McCain Reacts to Report of CIA Destroyed Tapes

By: Andante Higgins
Topics: John McCain

(CBS)

From CBS News' Andante Higgins

HAMPSTEAD, N.H. -- John McCain responded today to the reports that the CIA destroyed interrogation tapes.

"I don't think they should have destroyed those tapes," McCain said at a news conference here. "It will harm the credibility of the CIA, in my view. And I wish they had listened to members of Congress who said they should not do so."

"As far as I know, they didn't break any laws but they should be concerned about their credibility with the American people. And when they take actions such as that without a convincing argument for doing so, it erodes American confidence in the institution and that's not good for America. And if I were president, I would certainly find out who's responsible."

Earlier, in a middle school gymnasium packed with students and veterans, Hampestead Middle School's eighth grade president prepared the audience for the McCain's arrival. "Thank you very much for that introduction and the tie looks good too," McCain told the student as he took to the stage.

McCain skipped his standard stump speech and in place of it talked about remembering those who have served in the military especially those who served on Pearl Harbor Day. "It was quiet Sunday morning. People were getting ready for church…we were unprepared, we had no idea that Japanese planes were coming." McCain explained to his audience.

Students asked questions about the Korean War, the Senator's time as a POW and other experiences McCain had in the military. "Were you scared?" asked one student from the bleachers. McCain said he wasn't so scared at the time but he gets scared thinking about it now.

The event was filled with McCain's wartime stories and he appeared to enjoy telling them. He told one of his favorite stories about a POW buddy of his named Michael Christian who was beaten for sewing an American flag inside his shirt. Undeterred from the beatings, he sewed another flag inside his shirt when he returned to his cell. McCain told the audience to remember that when they pledged allegiance to the flag.

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by forthepeopl1 December 7, 2007 7:30 PM EST: THEY DIDN''T BREAK ANY LAWS!!!!

ARE YOU THAT STUPID MCAIN!!! YOU MUST BE TO BELEIVE THAT.

JUST LIKE THE NEW A.G. RIGHT. PLEASE TELL AMERICANS WHY WE WOULD PUT A ISERAL HOME GROWN IN THE HIGHTEST OFFICE..PLEASE EXPLAIN THAT..IF IT COME DOWN TO ISERAL OR AMERICA WHAT WOULD HE CHOSE???

COME ON TELL US STUPID AMERICANS/ HE WILL CHOSE ISERAL, AND YOU KNOW THAT..

COME ON MEDIA, LETS SEE WHAT HE WOULD SAY...; Reply to this comment


by forthepeopl1 December 7, 2007 7:24 PM EST: it''s so funny that they think that this all that has been destoyed by the bush adminastration(cheney) everyday they do it. and for our congressman and woman and senators to be suprised that this happen is killing me i cant stop laughing, boy do we have a stupid and so blind goverment

Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, a persistent critic of the Bush administration''s anti-terrorism policies, was to speak on the Senate floor about the destruction of the interrogation tapes, and its not having been revealed for some two years. At least one Republican lawmaker has also expressed dismay over the destruction of the tapes.

The CIA''s destruction of the tapes came in the midst of Congressional and legal scrutiny about its secret detention program, according to current and former government officials.
White House officials declined this morning to comment on the matter.

"This matter must be promptly and fully investigated," said Harman, now head of the Homeland Security subcommittee on intelligence and terrorism risk assessment. She noted that in early 2003 she received "a highly classified briefing" on CIA interrogation practices from the agency''s general counsel, and that she had expressed "serious concerns" in a letter to the lawyer afterward.

"I call for my letter of February 2003, which was never responded to and has been in the CIA''s files ever since, to be declassified," the Congresswoman said.; Reply to this comment