Sen. John McCain\'s Speech to the AP Annual Meeting

Sen. John McCain's Speech to the AP Annual Meeting

(04/14/2008)

10:10

Good morning from the Walter. E. Washington Convention Center, where Sen. John McCain will be speaking in 20 minutes.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:10

10:12

I am in a large ballroom where a morning session on the impact of technology on the newspaper business.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:12

10:14

Article about reporting project

Monday April 14, 2008 10:14

10:15

The project under which this project is being conducted was featured in a story on the Poynter Institute site last wee.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:15

10:32

Sen. McCain is at the podium.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:32

10:32

He promises to be brief, beginning with comments on the press and the candidates.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:32

10:34

Experience with the press has taught him the importance of "tight message discipline"

Monday April 14, 2008 10:34

10:35

Sometimes press coverage seemed intended to induce "candidate fatigue."

Monday April 14, 2008 10:35

10:36

Still believes in wide press access so that reporters get more than canned responses.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:36

10:37

"The responsibility of informing citizens is as much my responsibility as yours."

Monday April 14, 2008 10:37

10:41

Talks about press access in matters of national security. Says that he disagrees with some disclosures of military information by press, but sees importance of press revelations of Abu Ghraib. Applause for decision to support legislation to preserve press protections of confidential sources.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:41

10:42

"I trust in your integrity and patriotism" that press will not endanger national security by its reporting.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:42

10:43

It's easy to believe that the press has one set of standards for itself, another for the institutions it covers.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:43

10:44

[Comment From SOSO: ]

It's nice to hear that everyone doesn't think the press ruins everything.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:44 SO

10:45

Comments on Obama's "bitter" quote. Talks about how small town Americans never lost their faith during the Great Depression.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:45

10:46

Will begin a tour of small town America

Monday April 14, 2008 10:46

10:46

[Comment From MJMJ: ]

I agree

Monday April 14, 2008 10:46 MJ

10:47

We need change but "right kind of change"

Monday April 14, 2008 10:47

10:47

Applause and q&A

Monday April 14, 2008 10:47

10:47

[Comment From LauraLaura: ]

wow, he really was brief- I sort of expected that to go on longer

Monday April 14, 2008 10:47 Laura

10:49

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

what 'right kind of change' is he looking for though?

Monday April 14, 2008 10:49 Guest

10:49

He talked about change founded on belief in free market, for example.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:49

10:49

[Comment From LKLK: ]

I thought he would too.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:49 LK

10:49

[Comment From SOSO: ]

I agree. I wonder who will get to make decisions about that "right kind of change."

Monday April 14, 2008 10:49 SO

10:50

Now they are talking about the press and national security.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:50

10:50

[Comment From MJMJ: ]

I was thinking the same thing

Monday April 14, 2008 10:50 MJ

10:50

[Comment From MJMJ: ]

Ah, well, there we go

Monday April 14, 2008 10:50 MJ

10:51

Talking about the increased complexity of technology, and how terrorists and criminals also take advantage of it. This creates new national security challenges.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:51

10:52

Now says that Obama's comments fundamentally contradict values of many Americans.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:52

10:52

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

I wonder how he feels about PGP...

Monday April 14, 2008 10:52 Guest

10:54

He says Americans who vote on the basis of such issues as gun rights and abortion are responding to fundamental values that have nothing to do with economics.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:54

10:54

Question: Are we in a recession?

Monday April 14, 2008 10:54

10:54

[Comment From arthurarthur: ]

does he say how he expects to deal with the new national security challanges without infringing on first ammendment rights?

Monday April 14, 2008 10:54 arthur

10:55

Mc Cain: I think so, but that is a technical term. "Americans are hurting today." "They are not too interested" in technicalities. We have "an enormous challenge to fix it."

Monday April 14, 2008 10:55

10:55

Must begin with action on mortgage crisis.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:55

10:57

To Arthur: He says that he will support legislation that preserves press access to confidential info, and that judicial appointments will be key in the law's interpretation.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:57

10:57

On mortgage crisis: "I did not want to reward greedy lenders, and I did not want to reward speculators."

Monday April 14, 2008 10:57

10:57

[Comment From mlawyuemlawyue: ]

Isn't McCain currently for no immediate relief for people in danger because of the mortgage crisis? Has he talked about his plan?

Monday April 14, 2008 10:57 mlawyue

10:58

More information on his positions on his campaign website:

Monday April 14, 2008 10:58

10:59

Supports legislation that he says would help 400,000 deserving homeowners. Believes "there is a role for government" but "massive bailouts" will saddle future generations with crippling debt.

Monday April 14, 2008 10:59

11:01

[Comment From MJMJ: ]

What constitutes a "deservng" homowner?

Monday April 14, 2008 11:01 MJ

11:01

[Comment From Joe HannanJoe Hannan: ]

What does he consider to be a "deserving homeowner?"

Monday April 14, 2008 11:01 Joe Hannan

11:01

[Comment From arthurarthur: ]

Isn't that what is happening already?

Monday April 14, 2008 11:01 arthur

11:01

He says deserving homeowners are people who would have been able to pay their mortgages under fairer conditions.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:01

11:02

[Comment From SOSO: ]

There are so many people in debt now. These massive bailouts will take such a long time. The problem will probably keep snowballing.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:02 SO

11:03

[Comment From LauraLaura: ]

I knew people were concerned about McCain's age, but I didn't know he was that old.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:03 Laura

11:04

In response to question, says he is up to the job. "If people judge me by performance, I am confident" that they will find his energy, judgment and intellect make him qualified.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:04

11:04

Recognizes that running mate is important, but President sets priorities.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:04

11:04

[Comment From BeckyBecky: ]

What does this have to do with his age?

Monday April 14, 2008 11:04 Becky

11:07

Barack Obama as his running mate? The differences between them are significant, but he will consider almost anyone qualified.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:07

11:07

[Comment From SOSO: ]

Any indication about potential running mates?

Monday April 14, 2008 11:07 SO

11:07

[Comment From AshleyAshley: ]

how old is he, anyway?

Monday April 14, 2008 11:07 Ashley

11:07

Monday April 14, 2008 11:07

11:08

Says he will not speculate at length about running mates, partially because it violates others' privacy.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:08

11:08

[Comment From arthurarthur: ]

that would upset many republicans....

Monday April 14, 2008 11:08 arthur

11:08

[Comment From LauraLaura: ]

Now he's on his cabinet, so I guess he managed to get around the running mate question.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:08 Laura

11:09

Now talking about how he will pursue Osama bin Laden. Says with all of our technology, must have human intelligence to "counter the plans and the evil thoughts" of terrorists.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:09

11:12

Understands the stress on the military. We need a large Army. At time of First Gulf War, people asked where the troops were going to come from. Says that we may need the President to inspire Americans to "serve a cause greater than themselves" both in the military and in such groups as Americorps to defeat terrorism.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:12

11:12

[Image]

MccainandPetraeus View

Monday April 14, 2008 11:12

11:12

This is an image from the McCain website urging support for a petition commending Gen. Petraeus.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:12

11:13

Supports tough interrogation methods, but not violations of Geneva Conventions.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:13

11:15

[Comment From AshleyAshley: ]

so he plans to brainwash people into going to war. i guess it's better than a draft!

Monday April 14, 2008 11:15 Ashley

11:15

[Comment From MJMJ: ]

Shouldnt we be concentrating on bringing our current troops home before building up the Army?

Monday April 14, 2008 11:15 MJ

11:16

Says he will appoint Federal judges and Supreme Court nominees who strictly interpret the Constitution. That will be his "only criteria."

Monday April 14, 2008 11:16

11:16

[Comment From BeckyBecky: ]

you can't bring troops home if there's no one to replace them

Monday April 14, 2008 11:16 Becky

11:17

Here is a video clip excerpt from his remarks from where I am sitting at the back of the room: show clip

Monday April 14, 2008 11:17

11:19

On climate change, says that debate should continue. Is co-sponsoring legislation that encourages development of green technologies.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:19

11:20

Warns against protectionism.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:20

11:20

[Comment From Joe HannanJoe Hannan: ]

So where does he stand on a federal shield law?

Monday April 14, 2008 11:20 Joe Hannan

11:20

He supports the federal shield law for the reasons stated earlier.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:20

11:20

[Comment From SOSO: ]

I don't think that increasing the Army means you have to use them right away or for this war. They are there for our protection. They are there in case something happens and we need to be prepared for that.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:20 SO

11:20

[Comment From LKLK: ]

With an estimated 4,000 US Soldiers Killed, how does he plan to recruit more? "Serve a cause greater than themselves" does not seem influential enough to convince more to join. I agree with Becky saying "you can't bring troops home if there's no one to replace them."

Monday April 14, 2008 11:20 LK

11:21

To my students -- please put the links you sent in the comments

Monday April 14, 2008 11:21

11:21

That's it!

Monday April 14, 2008 11:21

11:22

I will add any links that you didn't email me in a little bit. I have to get ready to move.

Monday April 14, 2008 11:22

11:22

[Comment From MJMJ: ]