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McCain Says Rice Is a 'Great American,' But Has Not Received VP Signals
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ShareApril 06, 2008 8:20 PM
ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports: John McCain said he has not personally heard interest from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that she may have interest in becoming his vice presidential nominee but that he has the "utmost praise" for and that she is a "great American."
Sunday, while appearing on ABC News' "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," the Republican strategist Dan Senor said that "Rice has been actively, actually in recent weeks, campaigning for this [becoming McCain’s vice presidential nominee]."
"I did not hear that. I missed those signals," McCain said. "I think she's a great American, I think there's very little that I can say that isn't anything but the utmost praise for a great American citizen, who served as a role model to so many millions of people in this country and around the world. But as I mentioned to you, we're not talking about the process because it just then gets into things that could easily to spill over into an invasion of privacy."
Asked whether Secretary Rice's role in the Iraq War should be taken into account, McCain said that all those who were involved in the failed strategy in Iraq "bear some responsibility".
"Of course I have put responsibility on the president, [former Defense Secretary Donald] Rumsfeld, ah, as well as Condoleezza Rice and to a lesser degree Secretary Powell," he added. "But I think her overall record is really very, very meritorious."
Looking ahead to Gen. David Petreaus' testimony on Tuesday to Congress, McCain said he thought it will be very interesting to learn about the influence Iran has had in Iraq.
"I think you’re going to hear more about the Iranian influence, the arms they've provided, the money, the training, particularly the extent of their influence in southern Iraq," the Arizona senator said. "It's pretty extensive and I think he’s going to be talking about that."
But he said that while he is concerned about Iran, he hoped that his concern is not interpreted as a drumbeat to war.
"Because I'm worried about Iranian influence doesn't mean that I'm ready to go to war with Iran," he said. "Please, I'm not –- I think there's a lot of things that we need to do, there's a lot of measures that need to be taken, along the lines we talked about after my trip to Europe with [French President Nicolas] Sarkozy, and [British Prime Minister Gordon] Brown and [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel are talking about sanctions against Iran, you know, because of their nuclear weapons issue and all that."
On Monday, John McCain will speak more about the Iraq War and the war on terror when he goes before the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Kansas City, Mo.
April 6, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (126)
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Rice has never run for office and lacks a constituency outside of a narrow group of beaurocrats who will be leaving with the Bush administration. Even Cheney had some elements of a sustainable network when Bush selected him as well as going back to the Ford days. But its small, and that may be in part why he is so arrogant about what the public thinks about their Iraq war. Rice just plain lacks the constituency, experience, or gravitas to be a good choice.
Posted by: Brian | Apr 6, 2008 9:27:12 PM
Of Condi would accept the VP postition, she could ease on into the talks to stop this cray war. They have dealt with her for years now, and she knows more than any Democrat candidate and perhaps even McCain. She could carry a true coalition of Republicans and Democrats. She could carry a presidential candidacy I think also ==
she is the one with experiece.
Posted by: Deborah, Texas | Apr 6, 2008 9:30:20 PM
I like her, I'd vote for McCain/Rice but
I wish and hope for
McCain/Gingrich in 2008
Posted by: Shimon | Apr 6, 2008 9:32:12 PM
WOW !! THAT would amaze ME, as a Democratic Woman voter !!! THAT would steal all of obama's Black-woman-vote !!! THAT would be COOL !!!!!
Posted by: AMAZED | Apr 6, 2008 9:34:23 PM
McCain/Condi Rice would be a good team. She has good experience and is a stable person. As a black/female she would be a much better alternative to either Hillary or Obama. McCain is a smart man. Too bad so many Americans are too lazy to read his books. I think she would be a good President. She is very professional and capable. Hysteria Hillary has to go!
Posted by: Female Republican | Apr 6, 2008 9:35:19 PM
You have got to be kidding????? This DUD....She is the worst Secretary of State we have had in 232 years..
Posted by: Pat M | Apr 6, 2008 9:36:25 PM
I like McCain/Lieberman
Posted by: patricia | Apr 6, 2008 9:36:27 PM
Astonishing that anyone can seriously consider this lying "mushroom cloud" criminal for any public office. That she can make overtures with a straight face is a testament to the continued collective amnesia and fundamental delusions of the American electorate about what the current administration has done to our country. On the other hand, her candidacy would surely demonstrate how McCain equals four more years of the nightmare. Every day I pray we come to our senses.
Posted by: cameotoo | Apr 6, 2008 9:39:30 PM
Condoleezza Rice would be a great choice for McCain. She'd certainly bring excitement to the ticket. McCain/Rice 08.
Posted by: beatriceCee | Apr 6, 2008 9:41:54 PM
This was Democrats election to lose but now thanks to divisive Obama Republicans are feeling very good
Posted by: akg | Apr 6, 2008 9:44:29 PM
I was called a typical white person by Obamaand was very deeply offended by his hateful anti American church and his racist pastor!
How can you expect me to go out there and vote for him again???
I voted for Obama in MN and I want my vote back!!!
White America won't vote for you NOBAMA!
YOU ARE DONE!
So it really does not matter for me who will be John McCain's VP, I have no chance other than McCain!
Posted by: Bob, MN | Apr 6, 2008 9:46:17 PM
If the Republicans want to run against Obama and Clinton as VP then he had best not take Rice. Obama would then ask Clinton and together they would be unbeatable. At this point he holds his nose around her but if McCain took Rice? He would have to take Clinton.
Posted by: Sam | Apr 6, 2008 9:47:15 PM
Bob take a chill pill bud LOL Obama does not need your little vote. Mine will cancel you out anyway.
Posted by: Sam | Apr 6, 2008 9:48:43 PM
I got an Obama t-shirt and a poster. That's why I'm jealous of McCain. I want Obama elected so I get my moneys worth.
Posted by: Chuck | Apr 6, 2008 9:49:35 PM
Sam,
You are dreaming if you think Clinton would take a VP slot. Plus, I don't think Obama would want her. Lastly, too much blood has been drawn for the public to believe in a reconciliation.
Posted by: JA | Apr 6, 2008 9:49:54 PM
Condoleeza Rice is a despicable pig. Good riddance to her kind of trash as the Bush reign comes to a close.
Posted by: Kajole | Apr 6, 2008 9:50:55 PM
The republicans still won't win no matther who McBomb picks.
Posted by: merle7 | Apr 6, 2008 9:57:43 PM
Ms. Rice is a great woman and American! I am a 51 year old white male and would be ecstatic if John McCain chose her as his running mate. It would be a stroke of genius!
Posted by: Gergg | Apr 6, 2008 10:01:36 PM
McClain must pick a black VP in order to fight Obama. This way the black VP can say thing that McClain can not say. We know Obama will play the race card but he can not play it if the words come from a black person.
Posted by: bobby | Apr 6, 2008 10:15:43 PM
I am African American and a democrat. If Hillary does not win, I will definitely vote for McClain/Rice ticket.
Posted by: bobby | Apr 6, 2008 10:20:30 PM
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