JOHN McCAIN'S CONFERENCE CALL WITH BLOGGERS TODAY!

10:14AM Phoenix Time

Senator McCain: " I congratulate Senator Clinton on her hard fought campaign. Senator Obama is the Democratic nominee and I congratulate him on his victory.

I sent an invitation to Sen. Obama's campaign this morning for 10 Town Hall Joint Meetings between now and the Democrat Convention.

Town Hall meetings with between 200 to 400 randomly selected people with a Moderator to field questions from the audience.

I suggested the 1st Town Hall meeting take place on June 12th @ the Federal Hall in New York City.

President John F. Kennedy & Sen. Barry Goldwater had planned on these type of events back in the 1964 Presidential campaign.

It's been 788 days since Sen. Obama has been to Iraq. He continues to say that the surge is not working. Obama has not even asked General Petraeus for a briefing on Iraq!

Now I will be happy to take your questions....


What happens if Sen. Obama refuses to accept your proposal on these Townhall meetings?

John McCain: The reason I got the Republican nomination is the 101 Town Hall meetings I held in New Hampshire. They(TH meetings) are the best format to talk to people, not long speeches. Americans want to participate in the debate. I plan to take these debates across the country.

Dan Nowicki - The Arizona Republic: Do you worry about outside groups making race an issue in this campaign?

John McCain: I can't control the 527's. MoveOn.org has set the agenda for the Democrat Party. I will do EVERYTHING I can to make this campaign respectful. Ask Obama to condemn the MoveOn.org ad on Gen. Petraeus.

James Kirchik - New Republic: Are you glad the people of California will be voting on the gay marriage amendment?

John McCain: I’ve always supported the unique status of marriage of man and woman. I supported a ballot initiative in Arizona, and voted for Defense of Marriage Act. But people of the states should make that decision. We do not have to recognize the decisions of other states.

I agree with it – haven't read it, but I agree with it – but that’s a decision that the people of California will make.

Jim Geraghty - National Review: Senator, last night, the big finish to Obama’s speech was,
"We will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth."

Is it accurate that June 3, 2008, was the moment that America began providing care for the sick? And on a slightly more serious note, when your opponent goes on these rhetorical flights of fancy, how do you bring him back down to earth? How do you persuade people that this isn't so world-changing, and that Americans did in fact care for the sick before yesterday?

John McCain: Jim, that’s one of the reasons it’s important to have these town hall meetings. Then both of us have to respond directly to the questions. When you're in these town hall meetings, they say, ‘what’s your plan?’ I just concluded one in Baton Rouge with Governor Bobby Jindal , and they asked, ‘what’s your plan for dealing with teen obesity and young people’s fitness problems?’ People want specifics. That’s why town hall meetings are better rather than long speeches.

And I’m not sure how illuminating it is frankly with these kind of catch all phrases – I admire [Obama’s] skills and ability but I think Americans are going to want the details. When 80 percent of Americans think country is on the wrong track, they’re going to want to know how you’re really going to solve the problems. And they’re going to want to know how he’s going to do it as one of the most liberal and most partisan Democrats in the United States Senate. It’s easy to say, but when it comes to record of accomplishment, his resume is thin.

Jennifer Rubin - Commentary Magazine: Barack Obama spoke to AIPAC this morning, what about Obama’s change of position on classification of the Iranian National Guard as a terrorist organization?

John McCain: He has changed his views on various issues. He voted NO on the Amendment by Sen. Jon Kyl. Obama seems to be softening his opposition to the surge in Iraq. This shows that Obama doesn't have the experience or knowledge to lead the country.

JOHN McCAIN's CONFERENCE CALL WITH BLOGGERS TODAY!

11:10AM Arizona Time:

JOHN McCAIN: Thanks for being here! I gave a speech this morning in Ohio concerning what America would look like after my first term as President in 2013. It's important for me to layout what I what to see done and what is doable.

Americans are fed up with grid lock. We need to address issues in a bi-partisan manner.

By 2013, we will have won the war in Iraq! The Maliki government will have control and the Iraqi Military will take over responsibility from American soldiers. We will have an agreement similar to the one we have with South Korea, Japan, and other allies. I want to debate this with Sen's. Obama/Clinton. The surge has worked. Look at the facts on the ground.

We cannot announce a date for pulling out of Iraq like Obama & Clinton want to do. We might eventually have to go back under their leadership.

BLOGER QUESTIONS

Jennifer Rubin : Q: What is your view on Lebanon & direct talks with
Iran? President Bush used the word "Atonement"
in his speech today in Israel. The Obama camp
has gone in spin mode over his comments.

JOHN McCAIN: President Bush WAS NOT talking about Obama.
The reason for the over-reaction from the democrats
is the degree of naivety that Obama wants face-to-
face meetings with Iran - a government that sponsors
state terrorism. Lebanon has become a proxy war
between us & Iran. If Obama wants to sit down with
Iran, what does he want to talk about? This would
only enhance our enemy. It's unacceptable! Sen.
Obama does NOT have the judgement/knowledge
for our National Security.

Michael Goldfarb: Q: What needs to be discussed with Iran?

JOHN McCAIN: Would be glad to talk to Iran if they abandon their
quest for Nuclear Weapons. They also have to stop
exporting weapons & soldiers into Iraq. They must
STOP sponsoring Hezbollah! Iran has shown NO
inclination towards these goals. Again, what does
Obama want to talk to Iran about?

Jim Geraghty: Q: Monday's article in the NYT said Obama would meet
with Iran. His handlers continue to deny. How do
you hold Obama accountable?

JOHN McCAIN: I don't know. Obama wants to re-negotiate NAFTA
Canada will then sell their oil to China. Obama then
announced in North Carolina that he was a 'free trader".
(Answer to a follow up question) As President, I will
at the least, hold bi-weekly conference calls with Bloggers.

Doug Lambert: Q: What issues are 'doable'? Have you spoken to
Newt Gingrich on these issues?

JOHN McCAIN: Many of the issues I outlined in my speech today are. Yes I have. I have read a couple of Newt's books. He has some great ideas. I intend to talk with him on these issues.

Today's John McCain Blogger Conference Call....

7:00AM Arizona Time:

John McCain: "I want to talk about two subjects today. I have spent the past week visiting places 'forgotten' by the American Dream. I just visited Inez, KY where 44 years ago today, President Johnson declared the War on Poverty. This has proven that over time, local control is much better than Federal control.

I visited Selma, AL and met with a group of famous quilters. Along with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, I went to the 9th Ward in New Oreleans and then onto Xavier University where I met President Dr. Norman Francis, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and University Dignitaries before holding a town hall meeting.

I told them that Katrina WILL NEVER happen again!

If you want your taxes raised, I am NOT your guy! In the last 10 years, Earmarks have increased by 440% - almost $ 42 Billion worth!

Hillary Clinton & Barack Obama want to RAISE Your Taxes! They are out of touch with the American people.

Let's give American's some Gas Tax Relief this summer! .18 cents a gallon for gas; .24 cents a gallon for Diesel. The poorest people drive the furthest & deserve this break!"

Highlights from the Questions:

Hugh Hewitt: Q: Sen. McCain your rebuke of Senator Obama for his comparison of his friendship with William Ayers and his friendship with Oklahoma Senator Tom Colburn, mentioned the 2007 video/audio of Dohrn and Ayers, and what obligations Obama had to address the details of his association with Ayers/Dohrn, and what obligations the media had to push for that explanation.

JOHN McCAIN: Ayers is an un-repentant terrorist. He took innocent lives with bombings. Obama needs to apologize. I am offended with the comparison to Tom Colburn. People were killed by the Weatherman Organization.

Michael Goldfarb: Q: You asked the North Carolina GOP to pull down the anti Obama ad. What was wrong with the ad?

JOHN McCAIN: It's not the kind of ad we want. The influences are not necessary. Let's talk about the differences between Obama & me. That ad was not appropriate for the GOP. I hope they will take it down. (NOTE: the NC GOP dropped the ad)

Dan Nowicki: Q: Your competing hard in California. Can you win there and what is your strategy?

JOHN McCAIN: I understand the issues in California, I am a Senator from the Western states. I am going to travel there. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proves a Republican can win there!

Jennifer Rubin: Q: Hamas has indicated that they would be happy with Barack Obama as the next President. What effect will this have on the peace process?

JOHN McCAIN: Hamas, Daniel Ortega and others want Obama. I WILL BE HAMAS' WORST NIGHTMARE!!!

I want to thank all the Bloggers! I am heading to Arkansas with Mike Huckabee to visit the Arkansas Baptist College. On Sunday, I am headed to Florida. Next week we will be talking about Health Care in America!