Correspondent Bianna Golodryga pointedly wondered, "But at a time when polls show Obama ahead of McCain by 16 points on the economy, should McCain be staying closer to home?" GMA co-host Robin Roberts, in an interview with Senator McCain, questioned, "So, why is Senator McCain abroad when Americans are focused on the economy here at home and losing jobs, more and more jobs, as Bianna just reported?" The candidate replied by mentioning the fight against the Colombian drug trade as one reason for his South American trip. Undeterred, Roberts continued her theme. She repeated, " We've seen that over and over again, so many want to know, other than what you just said, why are you in Colombia this morning?" This prompted an irritated McCain to reply, "Well, I'd be glad to repeat myself."
In a tease for both segments, co-host Diane Sawyer queried, "This morning, one-on-one with John McCain. As Americans wrestle with a tough economy, why is he in South America?" ABC News political contributor Matthew Dowd piled on: "[McCain] risks not talking to voters and where they are and what they want to vote on. Taking a trip to Colombia, I think, voters may see as a distraction from what they really care about right now." (Although Dowd is a former strategist to President Bush, he has also worked on Democratic campaigns.)
The journalists on GMA seem to be ignoring the fact that it's July. The conventions are in August and the campaign will be a sprint from Labor Day to Election Day. This would seem to be the time for foreign trips. It's rather silly for ABC reporters to suggest a summer visit to South America means the Arizona senator is uncaring towards tough economic times. And it will be interesting to see how these same correspondents cover Democrat Barack Obama's excursion to the Middle East in early August.
A transcript of the July 2 Robin Roberts interview with John McCain, which aired at 7:04am, follows:
7am tease
DIANE SAWYER: This morning, one-on-one with John McCain. As Americans wrestle with a tough economy, why is he in South America? We'll ask him in a GMA exclusive.
7:04am
ROBIN ROBERTS: So, why is Senator McCain abroad when Americans are focused on the economy here at home and losing jobs, more and more jobs, as Bianna just reported? For the answer, we go to the Republican candidate in Colombia, in the midst of a three-day visit to that country and Mexico. Senator McCain, thank you very much for joining us this morning. We certainly do appreciate it. You know that--
SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN: Thank you, Robin. I'm here -- let me say I'm here for one day. I'm in Mexico the next day then I'm back home and, you know, also drugs is a big, big problem in America. The continued flow of drugs from Colombia through Mexico into the United States is still one of our major challenges to all Americans and Mexican government is struggling right now with battles against drug cartels, Colombia continues to make progress, but a large percentage of the amount of cocaine that continues to come into the United States of America comes from this country. I've been here many times. I've been here several times in the past, as well as with Mexico and I think that it deserves our attention.
ROBERTS: No discounting the drug problem, as you just stated. Here at home, the U.S. economy is really at the forefront of voters' minds. We've seen that over and over again, so many want to know, other than what you just said, why are you in Colombia this morning?
MCCAIN: Well, I'd be glad to repeat myself. I've come down here on two previous occasions. We have the issue of the drug trafficking from Colombia up through our hemisphere across Mexico and in the United States of America. Drug cartels have basically taken control of some towns on the Mexican border. There are still a couple of thousand people being held hostage by the FARC here. There is clearly a continued threat of drugs pouring into the United States of America, which can harm us and our young people very badly. I'm happy to say that there has been some success. The cost of cocaine on the street is up. I also think it's important for our economy to maintain a free -- to pass a free trade agreement between ourselves and Colombia. Colombia is our largest agricultural market in the southern hemisphere. So, I think there are issues. I've been involved in these issues for a long, long time, and I've spent the last two weeks talking about all over America, the need for us to attain energy independence and I've come up with specific plans and proposals to do that. The American economy is hurting right now. Most of all at the gas pump where they're seeing the price of a gallon of gas go up and up and up.
ROBERTS: You mention free trade and it is part of the reason why you are making the trip to Colombia and to Mexico. Again, here at home, many are very fearful of when it comes to foreign free trade and, in fact, there was a new poll, over half the country feeling it's a threat to the country. 41 percent do see it as an opportunity for growth. Senator, you recently spent time in Indiana and in Pennsylvania, spending a lot of time in communities there that have been hit really hard with job losses. So what do you say to those people, what do you say to those people who are fearful that more jobs may be, indeed, headed beyond our borders and abroad?
MCCAIN: That our economy is in terrible shape, that we've got to take specific actions, keep their taxes low, less regulation, start exploring and exploiting offshore oil deposits so that we can at least ease this burden, give them a little bit of a break from their gas taxes, get to work on nuclear, solar, wind, tide, invest in pure research and development and coal -- clean coal technology. We must also, I believe, stop distorting the market by subsidizing ethanol and preventing sugar based ethanol from coming in the United States. I know Americans are hurting very badly right now. I have town hall meetings almost every single day and I have a plan of action to bring our economy out of the situation it's in today. And I don't believe increasing their taxes is the answer. I believe leaving their taxes low, get off this dependence on foreign oil and doing it quickly and we can -- I call it the Lexington Project. We can, as we sent people to the moon, we can also get off this dependence on foreign oil and keep people in their homes and stop this job loss. We can do it.
ROBERTS: We can do it. You have admitted that you're not exactly an expert when it comes to the economy and many have said--
MCCAIN: I have not. I have not. Actually, I have not. I said that I am stronger on national security issues because of all the time I spent in the military. Very strong on the economy. I understand it. I have a lot more experience than my opponent.
ROBERTS: People feel that it is not a strong suit. You have other strengths, as well, but that if you selected somebody from the business sector as a running mate, that it could go a long way for you. Mitt Romney's name has come up again, very successful, of course, with business ventures. Is he somebody that's at the top of your VP list?
MCCAIN: Robin, Mitt Romney is a great person and he's done a great job for us and we're really pleased at the cooperation and help that he's given us and he won millions of Republican votes so there will be a big place for him in the Republican Party in the future, but obviously we're not talking about specific candidates. Thanks for asking, though.
ROBERTS: Well, that's what I do. Senator, thank you so much.
MCCAIN: Absolutely.
ROBERTS: I do have a final question. Are you in a bird sanctuary or something? We're hearing a lot of birds around you this morning there.
MCCAIN: Actually we're in one of the most beautiful cities on Earth, Cartagena, a very old city. The Spaniards used to collect their gold and take it back to Spain. And we're out on this little island and it's really lovely here and they encourage tourism here too.
ROBERTS: It looks like a beautiful spot. Senator John McCain, thank you. I know we'll be talking a lot between now and November. Thank you so much. Have a good trip.
