Our Interview with Sen. John McCain (page 4 of 5)

More Scars Than Frankenstein

RD: Back to this question that I asked before: You made a persuasive case for why you're a better candidate in 2008 than you were in 2000, but how are you going to answer the question when people say, "I just think he's too old?"
McCain: I think I would say that I'm older than dirt. That I have more scars than Frankenstein. That I've learned a few things along the way. Anyone who has accompanied me in the two months before the last election, or while I was hiking in the Grand Canyon or doing many of the things that I do regularly, can attest to the fact that I'm capable of keeping a very rigorous schedule.

RD: Another thing being analyzed is whether Senator McCain can stay true to his compass -- and still appeal to the base support that he needs to get the nomination. The suggestion that he'd shift his position on ...
McCain: I have shifted no position. I've always said I believe in a "big tent" Republican Party and that we have to allow people of different views on specific issues to be in our party. But my 24-year voting record is a consistent, conservative voting record. Socially, fiscally and militarily, I am a conservative. As I said, whether it's concerns on national security, social issues or fiscal and economic issues, I have a clear record. I have not deviated.

If there's one issue that I think I'm open to some criticism on it is ethanol. When oil was $10 a barrel or less, I didn't support ethanol. And I still don't support the subsidies. But with the increase in climate change, and oil staying at $50, $60, $70 a barrel or more, then ethanol makes a lot of sense, in my mind. But I still don't support the subsidies. I think it can exist without 'em. So could you view that as a change in position? Yeah, but I think it's a justified change.

RD: How about the Bush Administration tax cuts?
McCain: The reason I opposed the tax cuts is that I saw no restraint on spending. Unfortunately, my concerns turned out to be legitimate: Spending lurched completely out of control. By the way, I think one of the reasons why Republicans lost the last election is because our fiscally conservative base became disenchanted. But then when the tax cuts came up for renewal, obviously I was not going to vote for what would be tantamount to a tax increase. So, that was my reason.

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When it comes to Election Day, what kind of research do you do on candidates?

In-depth: I review their voting records, watch the debates they're in, and research their background Moderate: I read what the experts write about them in the papers and know where they stand on the major issues Minimal: All I know about them is what I see in their campaign ads

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