McCain defends role in Pentagon process

Posted: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 8:31 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy
ST. LOUIS, MO -- McCain kicked off a heavy week of fundraising with a dinner last night and a town hall this morning at Savvis, Inc. where he faced several questions about the Pentagon's recent decision to pass over Boeing for a major defense contract.

Speaking within just a few miles of the city's Boeing factory, McCain defended his role in the process, but said that if deemed necessary he would be open to a thorough review of the Pentagon's selection.

"I think my record is very clear on this issue, including a paper trail of letters that we wrote to the Department of Defense during this process saying clearly and unequivocally we just want a fair process and we don't want a repeat of the previous process," McCain said about his involvement.

McCain added, "I'm more than willing to go through a review process--of what the process that was pursued by the United States Air Force in making that decision."

On how well his fundraising is going so far McCain refused to get into specifics, but he did acknowledge his disadvantaged position when compared to the Democrats and vowed to keep at it.

"We are working hard at it, as you know," McCain said. "I mean, it's very well known that Senator Obama and Senator Clinton have done a very good job in fundraising, and we are lagging behind that. I mean, that's just some straight talk that is a fact. So we're working hard to try to bring our party together and our fundraisers and raise money, and it is going better.

"So all I can say is, yeah, we are telling people that we'd like for them to reach certain levels of contributions, and we'd like to recognize that … I think the highest level should be called 'Great Americans.' I don't know, but they're kicking that around."

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Comments

Ahhhh... John McCain...

...I love him.

Especially when he's angry...

...and red faced, veins bulging...

...arms akimbo...

...screaming at you from an inch away...

...so close you can smell the barbecued baby-back ribs on his breath...

...shaking that twisted old finger of his in an accusatory manner a mere centimeter away from your eyeball...

...as he rails against you "for even thinking to ask such a thing" as you cower in fear...

...all the while spraying spittle on your cheek...

...ahh, John McCain you loveable old coot! We can't get your gnarled up old finger on the button soon enough....

Charlie, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 8:57 PM)

John,why do you need to accumulate more money? The Republican message is the same now as it was when Dubya ran in 2000, it isn't going to change.You are relying on scare tactics, the war,and terrorists invading the U.S. in their little rubber boats. Just keep reminding us that Bush was right in 2000, was right in 2004, and is doing everything correct right now. You don't have a creative thought rolling around among all the dead brain cells in your head.

Alfredo, Rio Rancho,New Mexico (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:02 PM)

"I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God, and they were recipients of the judgment of God for that." -- John Hagee, a McCain supporter.

Ian (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:03 PM)

Why does McCain hate Kansas?

We really need those job!

http://laststopmidwest.blogspot.com/

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:04 PM)

I guess you could call McCain an "agent of change" in the sense that he's changed from the "maverick" he supposedly used to be into a Karl Rove/Dick Cheney thrall.

Endless war? Yes he can.

Torture? Yes he can.

Warrantless wiretapping? Yes he can.

Trickle-down economics? Yes he can.

Give in to corporate lobbyists? Yes, he can.

THIS is the guy you want answering the phone at 3 a.m. with the other hand on the "button." Yes he can.

Amy Andersen, Eden Prairie MN (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:05 PM)

Dear Chris and Chuck---keep campaigning for Obama---lead the democratic party to a huge loss in November.I will enjoy seeing you fired from your supergasbag jobs.

HT (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:08 PM)

Oh goody Mccain got rid of more american jobs.Just think hw many more you can send overseas when you are elected president.ZI hope you will thank the media for once again destroying a democratic nominees chance of becoming president.Remember Gore and Kerry?You did an excellent job destroying them.

HT (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:11 PM)

James, I feel bad for you, but we need those jobs in Florida and Alabama too. And the best deal for the taxpayers should win...even if that turns out not to be the union Boeing shop.

Nancy, Ocala FL (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:45 PM)

John Mcain will not need any money to run for president. Hillary Clinton is making sure that if she can't have her turn the entire democratic party will go down in flames with her.

Chad, Salt Lake City Utah (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:49 PM)

New Orlenas sucked before the big wind. It sucks now too, but at least every one has had a bath.

Jim Rogers, Kansas (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:55 PM)

Mr. McCain, you have not given me any iota to vote for you...Hillary & Obama are making their acclaim but RepublicN died with Bush acting like he had anything to say besides what big corporation said....or daddy said..

marsha fisher (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:58 PM)

Dear John..any Democratic with an ass will subdue you...due to your former Republican president.

marsha fisher IL (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 10:03 PM)

I wish I could understand why a European co. won this contract. I don't.
I also don't know why Boeing was made to compete with Europe.... unless it was found that they were SELLING SECRETS TO THE CHINESE!
www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSWAT00887420080211
OR... making unauthorized airplane sales to the Chinese
http://www.spacemart.com/reports/Boeing_Facing_Possible_US_Charges_Over_Aircraft_Sales.html

kyd70,SC (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 10:08 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com
Everybody in America knows you had the meeting John. It's old news! Why do they keep hasseling you, those stupid reporters. You were in Nam, that's enough damn it! Now everybody shut up and give John the crown!

twocanpete (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 10:14 PM)

John McCain should be no one's president or senator for that matter. And his partner in crime apparently doesn't know anything about God, because if he did then he'd know that God is merciful and forgiving and waiting for the day that all his children to come together as one.

Soniya, Milwaukee WI (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 10:16 PM)

It is sad that it is now confirmed that Geraldine Ferraro is a racist.

It is sad that she used the exact same words against Jesse Jackson in 1988 and joined Koch, Ronald Reagan in diminishing Jackson's candidacy.

It is sad that she made these comments ON FOX NEWS, and went back to defend herself again on FOX NEWS.

It is sad that Maggie Williams, the devil's advocate, fervently defended her.

It is sad that Hillary Clinton has refused to show some spine.

It is a shame that this is coming from Democrats, NOT Republicans.

It is a pity that majority of Hillary Clinton supporters and voters are racists .... yes .... racists.

It is unfortunate that what we never knew about Geraldine Ferraro, may be what we don't know about Hillary Clinton.

The full story is here:
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/BUSTED_Ferraro_made_SAME_racist_comment_about_Jesse_Jackson

FindlayMarketGirl (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 10:45 PM)

This is just the beginning of the corruption that McCain is full of. It is just too convenient that he set up the tanker contract to go to Airbus, and surprise, he is in bed with Airbus. There is sure to be more. McCain is naive -- he should run as an independent (I), not a Republican (R).

Lowell, Mukilteo, Wash (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 10:54 PM)

John McCain's To Do List
National Security - outsource
Ports - outsource
Iraq - 100 yrs
Iran - Bomb
Military supplies - Halliburton overpay 20% because Halliburton logo required.
Jobs - Come into the information age
internet - recreate with Al

OBwan, IN (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 11:11 PM)

McCain is not just an American hero because of his war actions, but because he prevented the highest level of fraud to occur with the orginal Boeing deal. Can you imaging what would have happened if McCain was not in Washington. The two convicted criminals would be free and uncharged and the American tax payers would have gotten a bad deal. Thank god for leaders like McCain. How can anyone defend corruption??? What happened to America???

K-Lo, Seattle, WA (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 11:18 PM)

"New Orlenas sucked before the big wind. It sucks now too, but at least every one has had a bath."
--Jim Rogers, Kansas

You wouldn't be in tornado alley by any chance there Jim? You know there just might be a God.

nuanced (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 11:55 PM)

Real John McCain is far from ethics when it comes to his personal benefits.He can lectures others about ethics and lobbyist but he has surrounded with high profile lobbyist. How can some one srtay neutral when keeping ties with many lobbyist.
Here is Mccain's support for staying in Iraq will cost us" reported by A.P.
Studies: Iraq war will cost $12 billion a month
Economists project a much higher ‘burn rate’ than government estimates

The flow of blood may be ebbing, but the flood of money into the Iraq war is steadily rising, new analyses show.
In 2008, its sixth year, the war will cost approximately $12 billion a month; triple the "burn" rate of its earliest years, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph E. Stiglitz and co-author Linda J. Bilmes report in a new book.
Beyond 2008, working with "best-case" and "realistic-moderate" scenarios, they project the Iraq and Afghan wars, including long-term U.S. military occupations of those countries, will cost the U.S. budget between $1.7 trillion and $2.7 trillion — or more — by 2017.

Mamn (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 12:05 AM)

Sometimes I noticed that John Mccain claims that he has the most appeal to independents and some democrates.But not any more. His close ties with Bush, his desires to follow Bush-Karl Rove policy, his plans to stay in Iraq for 100 years for the expense of 12 billions dollar a month, his no paln to fix ailing economy can not be welcomed by anyone with right mind.
We don't want to see another 8 years of war, hostality and fear and loss of our economic freedom.

Mamn (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 12:11 AM)

Chuck,
What happen?you guys are publishing my comments.
You guys want to use only positive words for McCain or what?

Mamn (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 12:13 AM)

McCain was against torture before he was for it. Now he doesn't want to talk about his latest vote in support of his singin' and dancin' buddy, GW Bush, and his veto of the torture ammendment. Just another example of flip-flopping John and his situational ethics. A little pander here, a little rope-a-dope there and he'll have all of those God-loving Christians right back where he wants them. "Straight talk" is a just a gimmicky phrase used to obscure the real John McCain. We don't need another 4 years of warmed over Bush.

R.Merrell (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 12:56 AM)

Nancy,

Union Boeing shop? The aircrafts are assembled by Boeing, but there are thousands of American jobs/employees affected by this decision to have a European manufacturer build these aircrafts. There are numerous non-union American aerospace companies who manufacture parts for Boeing aircrafts.
Thanks to this decision many of these had working Americans can soon join the lists of unemployed; the list of families that are losing their homes.
John McCain, business as usual in Washington D.C
It is time for real change and the change isn't four more years of McBush.

James J, Orange, California (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:12 AM)

If McCain wanted the general election to be publicly financed,why does he need to have fundaisers? Or was that pledge that he and Obama signed just for show as well as holding Obama's feet to fire over it.

You are a hero and and a liar, McCain.

Dave, AZ (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:32 AM)

Senator McCain stated Tuesday March 11th "Defense procurement is to defend America, and to make sure that our nation is secure, and we don't have unlimited dollars to do so,“ I fully agree with the Senator on that fact. However if he believes that giving a contract of this size to Airbus makes our nation more secure then it’s clear he doesn’t understand. National security is more than having bigger tankers. It’s about the economy, trade policy and the industrial base. It’s about not having to depend the French for spare parts. It’s about having the support of the American public and having them believe that our Military is there to protect us. Future military funding depends on that broader view of national security. How much harder will it be to get funding for any future military procurements when we slip into a recession. How many American workers did the USAF alienate with this decision. What message did they send to the American worker. How bad has this decision divided the nation. The USAF and the procurement bureaucrats did immeasurable damage to the security of this country awarding a contract of this size and industrial importance to Airbus. Any procurement bureaucrat, Air Force general, politician or Presidential candidate that doesn’t understand this broader view of national security should be asked to resign because they are the real threat to our National security.

gdw, Seattle (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:02 AM)

it seems kind of quiet and tame over on this side. the way i see it mccain knows he's not going to carry illinois, and could also lose kansas, so mccain is going to take a who cares to american-good paying jobs. don't be surprised when howard wolfson moves over officially to help the mccain campaign, he's already been helping mccain, in an unofficial capacity.

vern ruhle, macomb, il (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:06 AM)

"It took a Clinton to clean Bush's white House, it will take another Clinton to clean this Bush's White house", but I wonder what will be the BILL we will have to pay??????????

Gunther (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:14 AM)

Chuck,
I know you are a better journalist than your cable network is permitting you to be. Show some spine and report the facts...just the facts please!
Hillary did NOT WIN Texas! Fix your fancy Election Map! Report the TRUTH!
If Obama did not win Texas, then John Wayne did not kill Liberty Valence!
Please, avoid the 'horse-race' SPIN ...report the facts, JUST THE FACTS!

jim (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:12 AM)

I can't believe McCain lobbied for Airbus to get the Air Force contract over Boeing. I heard that this contract will bring about 700 jobs to FL and AL but will cost Boeing about 6000. I don't see the good in that. I personally feel the armed services and Defense Department should buy AMERICAN only.

Gabriele, Federal Way, WA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:53 AM)

here's why a European compan won the contract---because, as with cars, America makes CRAP and then sells it for too much. For Once, the Moneygone has decided to go with a company that will give them the best product for the best price. If the U.S. can't keep up, shame on us for our lack of workmanship.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 7:51 AM)

John Mccain...he used to be the straight talk express until he flip flopped and turned into the stray talk express...he is an mean old man who could care less if he dies in office after starting his 100 years wars...voting for mccain is the same as voting for a third bush term of selling our souls to the arabs and running skeert of the next boogeyman

Rick, NC (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 8:26 AM)

Oh yeah, and we should waterboard mccain for flip flopping on the issue...first he was against it until he voted for it

Rick, NC (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 8:27 AM)

Well, well, well. Now it turns out that McCain is the one that came up for the process of selecting a vendor for the tanker planes. It's everyones favorite Democrat Jack Murtha that steered the contract to Europe. I imagine Jack pocketed a handsome sum for making that choice.

Emil Johns (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 8:44 AM)

nuanced -- God is alive and well in Kansas, and He’s voting for Barack Obama.

Change that even He can believe in --

Dorothy Gale (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 8:56 AM)

Sorry to post this here, Chuck. But, would you please see there is a story run here about the Iraqi budget surplus?

Jaime, Lantana, FL (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 8:58 AM)

Well even if GF can't, I can. My appolgies to anyone I offended with a callous comment the other day. That said, being a POW doesn't make you qualified to be president. Nor does being black, or female. The issues are the PEOPLE out here. What part of 'for the people, by the people' don't you get? And McCain, if you can't rasie enough money for your own campaign, I guess you were right when you said you didn't know anything about the economy. Since the pros can't seem to make it work, maybe it is time for someone new.

Doctor Doubt, Ill (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:04 AM)

Many republicans are sick and tired of the Bush style of politics. Even the most detached fool can see the big corporation/special interest buy-out of our poloticians and, up until now, we have felt as if we had no say in the matter. Well, now we do. I'm a true republican who believes in free trade without government interference, not the "new republican" who stands for whoever will stuff his/her pockets. There is a bubbling unrest among the people of our nation and we can all feel it. Something isn't right and I feel that Obama can help mend something that's been broken.
Republicans like me will be voting for Obama this election.

REPUBLICANS FOR OBAMA '08!!!

Philadelphia,PA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:17 AM)

Have people forgot that Obama is half white. Have people forgot that he is not the first African American to run for president. Have people forgot that African Americans are less than 12% of the population. If every African American from new borns to the ederly voted for Obama, he still could not win. Obama is winning because a lot of white voters have decided to vote for a candidate of substance and character regardless of race.

Philadelphia,PA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:18 AM)

It kind of amuses me that some posters seem to think that the purpose of the U.S. military is to create more union jobs... I always thought that the purpose of the military was to defend the nation against its enemies. The reason why Airbus won was because it provided a superior product @ a lower price. As a U.S. taxpayer, I'm happy about this.

Moreover, I think that it's hilarious that the posters currently defending the awful Boeing rip-off are probably think that we're in Iraq to enrich Bush's cronies @ Haliburton. I'd like to point out that the only difference between the Boeing tanker contract and the Haliburton Iraq contracts is that the Haliburton deal is Haliburton is associated with the evil Bush administration while Boeing is associated with the sainted AFL-CIO.

Kelly, Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:23 AM)

Since the voters in ALL of the primaries thus far have said that the ECONOMY is the most important issue in the November election, I think McWar (Bush-Lite) can finally put his feet up to rest since the Airbus contract just gave away 40,000 AMERICAN jobs. Good job, John! Barack thanks you for the Presidency.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:28 AM)

Then too,Democrats can be called on their ''keeping jobs in America''hypocrisy by what they are trying to do to beef ranching and mining here in America. Over the one,instances of animal cruelty at meat-packing plants have caused these ranchers to be lumped in with the guilty[and rather than identifying and prosecuting only the guilty,entire plants are shut down throwing thousands out of work in one fell swoop]. Over the other,is the reform to the 1872 Mining Act,where liberal Democrats[except Reid,who represents a mining state],demand the highest royalties on the planet to be placed on American mining,throwing hundreds of thousands more Americans out of work[that are represented by the UMW,no less,which is siding with the Republicans]. Thus meat will be processed in Chilian,Mexican and Canadian plants using their employees,and minerals will come from Africa,Russia and Asia,using their employees instead of the US.

Lee Holmes (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:53 AM)

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