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McCain Says He Won't Drop Out
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ShareJuly 13, 2007 2:26 PM
ABC News' Rick Klein and Bret Hovell report: Sen. John McCain said Friday that only "contracting a fatal disease" will cause him to drop out of the presidential race before the primaries begin, as he vowed to take his campaign directly to the voters of New Hampshire and other early-voting states as a means of compensating for his financial difficulties.
Watch the video HERE.
McCain, R-Ariz., told reporters after a speech in Concord, N.H., that he will concentrate more on town-hall meetings and bus-tour campaigning to connect with voters. He vowed to fix the fund-raising woes that have left him with just $2 million in his campaign account, but suggested that money won't be the determining factor in New Hampshire or elsewhere.
"We'll win the same way we almost won in 2000," McCain said. "They know me [in New Hampshire]. They will not go through any other prism but the direct contact I will have with the people of New Hampshire and South Carolina and Iowa, and we'll win."
In his speech, McCain had strong words for the Iraqi government, saying that Iraqi lawmakers must show they are willing to make the political sacrifices necessary for a peaceful Iraq to emerge. He cited recent progress on the military front, and contrasted his position with that of Democrats whom he said would "withdraw from the threat in the vain hope it will not follow us here."
"I cannot join them in such wishful and very dangerous thinking," McCain said. "I will stand where I stand today and trust you to give me a fair hearing."
Watch the video HERE.
He downplayed reports of his campaign's inner turmoils, saying the real problems were in profligate spending -- not in lagging fund-raising. Still, he acknowledged that some of his positions have hurt his standing inside the GOP.
"My position on immigration was obviously not helpful with the Republican base. I think my position with the war in Iraq has not been helpful with independents," he said. "But I take responsibility for those positions, as well as taking responsibilities for any -- quote -- 'problems' that we had within the campaign."
Steve Duprey, a former chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party and a strong McCain supporter, said the senator's New Hampshire organization is more energized than ever by the fact that McCain will be fighting from behind and concentrating on the Granite State. He said he expects more staff resignations and defections before things start again in the right direction, but said a lack of money won't be a problem in New Hampshire and other key states.
"Start her up," Duprey said. "We're going to win it or lose it -- even if we had all the money in the world -- in the four early states. . . . Give us the van and give us the candidate and we'll do the rest."
July 13, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (52)
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This is embrassing.
Posted by: sandra l | Jul 13, 2007 2:55:58 PM
I almost feel sorry for McCain. almost
Posted by: tony | Jul 13, 2007 3:38:29 PM
John, it's time. Get out the fishing pole and cast 'em long and easy and everytime you look into the water try not to see Ted Kennedy's face.
Posted by: Chas | Jul 13, 2007 4:18:30 PM
This what happens when you allign yourself with the wrong allies.The republican party is out of touch,or maybe we are just seeing what the republican party is really about.I've heard many saying we need to do away with a dual party system,thanks republicans, you have helped in deciding which party should go.
Posted by: Steve Wilson | Jul 13, 2007 4:27:14 PM
What does Mr. McCain mean by "I'm not going to drop out"? He was never "in"!
Any chance he might have had went in the toilet along with his support for Amnesty and open borders. The American people will not tolerate either.
Posted by: tucanofulano | Jul 13, 2007 4:30:11 PM
They always say that , right before they drop out, this guy is delusional if he doesn't drop , , he doesn't know where his support went or why , he is to far gone to hold any office if he cant figure that out.
Posted by: kaosktrl | Jul 13, 2007 5:59:36 PM
Hi this mcain is really for the books, which means he is trying to drive the direction of the road, well, usually are does people making an accident at the end, so I guess this is basically the same procces....it just stupid after listning to all his speaches that he knows exactly what he wants, and what he says...politcily isn't he the best stranger ! And technically he wouldn't mind that they should just be busy with his disicions, if he will win, or not, he really don't care for the votes, and his future isn't in his mind to be the president of th US ! So his supporters will just hget tired 1 day.... And that's all, its rediculess to be intrupted with his speaches and etc.
Posted by: elenman | Jul 13, 2007 6:06:23 PM
Gotta hand it to him. He survived 5 years as a POW in 'Nam. A little turbulence won't do him in.
Posted by: Chuck | Jul 13, 2007 6:08:20 PM
John Mccain was done as soon as he sided with the Amnesty bill.
As for Ron Paul, that guys a nut job.
Ron Paul is to busy creating bills in favor of Hemp.
Posted by: brian spindelman | Jul 13, 2007 6:08:35 PM
mr.spindelman
Ron Paul is the last hope for this country.
What a fallacious statement, and what exactly makes him a "nut job". Your calling him names without knowing the facts shows how immature you truly are. its sad, that this mentallity is rampant in the world.
May the Lord bless brain spindelman and I pray that it is His will for Ron Paul to win.
Posted by: jared | Jul 13, 2007 6:17:00 PM
While his campaign is imploding all around him, and Fred Thompson is about to enter the race, is this just arrogance that he still insists he is going to win in NH? Doesn't he know that voters were turned off by his imigration plan and that we are sick of these RINO'S?
Posted by: Christine | Jul 13, 2007 6:26:58 PM
McCain finished FIFTH FROM THE BOTTOM in his class of about one thousand at The Naval Academy. That says something about his judgment and his ability to understand and analyze the facts he's looking at. He's obviously a very courageous man and a true patriot, but that's different thing.
If he were elected President, he again would try to sneak through his Amnesty bill. The base of the Republican Party hates his Amnesty bill and, because they know he'd try to again sneak it through, they aren't going to vote for him. No way. It's as simple as that. He has no chance -- no matter how "energized" his organization is from "fighting from behind".
He's becoming a parody of a once serious and respected candidate. In 2000, I was for this guy. Now I'm no where near to that. Someone close to McCain should take him by the arm and walk him off the stage before his act gets even more embarrassing.
Posted by: Jake Long | Jul 13, 2007 6:28:37 PM
I respect McCain for his past military service. But he is wrong for wanting to reward law-breakers with USA citizenship.
Amnesty has been rewarded to illegal aliens 7 times since 1986. It is wrong and unconstitutional to reward law-breakers with USA citizenship.
Posted by: Kevin | Jul 13, 2007 6:42:03 PM
to spindeleman or is it spin man?
Look at the Man's record it places him way above the fray. He is the only choice that makes sense Ron Paul 08. even the odds makers are backing him 15/1 get a clue he's the peoples choice not the mainstream media or the mindless who will remain clueless and vote for who they our told to.
Posted by: no spam for Ron | Jul 13, 2007 6:42:55 PM
These latest headlines regarding McCain and his campaign have NOT been favorable at all. Knowing how the MSM loves to spin these out-of-context quotes, I held off judgement on McCain until I could watch his full conversations from which these snips were gleaned.
I now believe McCain is done. My husband and I are registered Independent voters from NH, and while we hadn't planned on voting for McCain, his armed service/POW experience certainly placed him ahead of Giuliani, Romney, Obama, Hillary Clinton... Until he signed blood-brother contracts with Bush and Cheney. Talk about a poison pen.
Regardless of our compartmentalized respect for McCain, it still did not elevate him above our favorite congressman, Ron Paul. We now believe Ron Paul has much better odds to win the Republican nomination, and we will be sending even more donations to Dr. Paul's campaign.
Jen & Doug C.
Wilton, NH
Posted by: Jenifer | Jul 13, 2007 6:51:55 PM
I love how people refer to the "amnesty bill" as if using political catch phrases fed to them by demogagues demonstrates analysis.
McCain is the best candidate in the field. He makes his decisons based on what he thinks is best for his country, not on what is best for his political career, or some crack-pot ideology. maybe his honor will doom his chances, but at least the man has honor and an independant mind. I contunie to support and donate money.
Posted by: PMelon | Jul 13, 2007 7:02:37 PM
mccain running for what? president of the veteran's club in the senate.
he is a dishonest man.
mccain and edwards should run together on the never-will-be independent ticket.
Posted by: deroy | Jul 13, 2007 7:07:37 PM
Ron Paul is older than John McCain and believes in conspiracy theories like the latest that our government is about to attack us again. I thought idiot liberals (David Obey's words not mine) were looney but now we have Republicans (probably RINOS) following the same mantra. Al Qaeda loves you guys. Heaven help the rest of us who still have our marbles!
Posted by: Lindy | Jul 13, 2007 7:33:52 PM
McCain and Lindsey Graham can go to Disney World together after they both lose, not only the White House, but their Senate seats as well. I'd vote for Hillary before I'd vote of Graham again. He is the worst RINO ever.
Posted by: Mark | Jul 13, 2007 7:46:37 PM
He can go ahead and run for president in Mexico, he caters to their ever need in our country alone. What a joke, good bye, the POW thing has long been warn out and his liberal views go against the code of the Republican party anyway. The Republicans are screwed up enough as it is, hopefully he will retire to a house in Acapulco or Cozmel on all the money he has received from La Raza and other pro Illegal immigrant groups.
Posted by: Joey | Jul 13, 2007 7:56:16 PM
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