Sen. John McCain touched on a variety of topics with The Daily Courier while visiting Prescott July 4, from single-payer health care to a revived push for a national scenic area designation in the Sedona area.
McCain said even though he has owned a home in Red Rock Country the past quarter-century that is the "great joy of our lives," he can't let that affect his decisions on legislation.
"Jon Kyl and I always functioned on the principle that you have to have all interested parties" supporting legislation, including local elected officials, McCain said.
And that's not happening yet in the years-long effort to get a national scenic area designation for the Red Rocks in the Coconino National Forest, he said. Such a designation would prevent future land exchanges.
Other topics with McCain included:
• Sarah Palin. McCain said he still talks to Palin, but didn't hear from her about her July 3 announcement she would quit her job as Alaska's governor. She didn't divulge her other plans.
"I have great respect for Sarah, Todd and the family," McCain said of his former runningmate. "I hope she'll continue to play a major role in the Republican Party and our nation."
In the new Runner's World issue, Palin describes falling while jogging at McCain's ranch in Page Springs. She injured her hand and it hurt to shake hands while running for vice president, she said.
• His vocal opposition to a single-payer national health care system. "A government-run (program) eventually leads to rationing," he said.
America has quality health care, he said; it's the cost that needs to get under control.
• Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. McCain said he hasn't decided how he will vote on Sotomayor, especially since he still needs to talk to fellow Sen. Jon Kyl about her. Kyl serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
• New Senator-Elect Al Franken. McCain says he hasn't met Franken in Washington yet, but he met him on the set of Saturday Night Live. In the 1980s and '90s, Franken was an SNL writer and performer known for his Stuart Smalley self-help guru character.
Reader Comments
Posted: Monday, July 06, 2009
Article comment by:
S.Michael Hanich
McCain I used to like you years ago and vote for you , but that's when I was quite young and gullible , today the people of this great country need health care like everyone else in the western world , we need honest "green" leadership or we kill the planet game over end of story, you and your friends seem to put money and power first. Is it that intoxicating ? Or is there hope that we can change things before it's to late .
Posted: Monday, July 06, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Jeez, write a McCain article and the Obamaites are on it like flies. A bunch of grumpy old men. What's Prescott coming to?
Posted: Monday, July 06, 2009
Article comment by:
Grundlecat
Umm, who cares about Sarah Palin's hand? What's that got to do with anything?
Posted: Monday, July 06, 2009
Article comment by:
Zeke
Why just designate the Sedona area as a national scenic area? Why not Prescott? When are you going to do something worth while?
Posted: Monday, July 06, 2009
Article comment by:
Please John, don't say anything
You'll only make things worse for your career; if that's possible.
Posted: Monday, July 06, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I always thought Red Rock Country was Sedona and outskirts. I didn't know Senator McCain had a home there.Last I knew he and his family resisded partime in Cornville... an oversight, like many other oversights probably.
Maybe John is looking to be a little closer to the wife's business in Prescott Valley.
And I agree with Tom Steele, McCain never answers or replies, at least not to the everyday average citizen. Retire Mr. McCain!
Posted: Monday, July 06, 2009
Article comment by:
Fareness Docktrin
John McCain was born to an Admiral and straight into "government run" health care. He then went into the military, where he had "government run" health care. Prior to his military career, he carpetbagged into Arizona with his new, rich wife and won a seat in Congress and next the Senate where he had "government run" health care. When he retires, he will get "government run" health care. When McCain whined about how evil "government run" health care is, a good reporter would have asked him how often his care is rationed, and why he keeps putting himself in positions where he has to have "government run" health care if it is so terrible.
Posted: Monday, July 06, 2009
Article comment by:
Tom Steele
McCain was a border man and an amnesty supporter. His trip back to Washington to "save" the economy showed he "falls in" with the cronies easily. Time for retirement; John. You don't answer correspondence or phone calls. Rude on the phone and NO replies to requests for your "position". I will work for ABC (Anybody But Cane).
