March 7, 2008
Posted: 01:25 PM ET
CNN

Watch McCain's exchange with a New York Times reporter.

NEW ORLEANS (CNN) – Republican presidential candidate John McCain grew testy while talking to reporters Friday when questioned about whether he’d ever talked to Democratic Senator John Kerry about becoming his presidential running mate back in 2004.

On a campaign flight, New York Times reporter Elisabeth Bumiller asked the Arizona senator about a story in that paper in 2004 quoted McCain as saying he had never discussed the possibility of joining the Democratic ticket that year. "Everybody knows that I had a private conversation,” McCain said, shortly. “Everybody knows that, that I had a conversation. …

"It's well known. Everybody knows it’s been well chronicled a thousand times,” said McCain, repeatedly interrupting Bumiller. “That John Kerry asked if I would consider being his running mate and I said categorically no, under no circumstances. …I don’t know what you may have read or heard of and I don’t know the circumstances. Maybe in May of ’04 I hadn’t had a conversation. I don’t know—but it is well known that I had the conversation. It’s absolutely well known by everyone. So do you have a question on another issue?”

During a town hall in Atlanta before the flight, McCain had been asked if he’d consider Kerry for his running mate. “That’s the first time I’ve ever gotten that question,” he deadpanned, adding that he respected the Massachusetts senator, and had spoken with him about that possibility in 2004, to turn him down — a statement that Bumiller later questioned him over. McCain had also told the Atlanta crowd he could not share a ticket with Kerry because “I just totally disagree with him.”

Earlier this week, 1996 GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole told CNN’s Larry King that his former Senate colleague “does have a… I guess you could say temper. But I always sort of rationalized that because the poor guy had been locked up” in a tiny cell for six years. He added that McCain “can control it. It's not a problem anymore.”

UPDATE: McCain Senior Adviser Steve Schmidt called this issue "complete and total nonsense."

"What Americans really care about are things like 63,000 jobs lost last month, and that's the kind of thing McCain is going to talk about," said Schmidt.

–CNN's Carol Cratty and Dana Bash contributed to this report

Filed under: John McCain


Re-purv-ican, Washington D.C.   March 7th, 2008 4:24 pm ET

Now, now, McCain. Just calm down… Here, take these blood pressure meds and go take a nap. Do we really want a short-tempered, cranky senior citizen to lead this country?

illinois voter for truth.   March 7th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

Oh testy? We hav not seen nothing yet. Maybe he
got tired. You have to have an superior amount
of energy to be President of the U.S.

OBAMA 2008

JB Cali   March 7th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

That's cause the man in nuts.

andrea   March 7th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

mccain you are so arrogant. just what we need - more of the republican 'my way or the highway" cowboy mentality. Sounds a lot like George W Bush. Oh right I forgot W ENDORSED MCCAIN

SD   March 7th, 2008 4:36 pm ET

I guess only John McCain with his temper and straight talk can get Hillary to show us he TAX RETURN

Grif   March 7th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

Keep it cool John… You did in the last 3 month's. Just do!!

Gary in CT   March 7th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Maybe he should release his medical records. Cancer patients can get real testy.

Bubba   March 7th, 2008 4:45 pm ET

Grampy, you skipped your nap again. Take some of these white pills your wife had.

Darth Vadik, CA   March 7th, 2008 4:46 pm ET

temper temper mo capitan,

this man should not be allowed to become president.

Bob   March 7th, 2008 4:48 pm ET

I think that if Hillary loses to Obama she should offer to be McCain's running mate.

And the Democrats and Republicans should just admit that they're different factions of the same Business Party.

Haley Rodman Clemson   March 7th, 2008 4:51 pm ET

McCain was pretty generous to let a NYT reporter on his plane in the first place. Second, the question was stupid and the Kerry thing is really old news. Third, he had already answerred the question at a public event. Biased reporting=misinformation.

After further review,Texas   March 7th, 2008 4:52 pm ET

Doesnt anyone remember what happened to Reagans brain function and how Nancy was running the country?The scariest part will be who he picks for V.P.Look at what Cheneys numbers are in the polls and what he has done for us.Be afraid,be very afraid.

illinois voter for truth.   March 7th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

Well now folks, MeCain is all set to run………….and run
for President of the good ole USA. Can't stop that kind
of energy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

aware   March 7th, 2008 4:55 pm ET

Barack gets testy with the press too. Do we really want a short-tempered, spoiled, citizen in his late 40's leading this country? McCain is preferable to Barack but of course Hillary is the smart choice. :)

Jermaine   March 7th, 2008 4:55 pm ET

MCCAIN IS ALREADY SHOWING THAT TEMPER. HE CAN COVER HIMSELF AS A POWER, HOWEVER BEFORE HIS PLAN WAS SHOT DOWN, WASN'T HE DROPPING NAPALMS ON INNOCENT VIETNAMESE? DO WE WANT A PRESIDENT WHO VIOLATED HUMAN RIGHTS?

kathleen.   March 7th, 2008 4:56 pm ET

Did John's cronie BBQ, slumber party wear him
out last weekend. It takes time to recoup from
that party animal style of living. Who paid for the
BBQ? How much did it cost? Did Cindy cook?

Obama-The bunny keeps going and going and going
on the the finish line. No V.P. job for Obama. He wouldn't
work under a liar.

Jermaine   March 7th, 2008 4:57 pm ET

MCCAIN IS ALREADY SHOWING THAT TEMPER. HE CAN COVER HIMSELF AS A POW, HOWEVER BEFORE HIS PLANE WAS
SHOT DOWN, WASN'T HE DROPPING NAPALMS ON INNOCENT VIETNAMESE? DO WE WANT A PRESIDENT WHO VIOLATED HUMAN RIGHTS?

NO NO, NOT MCBOMBS

mk   March 7th, 2008 5:01 pm ET

Hmmm an president with a short fuse. Not exactly a quality that would be desirable.

Larry, Hazleton, pa   March 7th, 2008 5:09 pm ET

While I competley respect Mr McCain's service to our country I could never vote for a person who thinks that we could be in IRAG for the next 50 to 100 years under any circumstance. This is just NUTZ!!!!! Mr Dole could be right - the time he spent in the prison camp in a small cell being tortured must have had a impact upon Mr McCain's ability to think with reason. Just the thought of having our military in the middle of a civil war for that period of time should give any reasonable person a clear thought on not voting for Mr McCain.

Obama 08   March 7th, 2008 5:09 pm ET

This is just the beginning folks.

Ken, Suitland MD   March 7th, 2008 5:14 pm ET

Now you bad reporters, don't go upsetting King McCain. He thinks he is entitled to the throne, because King Goerge has given him the blessing. True to [R] form, he wants no one questioning his past, his motives, anything. He'll tell you what to think. So shut up, and listen to what your new [R] father figure has to say. Oh and by the way, obey, or be labled a traitor.

John sell-out McCain. One would have hoped that someone who focusses so much on character could have done more to hold his ground against the despicable wing of his party. In the end, a vote for McCain is a vote for Busch III. And it is a sad comment on the state of America that millions will do it.

anonymous   March 7th, 2008 5:14 pm ET

I don't blame him for being annoyed! These are the kinds of things the American voters really don't care about. I AM more interested in 63,000 jobs lost last month and what our government is going to do about outsourcing. I will not vote for McCain, but let's stay focused on what is really important. Stories like this are nothing more than distractions and I find it offensive that there are those in the media or politics who think we are dumb enough to base our decisions on this kind of nonsense. Oh, but then again, it does seem to work, doesn't it? Sad.

ben   March 7th, 2008 5:15 pm ET

I realy don't care if you "moderators print this or not! It does amaze me why you print so much ridiculous stuff and leave my comments awaiting
moderation. So here goes anyway.
I have nothing against McCain as a man or a good American. What I don't understand is why he is called a war hero.
What about the thousands of young men who died in that shameful war?
Are they just numbers or at best , brave men who died for their country
Why is someone who was fortunate enough to survive instead of dying
called a war hero? A war hero is someone who by an act of bravery
managed to save the lives of his comrades, or the lives of inocent people locked in an inevitable situation of pending doom.
It isn't necessary to die to be a hero, although many real heros have done so. McCain was no hero. However to his credit, I don't think he ever said he was. It is the republican political machine that says so.

Carol in Roseville   March 7th, 2008 5:23 pm ET

I think he should ask Hillary to be his running mate. She is doing everything she can to ruin the democratic party.

nipthedog   March 7th, 2008 5:29 pm ET

I had to laugh. I recall McCain describing the fact he is older than dirt. My wife just yelled at me for tracking some in the house on my shoes. And he reminds of something unpleasant embedded in the bottom of my shoes.

Matt, Chico, CA   March 7th, 2008 5:31 pm ET

yes we do need a president with a short temper…. he wont put up with any crap from foreign leaders

Abe   March 7th, 2008 5:32 pm ET

"What Americans really care about are things like 63,000 jobs lost last month, and that's the kind of thing McCain is going to talk about," said Schmidt.

Hmm…isn't he the same person who said quote

He doesn't understand the economy.

I didn't have a sexual relationship with the lobbist

Emeka   March 7th, 2008 5:37 pm ET

It is 2pm. Senator, isn't it time for dinner?

Altoid   March 7th, 2008 5:43 pm ET

a "rationalized" quick temper is still a quick temper and not somebody i'm comfortable with running world diplomacy and our military. belligerance is not a quality that will enamor him to the citizens of this country - and if Schmidt thinks people vote for a candidate solely on issues and not personality, he's been living under a rock.

Dina   March 7th, 2008 5:56 pm ET

McCain…just calm down..all you have to do is to see Hillary and Obama fighting. Why are you even sabotaging such a golden opportunity to become the President by being so mean to reporters?

Anyway- whatever you do- nobody cares- it is all about Hillary and Obama

But you will be the President

Mercedes   March 7th, 2008 6:00 pm ET

WHAO!!! Imagine if he's sleeping at 3 am and the red phone rings. I don't think that temper will do good at that time. When you fuel up so fast it is worse when they wake you up from a phone call. Are my children going to be safe with this aarp member in the WH as commander in chief? I DON'T THINK SOOOOOO!!!!

bh   March 7th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

Get Real. This reporter was from the NEW YORK SLIMES (Times). The same liberal rag that tried to smear John McCain not too many days ago!!!

D.Kimbro OHIO   March 7th, 2008 6:10 pm ET

That was before he realized a more logical running mate would be Hillary (no morals) Clinton. I wonder how long she will be in the White house before she has an affair.

midora   March 7th, 2008 6:15 pm ET

I hope he gets "testy" with Hillary Clinton if she is the Democratic nominee. I'd love to see him wipe up the floor with her!

Dan from california   March 7th, 2008 6:25 pm ET

McCain will do eveything possible to distance himself from the past. Obama's past is shorter and much sweeter than McCain's. However I do respect McCain's stance on global trade versus isolationism. I guess I want aspects of both parties views in a candidate, unfortunately with our two party system we are limited in what we have offered to us.

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