McCain highlights opposition to torture
Posted: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:54 PM by Mark Murray
From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA -- In an airport press conference between campaign hops around Iowa this afternoon,
McCain continued to highlight his opposition to waterboarding, the subject of a key policy difference between himself and other GOP rivals.
"It's a commentary on their lack of understanding of America's history," he said of his opponents' tolerance of the interrogation practice, which the senator classifies as torture. "It displays a fundamental misunderstanding of the moral high ground that America needs if we're going to prevail in this struggle against radical Islamic extremists."
The Arizona senator also reminded reporters of his difference with one opponent -- Giuliani -- over the issue of line-item vetoes. (McCain has called for a presidential line-item veto and has accused the mayor of taking part in a lawsuit undermining that proposal.)
Asked about Christian conservative Paul Weyrich's endorsement of Romney, McCain declined to comment, although he acknowledged that he has "had some disagreements" with the Moral Majority co-founder in the past. (Weyrich has indicated that the senator's campaign finance legislation, which limits political advertising by groups, is a major point of contention between the two.) "He made a judgment and I respect that," McCain said.
