NEW YORK, July 9, 2008

McCain Wants "Meaningful" Action On Iran

Katie Couric Interviews John McCain On Iran, Israel, Gas Prices And His Campaign

  • Play CBS Video Video McCain And Couric Discuss Iran

    Republican presidential candidate John McCain speaks with Katie Couric about what Iran's missile test might mean for Middle East security and what his economic goals as president would be.

  • Video Eye To Eye: John McCain

    John McCain tells Katie Couric how he plans to lower U.S. dependence on foreign oil and revitalize the economy. McCain also addresses Iran's missile tests and critics of his campaign management.

  • Republican presidential nominee John McCain speaks to Katie Couric July 9, 2008. Photo

    Republican presidential nominee John McCain speaks to Katie Couric July 9, 2008.  (CBS)

  • Photo Essay John McCain

    Some call him a hero, some a maverick. Will Americans call him Mr. President?

  • In-Depth VP Hot Sheet: McCain

    CBSNews.com ranks the top contenders to be McCain's running mate.

(CBS)  The presidential candidates were quick to react to Iran's missile test Wednesday. Republican John McCain said action is what's necessary, including what he called "meaningful" sanctions. CBS News anchor Katie Couric asked McCain about a possible attack by Israel against Iran. What follows is a transcript of their conversation.



Couric: Would you discourage Israel if their leadership came to you as president and said, we're going to strike Iran's nuclear sites?

McCain: I can’t get into that kind of hypothetical, but the Iranians are testing these missiles not because of reaction because of the Israelis in my view. This is part of a calculated plan, developing nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. And nations led by all of European friends as well as other countries, we have to impose meaningful, tough, effective sanctions on the Iranians to modify their behavior. We cannot never allow a second holocaust.

Couric: Do you get a sense, Sen. McCain, that an attack by Israel on Iran is imminent?

McCain:I have no idea. I know this: that Iran continues to develop nuclear weapons in violation of various treaties and their own commitments and we need to do everything we can to modify that behavior in the form of very tough economic and other sanctions. Their economy is not strong because of their lousy government.

Couric: What do you think that should be done right now that isn't being done, Senator, in that department?

McCain: Impose tough sanctions. There are European financial institutions that are extending unlimited lines of credit to the Iranians. Shut all of that down. Make things very very tough economically on the Iranians and trade and others ways. I think it can have a beneficial effect.

Couric: Beyond a summer tax gas holiday plan that no one thinks will pass, are you offering any kind of relief to the American people, who are, as you well know, really struggling right now?

McCain: Well, we quickly have to go off-shore if the states let us and explore and exploit those areas. If you lift the moratorium on offshore exploration then I think that will send a signal and have an effect on gas prices immediately. The gas tax holiday was just a chance to give some people a little bit of a relief, that’s all it was. A lot of people say it was a gimmick and wouldn’t work. A lot of people who are driving the furthest with the most cars, which are low-income Americans, really would like to have a little bit of relief.

Couric: Your advisers say that you're promising to balance the budget by the end of your first term. Are you personally making this commitment to the American people?

McCain: Yes, absolutely, absolutely. And if we reduce spending, we can do it. It all as to do with spending and it all as to do with discipline, which is out of control.

Couric: What's your reaction, though, Senator, to leading economists who say it's all but impossible to meet that goal that you would have to cut spending or raise tax beyond what anyone could anticipate is possible. Is it really achievevable?

McCain: I am saying that there is: five Nobel laureates and 300 economists who think my economic plan is a good one. I say that those who disagree, I respect their opinion, but growth and revenue increases is what will balance the budget.

Couric: Some Republicans, meanwhile, have privately complained that your campaign organization is in disarray and critics say if you can't effectively run a campaign, how can you effectively run the country? What's your response to that?

McCain: My response is that I do town hall meetings all of the time and you know what, not a single person at a town hall meeting says, ‘how’s your campaign organization doing?’ What they say is, ‘how are you going to get my health care affordable? I am worried about my job. I can’t afford to drive my car anymore. How am I going to keep my home loan ... and afford my mortgage?’ That’s what I am talking about.

Couric: John McCain. Senator, thanks so much for talking to us.

McCain: Thank you, Katie.


© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Video and Galleries from CBS Evening News

Add a Comment See all 264 Comments
by sgtrds10-4 July 9, 2008 7:07 PM PDT
This worthless senile POS wants to take us into another war with Iran. How much more blood money do those on the far right wing need to wring out of our soldiers?
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds10-4 July 9, 2008 7:09 PM PDT
McCain: "Their economy is not strong because of their lousy government."

I know he''s talking about Iran, but he could say the same thing about the US and still be 100% correct!
Reply to this comment
by pvperson July 9, 2008 7:18 PM PDT
There ya go, ignore that Israel is running bombing programs, testing their equipment and plans to attack Iran and place everything on the Iranians. It''s all their doing.

Iran hasn''t invaded other countries in the middle east, Israel has. Iran doesn''t have nuclear weapons, Israel has. You want peace in the middle east, rein in Israel.
Reply to this comment
by deacon20081 July 9, 2008 7:18 PM PDT
Mc Cain says what? "Their economy is not strong because of their lousy government."

I think he was talking about us. Look at our economy, the lousy administration and at our present congress''s dervied nightmare that allows the Bush bunch a free ride on Treason Charges.

McCain is a follower of that NEW WORLD ORDER Bush doctrine, obviously.
Reply to this comment
by rgrxx175 July 9, 2008 7:20 PM PDT
whats wrong with mccain''s eyes, why does he blink so much, is it morse code? this guy has problems...
Reply to this comment
by rgrxx175 July 9, 2008 7:22 PM PDT
www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/mccain.cfm
check this out some good stuff about john mcbush..
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds10-4 July 9, 2008 7:24 PM PDT
whats wrong with mccain''''s eyes, why does he blink so much, is it morse code? this guy has problems...

Posted by RGRXX175 at 07:20 PM : Jul 09, 2008

He''s in the early stages of senile dementia or Alzheimer''s. In a few years he won''t be able to remember his name, will be striking out at nurses aides with his cane while cursing them and will need his diapers changed on a regular basis. Not exactly a good image for a president is it? I mean I actually feel sorry for what he and his family are going to be going through over the next several years, but I don''t feel sorry enough to want to have a mentally dull senile man in the White House.
Reply to this comment
by bagdadshere2 July 9, 2008 7:34 PM PDT

He''''s in the early stages of senile dementia or Alzheimer''''s. In a few years he won''''t be able to remember his name, will be striking out at nurses aides with his cane while cursing them and will need his diapers changed on a regular basis. Not exactly a good image for a president is it? I mean I actually feel sorry for what he and his family are going to be going through over the next several years, but I don''''t feel sorry enough to want to have a mentally dull senile man in the White House.

Posted by SgtRDS10-4 at 07:24 PM : Jul 09, 2008
-----------------------------------

But He"s honest and doesnt need to steal our money because he doesnt need more money. BARRACK HUSSEIN OSAMA is young and he has a lot yet to steal.
It will be a shame if the DEMONCRATS lose a third election for a 75 year old Republican.
Reply to this comment
by babooph July 9, 2008 7:39 PM PDT
After fighting years longer than ww2,with the greatest military ever,against some poorly armed camel jockies,we will now try "meaningful" - too bad the middle class will pay for 3 generations for what has been "meaningless".
Reply to this comment
by greatdrivew July 9, 2008 7:48 PM PDT
My God . . . We the People are screwed!!!

Obama is a lying fraud, and McCain''s a Zionist intent on continual war in the Middle East.

Good Lord, help us.
Reply to this comment
by rgrxx175 July 9, 2008 8:05 PM PDT
mccain gets a woody every time they talk about war with iran with him.. i know thats sick...
Reply to this comment
by wardoglrs July 9, 2008 8:10 PM PDT
McCain: "Meaningful" Action On Iran Needed

In other word''s pull the trigger and push the button''s
Reply to this comment
by wardoglrs July 9, 2008 8:13 PM PDT
McCain:I have no idea. I know this: that Iran continues to develop nuclear weapons in violation of various treaties and their own commitments and we need to do everything we can to modify that behavior in the form of very tough economic and other sanctions. Their economy is not strong because of their lousy government.

Ahem aah... lets see here Isn''t America experiencing
A recession headed for a depression?
Reply to this comment
by noaanhc July 9, 2008 8:18 PM PDT
Iran has been a clear and present danger to the world since 1979.The Iranian people have suffered greatly under this repressive government.My female friend who lives there is relagated to second class citizen,
all because of her gender.We should have taken out this regime by force after they took our embasssy staff hostage.Now we are paying the price for this missed opprtunity and the world may pay a terrible price today for our show of weakness in the 1980s.
Reply to this comment
by endofbones July 9, 2008 8:23 PM PDT
This is a scary interview, I think we should start taking bets on long til this war starts. You know the wall-street speculators already know.

This is the kind of fascist propaganda that got the germans to attack poland and much similar to the lies that the Bush administration fed the american public before invading Iraq.

The UAEA inspeactor has been able to go into all of irans facilities on 9 occaisions and has found absolutley nothing that remotely shows Iran is trying to build a weapon or start a war. Iran is afraid of the US and Israel right now and has tried to reach out to president bush multiple times adn every time the Bush administration has turned him down. THESE ARE FACTS

This propaganda is being perpetrated by Zionists and the corporate interests that want to exploit the oil reserves in Iran

We have to stop our country from engaging in another illegal war!!
Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 July 9, 2008 8:23 PM PDT
whats wrong with mccain''''s eyes, why does he blink so much, is it morse code? this guy has problems...

Posted by RGRXX175

It is the manchurian effect from his conditioning as the manchrian candidate. he is sending code to the chinese
Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 July 9, 2008 8:23 PM PDT
whats wrong with mccain''''s eyes, why does he blink so much, is it morse code? this guy has problems...

Posted by RGRXX175

It is the manchurian effect from his conditioning as the manchrian candidate. he is sending code to the chinese
Reply to this comment
by dumbocrat July 9, 2008 8:27 PM PDT
Iran 1977
Islamic Revolution Starts, Iran Declares war on the %u201Cgreat satan America%u201D ; Americans die, Carter does nothing

1980 - 1988
Islamic Revolution in Iran Grows; Americans and Jews killed worldwide by muslim terrorist.
Reagan uses Saddam to fight Iran; It prevents another Vietnam, saves American lives, but doesn%u2019t get the job done.

1988 - 2000 Bush Sr and Clinton do very little. Islamic Fundamentalist gain strength and spreads worldwide. Muslims blow up the WTC for the first time, several US embassies and a US warship.

Present - Bush Jr. Finally attempts to put a stop to them after thousands of Americans murdered by Muslims on 911. Muslims murder more non believers in England, Spain, Israel and more
Iran building Nukes and missiles to destroy Israel.

Liberals nationwide in USA rally to support Islam and defeat Bush!

And the naive duped sheep chant.. Obama Akbar! Obama Akbar!
Reply to this comment
by edintex July 9, 2008 8:33 PM PDT
We have to stop our country from engaging in another illegal war!!
Posted by endofbones at 08:23 PM : Jul 09, 2008

If the Iranians were to nuke Israel in the next few years, would you admit you were wrong? Wouldn''t it be a little too late to do something about it at THAT time? Just remember WHO has made ACTUAL threats. I seem to recall NUMEROUS times that AHMANUTJOB said Israel is about to be destroyed or should be wiped off the map.
The intent of the nut job in Iran is CLEARLY established. They have the means to hit Israel with a missile. They are undoubtedly working on the warhead. Why dobt it since their next door neighbor has the bomb and has proliferated it? If YOU lived in Israel right now, how secure would YOU feel? Would you WAIT AND SEE? Only cowards waiting to be slaughtered would wait and see until its too late.
Reply to this comment
by dumbocrat July 9, 2008 8:34 PM PDT
Posted by edintex at 08:33 PM : Jul 09, 2008

Well Said!
Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 July 9, 2008 8:36 PM PDT
Muslims blow up the WTC for the first time, several US embassies and a US warship.

Present - Bush Jr. Finally attempts to put a stop to them after thousands of Americans murdered by Muslims on 911. Muslims murder more non believers in England, Spain, Israel and more
Posted by Dumbocrat

Dumbo crat is hinting we should destroy and fight the whole muslim culture. At least the dumb in your name is right
Reply to this comment
by dumbocrat July 9, 2008 8:39 PM PDT
Posted by zerato at 08:36 PM : Jul 09, 2008

Quick yes or no question for you:

Who would you rather have living next door to you and your children:
1. A Muslim?
2. A Christian?

Honest answer please
Reply to this comment
by barocalto July 9, 2008 8:41 PM PDT
Obama %u201CI want to cut his nuts off.%u201D
Jesse Jackson.
Reply to this comment
by edintex July 9, 2008 8:43 PM PDT
Dumbo crat is hinting we should destroy and fight the whole muslim culture. At least the dumb in your name is right.
Posted by zerato at 08:36 PM : Jul 09, 2008

If there is another terrorist attack that kills many Americans, that is EXACTLY what will happen, and NOBODY will be able to stop it. I do not include myself in with those that will do it, but I have met many of them that will. They scare me.

That is a very important reason to pull out all road blocks to our law enforcement and intelligence efforts to prevent another attack. It goes for WHOEVER becomes president or joins Congress/Senate. I dont want my children to see what will happen in this country AFTER another attack.
Reply to this comment
by blinksalot July 9, 2008 8:53 PM PDT
he blinks 518 times...give or take 10 or 20 blinks ..thats crazy
Reply to this comment
by raoul12-2009 July 9, 2008 8:55 PM PDT
Who would you rather have living next door to you and your children:
1. A Muslim?
2. A Christian?

Honest answer please

Posted by Dumbocrat at 08:39 PM : Jul 09, 2008
______________________

I wouldn''t want a Catholic priest anywhere near my children.
Reply to this comment
by raoul12-2009 July 9, 2008 8:56 PM PDT
Who would you rather have living next door to you and your children:
1. A Muslim?
2. A Christian?

Honest answer please

Posted by Dumbocrat at 08:39 PM : Jul 09, 2008
______________________

I wouldn''t want a Catholic priest anywhere near my children.

Posted by raoul12 at 08:55 PM : Jul 09, 2008
_______________________

I agree, too many are paedophiles.
Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 July 9, 2008 8:58 PM PDT
Who would you rather have living next door to you and your children:
1. A Muslim?
2. A Christian?

Honest answer please
Posted by Dumbocrat

a neighbor
Reply to this comment
by blinksalot July 9, 2008 8:58 PM PDT
someone else please count his blinks so i have a comparison

Reply to this comment
by gce65 July 9, 2008 8:59 PM PDT
In McSame-speak, "meaningful action" = BOMB!
Reply to this comment
by bajaan July 9, 2008 9:00 PM PDT
I do not have prejudice against Catholic people and I do not like to see anyone stereotyped. It has happened too much to Muslim people.
Reply to this comment
by gce65 July 9, 2008 9:00 PM PDT
Who would you rather have living next door to you and your children:
1. A Muslim?
2. A Christian?

Honest answer please
Posted by Dumbocrat
-------------------

A Secularist who keeps his/her religion private!
Reply to this comment
by blinksalot July 9, 2008 9:02 PM PDT
for what its worth..on average i blink 12 times a minute..MC CAIN WOW like 180..tell me thats not odd
Reply to this comment
by blinksalot July 9, 2008 9:02 PM PDT
for what its worth..on average i blink 12 times a minute..MC CAIN WOW like 180..tell me thats not odd
Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 July 9, 2008 9:04 PM PDT
If there is another terrorist attack that kills many Americans, that is EXACTLY what will happen, and NOBODY will be able to stop it. I do not include myself in with those that will do it, but I have met many of them that will. They scare me.

Posted by edintex

I guess xenophobia is a reason for racism. I was in OKC when the murrah building was blown up by domestic christian milita terrorists. It is not their religion taht makes them kill it is the zealots in the religions taht kill. To condemn a whole religion for the acts of a few is pathetic.
Reply to this comment
by blinksalot July 9, 2008 9:07 PM PDT
Define christian...without blinkin
Reply to this comment
by dumbocrat July 9, 2008 9:10 PM PDT
A Liberals view of Islam:

Muslims intentionally murder Israeli school children to praise Allah is same as Israeli military targeting a Hamas mortar position.

Iran is in year 31 of a global Islamist jihad to convert all non muslims or kill them is the same as Americans spreading democracy to the oppressed.

Fundamentalist Islam will wipe out all gay and women%u2019s rights, yet Liberals still love them.. Why??

Because even though democrats may dislike certain aspects of Islam they HATE America and everything it stands for even more.

And the naive duped sheep chant.. Obama Akbar! Obama Akbar!
Reply to this comment
by blinksalot July 9, 2008 9:14 PM PDT
Zerato..when you mentioned the blinks i had to watch ..my new goal in life is to watch all Mc Cains interviews and count his blinks..in theory i might get a truelie trend...next up Obama ticks

Reply to this comment
by blinksalot July 9, 2008 9:14 PM PDT
Zerato..when you mentioned the blinks i had to watch ..my new goal in life is to watch all Mc Cains interviews and count his blinks..in theory i might get a truelie trend...next up Obama ticks

Reply to this comment
by edintex July 9, 2008 9:20 PM PDT
To condemn a whole religion for the acts of a few is pathetic.
Posted by zerato at 09:04 PM : Jul 09, 2008

In my opinion, you are correct. The problem is that there are crazies on BOTH sides. I worry more about the non-muslim ones here who on the whole have the desire, the money, the weapons, the knowledge and the burning anger to do it. The ONLY way to prevent it is to prevent another muslim extremist terror strike.
Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 July 9, 2008 9:20 PM PDT
Zerato..when you mentioned the blinks i had to watch ..my new goal in life is to watch all Mc Cains interviews and count his blinks..in theory i might get a truelie trend...next up Obama ticks
Posted by blinksalot

Obama uhhs uhh uh
Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 July 9, 2008 9:24 PM PDT
The ONLY way to prevent it is to prevent another muslim extremist terror strike.
Posted by edintex

Yes we should stop any extremeist attacks. whether the abortion clinic bomber, timothy mcveign or al quaeda.
Reply to this comment
by walt1944-2009 July 9, 2008 9:30 PM PDT
The "presumptive" neocon Fascist Nazi Republican nominee for the throne in the Oval Office has stated that more "meaningful" action must be taken against Iran.

Although "Bagdad John McBush" McCain wants tougher economic sanctions against Iran, it has been learned that he has other ideas which he feels will force Iran to behave. Among them are:

1. Sell more American goods to Iran. Since ALL American goods are made by the Chinese, there is a good chance that the Iranians will be subjected to the same toxic materials that we are!
2. Sell more American unfiltered cigarettes to Iran, knowing that the Iranian cancer rate will skyrocket among the male population.
3. Pay for Iranian oil with Confederate money, although American dollars are just as worthless!
4. Place an embargo on any exports of Hannah Montana materials to Iran; send them to Iraq instead!
5. Load a fleet of B-52''s with NAKED Barbie dolls and dump them all over Tehran. It would give the Iranian mullahs fits!!!
6. Have the American run Islamic Radio network beam all speeches made by "Bagdad John" since November, 2007, on a 24/7 schedule directly to Iran. Open spots in programming would be filled with the "collected babblings" of Rush Limbaugh!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!!!
sig heil, DEFINITELY MORE OF THE SAME, McCain!!!!
Reply to this comment
by blinksalot July 9, 2008 9:30 PM PDT
IMHO i truly think Iran is working as fast as they can to become nuclear, if not already??? But that said, i side with no one. Iran has every right as a sovereign nation to do what they want. The problem is they continue to threaten any who opposes them. America doesn''t threaten country''s for the religious or moral beliefs.America threatens country''s that do
Reply to this comment
by dumbocrat July 9, 2008 9:32 PM PDT
The 30 year war continues:

Iran 1977
Islamic Revolution Starts, Iran Declares war on the %u201Cgreat satan America%u201D ; Americans die, Carter does nothing

1980 - 1988
Islamic Revolution in Iran Grows; Americans and Jews killed worldwide by muslim terrorist.
Reagan uses Saddam to fight Iran; It prevents another Vietnam, saves American lives, but doesn%u2019t get the job done.

1988 - 2000 Bush Sr and Clinton do very little. Islamic Fundamentalist gain strength and spreads worldwide. Muslims blow up the WTC for the first time, several US embassies and a US warship.

2000 to present - Bush Jr. Finally attempts to put a stop to them after thousands of Americans murdered by Muslims on 911. Muslims murder more non believers in England, Spain, Israel and more
Iran building Nukes and missiles to destroy Israel and building bombs to kill American soldiers.

McCain vows never to surrender and win the 30 year war. Obama vows to retreat from 1 of the many battlefields.

Liberals nationwide in USA rally to support Islam and defeat McCain!

And the naive duped sheep chant.. Obama Akbar! Obama Akbar! And the spread of fundamentalist islam continues to spread like a cancer%u2026
Reply to this comment
by blinksalot July 9, 2008 9:36 PM PDT
Whens the last time there was a news story of americans burning Iranian flags and calling them The Great SATAN..or kidnapping and holding Iranians hostage..get real WAKE your dumb arse up already it''s not peace they want it''s war

Reply to this comment
by likeitis5050 July 9, 2008 9:49 PM PDT
McCain=growl Obama=meow Too much going on with terrorism and their deep seated desire to kill us all off just to prove a point to have a puzzie in office.
Reply to this comment
by blinksalot July 9, 2008 9:54 PM PDT
If America is the great satan than GO SATAN
Reply to this comment
by bajaan July 9, 2008 9:56 PM PDT
Muslims intentionally murder Israeli school children to praise Allah is same as Israeli military targeting a Hamas mortar position.

Fundamentalist Islam will wipe out all gay and women%u2019s rights, yet Liberals still love them.. Why??
_________________________

If you truly believe the garbage you write I feel sorry for you.

Because even though democrats may dislike certain aspects of Islam they HATE America and everything it stands for even more.

And the naive duped sheep chant.. Obama Akbar! Obama Akbar!

Posted by Dumbocrat at 09:10 PM : Jul 09, 2008
Reply to this comment
by ioweign July 9, 2008 9:56 PM PDT
The 30 year war continues:

Iran 1977
Islamic Revolution Starts, Iran Declares war on the "great satan America" ; Americans die, Carter does nothing

1980 - 1988
Islamic Revolution in Iran Grows; Americans and Jews killed worldwide by muslim terrorist.
Reagan uses Saddam to fight Iran; It prevents another Vietnam, saves American lives, but doesn%u2019t get the job done.

1988 - 2000 Bush Sr and Clinton do very little. Islamic Fundamentalist gain strength and spreads worldwide. Muslims blow up the WTC for the first time, several US embassies and a US warship.

2000 to present - Bush Jr. Finally attempts to put a stop to them after thousands of Americans murdered by Muslims on 911.
Posted by Dumbocrat at 09:32 PM : Jul 09, 2008

Better go back farther Bubba.


Operation AJAX concerns the overthrow of Muhammad Mossadeq%u2019s short-lived, DEMOCRATIC Iranian government by the CIA in 1953 and the reinstallation of the Shah to the throne of Iran.

Reply to this comment
See all 264 Comments
  • MOST POPULAR
  • Viewed
  • Commented
Latest News
Featured Blogs