CNN Larry King Live-Transcript

Interview

CNN Larry King Live-Transcript

KING: Exclusive -- his first interview since he finally officially entered the 2008 presidential race today. McCain admits he's not the youngest candidate in the race, but claims he's got the most experience. All that and more next on LARRY KING LIVE.

Good evening.

We begin tonight with Senator John McCain and his lovely wife Cindy.

They're in Concord, New Hampshire on this historic day, where the senator has officially officialed the announcement of his candidacy for president.

I thought, Senator McCain, that you had announced already.

So what made today different?

JOHN MCCAIN: Well, Larry, it's an official announcement, as you know, and it is well known that I was going to be a candidate for the Republican nomination, but this is an opportunity to tell the people of my vision and my qualifications and my credentials and why I'm running for president of the United States.

And so it's sort of a -- an arcane, old custom, but the fact is it's an opportunity and it's one that we're exercising up here in New Hampshire and we'll be down in South Carolina and Iowa and then back in our home state of Arizona.

KING: Does making it official change anything?

JOHN MCCAIN: Not really. What it actually does is, again, a chance to rally the faithful, get your message out, portray your vision and an opportunity to sort of get -- really get your campaign in high gear as much as possible. And that's what I think we're succeeding in doing today.

KING: Let's discuss health first. You had a melanoma. It was serious.

JOHN MCCAIN: Um-hmm.

KING: You got it operated on and taken care of.

How are you?

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm fine. Cindy says I'm more ill-tempered than I used to be, but other than that, I'm fine. My health is excellent. I see my dermatologist every three months. I urge everyone who has -- particularly the fairer your skin -- to be sure you see your dermatologist.

Skin cancer is something that doesn't have to be in any way dangerous. It's just you've got to check it early and get it taken care of early.

But my health is excellent. I work 24-7 and I'm happy. We're having a lot of fun. And there's nothing I enjoy more than this kind of campaigning and the town hall meetings that we've been doing and are going to continue to do throughout the campaign.

KING: Cindy, do you have any worries in the health department with regard to the senator?

CINDY MCCAIN: I have absolutely none. What my husband didn't tell you is that he hiked Brin's Rim (ph) at the Grand Canyon this summer with our sun. I know I couldn't do that and he did it and did it really well with our boy. So he's in fine shape.

JOHN MCCAIN: I have always had full...

KING: How old is he?

JOHN MCCAIN: My son?

KING: Yes.

JOHN MCCAIN: Or me?

(LAUGHTER)

CINDY MCCAIN: He'll be 21 next week.

JOHN MCCAIN: Can I...

KING: And how old is...

CINDY MCCAIN: Can I mention, Larry?

KING: Yes.

JOHN MCCAIN: Can I mention that -- that hike around the rim of the Grand Canyon, it was wonderful. It was exhilarating. It almost killed me.

(LAUGHTER)

KING: Don't do it again.

How old are you, Senator?

JOHN MCCAIN: We're going to do it again.

KING: How old are you now?

JOHN MCCAIN: Seventy. I'll be 71.

KING: Does that mean if elected, this is a one term presidency?

JOHN MCCAIN: I don't know. That's something you've got to decide at the time and I think the major factor is to whether you have done the job or not and whether you think you -- you're still fit to serve, not just because of your health, but primarily because of the kind of job you've done.

I think that's -- that's the critical aspect of an issue such as that.

KING: Let's get to some things right in the news, Senator.

Senator Harry Reid and Vice President Dick Cheney have been going back and forth at each other and Cheney has been very expressive in the thought that what Senator Reid is doing is helping the enemy.

Do you share that view?

JOHN MCCAIN: Oh, I can't say that it's helping the enemy. But to declare the war lost, then I think it's incumbent upon Senator Reid to say who won.

Is that al Qaeda? Is that the militia? Is that -- is that the forces of terrorism and radical Islamic extremism that are dedicated to destroying the United States of America?

And I must admit, I don't recall a time in American history when American -- young Americans are still fighting and sacrificing, that a national leader declared their cause lost.

KING: Were you surprised?

JOHN MCCAIN: Yes. I was surprised. And disappointed...

KING: Have you spoken to Senator Reid?

JOHN MCCAIN: And disappointed.

KING: Have you spoken to him?

JOHN MCCAIN: No, I have not. I was disappointed.

KING: In other words, you didn't expect him to do that?

JOHN MCCAIN: Well, I had hoped that he wouldn't. Look, Senator Reid recently said we're going to pick up seats in the next election as a result of this war.

What Senator Reid seems to have forgotten or not recognized is that presidents don't lose wars and political parties don't lose wars. Nations lose wars. And when nations lose wars, nations suffer.

And I'm confident if we set a date for withdrawal, which would be a date for surrender, then you will see chaos, genocide in the region and they will follow us home.

KING: You...

JOHN MCCAIN: I think there's a lot at stake here and I think we have a new strategy and a new general and I'd love to -- for all of us to have a chance -- to give it a chance to succeed.

KING: Now, you base so much of your campaign strategy and the like on this.

What happens if it doesn't work?

JOHN MCCAIN: Well, I can't worry about it. I don't think about it. I would much rather lose a campaign than lose a war and the consequences of failure are immense and what young Americans are sacrificing everyday, as we speak, is nothing. It makes my political ambitions totally irrelevant.

KING: In the past, though, you have been critical of strategy.

Is this a change for you?

JOHN MCCAIN: I don't think there was any more severe critic of the strategy that was employed in the past four years. Shortly after the initial success, I was over there and came back and railed against that strategy. I begged that we get more people over there. I predicted that we would fail and unfortunately we waited a long, long time.

Now, the American people, understandably, are frustrated and angry. We have sacrificed so much and yet I believe that this strategy does have a chance to succeed. I believe we've got great leadership. I pray every night that it does.

And so we're in difficult times, my friend.

KING: Your youngest son, Cindy McCain, joined the Marines.

CINDY MCCAIN: Yes.

KING: Were you happy that he did that?

CINDY MCCAIN: I'm very proud of my son. He -- from the time he was a little boy -- really wanted to be a Marine. And I would like -- personally, I would have liked to have -- for him to have gone to college first, but this was his choice. I support it and I'm so proud of him.

KING: Where is he now?

CINDY MCCAIN: He's in -- he's stationed...

JOHN MCCAIN: He's at a Marine base.

CINDY MCCAIN: Yes, he's at a Marine base.

KING: What if he goes to Iraq, Cindy?

CINDY MCCAIN: Well, I'll join the other ranks of parents that are in absolutely the same situation we would be and pray every day and know that he would be -- if my husband were president, that he would be led -- would be being led well.

KING: We'll take a break and be right back on this historic day for Senator John McCain. He and his wife Cindy in Concord, New Hampshire. He's officially -- officially in the ring. He tossed his hat in the ring. Don't go away.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, the next president of the United States and first lady, John and Cindy McCain.

JOHN MCCAIN: And today I announce my candidacy for president of the United States.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE DAILY SHOW," COURTESY COMEDY CENTRAL)

JON STEWART, HOST: Al Qaeda...

JOHN MCCAIN: I know one way to go, and that is al Qaeda has declared they're dedication to the destruction of everything we stand for and believe in. I know that for a fact.

STEWART: Whether we're in Iraq or not?

JOHN MCCAIN: Do you know that for a fact?

STEWART: I know it for a fact.

JOHN MCCAIN: Good.

STEWART: And I...

JOHN MCCAIN: Bless you.

Boy, that's the first time we've agreed...

STEWART: That's not true.

JOHN MCCAIN: ... on this whole program.

STEWART: Here's...

JOHN MCCAIN: Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Senator McCain, is Jon Stewart and that ilk the new road to the White House?

JOHN MCCAIN: Oh, I think you have to go on some of these programs. They reach demographics that you otherwise might not -- may not touch. But it's always an interesting experience.

KING: That was your ninth appearance on that show. You earlier announced on "Letterman" you're looking for the 19-year-olds.

JOHN MCCAIN: That I was announcing.

KING: To announce that you were announcing.

JOHN MCCAIN: And I think from...

KING: Are you looking for the 19-year-olds?

JOHN MCCAIN: Yes, and I'm looking for this one. And I'm pleased and grateful that you would have me on and I appreciate it, Larry. I've been on your show many, many times over the years and if I might do a little apple polishing, you do a great job.

KING: You also were a frequent guest on "Imus" and a lot of us know him well.

What do you think happened to him and do you think it was correct?

JOHN MCCAIN: I think that probably he paid a -- a very heavy penalty for the terrible and inexcusable thing that he did. I was asked whether I would go on his show or not. I think the point is that I believe in redemption. I believe in forgiveness. And I -- I forgave my North Vietnamese captors, who didn't treat me very well. I forgave the anti-war movement and reconciled with them.

My life has been spent in reconciliation and redemption and that's why I believe in redemption.

KING: Have you spoken to Imus since all of this?

JOHN MCCAIN: No, I have not.

KING: But you believed he deserved another chance?

JOHN MCCAIN: No, that's not a judgment that -- for me to make. What I'm saying is that my -- my -- me, personally, that I forgive him because I think he's truly sorry for doing a terrible, terrible thing. But the judgment on whether he should stay on -- on the airwaves or not, is not up to me to make.

KING: Bill Clinton was a guest recently with us, a couple weeks ago. I asked him what he feared or who of the Republican Party candidates does he fear. Here was his response, and then we'll get your thoughts.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "LARRY KING LIVE," APRIL 19, 2007)

BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I still think Senator McCain is a very durable character. He's a very admirable man. He paid a great price to serve this country. And even whether I agree or disagree with him on everything, you've got to respect him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: He also said, Senator, that -- that it's too -- it's too far away and there's no one really that he could pick out.

Your thoughts?

JOHN MCCAIN: Well, I agree. Of course, I appreciate the comments of President Clinton. But let me just say I agree that it's way, way too early. Most people are not focusing on the campaign. Many of us feel that a very rough and bitter campaign of 2006 was just completed.

I -- a couple of things are different, real quick, Larry. One, obviously, the war against -- or our struggle against radical Islamic extremism still is a tremendous and overriding issue in this campaign. But second of all, the partisanship and bitterness, to be honest with you, is far worse than it was in 2000. I can't go through all the reasons for it and explanations. You're -- you're probably more knowledgeable than I am.

But I -- I really sense a poisoned kind of atmosphere out there and most people here in New Hampshire and around the country don't like it. They want us to work together. They want us to reach across the aisle and work together. And unfortunately we're not doing that.

KING: More bitter than 2000?

I moderated the debate between you and President Bush in South Carolina and you would -- you would have defined bitter by that debate.

JOHN MCCAIN: Well, at that particular moment, obviously, I was angry and got too angry, as a matter of fact. And it didn't help my campaign any.

But what I'm saying is the general envir -- political environment in the country, not so much at that -- that really low point -- my real low point -- I lost -- in the campaign.

I'm talking about the general environment. They want us to work together on Social Security, on Medicare, to address the compelling issues of the day. And unfortunately they see us just really in pitched battle with one another and questioning each other's patriotism and character. And that's not good.

KING: I know that former Mayor Giuliani is a close friend of yours. In fact, I believe...

JOHN MCCAIN: We're good friends.

KING: ... on this program he did nothing but extol your virtues.

What do you make of his run so far?

JOHN MCCAIN: I think he's been very successful. I think that he is an American that -- that really was important as we went through a terrible, critical time after 9/11. And I think he led his city and -- and the country well.

I think he has served very well and I'm an admirer and a friend.

KING: Are you surprised that he's doing well in the polls?

JOHN MCCAIN: No, I think it's very early on. But I certainly am not surprised. I think a lot of things will happen. I'd remind you, in 1999, at this particular time, I was at 3 percent in the polls. With a 5 percent margin of error, we could have been at minus 2.

(LAUGHTER)

JOHN MCCAIN: You know, a lot of -- a lot of things -- a lot of things are going to happen between now and whenever the New Hampshire primary and Iowa caucuses are. As you know, they're getting moved earlier and earlier.

KING: I know.

JOHN MCCAIN: But, so a lot of things are going to happen. And I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the "second tier candidates" get some traction. Fred Thompson, if he enters, I think, would be -- certainly gather significant attention.

So a lot of things are going to happen and that's why we all watch with fascination.

KING: What do you think of Governor Romney and Mormonism as an issue?

JOHN MCCAIN: Well, obviously Mormonism shouldn't be an issue. There's no place in American politics -- and I think that's the view of most Americans. I don't know Governor Romney very well. I've met him on several occasions. I know he did a good job with the Olympics after a scandal there.

But I don't know him very well. I'm sure I'll get to know him better during the campaign.

KING: Cindy, do you -- do you like campaigning? Cindy, do you like the whole idea of this?

CINDY MCCAIN: I do. I wouldn't be here if I didn't. There are -- I'll freely admit there are portions of it that I don't like, and that's when it turns -- it turns to the down side. But for the most part, I've always enjoyed it. I've always been by my husband's side through all of the races that we've been in and it's fun. It's really, really fun.

KING: What do you make, Senator McCain, of the Attorney General Gonzales issue?

Many of your fellow Republican members of the Senate have expressed the thought that he ought to leave.

Should he?

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm very disappointed -- disappointed in his performance. I think loyalty to the president should enter into his calculations. Could I mention, as we talk about these other candidates, Larry, I'm running on my experience, my vision, my strength, my ability to lead the country. I don't need any on the job training.

I'm not the youngest guy in the campaign, but I'm the most experienced. And I'm going to be running on my vision and my strength and I'm prepared to lead. And I think that that's, that's what I'm going to be campaigning on.

KING: Now, did you say you think Gonzales should leave?

JOHN MCCAIN: I think out of loyalty to the president that -- that that would probably be the best thing that he could do.

KING: We'll be right back with the remaining moments with Senator John McCain and Cindy McCain from Concord, New Hampshire.

Don't go away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING: We're back with the McCains.

Senator, recently in that same interview with Bill Clinton, he said he thought that any person asked to serve a president should, whether ex-president or whatever, and that he would serve Hillary or he would serve you, if asked.

Do you share the same view?

JOHN MCCAIN: Well, I...

KING: Would you use former presidents in your presidency?

JOHN MCCAIN: Absolutely. Former President Clinton has connections and relationships around the world that he developed. Obviously, he and I are a different party and have different views on many issues. I'm sure there are many policy issues, particularly national security, that we're probably in agreement.

I think that Bush One, President Bush is a marvelous man and one of the great gentleman that I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

So, certainly, certainly you should do that. You should take advantage of former -- not just former presidents, but former members of both parties. There's many members of the Democrat Party who I admire who I could rely on for some advice and counsel on some issues.

We've got to do more of that.

KING: Yes.

So if Senator Clinton were president and said Senator McCain, I need you to do something, you would do it?

JOHN MCCAIN: It depends on what.

KING: As long as you agreed with it?

JOHN MCCAIN: I...

(LAUGHTER)

KING: That's funny. Yes. OK. We'll leave...

JOHN MCCAIN: If it was something...

KING: We'll leave that alone.

JOHN MCCAIN: If it was...

(LAUGHTER)

JOHN MCCAIN: If it -- if it had -- if it meant service to the country and it was an issue that would be helpful to the country, obviously I would say yes.

KING: So we've got that great sense of humor.

We have an e-mail question from Brad in Boston: "Do you continue to support a policy of earned legalization for documented workers?"

He says you seem to have been distancing yourself from this idea.

JOHN MCCAIN: I think we need a comprehensive approach. I think we can -- are going to be coming up with a proposal here very soon. We've been working with Democrats and the White House and others. It's not "earned legalization" as much as it is the establishment of categories, allowing people to get a chance to get in line for a green card and eventual citizenship.

But standby, Brad, and I hope in a week or two, we're going to have a proposal that address the issue in a comprehensive fashion, with the first priority being border security.

KING: The Supreme Court ruled about partial-birth abortion, says that you can disallow them, make them illegal, especially for the doctors, not for the patient.

Do you think we're heading toward the end of "Roe v. Wade?"

JOHN MCCAIN: I don't know the answer to that, Larry. I'm just pleased that this really odious and terrible procedure has -- that was outlawed by majorities of both houses of Congress and signed by the president is upheld.

I don't know what the court does in "Roe v. Wade." I -- I just -- we don't question Supreme Court justice nominees on that, but I -- I believe we have two great justices who will strictly interpret the constitution of the United States and that's enough for me...

KING: And finally... JOHN MCCAIN: ... that there won't be judicial activism from the bench.

KING: Finally, Cindy, what role will you play in the -- in a John McCain presidency?

CINDY MCCAIN: A supportive role. I'm -- I have to worry about my children first, and then my husband and our family, first and foremost. And certainly I have not even thought about what I would do, because I -- we -- it's a -- we've got to get there first.

KING: Thank you both.

CINDY MCCAIN: Might I add, also...

KING: Yes, go ahead.

CINDY MCCAIN: Congratulations on 50...

KING: Oh.

CINDY MCCAIN: Congratulations on your 50 years.

KING: Thank you.

Thank you both very much.

Two good friends, Senator John McCain and Cindy McCain. We'll be seeing a lot of both of them along the trail.

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