John McCain

" Welcome back Tom Finneran -- while listening to parents forum on 80 M 682 WRKO let's get right to what we welcome back. To parents -- Senator John McCain senator thanks for joining us. I thank you Thomas could be back on tenement I have. Hot hot hot hot hot it's Monday morning senator I know it's been a long weekend even I can handle it on Monday. You seem to be spent a lot of time here Rian in New Hampshire senator tell us what what the game plan what the strategy is and is there a dynamic afoot in Iowa. In which you will a kind of move away from that focus to -- to New England 1 just -- right can absolutely understood no problem. You know we had we do have Senator McCain on him while he finishes up the other issue got a number of issues to talk to him about you've read."

" I style came go to no point is that -- obviously. -- captures key we need to -- to the first restates you know what that's been in the case since 1980 levers one to the first story I would South Carolina in New Hampshire we've got a lot of enthusiasm here in New Hampshire it brings her -- tenets of the town hall meeting and I think things are moving along real well of course. I think we can do well I think we can --"

" You know the -- filled senate with with with positive reports from the effects of the -- policy incredible reductions in violence against around troops as well as against Iraqi civilians you seem to be vindicated in many ways by the is these reports. Are you picking up on the campaign trail a sense of either respect or gratification from the voters who say hey this finally guy who might have seen this with a -- With a vision that we hope -- not president's."

" Well -- I think what it's it's also means. Which -- we were failing I was so harshest critic of -- predictive we're gonna fail. -- advocated for the strategy that we succeed. And even. Senator Edwards when. We started this strategy will probably hit bottom ultimately -- search and very flattered about it and call it that anymore but and anyway that. The point has. I was the only ones that saw the way through this thing all the others are running. I think it's it's good to have been a governor I think it's great to -- popular -- I've been involved in nations security issues for the last 20 years and I don't what's necessary pressed to succeed in rank and in the many other crises that are. Around the world not the least of which Pakistan dominating the news over the last week or two so I think it only vindicates my support for it but I would hope. Make people understand them ready to answer."

" Senator let's move if we can't of there's no question that foreign affairs and international relations will be a huge piece of it but there's also no question that the earlier -- in the Senate to do comprehensive immigration reform that cause cost an awful lot of consternation and -- how do you Senator McCain go out and re issue of the Republican primary voters to -- this is up fundamental issue. That you get it in that the veteran McCain president say. First and foremost without any distraction from anything else on immigration it will be about border security how do you go from. Having been up a supporter of the comprehensive bill to now this first things first of the border security has to take precedence."

" Well it's an indication of the lack of trust and confidence. In government Americans of -- lost trust and confidence not just in the presidency but in the congress approval ratings of partners there all time low. And the fact that we failed to enact comprehensive reform of which border security was a key element chose that that trust. Competence is like the only way you're gonna. -- on this issue is commit securing borders first before anything else. And in my case as president I would. Have the border state governor. Certify their borders were secure before we would move on to other aspects of I got the message -- people want to borders secure works and I think it would like to look at. Other aspect chose it because we do have 12 million people or in this country that we do needed temporary work program might take to the winners on -- you crops that are not being. Harvested because of lack of temporary agricultural workers so. It is secure the borders first. I commit that took -- of them American people and I don't think you're buying have overseen. In the years I've been associated with politics more emotional issues."

" It's it's it's an unbelievable issue it really isn't -- crosses it seems to me I talked about the Republican primary voter but I get more call senator. From mainstream moderate Democrats women who were raised in families and children and they ballistic about it so. I bring it up obviously not that you need to be reminded but bring it up as a reflection of the thinking the American -- the American people. Quick question on the economy senator. No question with high a oil and gasoline prices food prices static to move through the group's sub prime ripples. The economy is going to take a front senate right assume in debates going forward. What's the McCain plan -- outlined at least fought their an economic recovery."

" Well in short term we're going to have to try to help these people who can afford to their mortgages and wore a suit and use. Government organizations pressure -- Some of these companies corporations that gave these loans were active in the short term try to relieve that burden but I got today. -- people straight talk weren't very very difficult few months here at least. Well we've just in this latest crisis which. Seems to afflict our economy. -- but he that dot com collapse and other bridge and leave the fundamentals of our economy strong and we continue to grow. I think we need to continue with lowered taxes and less government and a bench. I think we need to obviously understand that our. Competition with China has got to be warfare here but -- in time my refrigerator and so. I don't think that this would anyway be time to raise people's taxes and again to continue our efforts to improve education. Keep government -- Out of the way and most of all stop all the success wasteful spending which has bankrupted."

" So senator you said you'd be against any any -- proposal to raise taxes Tom Friedman in the New York Times and I don't we only have a limited amount of time I talked about this at length after it goes Canada but Tom Friedman in the times suggests that all the presidential candidates would be acting like true patriots. If they talked. And embrace the idea of a significant increase in the national gasoline sales tax in order to have. Minimize the amount of dollars we -- the folks like -- my Indonesia. And that Chavez and Putin and others who clearly don't have American interest at. That we making them rich in impoverish in -- what is Senator McCain saved to that idea. About a Manhattan like project for energy independence and efficiency."

" It -- by the Manhattan like project and that means the American people need to know two -- one climate change trio. We got to reduce greenhouse gas emissions which means. And it stopped using fossil fuels to that degree. That we arts second while we've got to reduce our dependence on foreign oil which you have people like to present Chavis and in others but. Who drives a further step. Who drives furthest -- DC people live in Georgetown richest people but it wants to work in Washington have to drive 4050 miles or more. They've worked I think it's aggressive tax I think the worst people would be payment and I understand. Tom Friedman's point of view here but I don't think we need to post -- in order to make the American people. Aware of how dangerous this dependency on oil is in the damage that's been on our planet which just a couple of days there was some other scientific studies that showed. How significant impact climate changes. On our planet and by the way them again one. The only Republican who's been heavily involved in climate change issues for many years so I respect Tom. Friedman's point that we've got to. Reduce our dependence and make Americans understand it but we would be imposing very regressive actions -- Americans."

" One final question if I can't senator by the way let me -- Mike congratulations apparently you'll be endorsed -- today in Boston right here in the city by -- New Jersey governor -- Tom Kean. How highly respected guy and really well thought of so congratulations on that. Stories about push -- all over the place and I know you're the victim of a savage Jeff had run push Poland a couple of years back in South Carolina and you when your team have called for a complete cease and desist on that from whoever wrote from -- ever that he is doing it is -- both in Iowa and in New Hampshire -- knowledge."

" I hear it's in all three -- well. I would New Hampshire South Carolina but but I've seen this movie before. -- we ask for an investigation by the Attorney General a full investigation New Hampshire it must by law you must identify. Who you're what organization with these people obviously didn't do it it's disgraceful outrageous. And we we should be able to find out who's doing it Tom. You've been in government as we should be -- find out if we're serious we should be fining out who did it and expose expose them -- it but parts of that. Low life scum that they."

" It's a nasty and vicious aspect but Q did she keep it chin up by -- senator and appreciate the time you've given us here Iran thinner it's forum congratulations on the endorsement from. Former governor Kean and will will continue to talk to you good luck the lock up -- Richard traipse around New Hampshire talk to the New Hampshire voters. Thank you can't -- to -- that's Senator John McCain"