John McCain Quotes:

Russia is a gas station masquerading as a country.

Topics: Country, Russia, Gas Stations, Petroleum, Masquerade

Torture gives you reliable and unreliable information. That's the reason why most people in the world don't do it. So this idea that you have to torture people in order to protect national security is a false argument, and I reject it.

Topics: Order, Ideas, People

I campaigned in 2012 all over this country for months: 'Repeal and replace Obamacare.' That was not the mandate of the voters. If they wanted to repeal Obamacare, the 2012 election would have been probably significantly different.

Topics: Country, Obamacare, Different, 2012 Election, Government Shutdown

It's a fundamental aspect of the free enterprise system and economics: If there's no penalty associated with increased costs, why not lay on increased costs?

Topics: Cost, Why Not, Fundamentals

We are taught to understand, correctly, that courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity for action despite our fears.

source: - John McCain, Mark Salter (2004). “Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life”, p.9, Random House

Topics: Fear, Taught, Action

Cindy and I are adoptive parents. We know what a treasure and joy it is to have an adopted child in our lives.

Topics: Children, Joy, Parent, Cindy, Adopted Children

Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno.

Topics: Father, Ugly, Clinton

I watch sports all the time. My wife Cindy says I would watch the thumb-suckers play the bed-wetters. I watch all sports and I enjoy all sports. It's been great fun in my life and a great diversion.

Topics: Sports, Fun, Play

Courage is the enforcing virtue, the one that makes possible all the other virtues common to exceptional leaders: honesty, integrity, confidence, compassion and humility

Topics: Leadership, Honesty, Integrity, Honesty Integrity

Senator Obama voted against Justice Breyer and Justice Roberts on the grounds that they didn't meet his ideological standards. That's not the way we should judge these nominees. Elections have consequences.

Topics: Justice, Judging, Way

You know that old Beach Boys song, Bomb Iran? Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran.

Topics: Song, Beach, Boys, Beach Boys

I think that decisions should rest in the hands of the states. I'm a federalist.

Topics: Thinking, Hands, Decision

I think conventional wisdom is that time is not on our side. But there are a number of members of Congress who have primaries and when those primaries are done, they may be more inclined to address the issue of comprehensive immigration reform.

Topics: Thinking, Numbers, Issues, Comprehensive

Free trade with Colombia is something that's a no-brainer.

Topics: Colombia, Trade, Free Trade, No Brainer

Fear is the opportunity for courage, not proof of cowardice.

Topics: Positive, Opportunity, Cowardice

I think that Joe Biden is qualified in many respects. But I do point out that he's been wrong on many foreign policy and national security issues, which is supposed to be his strength.

Topics: Thinking, Issues, Biden

I believe in evolution. But I also believe, when I hike the Grand Canyon and see it at sunset, that the hand of God is there also.

source: - "John McCain on Education". 2007 GOP primary debate, at Reagan library, hosted by MSNBC, www.issues2000.org. May 3, 2007.

Topics: Believe, Sunset, Hiking, God Is There, Grand Canyon

Americans have gotten to know Sarah Palin. They know that she's a role model to women and other - and reformers all over America. She's a reformer.

Topics: America, Role Models, Roles, Reformers

The facts are facts and records are records.

Topics: Records, Facts

It's a matter of fact that Senator Obama has spent more money on negative ads than any political campaign in history.

Topics: Political, Negative, Campaigns

A man I admire and respect - Congressman John Lewis, an American hero, made allegations that Sarah Palin and I were somehow associated with the worst chapter in American history, segregation, deaths of children in church bombings, George Wallace. That, to me, was so hurtful.

Topics: Children, Hero, Men, American Hero, George Wallace

I believe strongly that we should have nominees to the United States Supreme Court based on their qualifications rather than any litmus test.

Topics: Believe, United States, Tests, Qualifications

I guess he believes if a lie is big enough and repeated often enough, it will be believed.

Topics: Lying, Believe, Enough

I'm not President Bush

Topics: President, President Bush

It's always the wacko birds on right and left that get the media megaphone.

Topics: Memorable, Media, Bird

The Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation.

Topics: Christian, America, Religion, Christian Nation

Washington is a Hollywood for ugly people. Hollywood is a Washington for the simpleminded.

Topics: People, Hollywood, Ugly, Ugly People

Never get into a wrestling match with a pig. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.

Topics: Dirty, Wrestling, Pigs

Even in this room full of proud Manhattan Democrats. I can't shake that feeling that some people here are pulling for me ... I'm delighted to see you here tonight, Hillary.

Topics: People, Feelings, Rooms

The fact that we did not give the demonstrators in Iran our moral support when a young woman named Neda bled to death in the streets of Iran will go down as one of the great mistakes of the 21st Century.

Topics: Mistake, Iran, Giving, Moral Support

I strongly support the Second Amendment and I believe the Second Amendment ought to be preserved - which means no gun control.

Topics: Believe, Mean, Gun

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.

source: - John McCain, Mark Salter (2000). “Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir”, p.278, Random House

Topics: People, Causes, Principles

Our enemies didn't adhere to the Geneva Convention. Many of my comrades were subjected to very cruel, very inhumane and degrading treatment, a few of them even unto death. But every one of us - every single one of us - knew and took great strength from the belief that we were different from our enemies, that we were better than them, that we, if the roles were reversed, would not disgrace ourselves by committing or countenancing such mistreatment of them.

Topics: Enemy, Different, Roles, Inhumane, Mistreatment

How much damage will have been done before we act?

Topics: Done, Damage, Global Warming

We have many advantages in the fight against global warming, but time is not one of them. Instead of idly debating the precise extent of global warming, or the precise timeline of global warming, we need to deal with the central facts of rising temperatures, rising waters, and all the endless troubles that global warming will bring. We stand warned by serious and credible scientists across the world that time is short and the dangers are great. The most relevant question now is whether our own government is equal to the challenge.

Topics: Fighting, Government, Water, Timelines, Credible

As long as there is a war on terrorism going on, we're all going to have to work together.

Topics: War, Long, Working Together, War On Terrorism

America has much to gain in terms of jobs and trade by meeting the growing world demand for advanced, environmentally sound technologies.

Topics: Jobs, Technology, America

Our nation has both an obligation and self-interest in facing head-on the serious environmental, economic and national security threat posed by global warming.

Topics: Self, Environmental, Serious

The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should. I've got Greenspan's book.

Topics: Book, Issues, Economics

Our economy, I think, is still -- the fundamentals of our economy are strong.

Topics: Strong, Thinking, Fundamentals

Everybody says that they're against the special interests. I'm the only one the special interests don't give any money to.

Topics: Giving, Special, Interest

I don't e-mail. I've never felt the particular need to e-mail.

Topics: Needs, Mail, Particular

I am learning to get online myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself,

Topics: Online, Communicators

We should be able to deliver bottled hot water to dehydrated babies.

Topics: Baby, Water, Hot, Hot Water

I will veto every single beer, um, bill with earmarks.

Topics: Beer, Bills, Veto, Earmarks

I am learning to get online myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself. I dont expect to be a great communicator, I dont expect to set up my own blog, but I am becoming computer literate to the point where I can get the information that I need.

Topics: Needs, Information, Becoming

I was concerned about a couple of steps that the Russian government took in the last several days. One was reducing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia.

Topics: Couple, Government, Lasts, Reducing, Czechoslovakia

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.

Topics: Long, People, Training, Injured

At no time have I ever done anything that would betray the public trust.

Topics: Done, Betray

Thank God for the Saudis and Prince Bandar, and for our Qatari friends,

Topics: Thank God

I don't doubt the sincerity of my Democratic friends. And they should not doubt ours.

Topics: Doubt, Sincerity, Should

We make the future better than the past. We don't hide from history. We make history.

Topics: Past

We are Americans first, Americans last, and Americans always.

source: - John McCain's Address at the Republican National Convention in New York City, New York, edition.cnn.com. August 31, 2004.

Topics: Lasts, Firsts

I owe America more than she has ever owed me.

Topics: America

I think [social media] is fundamentally restructuring the whole nature of information and how it's expressed in America.

Topics: Thinking, Social Media, Restructuring

[I find it] impossible [to imagine] that a nation which is grounded in Judaeo-Christian principles would somehow select someone [for President] who would repudiate those principles.

Topics: Christian, Scary, President

The political tactics of division and slander are not our values. They are corrupting influences on religion and politics, and those who practice them in the name of religion or in the name of the Republican Party or in the name of America shame our faith, our party and our country.

source: - "Sen. John McCain Attacks Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Republican Establishment as Harming GOP Ideals". transcripts.cnn.com. February 28, 2000.

Topics: Country, Party, Practice, Religion And Politics

Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself, something that encompasses you but is not defined by your existence alone.

source: - John McCain, Mark Salter (2000). “Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir”, p.373, Random House

Topics: Fighting, Causes, Life Is

In prison, I fell in love with my country. I had loved her before then, but like most young people, my affection was little more than a simple appreciation for the comforts and privileges most Americans enjoyed and took for granted. It wasn't until I had lost America for a time that I realized how much I loved her.

Topics: Country, Appreciation, Simple, Took For Granted

Keep moving if you love life, and keep your troubles well behind you.

source: - John McCain (2002). “Worth the Fighting For”, Random House Large Print Publishing

Topics: Inspirational, Life, Moving

I looked into Mr. Putin's eyes, and I saw three letters, a "K," a "G," and a "B."

source: - Source: www.nytimes.com

Topics: Eye

War is awful. Nothing, not the valor with which it is fought nor the nobility of the cause it serves, can glorify war. War is wretched beyond description and only a fool or a fraud could sentimentalize its cruel reality. Whatever is won in war, it is loss the veteran remembers.

source: - "Mark Shields: A much different war for a changed nation", www.cnn.com. September 16, 2002.

Topics: War, Loss, Reality

Conservatives came to office to reduce the size of government and enlarge the sphere of free and private initiative. But lately we have increased government in order to stay in office. And, soon, if we don't remember why we were elected we will have lost our office along with our principles, and leave a mountain of debt that our children's grandchildren will suffer from long after we have departed this earth. Because, my friends, hypocrisy is the most obvious of sins, and the people will punish it.

source: - "McCain's two swipes at Bush" by Matthew Tempest, www.theguardian.com. October 1, 2006.

Topics: Children, Government, Order, Size Of Government

Tolerance of dissent is the hallmark of a mature party, and it is well past time for the Republican Party to grow up.

source: - "McCain calls Jeffords' switch lesson for GOP". www.cnn.com. May 24, 2001.

Topics: Growing Up, Party, Past

Suppose that climate change is not real and all we do is adopt green technologies, which our economy and our technology is perfectly capable of. Then all we've done is given our kids a cleaner world.

source: - "Unbelieveable: Debate Moderator Smears Republicans". www.newsbusters.org. December 15, 2007.

Topics: Real, Kids, Technology, Green Technology

People want the truth, even if they disagree.

Topics: People, Want, Ifs

We cannot forever hide the truth about ourselves from ourselves.

source: - John McCain's Commencement Address at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, www.mccain.senate.gov. May 11, 1996.

Topics: Motivational, Truth, Honesty

We know for a fact the Russians tried to change the outcome of our election, attacking the very fundamental of democracy. We know they did that. We need to know how, we need to know why, and most of all we need to know what to do to prevent this kind of activity, which they continue to carry on in free nations around the world.

source: - Source: abcnews.go.com

Topics: Democracy, Needs, Fundamentals

The only way you approach politics and seek elective office is to move forward. For me to look back in anger or with any rancor would be a mistake.

Topics: Mistake, Moving, Office, Rancor

I disagree with what the majority of the American people want.

source: - "McCain Looks Ahead". "60 Minutes" with Scott Pelley, www.cbsnews.com. March 7, 2008.

Topics: People, Majority, Want

Thank God for our form of government. The media won't let there be any cover-up.

Topics: Government, Media, Thank God

I've been an imperfect servant of my country for many years. But I have been her servant first, last and always. And I've never lived a day, in good times or bad, that I didn't thank God for the privilege.

source: - Republican Party Presidential Nomination Acceptance, delivered 4 September 2008, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota

Topics: Country, Years, Thank God

I admire Obama, and I like him. I think he has a great deal of talent. He should be applauded for his eloquence and for his ability to motivate millions.

source: - Source: www.marieclaire.com

Topics: Thinking, Talent, Admire, I Like Him

Efforts to bring about democracy have hit a wall and are going backwards.

Topics: Wall, Democracies Have, Effort

Many good people mistake their reputation for their character. It is a mistake I have made many, many times.

source: - John McCain, Mark Salter (2005). “Character Is Destiny: Inspiring Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember”, p.17, Random House

Topics: Mistake, Character, People

On my honor, I swear to you, that from my first day in office to the last breath I draw, I will do everything in my power to make you proud of your government.

source: - "McCain picks New Hampshire city to announce candidacy" by Jeffrey Merritt, www.cnn.com. September 30, 1999.

Topics: Government, Office, Honor

There's two ways of working in Washington, ... One is to go along and get along. The other is to stand up for what you believe in.

Topics: Believe, Two, Way, Stand Up For What You Believe In

We should be I hope finally realizing what Vladimir Putin is. He's an old colonel, KGB, apparatchik, and he dreams of the restoration of the Russian empire.

source: - Source: www.foxnews.com

Topics: Dream, Kgb, Restoration, Finally Realizing

I think where [Donald Trump] loses most hawkish republicans is when he talking about how much he likes [Vladimir] Putin. That should make any person who believe in the American exceptionalism, incredibly uncomfortable.

source: - Source: www.foxnews.com

Topics: Believe, Thinking, Talking, American Exceptionalism, Exceptionalism

There's one big difference between me and the others - I won't take every last dime of the surplus and spend it on tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy. I'll use the bulk of the surplus to secure Social Security far into the future to keep our promise to the greatest generation.

source: - "Transcripts World Today Bush Pounds Tax Message Home in Iowa". cnn.com. January 14, 2000.

Topics: Cutting, Differences, Promise, Greatest Generation, Tax Cuts

The Russians are succeeding in continuing their dismemberment of Ukraine, they're succeeding in exerting enormous influence in the Middle East, which they never had before. They are succeeding - they have succeeded in interfering with our election, and we know that they continue that in the French elections and other elections. And so far they have paid a little or no penalty for all of this misbehavior.

source: - Source: abcnews.go.com

Topics: Ukraine, Middle East, Littles

We must be true to ourselves. And we must be true to others, whether they believe we are or not.

source: - John McCain, Mark Salter (2005). “Character Is Destiny: Inspiring Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember”, p.17, Random House

Topics: Believe, Being True

Our nation's continued prosperity hinges on our ability to solve environmental problems and sustain the natural resources on which we all depend.

Topics: Environmental, Conservative, Problem, Environmental Problems, Natural Resources

I say to our enemies: We are coming. God may have mercy on you, but we won't

Topics: Memorial Day, Enemy, May

Only a fool or a fraud talks tough or romantically about war.

source: - "Talk of War and Family Highlights McCain’s Kickoff Commercial" by Julie Bosman, www.nytimes.com. June 7, 2008.

Topics: War, Fool, Tough

I would vote for a Muslim if he or she was the best candidate able to lead the country and defend our political values.

Topics: Country, Political, Able

I have no rancor. I look forward, not backwards.

Topics: Looks, Rancor, Backwards

All this money washing around Washington and all of these contributions taint all of us.

Topics: Contribution, Washing

I voted for Justice Breyer and Justice Ginsburg. Not because I agreed with their ideology, but because I thought they were qualified and that elections have consequences when presidents are nominated.

source: - The Third Presidential Debate, www.nytimes.com. October 15, 2008.

Topics: Justice, President, Election

Remember the words of Chairman Mao: 'It's always darkest before it's totally black.'.

source: - John McCain, Mark Salter (2004). “Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life”, Random House Large Print Publishing

Topics: Black, Remember, Mao, Chairman, Chairman Mao

Presidential ambition is a disease that can only be cured by embalming fluid.

source: - "Not Bad At All". "On the Record" with Greta Van Susteren, texags.com. April 26, 2002.

Topics: Ambition, Presidential, Disease, Embalming

America is the greatest force for good in the history of the world.

source: - Second McCain, Obama debate, www.cnn.com. October 7, 2008.

Topics: America, World, Force

We should exhibit no self doubt to our friends, ... Credibility is a strategic asset.

Topics: Self, Doubt, Assets

Men and women serving in the military deserve better than what they're giving - what we're giving them. They don't know what they're going to be doing tomorrow.

source: - Source: www.foxnews.com

Topics: Military, Men, Giving, Serving In The Military

To equate Vladimir Putin and the United States of America, as Donald Trump was asked, you know, I guess it was Bill O'Reilly who said, "But Putin is a killer." And he basically said, "So are we." That moral equivalency is a contradiction of everything the United States has ever stood for in the 20th and 21st century.

source: - Source: www.realclearpolitics.com

Topics: America, United States, Bills, Bill O Reilly

Sooner or later, people are going to figure out if all you run is negative attack ads you don’t have much of a vision for the future or you’re not ready to articulate it.

source: - "New DNC Ad Criticizes McCain Over Negative Attack Ads" by Nicholas Graham, www.huffingtonpost.com. November 5, 2008.

Topics: Running, People, Vision

An act of heroism, of extraordinary courage, the grandeur of it, won't easily inspire us to act in imitation, but it can inspire us to emulate its author. For that, we should learn what we can of the whole experience of the subject, the hero's life, as it was before and after, and believe that trying to emulate the character it reveals is one tried way to prepare for the tests that might await us and gain hope that our courage will not be wanting in the moment.

Topics: Inspirational, Believe, Hero, Before And After, Acts Of Heroism

I wrestled and played football in high school and in my last year, I started as a wrestler and actually had a fairly good record. But I hated to lose. I always gave it everything I had which, unfortunately, was not as much as I'd hoped for. But keep in mind, I feel like I got the most out of my ability. One moment that was special above all the rest was winning my last bout at the Naval Academy to finish the entire summer undefeated. That was thrilling, but what's more, it helped me in prison because the first time I got knocked around by the Vietnamese, it did not come as a total shock.

Topics: Summer, Football, School, Undefeated, Good Records

I don't use coarse language very often. I have a larger vocabulary than that.

source: - "Gingrich predicts victory in Alabama, Mississippi; Sen. McCain talks foreign trouble spots, 'Game Change'". "Fox News Sunday" with Chris Wallace, www.foxnews.com. March 11, 2012.

Topics: Vocabulary, Use, Language

I think that when you look at the great politicians, the two greatest in my view were George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, they certainly had character traits. You also know Abraham Lincoln overcame severe depression problems that he had when he was younger, which gave him the strength and the character later on.

source: - "Encore Presentation: Interview With John McCain". "Larry King Live", edition.cnn.com. November 20, 2005.

Topics: Inspirational, Strength, Strong, Character Trait

I have the utmost confidence in General Mattis, General Flynn, General Kelly, Dan Coates. I couldn't have picked a better team. And so I'm confident that Donald Trump will listen to them and be guided by them.

source: - Source: abcnews.go.com

Topics: Team, Trump

What if there's another terrorist attack? I cringe at the ideas of our enemies watching this, knowing much like the president we have now. You can do anything you want, you can jerk us around, you can harass our naval ships the way Iran is doing right now, and we're not going to do anything. We're not going to react.

source: - "Clinton, Trump square off in commander-in-chief forum". "Special Report" with Bret Baier, www.foxnews.com. September 8, 2016.

Topics: Iran, Ideas, Knowing

The way you have bipartisan negotiations, you sit down across the table, as we did with Ted Kennedy, as I've done with many other members, and you say, 'OK, here's what I want, here's what you want. We'll adhere to your principles, but we'll make concessions.'

source: - "Meet the Press" with David Gregory, www.realclearpolitics.com. February 28, 2010.

Topics: Principles, Done, Tables, Ted Kennedy

Americans have got to understand that we are paying present-day retirees with the taxes paid by young workers in America today. And that's a disgrace. It's an absolute disgrace and it's got to be fixed.

source: - McCain Campaign's Prepared Speech for Denver Town Hall Meeting with Question and Answer Session, www.washingtonpost.com. July 7, 2008.

Topics: America, Today, Fixed

Subjecting prisoners to abuse leads to bad intelligence, because under torture a detainee will tell his interrogator anything to make the pain stop. Second, mistreatment of our prisoners endangers U.S. troops who might be captured by the enemy – if not in this war, then in the next. And third, prisoner abuses exact on us a terrible toll in the war of ideas, because inevitably these abuses become public.

source: - "Fog Facts #2" by Larry Beinhart, www.huffingtonpost.com. October 13, 2005.

Topics: Pain, War, Ideas, Mistreatment, Detainees

My hero is a guy named Teddy Roosevelt. Teddy Roosevelt used to say, walk softly, talk softly but carry a big stick.

source: - Source: www.today.com

Topics: Hero, Guy, Sticks

And by the way, I would not only reappoint Greenspan; if Greenspan would happen to die, God forbid, I would do like they did in the movie 'Weekend at Bernie's.' I would prop him up and put a pair of dark glasses on him.

Topics: Dark, Weekend, Glasses, Dark Glasses

I am fully prepared to be commander in chief... I don't need on-the-job training.

source: - "Biography/Personal Quotes". www.imdb.com.

Topics: Jobs, Training, Needs, Job Training

I am the son and grandson of Navy admirals, and I was born into America's service. It wasn't until I was deprived of her company that I fell in love with America.

source: - John McCain's Announcement Speech in New Hampshire, www.mccain.senate.gov. September 27, 1999.

Topics: Son, America, Navy, Admiral

Every time there's been an out-of-bounds remark made by a Republican, no matter where they are, I have repudiated them.

source: - "McCain, Obama go head to head in last debate". Last Presidential election debate, www.cnn.com. October 19, 2008.

Topics: Matter, Republican, Made

I know the veterans. I know them well. And I know that they know that I'll take care of them. And I've been proud of their support and their recognition of my service to the veterans.

source: - Source: www.nytimes.com

Topics: Support, Care, Proud

Torture doesn't work.

source: - "Should the U.S. Ever Torture Captives?". "Special Report With Brit Hume", www.foxnews.com. December 2, 2005.

Topics: Torture

Russia has now become a nation fueled by petro-dollars that is basically a KGB apparatchik-run government.

source: - Source: www.nytimes.com

I actually think if the American people understood what was going on instead of just being told tidbits by this administration, they would actually be a lot more supportive of the boots on the ground.

source: - "Clinton, Trump square off in commander-in-chief forum". "Special Report" with Bret Baier, www.foxnews.com. September 8, 2016.

Topics: Thinking, People, Supportive

Our country doesn't depend on the heroism of every citizen. But all of us should be worthy of the sacrifices made on our behalf.

source: - Liberty University Commencement Address, delivered 13 May 2006

Topics: Country, Patriotic, Sacrifice

At least I don’t plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt.

source: - "Report: McCain’s Profane Tirade At His Wife" by Nick Juliano, www.huffingtonpost.com. April 15, 2008.

Topics: Makeup, Plasters

I hate the gooks. I will hate them as long as I live.

source: - "McCain Criticized for Slur / He says he'll keep using term for ex-captors in Vietnam" by C.W. Nevius, Marc Sandalow, John Wildermuth, www.sfgate.com. February 18, 2000.

Topics: Hate, Long, I Hate

I can tell you that I think America is safer today than it was on 9/11. But that doesn't mean that we don't have a long way to go.

source: - Source: www.nytimes.com

Topics: Mean, Thinking, Long

Hillary [Clinton] saying we're never going to put boots on the ground in Iraq, we never going to put boots on the ground in Syria petrified me, simply because, why - what if this continues despite out of control.

source: - Source: www.foxnews.com

Topics: Iraq, What If, Boots

The day that I can land at the airport in Baghdad and ride in an unarmed car down the highway to the Green Zone is the day that I'll start considering withdrawals from Iraq.

source: - "FOX News Sunday" with Chris Wallace, www.foxnews.com. August 15, 2005.

Topics: Airports, Land, Iraq, Green Zone

I will follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell.

source: - "Quotes of the week". www.theguardian.com. October 27, 2007.

Topics: Osama Bin Laden, Hell, Gates, Gates Of Hell

Vladimir Putin is a war criminal.

Topics: War, Criminals, Putin

We can't go on forever with 11 million people living in this country in the shadows in an illegal status. We cannot forever have children who were born here - who were brought here by their parents when they were small children to live in the shadows, as well... What's changed, honestly, is that there is a new appreciation on both sides of the aisle, maybe more importantly on the Republican side, that we need to enact a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

source: - "'This Week' Transcript: Sen. John McCain and Sen. Robert Menendez". "This week" with Martha Raddatz, abcnews.go.com. January 27, 2013.

Topics: Country, Appreciation, Children

We can't disrupt polling places anymore, ... It doesn't serve any purpose. It just makes people mad.

Topics: People, Mad, Purpose, Polling

I said, 'The nice thing about Alzheimer's is you get to hide your own Easter eggs.'

source: - "McCain's humor often backfires" by Ben Smith, www.politico.com. July 17, 2008.

Topics: Easter, Nice, Alzheimer's, Easter Egg

I believe that we're going to find out that America made a lot of mistakes diplomatically, economically, militarily, intel-wise. But, I also think we're going to find out the U.S. has done a lot of good things too.

source: - "Lawmakers agree on independent 9/11 commission" by Dana Bash, cnn.com. October 10, 2002.

Topics: Wise, Mistake, Believe

I have a fundamental belief in the goodness and strength of the American worker. And the American worker is the most productive, the most innovative. America is still the greatest producer, exporter and importer. I have a fundamental belief in the United States of America. And I still believe, under the right leadership, our best days are ahead of us.

source: - Source: www.nytimes.com

Topics: Believe, Belief, Goodness

We want to work with the Russians. But we also have every right to expect the Russians to behave in a fashion and keeping with a - with a - with a country who respects international boundaries and the norms of international behavior.

source: - Source: www.nytimes.com

Topics: Country, Fashion, Boundaries

It is perhaps my greatest hope, Mr. President, that some day we'll consider tax and spending measures with no one else in mind but future generations of American taxpayers. We're tying a millstone of debt around their necks, and it is a grave mistake.

Topics: Mistake, Mind, President

What is good for my country is good for my party, Should my party abandon this principle, the American people will abandon us.

Topics: Country, Party, People

I am not haunted by memories of Vietnam. But I must admit I never thought we would again witness in my lifetime the specter of politicians picking targets and ruling out offensive measures in the absurd hope that the enemy would respond to our restraint by yielding to our demands.

Topics: Memories, Enemy, Target

I spent several years in a North Vietnamese prison camp in the dark, fed with scraps. Do you think I want to do that all over again as vice president of the United States? The vice president has two duties. One is to break a tie in case of a tie vote in the United States Senate... The other is to inquire daily as to the health of the president. Neither one of those are very challenging as compared to being able to live for a good part of the time in the state of Arizona.

source: - "News from CNN" with Thelma Gutierrez, www.cnn.com. May 28, 2004.

Topics: Dark, Thinking, Years, Scrap, Vice President

We are an unfinished nation.

source: - John McCain's speech to the Republican national convention, www.theguardian.com. August 1, 2000.

Topics: Unfinished, Nations

[Hillary Clinton] was saying, "We never going to do anything in Iraq, we're not going to do anything in Syria." Enemies, do whatever you want. Continue the largest humanitarian crisis, 7 million people displaced refugees. Do all this. We're not going to do anything. That is the type of stuff that is been happening for the past 7 1/2 years under President [Barack] Obama.

source: - "Clinton, Trump square off in commander-in-chief forum". "Special Report" with Bret Baier, www.foxnews.com. September 8, 2016.

Topics: Past, Years, Iraq

I think we've got to make a case that I'm ready, that I put my country first, and it's time to put aside partisan rancor and differences and work together for the country and that I can create jobs and restore our economy and keep our country safe.

source: - Source: abcnews.go.com

Topics: Country, Thinking, Working Together

If money is free speech, the big interests are sitting in front with megaphones and the average citizens are sitting in the back.

Topics: Average, Citizens, Sitting

There is no moral equivalent between that butcher and thug and KGB colonel Vladimir Putin and the United States of America, the country that Ronald Reagan used to call a shining city on a hill.

source: - Source: www.npr.org

Topics: Country, Thug, Cities, Colonels

I don't know a politician who enjoys fundraising. The system is such that the American people have lost faith.

source: - "Steadfast Republican Trooper To Battle Again for Finance Overhaul" by Donna Cassata, www.cnn.com. 1996.

Topics: Fundraising, People, Politician, Lost Faith

We conservatives can win the ideological battles on a level playing field. Our ideas are better. Given fair elections based on contributions from regular voters, instead of $100,000 checks from business-as-usual special interests, we will prevail.

Topics: Winning, Ideas, Special, Level Playing Field

I think that Donald Rumsfeld will go down in history as one of the worst secretaries of defense in history. 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.

source: - "McCain: Rumsfeld Was One of the Worst". www.washingtonpost.com. February 20, 2007.

Topics: War, Thinking, Giving, Mismanagement

I believe that Congress will and must act before then to renew its objections to multiple and discriminatory taxes on the Internet, as well as to taxes that inhibit Internet access.

source: - "States argue for taxing Internet transactions" by Ian Christopher McCaleb, www.cnn.com. March 14, 2001.

Topics: Believe, Internet Access, Congress

When you run ads saying you are going to save social security, my friend, that's all hat and no cattle.

Topics: Running, Hats, Social

I put the Vietnam War behind me a long time ago, and what I wanted to (do) among other things was help veterans also be able to come all the way home as some of our veterans have not been able to do. But I harbor no anger nor rancor. I'm a better man for my experience, and I'm grateful for having the opportunity of serving.

Topics: War, Grateful, Home, Rancor, No Anger

We have to love our freedom, not just for the private opportunities it provides, but for the goodness it makes possible.

source: - John McCain's commencement address to the graduating class at Liberty University, www.c-span.org. May 13, 2006.

Topics: Patriotic, Opportunity, Goodness

Why am I running for president? Well, my wife, Cindy, says it is because I sustainedseveral severe blows to the head in prison camp.

Topics: Running, Blow, Wife

Sen. Obama is a decent person and a person you don't have to be scared of as president of the United States.

source: - "McCain: Obama not an Arab, crowd boos" by Jonathan Martin and Amie Parnes, www.politico.com. October 10, 2008.

Topics: President, United States, Scared

In the view of everyone, I am a viable candidate and I should be on the ballot.

Topics: Views, Should, Ballots

Our political differences, now matter how sharply they are debated, are really quite narrow in comparison to the remarkably durable national consensus on our founding convictions.

source: - "Biography/ Personal Quotes". www.imdb.com.

Topics: Political Differences, Matter, Conviction, Founding

I'm just trying to keep things normal around the house, because there's no reason why things shouldn't be normal.

source: - "McCain 'not worried' about his disease, wife says" by Jonathan Karl, www.cnn.com. August 17, 2000.

Topics: House, Trying, Reason Why

But please know, whether you believe campaign contributions are speech or property, that I learned to love very dearly the right of free expression when I lived without that freedom for a while a long time ago.

Topics: Believe, Expression, Long, Campaign Contributions, Free Expression

Now we've got the cables. We've got talk radio. We've got the bloggers. I hate the bloggers.

Topics: Hate, Radio, Cables, Bloggers

We still have a long way to go before we can declare America safe, and that means doing a better job along our borders, as well.

source: - Source: www.nytimes.com

Topics: Mean, Long

We were pleased to hear the President state his firm commitment that he will do whatever is necessary to accomplish this important goal.

Topics: Commitment, Goal, Important

You can disagree with someone on issues, but you should never get personal. Joe Biden has never gotten personal, to my knowledge, with a fellow senator.

source: - Source: www.npr.org

Topics: Issues, Biden, Should

I have had a strong and a long relationship on national security, I've been involved in every national crisis that this nation has faced since Beirut, I understand the issues, I understand and appreciate the enormity of the challenge we face from radical Islamic extremism. I am prepared. 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.

source: - The Republican Debate on Fox News Channel, www.nytimes.com. October 21, 2007.

Topics: Strong, Jobs, Islamic, Long Relationship, Beirut

That's Joe Biden right there - unbowed, unbroken and unable to stop talking.

source: - Source: www.npr.org

Topics: Talking, Biden, Unbroken

We got results that would not have been possible without a negotiating partner like Joe Biden.

source: - "Senators Deliver Farewell Tribute To Vice President Joe Biden". "All Things Considered" with Ari Shapiro, www.npr.org. December 7, 2016.

Topics: Biden, Results, Partners

But I'm still a work in progress. My mother calls me quite frequently with various critiques of my performance on TV and other public events. She's usually pretty severe with her comments.

Topics: Mother, Progress, Events

Parents are not the all-knowing, ideal people we would like you to think we are. We've made wrong choices before, and will again, like everyone else, .. But our mistakes are not the measure of our love for you. You are that measure, and how well you are prepared to make better choices than we have made.

source: - John McCain, Mark Salter (2005). “Character Is Destiny: Inspiring Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember”, Random House

Topics: Mistake, Thinking, Knowing

When we're talking about a trillion dollars of taxpayer money, "trust me" just isn't good enough.

source: - "Bailout Plan Makes McCain 'Deeply Uncomfortable'". "Morning Edition" with David Greene, www.npr.org. September 23, 2008.

Topics: Talking, Dollars, Trust Me

It's the only way that I see that it can be done," McCain said. "Obviously, it has failed in the past, but I also notice there is a somewhat changed attitude on the part of the American people about this issue.

Topics: Attitude, Past, Issues

The role of the vice president is to break ties in the Senate and inquire daily into the health of the president.

Topics: Ties, President, Vices, Vice President

Today more people lose their seats in the Politburo in Havana than in the Congress of America, ... We need to have competitive races for the Legislature. ... We have to have a clash of ideas.

Topics: Race, Ideas, America, Havana

I am confident, with the leadership and the backing of the American people, President Obama will turn this country around.

source: - "Celebrity Endorsements: What Happens When Reality TV And Politics Collide". "All Things Considered" with Melissa Block, www.npr.org. January 9, 2012.

Topics: Country, People, President

We need not risk our national honor to prevail in this or any war.

source: - "Legal View With Ashleigh Banfield", www.cnn.com. December 9, 2014.

Topics: War, Risk, Honor

Why the hell do I have to keep updating my apps on my iPhone all the time and why you don't fix that?

source: - "John McCain Asks Apple CEO Tim Cook: ‘Why The Hell Do I Have To Keep Updating My Apps’?" By Alexis Kleinman, www.huffingtonpost.com. May 21, 2013.

Topics: Iphone, Hell, Apps

I want to tell the vice president and everybody else that when I'm president there will be a controlling legal authority.

Topics: President, Vices, Want

Bin Laden’s death and the debate over torture.

source: - "Bin Laden’s death and the debate over torture" by John McCain, www.washingtonpost.com. May 11, 2011.

Topics: Debate, Torture, Bin Laden

If we leave Iraq, terrorists will follow us home.

source: - "Meet the Press" with Tim Russert, www.nbcnews.com. January 21, 2007.

Topics: Home, Iraq, Terrorist

We are united in a wait-and-see approach.

Topics: Waiting, United, Approach

I think they put some lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.

source: - "Palin Camp Takes Umbrage at 'Lipstick on a Pig' Comment". voices.washingtonpost.com. September 9, 2008.

Topics: Thinking, Pigs, Stills, Lipstick

It's not social issues I care about.

Topics: Issues, Care, Social

Sarah Palin knows more about energy than probably anyone else in the United States of America.

Topics: America, Energy, United States

Just stop at one of these construction sites and look and see who those workers are. They're all Hispanic ... And I bet you they're illegal.

source: - "Bush May Bow in Immigration Policy". www.foxnews.com. August 27, 2005.

Topics: Looks, Construction Sites, Illegal

Do we really want another politician in the White House America can't trust?

source: - "Bush and McCain Trade Jabs". "World Today" with Candy Crowley, www.cnn.com. February 7, 2000.

Topics: White, America, House

I am sure that Senator Clinton would make a good President. I have no doubt that Senator Clinton would make a good President.

Topics: Doubt, President, Clinton

I'm ashamed that Congress finds billions for pork-barrel subsidies but fails to find money for veterans' health care.

source: - "McCain picks up Thompson endorsement". www.cnn.com. August 18, 1999.

Topics: Pork, Subsidies, Care, Pork Barrel

(Obama) really has no experience or knowledge or judgment about the issue of Iraq and he has wanted to surrender for a long time.

Topics: Iraq, Issues, Long

It seems to me that President Carter has earned his place as if not the worst president in history, the worst president of the 20th Century.

Topics: Political, President, Century, President Carter

Teachers don't need as much as $140,000 a year, ... But, perhaps some senators don't need $140,000 a year either.

Topics: Teacher, Years, Needs

Congress and the American people have good reason to fear that we are heading toward another permanent garrison of Americans in a Balkan country where our mission is confused, and our exit strategy a complete mystery.

Topics: Country, Confused, People, Balkans

Responsibility always stops at the president's desk.

source: - Source: www.spiegel.de

Topics: Responsibility, President, Desks

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.

source: - "Bill Moyers Journal", www.pbs.org. March 7, 2008.

Topics: Party, Als, Agents, American Politics

Just because they broke the law doesn't mean they're condemned forever to a twilight status. So, I think that most Americans, if these people who have come illegally, as long as they pay back taxes, pay a fine, learn English and get behind everybody else, that's a key element of it. And most Americans now realize we can't have 11 million people sit in the twilight - the shadows of America, forever.

source: - "John McCain, Patrick Leahy & Ray LaHood on "State of the Union"". "State of the Union" with Candy Crowley, www.realclearpolitics.com. February 24, 2013.

Topics: Believe, Twilight, Mean

When you have airplanes with precision weapons, striking hospitals in Aleppo and slaughtering innocent men, women and children, you're committing a war crime. So we need more sanctions against Russia. We should not relax them.

source: - Source: abcnews.go.com

Topics: Children, War, Airplane, Innocent Man

There's a certain romanticism associated with exploration of space, which is one of the major factors why we'll continue.

source: - "NASA likely to weather political scrutiny" by Sean Loughlin, www.cnn.com. February 17, 2003.

Topics: Space, Exploration, Certain, Romanticism

The American people want us to stop spending. And so let's just give them some certainty. Let's extend the tax - the existing tax cuts. And then let's give some more tax breaks to small businesses and large. And then maybe the American people will have some confidence.

source: - "Sen. John McCain Talks Economy, Elections, Immigration". "Fox News Sunday" with Chris Wallace, www.foxnews.com. September 5, 2010.

Topics: Confidence, Cutting, People, Tax Breaks

I'm not sure, if I were President Clinton, I wouldn't want to be pardoned for something that I believed that I didn't do.

source: - "Bush rules out pre-emptive pardon for Clinton". www.cnn.com. January 8, 2001.

Topics: President, Want, Clinton, President Clinton

I think we also ought to prepare the American public, by way of informing them, that Saddam Hussein has these weapons, continues to attempt to improve their capability, and would not be reluctant to export them to other countries. So he presents a clear and present danger.

source: - "Face The Nation" with Bob Schieffer, www.cbsnews.com. June 17, 2002.

Topics: Country, Thinking, Hussein, Informing

It's a tough path to citizenship. You've got to pay back taxes. You've got to learn English. You've got to have a clear record. You've got to get to the back of the line behind other people who have come here legally or even waiting legally.

source: - "Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. John McCain on avoiding automatic spending cuts". "Fox News Sunday With Chris Wallace", www.foxnews.com. February 10, 2013.

Topics: People, Waiting, Pay

I have campaigned for reform efforts all over the country, ... What happens in California has significant effect in states like mine that are nearby. It's just a reality.

Topics: Country, Reality, California

Being chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee is like being a mosquito in a nudist colony.

Topics: Mosquitoes, Nudists, Committees, Chairman

My greatest fear is the Iranians acquire a nuclear weapon and give it to a terrorist organization. And there is a real threat of them doing that.

source: - The Republicans' First Presidential Candidates Debate, www.nytimes.com. May 3, 2007.

Topics: Real, Greatest Fear, Organization

There are 11 million people living in the shadows. I believe they deserve to come out of the shadows. The children who are brought here when they were children, they deserve that kind of consideration as well.

source: - "Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. John McCain on avoiding automatic spending cuts". "Fox News Sunday With Chris Wallace", www.foxnews.com. February 10, 2013.

Topics: Children, Believe, People

Let me say that no one has supported President Bush on Iraq more than I have.

source: - Interview on Mike Gallagher's conservative radio talk show, abcnews.go.com. April 2, 2008.

Topics: Iraq, President, President Bush

He was a superb military officer but he was also an extraordinarily gifted politician. That he was an unusually open, honest and no-nonsense politician did not make him unsuited for the profession, only uncommon. In uniform and in politics Barry's purpose was always the defense of freedom. And nobody before or since managed the task more ably or more colorfully than Barry Goldwater.

source: - "America Says Farewell To Barry Goldwater". www.cnn.com. June 3, 1998.

Topics: Military, Tasks, Defense, No Nonsense

I respect Sarah Palin. I appreciate her and her husband enormously. I think she will continue to play a major role in the future of the Republican Party.

source: - Source: www.msnbc.com

Topics: Husband, Party, Thinking

We know that Medicare's going broke in seven years, but we need to start over. That's what the American people want us to do.

source: - "Meet the Press" with David Gregory, www.nbcnews.com. February 28, 2010.

Topics: Years, People, Starting Over

The majority of [the troops in Iraq] is that feel they're doing the right thing and their parents who have also made sacrifices, generally speaking, and their proud of the services of their sons and daughters.

source: - Source: www.truth-out.org

Topics: Daughter, Son, Sacrifice, Troops In Iraq

Immigration and border security remain critical issues that I am committed to addressing this year. The good news is that illegal immigration is at an all-time low, making now the time to dedicate the needed technology and resources to finally secure the border for good. As border security improves, I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner to fix our broken immigration system and address the millions of people living in the United States outside of legal status.

Topics: Technology, Years, Issues, All Time Low, Border Security