!
Posted by: Larty | Mar 17, 2009 1:40:48 PM
I'm a big fan of Bush he did a great job but now that obama is our president hes not doing a good job more like he sucks at it. Now since 9-11-01 our world has changed it wasent bushes fault k we now need to set up a plan if we were ever attacked that we will be ready and I know we will be so obama your the president set up the plan befor you kill thousens of americans Bush did a great job on 9-11-01 he wasent prepared for that but he did the best he could kk obama you suck as president now get out of the white house now our country isent moveing foward or back it just staying paused you will not get a reelection at this rate the way you are going thanks for destroying america thanks!!!
Posted by: walter | Mar 17, 2009 1:40:54 PM
McCain says, "it's too early" to grade Obama on security. YOU DON'T SAY!!!!!
Posted by: Leukevent | Mar 17, 2009 1:41:36 PM
enjoyed the Twitterview, George. Interesting concept!
Posted by: TXbabes | Mar 17, 2009 1:42:46 PM
gl,pittsburgh, Obama also voted for the first bail out.
Why do people keep forgetting that? Blame, blame, blame as long as its not obama.
Posted by: afan | Mar 17, 2009 1:43:33 PM
That's a pretty spinless interview IMO. McCain is testing the water and going with the tide.
He's daughter is the real "maverick" now. He's just another political gamesman.
It's sad really.
Posted by: Teri B. | Mar 17, 2009 1:44:34 PM
LMAO - someone actually commented here that Bush did a great job!
That made my day! ROTFL :D
Posted by: Teri B. | Mar 17, 2009 1:45:48 PM
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