McCain Calls For Respectful Campaign
PRESCOTT, Ariz.- Sen. John McCain called Saturday for a presidential campaign that is more like a respectful argument among friends than a bitter clash of enemies, and said he is better able than either of his Democratic rivals to govern across party lines.
“We have nothing to fear from each other,” the Arizona senator said as he wrapped up a weeklong trip designed to broaden his appeal beyond the voters who cast ballots in last winter’s Republican primaries.
“We are arguing over the means to better secure our freedom, promote the general welfare and defend our ideals.”
After a series of stops earlier in the week that emphasized his military service, McCain spoke on the steps of the Yavapai County Courthouse. The late Sen. Barry Goldwater of Arizona, the father of the modern conservative Republican party, launched his Senate campaigns as well as his 1964 bid for the White House from the same spot overlooking the town square of what was once the state’s territorial capital.
McCain looked out at his largest crowd of the week as he recalled his early lessons in political bipartisanship. He described Goldwater and the late Arizona Rep. Mo Udall, a liberal Democrat, as close friends despite many political disagreements.
McCain recalled also that shortly after his own election to Congress in 1982, Udall took him under his wing. “I intend to wage this campaign and to govern this country in a way that they would be proud of me,” he said of Goldwater and Udall.
And yet, he said, there are important differences to be settled in the fall on issues such as energy, the housing crisis, health care, the struggle with terrorists, and Medicare and other federal spending programs.
“It is more than appropriate, it is necessary that even in times of crisis, we fight among ourselves for the things we believe in,” McCain said. “It is not just our right, but our civic and moral obligation.”
“Let us exercise our responsibilities as free people. But let us remember we are not enemies,” he added.
McCain also said that if elected, he would attempt to govern in the same spirit, and sharpened that theme in a news conference shortly after his speech.
“I have a record unmatched by either Senator Hillary (Rodham) Clinton or Senator (Barack) Obama of reaching across the aisle,” he said. He said his record demonstrates “the environment for working together is clearly there.”
(AP)
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blah blah blah, I was naive and believed that the d’rats were patriots once. We heard this from W, and Lott and others before.
April 5th, 2008 at 6:12 pmIf the country can’t see this man as the best choice at hand, then the country will get what it deserves …
I know we all have something in the way of doubt(s) with Sen. McCain, but I have to hope and pray (as well we all should) that he will rise to the responsibility of the Office, domestic as well as the war on terrorism.
G-d knows neither of the two democrats can rise any higher than the curb …
April 5th, 2008 at 6:33 pmTown square and Whisky Row in Prescott on July 4th!
April 5th, 2008 at 7:08 pmDrillanwr….
If I remember correctly from high school typing class, O on the keyboard is the third pinky, - is the little finger, goddammit!!
April 5th, 2008 at 7:18 pmThis has been one of my biggest fears about McCain, that he will pussy foot through the general election campaign. This is the most critical Presidential election in over 25 years and this country cannot afford a Dem win. And my fear has always been that McCain will view his opponent, whether it’s Hillary or Obama as his “Friend” from the Senate. Nice guys finish last, Senator McCain. And whether it’s Clinton or it’s Obama, I better see you go for the throat - calling Obama a racism supporter or calling Clinton a pathological liar. If we wanted a fair campaign and a loss, we’d have nominated Bob Dole again.
April 5th, 2008 at 8:41 pmIf he really means this , he will get his empty head handed to him this year, and he will deserve it.
“Hey, Commander–ya don’t bring tulips, balloons, and cotton candy to a gunfight!”
April 5th, 2008 at 8:51 pmRespestful campaign with a dishonorable opponet….Good luck John.
Don’t be surprised when you get bitch slapped with every goofy allegation the dems can dream up… Oh, your good war hero buddy Kerry is already at it.
So much for respect.
April 6th, 2008 at 6:21 amRight, John McCain ran such a respectful campaign to get the GOP nomination. Play to your strengths and let the gloves come off, John. Lord knows the Dems will.
April 6th, 2008 at 8:06 am