Two-time winner of the New Hampshire Primary, John McCain, and Presidential candidate, Lindsey Graham, joined Chris Ryan and Dean Spiliotes for a spirited discussion of the issues in this installment of Pints and Politics: Road to the White House at The Barley House which is fueled by the Smuttynose Brewing Company. The two senators are colleagues and friends, and they weighed in primarily on the threats to peace in the Middle East from ISIS and their opposition to the Iran Nuclear Deal. John McCain is here in New Hampshire to help his friend Senator Graham’s campaign, and presidential politics were also given their unique perspective.
This interview took place on the fourteenth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, so the first topic discussed was whether the world is a safer place today than it was in 2001. Both senators feel strongly that the world is a far more dangerous place now. John McCain stated that global tensions are the worst that they have been since the end of World War II. To support his opinion, McCain named several former Secretaries of State–Kissinger, Schultz, and Albright–who have a similar assessment. In addition, he cited a United Nations report that claims that there are more refugees today than at any point since the end of the war. Senator
The discussion then turned to what should be done about the flood of refugees from Syria, and what the United States should do about the source of the refugee problem–the civil war against the Assad Regime and ISIS. Senator McCain believes that we should take in some refugees but only after careful screening is done to weed out possible ISIS members. Senator Graham firmly believes that the United States must lead in this crisis rather than sit on the sidelines. Graham favors a reset in Iraq with about 10,000 US troops on the ground to stabilize Iraq and to go after and wipe out ISIS. Despite the perceived unpopularity of putting “boots on the ground,” Senator Graham believes that if we had a stated, specific plan with clear goals, the American people would support such an intervention because many of us feel the threat of another terrorist attack. Senator McCain agreed that under President Obama, America is perceived as weak and vacillating. As evidence, he described an incident which occurred while the president was in Alaska recently to rename Mt. McKinley. Five Chinese warships cruised within the twelve mile limit to “stick a thumb in our eye.” Senator Graham wants the United States to challenge Russian leader Putin’s adventurism. “He’s playing with a pair of twos.” We should call his bluff by taking the following steps: 1) export natural gas to cut into Russian energy exports; 2) reinforce and build up NATO; 3) provide Ukraine with the weaponry which they have requested to defend themselves from Russian aggression; and 4) oppose Russia giving aid to Syrian President Assad.
Both senators strongly voiced their opposition to the Iran Nuclear deal. Senator Graham compared it to the Munich Agreement of 1939 between the British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler. The South Carolina senator quipped that at least Chamberlain was duped because Hitler lied about his intentions. Graham stated that the Iranians have been out front about their three goals which are to purify Islam, to destroy Israel, and to attack the United States. He also questions why the Iranians have an ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) program. He points out that Iran does not have or intend to have a space program. Senator McCain also stated his objections to the Iranian deal. First of all, he believes that the Iranians will violate it before 2016. Senator McCain objects to the deal not being ratified by Congress. Also, the recent minority vote kept it from being nullified.
The discussion eventually turned to the New Hampshire presidential Primary. Senator McCain called for all of the candidates to abide by what Ronald Reagan called the Eleventh Commandment of not speaking ill of fellow Republicans. However, that doesn’t preclude them from asking Donald Trump to give some specifics to his proposals. Senator Graham, who has been attacked by Mr. Trump, reasserted that he would vote for him even if Trump became the nominee of the party. Both senators have a reputation for reaching across the aisle which has caused criticism from the conservative wing of the Republican Party. Senator Graham also pledged that if he was elected president that he would work with the Democrats like President Reagan worked with the Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill. Senator Graham believes that both parties need to work together to address entitlement reform in order for the United States to get out of the huge debts that we have. The Senate is apparently a very collegial place, and McCain and Graham spoke about being friends with Vice President Joe Biden. However, they pointed out that voting for former secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, or Vice President Biden would bring about a third term of a failed presidency.
