“It’s hard to predict because a lot of things happen between now and then but I certainly would support the nominee, no matter who it is.”
— Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), quoted by The Hill, saying he would support Donald Trump if he won the GOP nomination.
“I thought it was a term of endearment. I meant it as a term of affection, I’ll be honest with you.”
— Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), quoted by The Hill, on calling Donald Trump’s supporters “crazies.”
“The difference between Sen. John McCain and Donald Trump: Trump shot himself down. McCain and American veterans are true heroes.”
— Mitt Romney, on Twitter, responding to Trump’s comment that McCain isn’t a war hero because he was captured.
“Why would anybody listen to Mitt Romney? He lost an election that should have easily been won against Obama. By the way, so did John McCain!”
— Donald Trump, on Twitter.
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“I’m a person who if someone sticks with me I’m with that person. And John McCain was very disloyal to me.”
— Donald Trump, quoted by The Hill, predicting Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will lose his GOP primary.
Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) will challenge Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for U.S. Senate, Roll Call reports, giving Democrats a top recruit in a potential pick-up opportunity in 2016.
“Arizona State University gave $500,000 to the Clinton Foundation last year, money school officials say represents its investment in the Clinton Global Initiative University event it hosted in 2014,” the Arizona Republic reports.
“While ASU maintains the event provided big benefits for students, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said it wasn’t worth the university spending half a million dollars. McCain participated in a panel discussion moderated by Bill Clinton as part of the event.”
Said McCain: “Frankly, if I had known that that was the situation, that they were being paid $500,000, I would have spoken up at the time that I thought it was outrageous.”
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who praised John Kerry’s nomination as Secretary of State and raved about his “exemplary statesmanship” and “indefatigable persistence,” is now one of Kerry’s biggest critics, Politico reports.
In recent months McCain has branded Kerry a “human wrecking ball,” urged him to “recognize reality,” called him “delusional” and said he has “accomplished nothing except mileage as secretary of state.” Last month, for good measure, he suggested that he considers Iran’s Supreme Leader a more believable source on the nuclear talks than Kerry.
A new Public Policy Polling survey in Arizona finds Sen. John McCain’s troubles with conservatives “have him in a whole lot of trouble for reelection next year.”
Key findings: “Even among Republican primary voters just 41% approve of the job he’s doing to 50% who disapprove. Only 37% of primary voters say they generally support him for renomination, compared to 51% who say they would prefer someone ‘more conservative.'”
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) told Fox News that Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the worst Republican presidential candidate on security issues.
Said McCain: “Sen. Paul is the worst possible candidate of the 20 or so that are running on the most important issue, which is national security. The record is very clear that he simply does not have an understanding about the needs and the threats of United States national security.”
And even though McCain relentlessly mocked Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) earlier this week, he said he’d prefer Cruz over Paul: “Ted Cruz has a much better handle on our national security issues.”
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) “denied reports that Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is pushing him to hold hearings exploring whether soldiers should be able to carry concealed guns on military bases,” the Huffington Post reports.
Said McCain: “I was fascinated to hear that, since I haven’t heard a thing about it from him, nor has my staff heard from his staff.”
“I think they have to be ready. Everybody knows it’s not beanbag.”
— Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), quoted by Politico, with a warning to potential tea party challengers as he gears up for his re-election race.
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) told NBC News that he will run for re-election even though he is currently 78 years old but will be 80 by Election Day in 2016.
Said McCain: “I say watch me. Take a look. Take a look at my 18 hour days. Take a look at the hearings we have. Take a look at my legislative accomplishments.”
“The President should get over it. Get over your temper tantrum, Mr. President”
— Sen. John McCain, in an interview with CNN, on President Obama’s “personal problems” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) “is throwing his weight behind Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), endorsing his home-state colleague against any potential primary foes,” The Hill reports.
“The endorsement could help McCain against a Tea Party challenge. Flake remains popular with Arizona’s conservative base despite his split from activists on immigration reform.”
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) had harsh words for protesters who shouted criticism at 91-year-old Henry Kissinger at a hearing, CNN reports.
Said McCain: “I’ve been a member of this committee for many years and I have never seen anything as disgraceful and outrageous and despicable as the last demonstration that just took place. You know, you’re going to have to shut up or I’m going have you arrested.”
He added, to a smattering of applause: “Get out of here you low-life scum.”
Sen. Johm McCain (R-AZ) told the Washington Post that his former vice presidential running mate, Sarah Palin, would be a viable White House contender if she chose to run.
Said McCain: “She’s very interesting. And I’m sure she’d do great.”
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) “is waging another national campaign — this time, to define his legacy,” the AP reports.
“After two unsuccessful presidential bids, the 78-year-old former Navy pilot and Vietnam prisoner of war has rebounded as the chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee. The post gives the Arizona Republican a significant say on national security — and a chance to ensure that his loss to Barack Obama in the 2008 White House race isn’t the final word in the colorful McCain chronicles.”
Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.
Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.
Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.
Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.
Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.
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