McCain Comments On Clinton’s “Red Phone” Ad
Phoenix, AZ (AHN) - Having no viable Republican rival to trade jabs with, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) commented on the controversial “red phone” ad launched by Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) last week that slyly accused Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) of lacking the experience needed to make effective decisions during times of national crisis.
“My knowledge and experience and background clearly indicates that if the phone rang at 3 a.m. in the White House and I was the one to answer it, I would be the one most qualified to exercise the kind of judgment necessary to address a national security crisis,” McCain, a decorated Vietnam war veteran and four-term senator, said during a press conference in his home state. “I’ve been involved in every major national security challenge for the last 20 years that has faced this country.”
“Sometimes I’ve agreed with the administration and sometimes I have not, but I’ll rely on my record and my knowledge and my experience on national security issues,” he added. “I’m not the youngest candidate, but I’m certainly the most experienced and qualified to answer that phone and act in America’s best security experience.”
Clinton ran a 30-second TV spot titled “Children” in the Lone Star state that asked voters, “It’s 3 a.m. and your children are safe and asleep. But there’s a phone in the White House, and it’s ringing. Something’s happened in the world… Who do you want answering the phone?”
The TV spot was received with condemnation by Obama. He accused Clinton of fear mongering and having “given the wrong answer” when the nation had its red phone moment and decided to invade Iraq.
The press conference by McCain is his first public event since holding a barbecue for reporters in his Arizona home on Saturday. The Republican frontrunner is expected to win Tuesday’s contests against former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. His campaign sent an email to supporters on Monday saying it only needed 101 delegates to secure the GOP nomination.