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John McCain

282 quotes

“I can't believe a guy that handsome wouldn't have some impact.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 1988 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On George H. W. Bush's selection of Dan Quayle as VP nominee, as quoted in "Bush taps Quayle for VP" (17 August 1988), by Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian, p. A01.
“Like every other 13-year-old in America, she's in love with Leonardo DiCaprio, who I think is an androgynous wimp. You know what he does throughout the whole movie Titanic? He smokes.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 1998 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On his daughter, in The Washington Post (8 June 1998)
“America, the only nation ever founded in the name of liberty, never had a more ardent champion of liberty than Barry Goldwater. Simply put, Barry Goldwater was in love with freedom.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 1998 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Goldwater Called 'Great Patriot'" at CBS News (29 May 1998)
“Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 1998 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: GOP fund-raiser, Washington D.C., (June 1998), {{cite news
“War is wretched beyond description, and only a fool or a fraud could sentimentalize its cruel reality.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 1999 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the American Red Cross "Promise of Humanity" conference (6 May 1999).
“Glory is not a conceit. It is not a decoration for valor. Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely and who rely on you in return.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 1999 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Faith of My Fathers" (9 November 1999).
“You have at hand many examples of good character from whom you will have learned the lessons by which you can live your own lives. You are blessed. Make the most of it.”
John McCain (1936–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I spent five and a half years in prison. The worst part was coming home and finding out Green Acres had been cancelled. What the hell was I fighting for?”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2000 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Comedy sketch on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (2000)
“I hate the gooks. I will hate them as long as I live.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2000 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement about his North Vietnamese prison guards, in response to a question asked by reporters aboard his campaign bus. (17 February 2000) He later refused to apologize for using a racial slur, stating: "I was referri…
“I will not take the low road to the highest office in this land. I want the presidency in the best way, not the worst way.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2000 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks following the South Carolina Primary (19 February 2000).
“Neither party should be defined by pandering to the outer reaches of American politics and the agents of intolerance, whether they be Louis Farrakhan and Al Sharpton on the left, or Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell on the right.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2000 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address at Virginia Beach (2000), as quoted in The Washington Post (28 February 2000).
“By 2008, I think I might be ready to go down to the old soldiers home and await the cavalry charge there.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2000 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in NewsHour with Jim Lehrer (1 August 2000).
“The vice president has two duties. One is to inquire daily as to the health of the president, and the other is to attend the funerals of third world dictators. And neither of those do I find an enjoyable exercise.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2000 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In response to question by Tim Russert on how he would respond if George W. Bush asked him to be his vice presidential running mate in 2000. Interview on Meet the Press. Originally aired 3 March 2000. Aired again as a c…
“I am reminded of the words of Chairman Mao: It's always darkest before it goes completely black.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "McCain Wraps It Up" (5 March 2008), by Andante Higgins, CBS News
“There is some indication, and I don’t have the conclusions, but some of this anthrax may — and I emphasize may — have come from Iraq.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2001 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: David Letterman (18 October 2001), linking anthrax attacks in the U.S. to Iraq.
“Because I know that as successful as I believe we will be, and I believe that the success [in Iraq] will be fairly easy, we will still lose some American young men or women. And that's a great tragedy.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2002 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Appearance on Larry King Live, (24 September 2002)
“I didn't decide to run for president to start a national crusade for the political reforms I believed in, or to run a campaign as if it were some grand act of patriotism. In truth, I wanted to be president because it had become my ambition to be president.”
John McCain (1936–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When you’re in the midst, it feels like it will never end. But you keep going and moving forward—and suddenly you’re looking back on the pain rather than living it.”
John McCain (1936–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As we've been a good friend to other countries in moments of shared perils, so we have good reason to expect their solidarity with us in this struggle. That is what the President believes. And, thanks to his efforts we have received valuable assistance from many good friends around the globe, even if we have, at times, been disappointed with the reactions of some. I don't doubt the sincerity of my Democratic friends. And they should not doubt ours.”
John McCain (1936–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think one of our big problems has been the fact that many Iraqis resent American military presence. And I don't pretend to know exactly Iraqi public opinion. But as soon as we can reduce our visibility as much as possible, the better I think it is going to be.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in MSNBC (31 January 2005)
“I am sure that Senator Clinton would make a good president. I happen to be a Republican and would support, obviously, a Republican nominee, but I have no doubt that Senator Clinton would make a good president.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Meet the Press (20 February 2005)
“Mike is the most entertaining, most knowledgeable, and most insightful guy I have ever dealt with. I am constantly entertained by him.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Romney guru thrives in political 'show business'" (12 June 2005), by Brian C. Mooney, The Boston Globe
“General Myers seems to assume that things have gone well in Iraq. General Myers seems to assume that the American people, the support for our conflict there is not eroding. General Myers seems to assume that everything has gone fine and our declarations of victory, of which there have been many, have not had an impact on American public opinion. Things have not gone as we had planned or expected, nor as we were told by you, General Myers. And that's why I'm very worried, because I think we have to win this conflict.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Comments made to General Richard Myers in U.S. Senate hearings into the Iraq War (29 September 2005)
“I'm going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Wall Street Journal (26 November 2005), by Stephen Moore
“I don't think I need to tell you that there are jobs that Americans will not do. I don't think I have to tell you that there are. … [audience response] Now, my friends, I'll offer anybody here fifty dollars an hour if you'll go pick lettuce in Yuma this season and pick for the whole season. [audience response] So, OK, sign up! Ok, when you sign up, you sign up, and you'll be there for the whole season, the whole season, OK, not just one day. Because you can't do it, my friend.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Declaring at an AFL-CIO convention in April 2006 that no Americans would be willing to do agricultural work for as little as $50/hour.
“The day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, 'Senator, we ought to change the policy,' then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it.”
John McCain (1936–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“They're the government; sooner or later we are going to have to deal with them, one way or another, and I understand why this administration and previous administrations had such antipathy towards Hamas because of their dedication to violence and the things that they not only espouse but practice, so . . . but it's a new reality in the Middle East. I think the lesson is people want security and a decent life and decent future, that they want democracy. Fatah was not giving them that.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with James P. Rubin (2006)
“I don’t know if I would want him as vice president. He and I have the same strengths. But to serve in other capacities? Hell, yeah.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In an interview to the Weekly Standard regarding his interest in Dick Cheney serving in McCain's administration (2006)
“I work in Washington and I know that money corrupts. And I and a lot of other people were trying to stop that corruption. Obviously, from what we've been seeing lately, we didn't complete the job. But I would rather have a clean government than one where 'First Amendment rights' are being respected that has become corrupt. If I had my choice, I'd rather have the clean government.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On the Don Imus show, Our Right And His Wrongs, George F. Will (28 April 2006)
“How many fucking times do I have to go to fucking New York this week? How many fucking times can you fucking graduate from fucking Columbia?”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: At a scheduling meeting, upon learning that commencement at Columbia University, where his daughter Meghan was graduating from, lasts several days (2007) Game Change
“[I]n the words of Chairman Mao, 'It's darkest before it's totally black.'”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In response to a reporter's question, "Which is more likely: making progress in Iraq or you winning the nomination?" (July 2007) Liasson, Mara. McCain Nearly Broke But Stays Course. National Public Radio. July 7, 2007.
“Contracting a fatal disease.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In response to a reporter's question, "Are there any circumstances under which you could imagine yourself not still being a candidate when the presidential primaries are held?" (July 2007) McCain Nearly Broke But Stays …
“While I don't in any way question your honor, your patriotism or your service to our country, I do question some of the decisions, the judgments you’ve made over the past two and a half years. During that time things have gotten markedly and progressively worse.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To General George Casey in his confirmation hearing as the nominee for Army Chief of Staff, before the Senate Armed Services Committee (1 February 2007)
“We are paying a very heavy price for the mismanagement -- that's the kindest word I can give you -- of Donald Rumsfeld, of this war. The price is very, very heavy and I regret it enormously. I think that Donald Rumsfeld will go down in history as one of the worst secretaries of defense in history.”
John McCain (1936–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Americans are very frustrated, and they have every right to be. We’ve wasted a lot of our most precious treasure, which is American lives.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Discussing the Iraq War on the Late Show with David Letterman (28 February 2007)
“I'm not running for president to be somebody, but to do something; to do the hard but necessary things not the easy and needless things.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Senator McCain's announcement speech for his 2008 presidential bid (25 April 2007)
“[On presidential candidates not condemning the controversial MoveOn.org ad in The New York Times.] If you're not tough enough to repudiate a scurrilous, outrageous attack such as that, then I don't know how you're tough enough to be president of the United States.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in The Boston Globe (16 September 2007)
“I have not been keeping up with it as much as I should have maybe, because it’s certainly—This and Paris Hilton are the kind of issues that seem to get a lot more attention than maybe some of us think they deserve.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On being asked whether O. J. Simpson could get a fair trial in the robbery case, in a televised interview on Hardball with Chris Matthews, 17 September 2007
“I would vote for a Muslim if he or she was the best candidate able to lead the country and defend our political values.”
John McCain (1936–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'm glad whenever they cut interest rates, I wish interest rates were zero.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Republican presidential debate (9 October 2007)
“I think they put some lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Criticizing Hillary Clinton's health-care plan as being "eerily reminiscent" of the plan she advocated as First Lady, 11 October 2007
“I am prepared. I need no on-the-job training. I wasn't a mayor for a short period of time. I wasn't a governor for a short period of time.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In Republican presidential debate, Orlando, Florida, 21 October 2007
“Our recommitment to Afghanistan must include increasing NATO forces, suspending the debilitating restrictions on when and how those forces can fight, expanding the training and equipping of the Afghan National Army through a long-term partnership with NATO to make it more professional and multiethnic, and deploying significantly more foreign police trainers.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In Foreign Affairs Magazine on the idea of sending NATO troops to Afghanistan instead of US forces, November 2007
“I just want to also say that Congressman Paul, I've heard him now in many debates talk about bringing our troops home, and about the war in Iraq and how it's failed. And I want to tell you that that kind of isolationism, sir, is what caused World War II. We allowed... We allowed -- we allowed Hitler to come to power with that kind of attitude of isolationism and appeasement.”
John McCain (1936–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The issue of economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should. I’ve got Greenspan’s book.... I've never been involved in Wall Street, I've never been involved in the financial stuff, the financial workings of the country, so I'd like to have somebody intimately familiar with it.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Referring to a potential Vice President, 18 December 2007
“I looked into his eyes and saw three letters: a 'K', a 'G', and a 'B'.”
John McCain (1936–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There is no greater vocation than to serve. But there is no greater purpose than to love. Live a life that does both, and you’ll be truly happy.”
John McCain (1936–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Maybe 100. As long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed, it's fine with me and I hope it would be fine with you if we maintain a presence in a very volatile part of the world where al-Qaeda is training, recruiting, equipping and motivating people every single day.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: When asked at a town hall meeting prior to the 2008 New Hampshire Primary about a Bush statement that U.S. troops could be in Iraq for 50 years. 3 January 2008
“I've got to give you some straight talk: Some of the jobs that have left the state of Michigan are not coming back. They are not. And I am sorry to tell you that.”
John McCain (1936–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I love him dearly. On issues of economics and … family values, there's nobody that I know that's stronger.”
John McCain (1936–2018) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On campaign economic adviser Phil Gramm; 18 January 2008;