I haven't watched any of the Sunday Talking Head shows in a while because they're really about one of three topics these days: Iraq, Iraq and Iraq. I turned on the Official 52" Television of the ConBlog and decided to give Meet The Press a try.
The lead guest for the first half hour was John McCain, so I figured it would be good to have a barometer reading on someone who is rumored to be a candidate for the White House in 2008.
Meet the Press: Sunday, April 2, 2006- MSNBC.com
Russert didn't waste any time getting right into it and immediately asked McCain about Iraq---prefaced by the fact that he may be a contender for the presidency in 2008.
McCain was asked if we were in danger of losing and he said it hinged on a government forming in Iraq.
Russert also asked if the Shiite and Sunni militias were more organized than the Iraqi National Army. McCain didn't think so, but he didn't go as far as to say that would be hard to know given the press coverage.
McCain then got broadsided by Russert with a quote from 2002 where the Senator stated he believed the conflict in Iraq "would not be very difficult." Russert followed that up with, "Senator, you were wrong." That's some real objective journalism, Tim.
McCain also defended the President, saying that he felt that Bush had admitted mistakes in dealing with Iraq---not in the initial phases, but in the subsequent insurgent attacks. Senator McCain also said that mistakes are made in any war, and then cited an example with Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
Russert really showed his lack of objectivity when he kept interjecting things like "this could tip into total chaos," or that Saddam "was not an imminent threat." This is part of the reason I haven't watched the Sunday shows in a while.
Then, of course, there's another poll...what a surprise! 51% of the respondents say that the Iraq war is "not worth it." McCain then got the inevitable question about pulling out of the region.
Conversation turned to reporter Jill Carroll who was released by her captors this week. McCain, who spent over five years as a prisoner in the Hanoi Hilton, didn't think that her hostage tapes should be taken seriously.
McCain also said that he didn't think Russia should be included in the G8 Summit after they gave our war plans to the Iraqis.
Tim Russert is clearly trying to bait McCain into saying something horrible about the President. This is just amateur. McCain keeps scowling when Russert asks a question meant to paint him into a corner and then he just answers as diplomatically as possible.
Asked to respond to comments by fellow senator George Allen, McCain thought it was important to handle the illegal immigration issue with "sensitivity and humanity." (That means he'll likely support the "guest worker" program---which, to me, equates amnesty.) McCain would also like to see is secure our borders.
The Senator was asked about his relationship with the President and Russert read quotes saying that McCain was no longer "independent" or a "maverick." Russert is totally trying to get McCain to distance himself, and he's just not doing it.
At the very end, Russert thanked McCain for appearing and the Senator replied, "I haven't had as much fun since my last interrogation." Nice. McCain got the last word. Well done.
There's no shock or surprise to what McCain's doing from here. He's already hired the consultants from Bush's 2004 campaign. He's aligning himself with the President because he knows he has to pick up the base in order to get through Primary season. John McCain has to "come center," in a sense, and take on a position that appeals to rank and file Republicans.
Many Republicans feel like McCain has "wandered off the reservation" in the last six years and if he truly has a shot at the Oval Office, he's got to energize the base.
John McCain apparently won't decide on a Presidential run until next year, but if his apperances and speeches are any indicator he's likely made the decision already.
William Smith
ConservativeBlogger.com
