McCain Says GOP Must Work With Obama on Fox News

Posted by Sam Stein, Huffington Post at 8:49 AM on January 10, 2009.

Is John McCain reverting to the role of Republican foil that made him an unpopular figure for many conservatives?

Post Tools
EMAIL
PRINT
5 COMMENTS

Share and save this post:

AlterNet Social Networks:

Got a tip for a post?:
Email us | Anonymous form

PEEK RSS Feed

Main AlterNet RSS Feed

Reverting to the role of Republican foil that made him an unpopular figure for many conservatives, John McCain argued on Friday that historical circumstances should compel his GOP colleagues to work closely with Barack Obama.

"There are not many times in history," he said, "that a president has come to office with as many challenges as the president-elect does and that's incumbent then upon all of us to try and do all we can to work with him."

Appearing on Fox News for one of the few times since losing the election, McCain offered a supportive assessments of the president-elect's agenda. He acknowledged the need to pass a stimulus, but said he would reserve judgment until he saw the final package.

"All I can say to you is that I want to see the stimulus package I want to see what it does, I want to see what kind of provision it has in it," he told Neil Cavuto. "I think the president-elect is going to marshal public opinion. Right now his approval ratings and hopes of the American people are very high," he later added.

He also called Obama's national security team "excellent," and saved special praise for CIA Director nominee Leon Panetta.

"I think that Leon Panetta is highly qualified, and in all due respect I think it is not bad from time to time to have somebody from outside of the intelligence community but with strong managerial experience as Chief of Staff of the White House, to be head of one of these agencies. I think there is some good balance there."

McCain said he talked with Obama since the election about foreign policy and domestic matters. Calling those conversations "very cordial," he added, "I want to help the president succeed."

It was the type of interview that would make hard-core partisans shake their heads. Not because McCain was overly effusive in his praise -- Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, after all, has said he expects a stimulus bill to pass with wide Republican support -- but because he didn't use the public forum to score any political points for his party.

And, sure enough, in Cavuto's next segment both he and Ann Coulter offered acid-dripped interpretations of the former Republican figurehead's message.

"I had John McCain earlier and he was sort of saying it is our duty now ... to work with the president-elect and presumably support this stimulus measure," Cavuto said. "He seemed to be saying that Republicans could look, you know, like obstructionists if they object to everything that Barack Obama does. What do you make of that?"

"I don't think the Republicans should be taking advice from John McCain," Coulter said. "I don't really know much about what is going on right now because this came out Tuesday, so I don't know the details of the stimulus plan. But I think it is pretty clear from the last election the voters want Republicans to be Republicans."

Tagged as: republicans, obama, conservatives, fox news, mccain, leon panetta

Sam Stein is a Political Reporter at the Huffington Post, based in Washington, D.C.

Return to PEEK » Post Tools: EMAIL PRINT 5 COMMENTS PERMALINK

Also in PEEK
Conservatives Register Tea Party as Official Third Party In Florida Die-hard right-wingers have announced that Florida Governor Charlie Crist is the next target in the GOP civil war. Post by Matt Corley. November 9, 2009.	Will the Stupak Amendment Force Women Who've Miscarried to Lose Insurance Coverage? I think so. Post by Robin Marty. November 9, 2009.	Fred Phelps' Church Protesting Outside Sasha and Malia Obama's School Scary. Post by Tana Ganeva. November 9, 2009.

Comments	Turn comments off sitewide	Give us feedback »
Comments closed. The comments for this story have been closed. Thank you to everyone who participated.		View:
I'm glad to see... [Report this comment] Posted by: Starfall Deception on Jan 10, 2009 5:46 PM Current rating: 1 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] I'm glad to see McCain reverting to the somewhat respectable person he was before the neocons got to him. And as for Coulter, she's a douche. She'd support a rock over a democrat if the Republicans said the rock was a neocon. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: I'm glad to see... Posted by: Moore Hognutz 'Join Up' or be Convicted of Crimes [Report this comment] Posted by: Purple Girl on Jan 11, 2009 6:05 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] There are plenty of Repugs and some lap dog Dems who had better check the wind direction, Its a head wind, should they continue their Disasterous agenda and propaganda. American have been screaming for decades about the Inequity of 'Trickle Down', the Blood for Oil mantra, Corp Overlords, Rape of the environment, Politcal profiteering, social injustices.....Apparently we have enlisted many new recruits to our causes. those of US who have been screaming for decades have had the time to adjust to the reality of the Corruption, but those who are just waking up are Outraged. Not at just the realities, but for the deception. Nothing pisses people off more than being 'Had'. These folks are just realizing the Betrayal of those in Public Office and Board rooms. They are seeking retribution for the treachery which was being committed under their noses, or was used to Con them. The Politicans not only lied to them, they USED them under the pretense of 'patriotism'. Oh Rove et al opened Pandoras box when they went for the 'Gut reaction' of national pride. They were able to ignite those who always had held America as the 'righteous' nation, Not those who have grown up questioning it. Granted US Liberals are Outraged and want Justice, butI dare say we pale in comparison to those who have come to realize they have been Pawns in a Game to Undermine the very thing they believe in...That America is the Greatest country in the world. They made Fools of their Own Constituents. Their facades have been crumbling ....Iraq a deadly fiasco, Trickle Down a method towards Feudalism, and the Disgrace of Torture. After 30 yrs of this 'Sting', I am not Shocked by new revelations, but my 75 yr old mother is. The Neo Cons failed to recognize the fact that their 'base' held America in higher esteem then any Political party. Their base was supporting the Flag, not the elephant and now they are about to teach them where their allegience lies..With US, not them. It's called 'Backlash', Play with emotional fire and Die by it. Fro every action there is an equal or greater reaction, hold on to your hats Repugs (and their Blue Lap dogs), Hell haveth no fury like an Old Patriot betrayed. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] MCCAIN IS RIGHT [Report this comment] Posted by: VZEQICVA on Jan 11, 2009 7:29 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] But his people won't listen. They now spend their time taking cheap shots at Obama, Caroline Kenney, and a few others who's names they recognize. They pay more attention to Ann Coulter & Rush. That's their mentality. Incidentally these are the people who helped drive the country off a cliff. McCain is probably sincere. I still think that the Republicans sold him out this past election. He has no reason to be loyal to them. ANNA [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Charles [Report this comment] Posted by: chrlscoburn on Jan 12, 2009 10:35 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] I agree that THIS is the McCain prior to new improved one courtesy of neo-con "handlers." Sadly he allowed that (and Barbie Palin) to happen and it cost him respectability in all eyes. He is however, doing a better job at creating a legacy than Chimpy and the Big Dick, though that's not saying much! [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

«	November 2009					»
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30

Newsletter

PEEK archive by date:

Use » and « to view other months.

Search:

» RE: I'm glad to see... Posted by: Moore Hognutz