Wednesday, June 1, 2005 2:29 p.m. EDT
Sen. John McCain says he "absolutely" wants to be president ? but hasn?t yet decided if he?ll run in 2008.
In a wide-ranging interview in the June edition of Men's Journal magazine, the Arizona Republican also reveals:
John Kerry "discussed" the possibility of McCain running as his vice presidential candidate.
U.S. troops could be in Iraq for another 50 years.
Colin Powell will never run for office.
Dan Rather was definitely fired over the Rathergate flap.
In the interview, McCain ? who has had prostate surgery and treatment for melanoma ? said his health is "excellent" and sees no problem in running for president even though if elected in 2008, he would be 72 ? "about what Reagan was."
Asked point-blank if he wants to be president, McCain answered: "Absolutely. I think every member of the Senate wants to be president."
McCain said he wants to gain the White House "because I think I?m qualified to help make the world a better place."
As president, McCain said, his foreign policy would greatly mirror President Bush?s: "I believe we have a unique opportunity, particularly now, to spread democracy and freedom throughout the world."
He continued that domestically, "one thing is to expand opportunities for national service ? the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, neighborhood and community organizations. You see, I think after 9/11 we had a golden opportunity to call all Americans to serve the country ? not just to tell them to take a trip and go shopping. And I think they would have responded. I think they will still respond."
McCain told Men?s Journal he?s going to wait a couple of years before making a decision on running for the White House in 2008, in part because he wants to devote his energy to the Senate and as a former candidate he?s already laid the groundwork for a campaign.
Looking back on the last election, McCain said he believes John Kerry mishandled the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth controversy.
"He should have responded immediately. I think that was a mistake ? not responding. You can?t leave charges like that unanswered."
As for what he personally thought of the attacks on Kerry, McCain declared: "I said when they questioned John?s service in Vietnam, it was both dishonorable and dishonest."
About Kerry?s much-bruited offer of the vice presidential slot on a Kerry ticket, McCain confirmed that while "it was never officially offered," Kerry "certainly discussed [it] with me on several occasions."
Asked if he saw a U.S. presence in Iraq for 50 years, the senator replied: "In some form or another, as a military presence? Sure. Like I can see us in South Korea for another 50 years. We can be in Bosnia for another 10 to 15 years. Or Kosovo."
Among McCain?s other comments:
On the right wing?s view of him: "They?re more accepting of me than they used to be ? not accepting, but more accepting ? because of the fact that I worked hard for Bush?s re-election."
On whether Colin Powell will ever run for elective office: "No. His wife is convinced that somebody would try to kill him."
On Dan Rather: "I feel sorry for Dan, because I think he obviously made a serious mistake, but he also paid a heavy price for it. Anybody who believes he lost his job for any other reason just doesn?t recognize the truth. His career was terminated."
On Dick Cheney: "He will be seen as the most powerful vice president in the history of the country and a major impact on the conduct of national security policy."
Sen. John McCain says he "absolutely" wants to be president ? but hasn?t yet decided if he?ll run in 2008.
In a wide-ranging interview in the June edition of Men's Journal magazine, the Arizona Republican also reveals:
John Kerry "discussed" the possibility of McCain running as his vice presidential candidate.
U.S. troops could be in Iraq for another 50 years.
Colin Powell will never run for office.
Dan Rather was definitely fired over the Rathergate flap.
In the interview, McCain ? who has had prostate surgery and treatment for melanoma ? said his health is "excellent" and sees no problem in running for president even though if elected in 2008, he would be 72 ? "about what Reagan was."
Asked point-blank if he wants to be president, McCain answered: "Absolutely. I think every member of the Senate wants to be president."
McCain said he wants to gain the White House "because I think I?m qualified to help make the world a better place."
As president, McCain said, his foreign policy would greatly mirror President Bush?s: "I believe we have a unique opportunity, particularly now, to spread democracy and freedom throughout the world."
He continued that domestically, "one thing is to expand opportunities for national service ? the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, neighborhood and community organizations. You see, I think after 9/11 we had a golden opportunity to call all Americans to serve the country ? not just to tell them to take a trip and go shopping. And I think they would have responded. I think they will still respond."
McCain told Men?s Journal he?s going to wait a couple of years before making a decision on running for the White House in 2008, in part because he wants to devote his energy to the Senate and as a former candidate he?s already laid the groundwork for a campaign.
Looking back on the last election, McCain said he believes John Kerry mishandled the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth controversy.
"He should have responded immediately. I think that was a mistake ? not responding. You can?t leave charges like that unanswered."
As for what he personally thought of the attacks on Kerry, McCain declared: "I said when they questioned John?s service in Vietnam, it was both dishonorable and dishonest."
About Kerry?s much-bruited offer of the vice presidential slot on a Kerry ticket, McCain confirmed that while "it was never officially offered," Kerry "certainly discussed [it] with me on several occasions."
Asked if he saw a U.S. presence in Iraq for 50 years, the senator replied: "In some form or another, as a military presence? Sure. Like I can see us in South Korea for another 50 years. We can be in Bosnia for another 10 to 15 years. Or Kosovo."
Among McCain?s other comments:
On the right wing?s view of him: "They?re more accepting of me than they used to be ? not accepting, but more accepting ? because of the fact that I worked hard for Bush?s re-election."
On whether Colin Powell will ever run for elective office: "No. His wife is convinced that somebody would try to kill him."
On Dan Rather: "I feel sorry for Dan, because I think he obviously made a serious mistake, but he also paid a heavy price for it. Anybody who believes he lost his job for any other reason just doesn?t recognize the truth. His career was terminated."
On Dick Cheney: "He will be seen as the most powerful vice president in the history of the country and a major impact on the conduct of national security policy."
