McCain Blames Recession On Wall St.
Candidate Says Deregulation Spurred Economic Growth, Didn't Cause Collapse
-
Play CBS Video
Video
Candidate McCain, Part 1
In separate interviews, the two parties' presidential nominees are questioned on the big issues, including the U.S. economy, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, energy policy and health care. Scott Pelley interviews Sen. John McCain.
-
Video
Candidate McCain, Part 2
The presidential candidates talk about the defining experiences of their lives. Scott Pelley interviews Sen. John McCain.
-
Video
McCain: How I Differ From Bush
Sen. Obama has called Sen. McCain President Bush's third term, but McCain disagrees with that and points out a number of differences.
-
Photo
Sen. John McCain (CBS)
-
Photo Essay
Behind The Scenes
Take a behind-the-scenes peek of Scott Pelley's interview with Sen. John McCain.
-
Interactive
Campaign 2008
Profiles of the candidates, polls, fund-raising, blogs, video and more.
-
Watch past 60 Minutes reports on John McCain:
- 1997: Maverick From Arizona
- 1999: McCain
- March 2008: McCain
John McCain will tell you he was a cocky, selfish and rebellious young man until he was shot down on his 23rd combat mission. 60 Minutes went home with McCain to Arizona and he told us about something he rarely brings up: religious faith, and how it saved him in Vietnam.
John McCain: I think part of it is a bit private, obviously. But, I also haven't been reluctant to tell various things that have happened in my life, including the fact that my faith is why I'm here today. And my faith sustained me in the most difficult times where I didn't ask for another day or another hour, but for another minute. And so I try to show people that I have the utmost faith in this country, which was founded on Judeo-Christian values. And those are my values.
Scott Pelley: You know, you've written this about your father: "My father didn't talk about God or the importance of religious devotion. But, he did pray aloud on his knees twice a day." Is that you?
McCain: Yeah, but, I'm not sure as good a man as my father. My father struggled with alcohol all his life. And he really used his religion as a valuable tool in combating this disease. And it is a disease. And it was so tough on him when I was gone. When I was in prison and he was in the commander in the Pacific and he ordered the bombing of Hanoi.
Pelley: When you were there?
McCain: When I was there. That's tough on a father. But, I do believe that when you look back at my history, it's just remarkable that with all the things I've been through that I'm still here. And I interpret that as an opportunity to serve a cause greater than my self interest.
In late August, 60 Minutes met McCain in Arizona and he showed us around the home where he gets away from it all, down in a beautiful canyon near Sedona.
Pelley: Where do you do your clearest thinking?
McCain: Right here, right here and I hike across that creek and go right across there very easily and then hike up on onto that mountain on top of that mountain there, and its kind of a hard hike cause there's no trail.
Pelley: And from this place you get what?
McCain: Inspiration and balance and patience and all the things you need.
Pelley: You were born in the Panama Canal Zone because your father was stationed there. Where'd you live as a kid?
McCain: Well, we lived in San Diego, we lived in Norfolk, Virginia. We lived in the Washington D.C. area. We lived in New London, Connecticut. My dad was a submariner.
Pelley: Longest you've lived any one place?
McCain: Hanoi. Hanoi was the longest- I lived any place, five and a half years.
Pelley: When you were in prison?
McCain: Yup, yeah, I certainly don't wanna call that my hometown.
Produced By Tom Anderson
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.


- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
...
- 9
- next
See all 401 CommentsIf that''s the case, re: experience, then, what are they all comparing themselves for?!?!
The "small state of Arkansas"? 2.7 million in Arkansas versus 640,000 in Alaska.
http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en
That''s the link to to the US Census Bureau.
But, he has never lived anywhere for more than 5 and a half years? Of the 7 houses he owns, none were bought before 2003? Could it be technically true because they don''t spend more than several months in any given home?
Seems like another technically true answer that totally distorts common sense.
Yeah, but Cinton just had a southern accent, Sarah speaks in tounges... ''nuff said.
Many times Congress have passed legislation only to have Bush veto it, if only because he can or because of some rider that he attached that the Democratic Congress felt would water down or overwhelm what they intended. Congress can only be effective if they can override a presidential veto, and Bush knew they couldn''t so he played games with them
Hint for Phil Gramm and John McCain: The word starts with the letter "R" and has 10 letters. Another hint: something that special interests have been trying to eliminate in the name of lower cost and competition.
The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight%u2019s report goes on to say that Fannie Mae employees deliberately and intentionally manipulated financial reports to hit earnings targets in order to trigger bonuses for senior executives. In the case of Franklin Raines, Fannie Mae%u2019s former chief executive officer, OFHEO%u2019s report shows that over half of Mr. Raines%u2019 compensation for the 6 years through 2003 was directly tied to meeting earnings targets. The report of financial misconduct at Fannie Mae echoes the deeply troubling $5 billion profit restatement at Freddie Mac.
The OFHEO report also states that Fannie Mae used its political power to lobby Congress in an effort to interfere with the regulator%u2019s examination of the company%u2019s accounting problems. This report comes some weeks after Freddie Mac paid a record $3.8 million fine in a settlement with the Federal Election Commission and restated lobbying disclosure reports from 2004 to 2005. These are entities that have demonstrated over and over again that they are deeply in need of reform.
For years I have been concerned about the regulatory structure that governs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac%u2013
New Pig Book says Hillary Clinton%u2019s tops in pork spending, Barack Obama%u2019s 2nd, but John McCain had none!
The nonpartisan taxpayer watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste is out with its newest Pig Book, an overwhelming detailing of all 11,610 pork barrel projects inserted in the current fiscal year%u2019s appropriations bills by individual members of Congress.
more stories..
came out today..
Many blame the Greenspan Fed for this mess. They are right, but not for the reason often cited. It is unfair to say low interest rates are to blame. In the past decade, there is no evidence the US suffered from excessive growth leading to inflation. The economy needed low interest rates and a fiscal stimulus to avoid a severe recession. The Fed was right to do its bit.
another story.. per la times..euroworld
Greenspan was considered a master,%u201D Tremonti declared. %u201CNow we must ask ourselves whether he is not, after [Osama] bin Laden, the man who hurt America the most. . . . It is clear that what is happening is a disease. It is not the failure of a bank, but the failure of a system. Until a few days ago, very few were willing to realize the intensity and the dramatic nature of the crisis.%u201D
Whether looking at bills they have led on or bills they have signed onto, Mr. McCain has reached across the aisle far more frequently and with more members than Mr. Obama since the latter came to the Senate in 2005.
In fact, by several measures, Mr. McCain has been more likely to team up with Democrats than with members of his own party. Democrats made up 55 percent of his political partners over the last two Congresses, including on the tough issues of campaign finance and global warming. For Mr. Obama, Republicans were only 13 percent of his co-sponsors during his time in the Senate, and he had his biggest bipartisan successes on noncontroversial measures, such as issuing a postage stamp in honor of civil rights icon Rosa Parks.
With calls for change in Washington dominating the campaign, both Mr. Obama, the Democrats%u2019 presidential nominee, and Mr. McCain, his Republican opponent, have claimed the mantle of bipartisanship.
But since 2005, Mr. McCain has led as chief sponsor of 82 bills, on which he had 120 Democratic co-sponsors out of 220 total, for an average of 55 percent. He worked with Democrats on 50 of his bills, and of those, 37 times Democrats outnumber Republicans as co-sponsors.
For Mr. Obama, Republicans were only 13 percent of his co-sponsors during his time in the Senate, and he had his biggest bipartisan successes on noncontroversial measures, such as issuing a postage stamp in honor of civil rights icon Rosa Parks.
Anyone holding their breath that we''ll see a dime of our $700 billion?
You failed to mention that McCain rubber stamped Bush''s stupidity 90% of the time as well....
Posted by formrusmcsgt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mccain may have voted for things that we all don''t agree with but atleast he made a decision. Obama voted present 160 times someone really needs to explain to him there is no voting present as president
IMO he attempted to clear up that he knows what the fundamentals of the economy are and it''s not the American worker, work ethic. He drops in Adam Smith and a capitalism reference for good measure. It seemed a little forced and very elementary, considering the magnitude of what we''re facing.
In the interview he states, %u201CDeregulation was helpful to the growth of the economy.%u201D I don%u2019t doubt he believes this. But his administration should suddenly be put in charge of regulating it?
Iraq%u2014he%u2019s not leaving there anytime soon. So if you want that war to end--McCain is not your man.
In fact, he respectfully disagrees with a majority of Americans. I%u2019m wondering if I can%u2019t have your ear on the war during an election year--am I ever going to?
All week I have heard every dem in the house and senate say they new this meltdown was going to happen. But what bill or law did the present to prevent it since they are the house and senate majority? I am just wondering because all I hear is how the dems can fix this problem.
At least Obama gives specific answers.
I follow up on politics heavily, and I have YET to hear specifics from McCain. HOW do you differ with bush in terms of climate change. HOW do you differ with bush in terms of the war, and taxes, and the 911 commission.
McCain''s voters are people who do not like to pay attention to the specifics. Those of us who do, could not vote for him.
We can''t afford another Bush. Tell us HOW you are different from the current president, without just giving vague ideas and smears on Obama!
Also, 5th from the bottom of your class in the Naval Academy? Come on, man! We need a president who VALUES education. Not like George W. Bush, and not like McCain!
For someone to laugh at McCain to say the economy is financially sound..well guess..what.. Robert Rubins, said that when the stock market crashed years ago..Guess who Rubins works for..Obama''s economic advisor.. Rubins is also tied up in Citigroup..mortgage crisis.. read up on it.. Obama''s next advisor is Paul Volckers lead us into recession, years ago, largest unemployment since the depression..works for Obama.. 2 of Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae employees works for Obama or did. One of them used to work at Lehman''s.. Jim Johnson , can''t think of the other one''s name.
Chris Dodd biggest receiver of money is the head of the banking committee. Last I knew he was a dem.
At least Obama gives specific answers.
I follow up on politics heavily, and I have YET to hear specifics from McCain. HOW do you differ with bush in terms of climate change. HOW do you differ with bush in terms of the war, and taxes, and the 911 commission.
McCain''s voters are people who do not like to pay attention to the specifics. Those of us who do, could not vote for him.
We can''t afford another Bush. Tell us HOW you are different from the current president, without just giving vague ideas and smears on Obama!
Also, 5th from the bottom of your class in the Naval Academy? Come on, man! We need a president who VALUES education. Not like George W. Bush, and not like McCain!
Anyone holding their breath that we''''ll see a dime of our $700 billion?
Posted by formrusmcsgt at
I am but I seem to see darting lights and am turning an awesome shade of blue.
What a liar.
He supports the war, he supports our troops staying in Iraq, and yet, he wants to cut defense spending.
He claims that he differs on the treatment of prisoners - yet he eventually supported GW Bush and the torture of prisoners.
As for the 9/11 Commission, that''s no longer even topical - is McCain living in the past?
McCain talks a lot, but he doesn''t offer any truth nor answers.
A vote for McSame is a vote for continuing GW Bush''s rule and corruption.
At least Obama gives specific answers.
I follow up on politics heavily, and I have YET to hear specifics from McCain. HOW do you differ with bush in terms of climate change. HOW do you differ with bush in terms of the war, and taxes, and the 911 commission?
McCain''s voters are people who do not like to pay attention to the specifics. Those of us who do, could not vote for him.
We can''t afford another Bush. Tell us HOW you are different from the current president, without just giving vague ideas and smears on Obama!
Also, 5th from the bottom of your class in the Naval Academy? Come on, man! We need a president who VALUES education. Not like George W. Bush, and not like McCain!
Grover Norquist is a goof. He wants to shrink government down to the size where it can be drown in a bathtub but he and his wall street buddies have no problem coming before it hat in hand.
You think Obama gives specific answers? let me give you example of an intilectual answer from Obama-
"Well umm ya know I-I-I ahahah well ya know thats above my pay grade"
Any questions?
Nothing in your rambling answered my question what has the Democraps done in two years of majority control expecially they all admit they seen this coming.
"Well umm ya know I-I-I ahahah well ya know thats above my pay grade"
Any questions?
Posted by McCainO8NC a
LOL! At least the story doesn''t begin about how he was dumb enough to be shot down and spent an eternity in a POW camp.
"I see we have some new people on here tonight I have asked this question three times today and i still have not gotten a answer.
All week I have heard every dem in the house and senate say they new this meltdown was going to happen. But what bill or law did the present to prevent it since they are the house and senate majority? I am just wondering because all I hear is how the dems can fix this problem."
When the President sends this nation broke, and on a downwards spiral, there isn''t much that anyone can do.
Sure, the Democrats have a *slight* majority, but they still don''t have the power to stop GW Bush.
How many Republicans joined with the Dems to stop GW Bush?
Instead, the Republicans including McCain, watched Bush - a fellow Republican - destroy this country and send it on a downwards spiral.
What did they do to prevent it?
Nothing.
Posted by McCainO8NC
Yep, ignore the six years of TOTAL republican control and focus on the 18 months that the dems have held Congress.
Posted by joule3 a
And what exactly do you consider a "fair and square" win? I see nothing but Karl Rove tactics coming from the RNC.
Bush is leaving behind. Shame once on all those who voted for Bush shame twice for those voting for McSame. PEACE
Mr. Lausell said he feels Sen. Obama %u201Cdoesn%u2019t really regard the Hispanic community as important.%u201D Sen. Clinton won a large majority of the Hispanic vote in most primaries.
Mr. Lausell said that as a %u201Clifelong Democrat,%u201D this is the first time he has supported a Republican presidential candidate.
Mr. Lausell cited several objections he has with Sen. Obama. %u201CThe U.S. is in a very difficult situation these days and I don%u2019t want someone without experience at the helm,%u201D he said. Mr. Lausell said he likes Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, but felt that if Sen. Obama was going to reach inside of Washington for a vice presidential running mate, he should have chosen Sen. Clinton, %u201Cwho received 18 million votes%u201D during the presidential primaries.
Posted by omega40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I din''t say I was ignoring 6 years I just saying Dems make them selves out to be the heros and the have a lower approval rating than bush and that is LOW! So what makes any one think it''ll change. Obama was tehy #2 recipiant of money from fanie and freddie getting that kind of maney really doesn''t motivate you to hold them accountable.
"Colin Powell would have been great."
Powell would have been great - but after GW Bush and the Republicanazis chewed him up and spat him out, his career was over.
Powell was turned into a propagandist for GW Bush and the Republicanazis - they made him stand in front of the UN and tell lie after lie.
After that, his career was over - destroyed by the Republicanazi machine.
You can thank GW Bush, ******** Cheney and Rumsfeld for that.
Instead, the Republicans including McCain, watched Bush - a fellow Republican - destroy this country and send it on a downwards spiral.
What did they do to prevent it?
Nothing.
Posted by mcdazz
Exactly! Their selective memory allows total exoneration of the party that has been vehemently anti regulation since Reagan came to power.
OF COURSE he blames it on greed... that''s what he knows! Repugs ALWAYS accuse everyone else of the evils they themselves possess. The psychological term for it is projection. They project onto others what they can''t face about themselves.
Another example: Phil Graham, McCain''s long-time financial advisor and a primary architect and champion of deregulation, said the US economy is strong, but that we''re just a nation of "whiners"! This, after he spent most of his life whining about how "bad" it was for the government to put ANY restraints on business. That''s 2 sins in 1: whining, and greed!
Take a look outside people, deregulation FAILED this nation. We are standing at the edge of a precipice, and even the Bushworld re.tards knew they had to do SOMETHING to stop the hemorraging by imposing some limits.
McCain: he''s not the solution, but he''s a big part of the problem! He''ll say ANYTHING to get elected, even the exact opposite of whatever he said just yesterday!
Palin: (Unbelieveable, I know, but) She''s even worse than McCain; she promises to actively work to DESTROY THE ENTIRE WORLD (to "bring back jesus").
Posted by swpeace
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You libs love to lay blame it on Bush but again what has the do nothing congress and senate done to prevent any of this? I can say our gas prices have double since dems took control and I thought Bush was the oil man.
"LOL! At least the story doesn''''t begin about how he was dumb enough to be shot down and spent an eternity in a POW camp."
McCain recently said that we would never surrender.
I guess he forgets his own past.
I have heard similar statements through this campaign and NOT ONCE has a reporter called out McCain on the FACT that our country was NOT founded on judeo-christian values. It was indeed established by our Constitution to be a secular nation with a clear separation of "church and state".
SHAME ON YOU PELLEY and every other reporter who let''s similar statements go unchallenged.
(I have edited and re-submitted - cbsnews.com removed the original post. Hopefully this post won''t offend anybody''s tender beliefs.)
Posted by McCainO8NC
in six years Bush had wielded his mighty veto pen just once against a Republican Congress. In 18 months he has used it a total of 9 times. Those poll numbers you mention are much lower for the Republicans (www.pollingreport.com) and the American public will hold them responsible in November.
"You libs love to lay blame it on Bush but again what has the do nothing congress and senate done to prevent any of this? I can say our gas prices have double since dems took control and I thought Bush was the oil man."
You must have a very selective memory.
GW Bush has done his best to make sure his oil buddies get even richer.
You also forget that GW Bush and the Republicanazis still have a great amount of control over the Senate, and the Republicanazis continue to support GW Bush.
Maybe if they - the Republicanazis - had a set of balls, this country wouldn''t be on a downward spiral.
What have the Republicanazis done to prevent this?
Nothing - they still support GW Bush and they still turn a blind eye to his destruction of the USA.
We all know that GW Bush failed at running his own companies - yet you morons continued to support him.
Don''t blame the Dems for what you''ve done to this country.
You only have yourselves to blame.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
...
- 9
- next
See all 401 Comments