by Jill Zuckman
RINDGE, N.H. – At tonight's town hall meeting at Franklin Pierce University, Sen. John McCain was confronted by a young man who told him how impressed he is with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
He told McCain he admires Giuliani's' executive experience as mayor, and wondered what prepared McCain to "be an executive and run a government?"
He also said he respects the way Giuliani can be tough as a campaigner and believes Giuliani can beat Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) in the general election. McCain's words of respect for Clinton worried him, he said.
"Do you think you can be tough enough on Sen. Clinton to win the general election?" he asked.
"I believe this is going to come down to experience and ability to lead," McCain told him. "I think it's important to have been mayor of a big city, I think it's important to have been a governor."
But McCain said he has more than two decades of experience dealing with military and foreign affairs, and he said he was the only one capable of identifying the failed strategy in Iraq long before anyone else.
McCain also noted that he led the largest squadron in the Navy and has held many leadership positions in the Senate.
"Who is ready to serve on day one?" McCain said. "That's a question I'll be asking."
Regarding Clinton, McCain said that being tough on the issues shouldn't be confused with being personally disparaging.
"As far as being tough enough, my friends, the American people want a respectable debate on the issues. The American people want us to respect each other's views," he said.
"You can be tough, but you should never degrade or ridicule anyone who is seeking public office,'' McCain continued. "We see too much of that these days. I haven't questioned anybody's patriotism or love of country. I won't impugn their character or integrity."
And in case there is any confusion, McCain noted that he and Clinton have plenty of policy differences worth debating.
"She's a liberal Democrat and I'm a conservative Republican," he said.
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Comments
Hidden message: Pick me for veep Rudy.
Posted by: bill r. | November 19, 2007 9:33 AM
How can you argue with his stance at taking the high road. McCain is just weathering the storm.
Until the votes are cast it is hard to discount how he will do in the election. I remember the likes of Dean as a front runner and that did not last.
McCain has always appeared credible and I believe that he will be able to get his message out.
Posted by: Jean | November 19, 2007 10:13 AM
Giuliani had no executive experience prior to becoming Mayor of NYC and performed brilliantly after being elected.
McCain is a principled man of honor who can not also help but perform to the highest standards.
We are all fortunate to have such wonderful candidates.
What a great ticket they would make running together.
Posted by: Wallace Musoff | November 19, 2007 7:43 PM