McCain Talks Economy At Trib; Makes Cigarette Joke

Presidential Candidate Discusses Issues With Newspaper's Editorial Board

POSTED: 6:18 pm EDT July 8, 2008
UPDATED: 11:37 am EDT July 9, 2008

PITTSBURGH -- Republican presidential candidate John McCain brought his cross-country economic tour to the North Shore on Tuesday for a meeting with the editorial staff of WTAE Channel 4's news exchange partner, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

But perhaps the most noted comment by the senator came during dinner at Primanti Brothers in the Strip District. McCain and his wife, Cindy, ordered cheesesteaks and soda.

WTAE Channel 4's Shannon Perrine reported the comment in question came as a reporter asked McCain about an Associated Press report released Tuesday in which it indicated that U.S. exports to Iran have increased 10-fold during the current Bush administration.

The reporter started, "The biggest export was cigarettes. Given that the, supposedly ..." at which point McCain interrupted, saying "Maybe that's a way of killing them." After a brief laugh, McCain followed, "I meant that as a joke."

Watch The Report From WTAE Channel 4's Shannon Perrine

"Yeah, but I'd like to look into it because it's the first that I heard. But I'd look to into it and next time we encounter each other, which will probably be tomorrow (Wednesday), maybe I can have a better answer for you," McCain said.

Trib Questions McCain On Issues

McCain told the Trib's editorial board that he believes Social Security is broken and it's important to convince the public of that.

"You have to get that sense of urgency to the American people," McCain said. "And the second thing, you have to say everything's on the table. Let's sit down at the table."

Watch The Report From WTAE Channel 4 Action News

McCain also told the Trib that Medicare is in worse shape than Social Security.

"No, there will not be cuts. Yes, there will be Medicare in the future," McCain said. "It's obviously a safety net that we have an obligation as a government to our society."

John McCain speaks with reporters while at Primanti Brothers in Pittsburgh's Strip District for dinner.

Speaking about abortion and the Supreme Court, McCain said he does not agree with the Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion based on a right to privacy.

"I will continue to advocate for the rights of the unborn," he said. "I believe in life."

Overall, McCain kept to his platform.

"We have to restrain spending. We have to restrain the growth of government. We have to keep taxes low and we can restore this economy and we can have a strong economy again," McCain said. "A lot of it has to do with green technologies and achieving oil independence."

McCain On Iraq: 'We Are Succeeding'

He played down reports that Iraqi officials are increasing pressure on the United States to agree to a specific timeline to withdraw its forces.

McCain said he was confident the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki would ask American troops to leave only if the military situation there warranted such a move.

"I know for a fact that it will be dictated by the situation on the ground, as it always has been," McCain said.

"Since we are succeeding" in Iraq, he said, "then I am convinced, as I have said before, we can withdraw and withdraw with honor, not according to a set timetable. And I'm confident that is what Prime Minister Maliki is talking about, since he has told me that for the many meetings we have had."

The increased pressure from Iraq comes as time is running out for the Bush administration to reach a needed troop deal. Some type of agreement is needed to keep U.S. troops in Iraq after a U.N. mandate expires Dec. 31.

McCain opposes scheduling a troop withdrawal. Democratic candidate Barack Obama promises to remove troops within 16 months of taking office.

An Iraqi proposal for a timeline that was made public Tuesday appears to set an outer limit, requiring U.S. forces to fully withdraw five years after the Iraqis take the lead on security nationwide.

"We will not accept any memorandum of understanding that doesn't have specific dates to withdraw foreign forces from Iraq," Iraq's national security adviser, Mouwaffak al-Rubaie, said Tuesday.

McCain also said he would not sit down for a discussion with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran, saying that doing so would legitimize Ahmadinejad's world standing. McCain said he would be willing to support stronger sanctions for which he said European leaders have also expressed support.

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