March 13, 2008
Posted: 11:21 AM ET
CNN

Watch McCain's comments Thursday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – John McCain left the campaign trail Thursday to return to the Senate to vote for a bill that would place a one-year moratorium on earmarks, money that is tacked onto bills by legislators for pet projects.

“I believe we must end this process, which has diverted billions in taxpayer dollars to needless projects, once and for all. If voters give me the pen, I will veto every single pork-barrel bill Congress sends me,” McCain said in a statement.

The Arizona senator blasts excess spending every step of the way on the campaign trail and though Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will join him in voting for the measure, McCain criticized their past use of earmarks.

“They have used earmarks and some of them in a manner I don’t that think taxpayers would at all approve of,” McCain told CNN. “It’s hundreds of millions of dollars, taxpayers’ dollars, that are absolutely outrageously wasted.”

McCain urged Obama and Clinton to be more transparent and reveal the earmarks they’ve asked for, saying it’s likely much of that money hasn’t been spent yet and can be recuperated.

“I call on them to say ‘hey, don’t spend that money,’ because they’re earmarks, they didn’t go through a proper process and taxpayers can’t afford it.”

All three senators running for president are back in their day jobs on Capitol Hill Thursday for the first time in about a month.

– CNN Political Producer Alexander Marquardt

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • John McCain


David, Gilbert Arizona   March 13th, 2008 3:24 pm ET

All these posts about waisted money in Iraq…and yet I seem to remember a grand speech on the Senate floor by…who was that again? Oh yeah! Hillary.

Here's a reality check. Money for the war is appropriated by Congress. Congress is voting to spend money on the war in Iraq. Last I checked the Congress is being run by the Democrats.

Frank in Missouri   March 13th, 2008 3:18 pm ET

Not every earmark is 'waste'. Create a different avenue to allocate (and review) something one may call 'directed spending'.

I think it's positive that McCain did not use earmarks – although the situation and need is different in every state. He can't get too much milage out of this though … especially as a Republican.

Independent-Latina-voter, Salt Lake City, UT   March 13th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

Of course, McCain should add that it was HIS & HILLARY'S vote for the war that has us in DEBT! And is costing the US, $400 million a day!

McCain can you excuse yourself from that costly mistake?!

THE REAL NATIONAL SECURITY PROBLEM THAT PEOPLE DO NOT SPEAK ABOUT IS OUR DEBT, 10 TRILLION AND COUNTING, AND MOST OF IT OWED TO……. CHINA! Americans need to inform themselves on what would happen if China called in the debt!

MickyD10   March 13th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

Bk, Obama has released all his earmarks, and he has called on Hillary to do the same. No response from her yet.

Keep up with current events.

Kim   March 13th, 2008 2:51 pm ET

Earmarks nearly always put money into local economies.

When money goes outside of the US, they call it the budget.

Yes, that's what we need. Stop putting money into local projects and local economies.

Save it for Haliburton.

AMP   March 13th, 2008 2:51 pm ET

This is hilarious! The article is about McCain but the Obama kids blast Hillary! Boy, the RNC is taking you guys to the cleaners! The greatest trick of the devil is convincing you clowns he doesn't exist! Beware what you ask for!!!

Squid Shark   March 13th, 2008 2:50 pm ET

Obama support in Iowa March 13th, 2008 12:57 pm ET

Charlotte –

I'm sorry you feel that Obama's record in the Senate "stinks". I believe his work in sponsoring bills for campaign reform and transparency in government are changing the was our government is run which means he has made more change in 3 years than many have in 35 years. I'm sorry you've lost hope that change can happen. I think being cynical kind of defines your group.

CHANGE, HOPE, CHANGE

OOOOO look at me, I was a big boy and attatched my name to an ethics reform bill after stabbing John McCain in the back on the version I promised to support.

Obama had about as much to do with that bill as Hillary had to do with Bills Presidency.

Ted   March 13th, 2008 2:49 pm ET

so suddenly earmarks are the Democrats doings? After two Bush terms, most of which were with a Republican Congress?? Won't McCaim p.o. a whole bunch of his fellow Republicans when he won't allow earmarks?

This from the guy who was Second runner up in 2000! Now he's the saviour? If he wasn't good enough then, he's not good enough now.

king from toronto   March 13th, 2008 2:48 pm ET

hillary supporters needs to get a grip!are u guys demorcrats?? or hillarycrats???support the party.not individuals.

woogie   March 13th, 2008 2:47 pm ET

Hey Carl,

Boeing lost against Northrup Grumman an American company.

Go Johnny Go   March 13th, 2008 2:45 pm ET

Go Johnny Go! Show the people what both Clinton and Obama really are…TAX AND SPEND DEMOCRATS!!! McCain will expose each of them for what they've done, because he has the experience and the knowledge to back the fight!

Hillary will kill this already struggling economy and Obama has NO IDEA WHATSOEVER about what to do with this country! Use your heads, not your skin color, gender, or your bleeding liberal hearts — VOTE MCCAIN!

John   March 13th, 2008 2:21 pm ET

Absolutely. How dare Congress spend money in the US? We should be sending that money to the European Union's subsidized defense contractor, instead!

Dom from Philly   March 13th, 2008 2:21 pm ET

For a candidate that intends to continue a war that has destroyed our economy and to continue tax cuts for people who don't need them, it's certainly ironic that he has such a problem with money being wasted. People like McCain and Bush make taxes a dirty word, but give me a break… a study by the JEC showed that the Iraq war has cost the average American family of 4 almost $21,000 since 2002. More importantly it has cost us lives, drained our military (which is arguably a bigger national security risk than the Muslim extremist boogeymen in another part of the world), and fueled politically instability that will haunt us for a long time. Some of you have commented on this point being irrelevant, but it's not. There are bigger things going on here than earmarks. I hate to perpetuate partisanship, but Republicans want you to focus on how high your taxes are so much that you overlook the good things that the sacrifice can get us. There are Western nations out there that are able to get their people better health care and better access to education. People in their sheltered worlds might not understand that not everyone has access to what they have access too, but it's time you open your eyes and learn. It's not as black and white as "he's just unemployed because he's lazy". McCain will do nothing for the health care issue in this country. He wants intelligent design to be taught in our schools. He wants to overturn Roe v. Wade. This is not who we need as a leader and the fact that polls have shown this would not be a landslide victory for either Clinton or Obama after the Bush administration makes me extremely disappointed in both the American people and the Democratic party. On a side note, if the Republican party really supported the troops they would see to it that they were paid as much as Blackwater.

Patty   March 13th, 2008 2:18 pm ET

I think the senate needs to do their job and go to work and earn the money we have to pay them for a life time.
McCain knows what he is talking about why don't you check the voting records of your democratic nominees? I have. They are available online for all to see. See if your people are voting for what you pay them for????

Ken, Suitland MD   March 13th, 2008 2:17 pm ET

It is an abomination to this country that a Bush-policy supporter could be in a tie with any [D] presidential candidate. That there are people who agree with what is going on now, or who are so partisan-blind enough that they would choose to continue the [R] mess with their next vote, is abhorrent.

There is no doubt that McCain is McBush. And by their continued support of the current disaster-in-charge, MOST of the [R] politicians have shown themselves to be BOTH morally and intellectually bankrupt. And yet a core constituency continuies to support the insanity, and for many of them it is what they always hoped for….a moron king demagogue.

We have a form of self-correcting government, yet the citizens of this country are too dumb to use it properly. The voting IQ of this country is extremely low, and you need only look at the last two presidential elections to prove that.

So here we are, the next [R] moron king demagogue in a statistical tie with [D] candidates that will actually help steer this country away from its decline into the dark ages, and towards its founding principles. This country is a mess, and it is not caused by the terrorists; it is a home-grown mess. No wonder we are currently the laughing stock of the rest of the world. This era is already going down as one of the worst in American history.

Chido Williams   March 13th, 2008 2:17 pm ET

If it were not for you McCain, Hillary and Bush who voted for the war, then we would not be int he hole we are in now. This teaches you to think of all concequences before voting for anything. Does McCain know how much the war costs and the number of lives lost? I wonder.

Dan, Washington DC   March 13th, 2008 2:16 pm ET

I'm all for ending pork-barrel spending, but what people seem to fail to realize is that even in the Democratically controlled congress, the majority of earmarks are still coming from Republicans.

Glenn   March 13th, 2008 2:15 pm ET

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it's got to be a duck?

If it looks like Bush, talks like Bush, acts like Bush, then it's got be McBush, I mean MCain!

Burt   March 13th, 2008 2:12 pm ET

Senator McCain: What about your 100year war? is it for free?

Albo   March 13th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

McCAIN IS TOTALLY RIGHT.

BUT HE SHOULD FIRE HIS ADVISERS WHICH MAKING BAD USE
OF HIS PREVIOUS OPPOSTION OF THE NULLIFIED USAF/BOEING
DEAL, WHERE HIRED BY THE BROKEN AND MAINTAINED ALIVE BY
EUROPEAN SUBSIDIES "EADS", WHICH, USING NORTHROP AS A
FRONT, USED QUESTIONABLE METHODS TO OBTAIN THE DEAL NOW.

AND OF COURSE, USE HIS INFLUENCE THAT THE LATEST DECISION OF THE USAF SHOULD BE IMMEDIATEL REVERSED.

ALBO

Nuwan Samaranayake   March 13th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

Sure they did. No question about it. But they spend it in this country, for the people of this country. That money was invested in some projects in this country. Still, I believe that earmarks need to be cut off so there is more fiscal control in the government.

But what McCain will do if he become president is to wage wars around the world. Keep investing on Iraq war. Making more people dead.

So basically he is saying it is ok to spend billions to fight meaningless wars and invest money on other countries but it is not ok to spend few millions for the people in America investing it here. This is tax payers money and they would want it spend here for them.

Isn't his policy purely hypocritical ? If we worry about spending money, he first need to worry about billions of dollar we wast on this Iraq war and not agreeing to fight it for another 100 years if necessary, to satisfy his person ego.

mimi de la cruz for OBAMA   March 13th, 2008 2:08 pm ET

THE AUDACITY OF THIS MAN. RAISING A STINK ABOUT WHAT IS SPENT ON THE AMERICAN TAX PAYERS, WHO THE MONEY ACTUALITY BELONGS TO. HE WANTS OUR MONEY TO GO TO HIS AND BUSH'S FRIENDS AND IRAQ, WHICH STILL GOES BACK TO THE RICH ANYWAY. WE ARE REBUILDING IRAQ, BUT NOT LOUISIANA. WHAT KIND OF LUNACY IS THAT ? IT'S OUR MONEY. WE NEED TO SPEND IT ON OUR NEEDS.

Republiclown   March 13th, 2008 2:07 pm ET

Mr McCain, what about the BILLIONS and BILLIONS for $$$ wasted every month on the ILLEGAL WAR in IRAQ that you plan to continue for years to come?

Not to mention THOUSANDS of AMERICAN LIVES Lost In IRAQ!

gregory   March 13th, 2008 1:46 pm ET

lets not even go there mr republican we propably can't recoop the billions of dollar in the next 100 years your party has blown put that on the crap tables

xtina   March 13th, 2008 1:43 pm ET

Aren't we taxed enough? Who in their right mind wouldn't support a candidate for President who calls for a moratorium on taking more taxes than we already pay?

Bill   March 13th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

If I were McCain, I would be careful. I'm fairly certain that over 20+ years of bills, he has plenty of earmarks. Also, where did the NY Times story about the lobbyist go? I think there has to be something there. Good, fighting McCain will get the democrats more focused on who the real opposition is.

Bill   March 13th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

If I were McCain, I would be careful. I'm fairly certain that over 20+ years of bills, he has plenty of earmarks. Also, where did the NY Times story about the lobbyist go? I think there has to be something there. Good, fighting McCain will get the democrats more focused on who the real opposition is.

New York expat in Santo Domingo   March 13th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

At a "burn rate" of US$12Billion monthly at a conservative estimate by Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz to stay in Iraq, what standing does McSame have to cavalierly make claims about spending? I hope he's prepared to back it up.

Whereas, Senator McCain, what "public good" is worth spending taxpayer money on? What do you see as the role and limits of government spending in the public domain? What is your criteria and how do you differentiate between "good" spending and "bad" spending?, because if I am going to hire you and pay your salary, I want to know whether that's "good" or "bad" by your definition.

Uncle Sam   March 13th, 2008 1:38 pm ET

Despite an unpopular president and war, unprecedented Democratic turnout, low consumer confidence, etc., John McCain is running even with both of his opponents. Amazing!

AJ, IL   March 13th, 2008 1:38 pm ET

McCain may have the Vietnam War hero story use for those 60+ years voters, but his most recent stances over the last decade will paint him as a flip-flopper in Indendepent voters and Conservative Republicans minds. McCain has a long record, but will be most important to Americans will be his voting record over the past 10 years.

Dennis   March 13th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

McCain is not going to be a continuance of the Bush administration, their not the best of friends. McCain has shown responsibility in spending and his record proves that, he hasn't place any ear marks on any bill.
One thing for sure is McCain will continue to protect America from the extremist who want to destroy us. Cutting and running out of the middle-east will not change their hatred for us, nor will talking to them change anything. It sounds like many have forgotten 9/11.
Why in the world would people want Democrats in office to raise more taxes? To mandate small business to pay for a socialist medical system for people who don’t want to work. Aren't you paying enough taxes already? The Democrats promised change since the last election and haven't done anything. Just talk and spent more.
It's not just Bush who is responsible for this mess we are in, it's congress also and the people who vote who are not informed about the truth.
And shame on the media, CNN and Fox for not telling the truth about what are courageous men and women are doing and the difference they have made in Iraq.

Karen   March 13th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

Wasn't disclosure of earmarks part of the Ethics Legislation Obama brags about? The result of Obama's greatest success is Obama must stand up to eat and can refuse to release earmarks. Obama legislated loopholes so Obama doesn't actually have to adhere to the so-called 'change' Obama promotes, so new, so tranparent, so honest.

Ronald, living abroad   March 13th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

How can he say that Clinton has wasted millions? Has he already gotten a glimpse at her tax returns? Will will the rest of America get to see them? What is she hiding?

pete   March 13th, 2008 1:28 pm ET

Can we even risk anything close to these last 8 years with Bush?

People…WAKE UP!

Bush has pilaged our country looted our resources all for the benefit of Halliburton and personal oil price increases which benefit his cronies.

Look at the state of our country, its never been worse…ever.

Nothing should matter to us other than a clean slate.

Obama '08

Relax Joe   March 13th, 2008 1:24 pm ET

Look at all the Obama sheep. You shred a woman apart and when an old man points out your messiah loves pork you tear him apart.

Glad to see you don't represent the majority.

mimi de la cruz for OBAMA   March 13th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

NOT EVEN A FRACTION OF A 1 % THAT MCCAIN AND BUSH WITH HILLARY'S HELP SPENT ON THE IRAQ WAR. AT LEAST THAT MONEY (EARMARKS) IS BEING SPENT ON THE PEOPLE THAT WORKED AND SWEAT FOR IT,THE AMERICAN TAX PAYER. THE REPUBLICANS ACT LIKE ITS A VILE ACT TO SPEND MONEY ON THE TAX PAYER. NOW WHO IS YOUR DADDY ? DEFINITELY NOT FLIP FLOP FOR THE RICH MCCAIN.

CW in DC   March 13th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

Hmmm… let me see – on one hand – Trillions spent on improving a foreign country versus spending money on improving things right here in America – gosh, how do I figure this one out?!?!(dripping with sarcasm)

McCain you have got to be kidding me!!!

Amy in Iowa   March 13th, 2008 1:12 pm ET

Is McCain concerned since he wants to give more tax cuts to the wealthy?

Rick, Maryland   March 13th, 2008 1:11 pm ET

To Mr. Independent, you need to go to some other country where
this is done, were peplle are told what they can and cannot do.
Hillery is a little over 100 behind and if the democrat's had
winner take all in the large state's like the republicans, it would
be over with Clinton as the nominee.

BK   March 13th, 2008 1:11 pm ET

Obama refuses to release the last 2 years of earmarks. Whats he hiding? Oh and I think it's real smart of him to use the race card to his advantage. Also, Al Sharpton is in Florida to make sure our votes don't count. Get ready the Civil Rights Movement has already started.

Carl   March 13th, 2008 1:09 pm ET

A few of you grasp capitalism and business….

want to know why Boeing lost a contract to a European Country?

NEWS FLASH: THEY WERE BETTER!!!!! Wonder why American auto sales suck… because foreign cars are better…

wake up and smell the ignorance on both sides

chris   March 13th, 2008 1:09 pm ET

hey moe in ny why dont you go out and jet a god da*& job and pay for your freakin kids insurance like people have been doing for years or is your drug abuse and being lazy takin gup tooo much time for that TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR DANG LIFE

john   March 13th, 2008 1:08 pm ET

John McCain Please read the Obama sponsored bill, now law that requires ALL goverment spending including names costs of earmarks to be placed on a web site for the public to search.

Economics not your strong suit YES and if you had spent a little time in the Senate you would know these things, like you missed most of the lastsession.

Agkyra   March 13th, 2008 1:08 pm ET

All you people who are talking about the war don't seem to understand the issue: earmarks are pork-barrel spending, fighting a war is not. Neither is Social Security. Neither is education. Neither is border security. Neither is the foreign service. Are you beginning to understand? The war is irrelevant. What McCain is opposing is pork barrel spending, and you should oppose it too.

Rick, Maryland   March 13th, 2008 1:06 pm ET

McCain is only complaining because he can't get the amount of
money that Obama and Clinton have and that's mainly because of the enthusiasm that the've created.
On the other hand his competition was less than boring, it was
pitifull.

mike from PA   March 13th, 2008 1:05 pm ET

Mark Hudson I second that !!! I can not stand the Obama supporters, they are the ones dividing the party, let's see how far they go without us in Novemebr!

La Raza   March 13th, 2008 1:04 pm ET

Again, no Democrat can beat the Republicans in November without the Black vote. So those of you dissin' the Black folk, watch out or you'll be stuck with "insane" McCain in November!

Christian, Tampa FL   March 13th, 2008 1:03 pm ET

This may be an unpopular position, but I think that McCain takes the anti-earmark stance too far. The reason that voters send a representative and Senators to Congress is so that they can get something out of the government, and earmarkscan do a lot of good for individual states and districts. The problem is when the power is abused.

James M. Jimenez   March 13th, 2008 1:03 pm ET

How about Sen. Holier than Thou McCain becoming more transparent and releasing his tax returns and his medical records…NOW!

Mary in Oklahoma   March 13th, 2008 1:01 pm ET

If Senator McCain wants to save taxpayers money, he should start withdrawing our troops from Iraq. After all, this war was immoral and illegal since the Bush administration knew there were no WMDs in Iraq and made up lies to convince the Congress. Yes, it was right to go after the people responsible for 9/11 but they were not in Iraq.
The Republicans seem to think spending taxes for domestic programs is wrong. I say, 80% of taxes should go to benefit the needy American family, not to foreign government and non-ending wars.
Americans are in trouble, thanks to the Bush's Administration and Senator McCain is another George Bush.

Mark Hudson   March 13th, 2008 12:59 pm ET

Sorry Hillary, as one of your avid supporters, I will not support Obama. I will vote for McCain if you are not on the ticket.

Grif   March 13th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

Money well spent!!!! If Hillary is Number one or two…..

With Obama tailed off third!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wander If Eve is an Angel!!!! Otherwise ?Where does the Word

Evangelist come from….?????? Bust have been mjarried to

A Black Man….. Sometime,,,

Obama support in Iowa   March 13th, 2008 12:57 pm ET

Charlotte –

I'm sorry you feel that Obama's record in the Senate "stinks". I believe his work in sponsoring bills for campaign reform and transparency in government are changing the was our government is run which means he has made more change in 3 years than many have in 35 years. I'm sorry you've lost hope that change can happen. I think being cynical kind of defines your group.

spirit of america   March 13th, 2008 12:57 pm ET

Oh Pleezzze, John, stop playing the holier-than-thou role? You are as guilty as anyone of rewarding your campaign donors! What? Put an end to earmarks? What then would be the purpose of those big campaign donations/investments? Everyone knows that it's pay-to-play in D.C. Just ask former Gov. Spitzer.

Terry   March 13th, 2008 12:56 pm ET

I do not believe the American people will be fooled again, nor will we allow corruption to continue like it has with the George Bush election. The politics and antics of Bush and the Clinton’s over the last 16 years is disgusting. John McCain is a very good man but his time had come and gone and is not needed when really we need to heal as a nation under the years of greed and corruption.

greg morra   March 13th, 2008 12:56 pm ET

She apologized and then did it (the Bill comment) again!!!!!!!

"We can be proud of both Jesse Jackson and Senator Obama."

Imagine how fast Obama'd be drummed out of the race if he said something akin to "You know. If it wasn't for Geraldine Ferraro being on the ticket way back when, who knows if Mrs. Clinton would be where she is!"

Just imagine!

MD   March 13th, 2008 12:56 pm ET

First, Mc Cain should be ashamed of himself to talk about pork barrel. He HIMSELF is a barrel of pork. How dare he criticize anyone after stepping over all of his convictions just to get into bed with the ultra conservatives of the party. It is because of MC CAIN that I will change my party affiliations after a half century, if Obama is nominated.

Now for Mrs. Clinton… GIVE IT UP LADY. You would apologize to the DEVIL if you thought it would get you one more vote. AS you said ealier, winning winning winning is all that matters to you.

I have every intention to change my party affiliation, should Obama become the Democratic Party's nominee. So, Please concede. Let the Democratic Party unite behind the winner.

Danny in Pittsburgh   March 13th, 2008 12:56 pm ET

The NINE BILLION dollars that STILL remains unaccounted for in Iraq by the General Accounting Office (it went SOMEwhere, they just don't know where)…is greater than all the earmarks signed by Congress in the last 15 years.

So John?

There's your answer. Find that money in the war you helped to start, the war you have blindly supported…and ALL of our Congress can work on their little pet projects without a single dime coming from new taxpayers for a decade to come.

JB Cali   March 13th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

Hey John,

How 'bout those hundreds of BILLIONS in Iraq?

Independant   March 13th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

Sounds like Geo Bush to me. I`m sure he`ll veto any money that goes to his home state. ——-RIGHT !!!!!!!!!!!

piecrust   March 13th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

Yes, Charlotte I agree – everything about Obama's resume really, really stinks!!! This is what the idiot Bush did to the american voters, demoralized them and now they can just pick anyone they want even with the flimsiest resume. Pathetic and sad!!!

No more Clintons   March 13th, 2008 12:54 pm ET

You kidding me? I used to think that maybe John M was ok…but you know what? He's not thinking. You'll spend 3 billion dollars a week on a futless war, but not you have no earmarks. I guess you don't have money for ear marks left after that!

ariel   March 13th, 2008 12:54 pm ET

Obama/Strickland 08. And if you're wondering why, check out George Will's column today in the Washington Post.

Mk   March 13th, 2008 12:54 pm ET

how bout this McCain..
12billion a month for a useless war.
Ear mark smear mark

DORIS   March 13th, 2008 12:54 pm ET

The super delegates shouldn't be bullied to vote for Obama. It is their right as US citizens to support whoever they want.

Vincent   March 13th, 2008 12:53 pm ET

I think this Charlotte is on Hillary's payroll. Just like her master she has no sense.

Concerned Citizen   March 13th, 2008 12:52 pm ET

You have all the $ earmarked for the 100 year War you are about to wage ! It's going either way ! I'd rather see it going to pet-projects than to make you and your old cronies richer by killing our young men and women for oil that don't belong to you !

Justin from West Haven, CT   March 13th, 2008 12:52 pm ET

McCain has no problem blowing trillions on Iraq in the future, sees no problem denying children healthcare coverage, and now supports torture. Real Presidential material.

LB, Franklin Lakes, NJ   March 13th, 2008 12:52 pm ET

Senator, can you say Keating 5?

Obama support in Iowa   March 13th, 2008 12:51 pm ET

Jay in MN -

What do you mean he has taken 0 dollars in earmarks in his career. Did you mean special interest money? Did you pull that directly out of your butt?

Drew in Cali   March 13th, 2008 12:51 pm ET

McCain is proving his own point that he knows little about economics. Someone needs to remind him how much a 100years in Iraq will cost much less the billions we are spending every month this stupid occupation is costing taxpayers and their children, and their children's children etc etc etc

Sharon from Michigan   March 13th, 2008 12:50 pm ET

McCain can say anything he wants, Barack's got my vote. Get us out of the war a.s.a.p…….

Debi   March 13th, 2008 12:50 pm ET

Clinton, She is dividing the party.

Obama support in Iowa   March 13th, 2008 12:50 pm ET

I was in a funk this morning but reading these comments has really helped cheer me up. Thanks fellow Americans. I'm glad we're on the same page (most of us) Let's hurry up and elect a democrat in November so we won't have to listen to this nonsense anymore.

Chuck in Oregon   March 13th, 2008 12:48 pm ET

My question is this. During John's career in politics, did he use earmarks for his state? If not I commend him. But yes, give John credit for a great idea. Lets pull all that money back in if those projects have not started or been used. There are hundreds of areas that it can be used that will help the economy over all.
Also lets stop exporting jobs to other countries (Air force Tanker) being one of them. Our industriale infrastructure is in trouble, why make it worse by continued shippment of jobs overseas.

Joe Reg   March 13th, 2008 12:47 pm ET

I think the Clinton campaign is looking for a diversion from the sex scandal in New York by focusing on the issues of race with her campaign surrogates. The timing of the latest racial comments is conveniently delibarate from her minions. I am telling you, people will see right through it.

yvon   March 13th, 2008 12:47 pm ET

Yes McCain, you will use this money to fund the Iraq war.

Moe, NY   March 13th, 2008 12:47 pm ET

This is too funny! Obama and Clinton could not even come close to spending what the Republicans/present administration have spent on wars, wiretapping, giving our money away to other countries, and on and on and on. The Republicans, for almost 8 years now, have had a free-for-all with our money and the worst part is…this country has nothing to show for it!!!!! The IRS just spent over $42 million dollars mailing out letters while our children go without insurance coverage becasue the present administration would not spend $49 million…what is wrong with that picture I ask you? In the meantime, our infrastructure is rotting away, people cannot afford medical care, our economy is about to hit rock bottom etc…..all on the Republican watch! I do not think that this country can afford McSame.

Craig   March 13th, 2008 12:43 pm ET

Senator McCain, News Flash: You and the majority of your peers support wasting 12 Billion $ a month in Iraq. At least the earmarks are spent in the good old U.S.A.

Ken, Suitland MD   March 13th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

What a hypocritical azz. The guy supports the Iraq war…the single biggest earmark in American history. The American taxpayers are actually paying to have our children put in harms way for a lying coward of a president. And McBush wants to continue it. Shame on McCain!

Kareem from Hampton VA   March 13th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

Yeah…no earmarks but you can send 40,000 jobs over seas!! Something that might've boost our economy! OH YEAH THATS RIGHT you dont know economy! And KATE..after what Ive seen these past few years as much as I dont want to believe you..I think you hit the nail right on the head!!

Rapid   March 13th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

"..they didn’t go through a proper process and taxpayers can’t afford it.”

Welcome to Iraq!

Moke, Mokuleia, Hawai'i Pono'i   March 13th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

………wouldn't a most beneficial piece of federal legislation get vetoed also, even though it were to have these earmarks?

Lola   March 13th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

While he is talking I would love to see the earmarks he has approved.

Kathryn Irby - Metairie, LA   March 13th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

That is merely John McCain's opinion.

cindy   March 13th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

I don't understand why Hillary apologized; she personnally didn't do or say anything wrong. Obama should be apologizing to all Americans for his role and support of his church and racist pastor!!!

yvon   March 13th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

If I were to choose between earmarks and funding a one hundred year war in Iraq, earmarks would be my choice.

anon   March 13th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

McCain has a long history of fighting earmarks and pork barrel spending.

Obama and Clinton voted to spend $500,000,000 for a bridge in Alaska that would connect an island of just 500 people to the mainland!

Obama support in Iowa   March 13th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

If this is the truth – it's been going on for years. Did McCain just now learn of it or did he just now decide it was a bad practice. If it's a bad practice today – it was a bad practice yesterday and he was part of the group that did nothing about it. Better come up with a better line of attack. Obama '08

Iraq Money   March 13th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

Money is being wasted on The Iraq war.

cindy   March 13th, 2008 12:40 pm ET

I don't understand why Hillary apologized; she personnally didn't do or say anything wrong. Obama should be apologizing to all Americans for his role and support of his church and racist pator!!!

Carrie PA   March 13th, 2008 12:40 pm ET

McCain needs to shut-up. He should go get a facelift to make himself look younger. Because going against Obama, it will look like the Kennady/Nixon debate all over again.

Jose'   March 13th, 2008 12:38 pm ET

A vote for McCain.

A vote for true CHANGE in Washington!!

McCain/ Romney '08!!!

Charlotte   March 13th, 2008 12:38 pm ET

Obama will not beat McCain in November. He should not even be the nominee. HIs State Senate record stinks. His US Senate record stinks. His message of change stinks. In all the years I've voted, everyone speaks of change, yet the only thing that changes are the names of the characters.

Kevin in DC   March 13th, 2008 12:37 pm ET

Right, McCain…

like your tiny "earmark" called Iraq?

Larry Buchas   March 13th, 2008 12:37 pm ET

How many $billions have been washed away in Iraq?

Whatever happened to that $7 billion unaccounted for in Iraq?

You failed to mention that , John.

norb   March 13th, 2008 12:37 pm ET

Maybe John McCain needs to talk more about the S and L scandal he was involved in a few years back? What do you say Mr. straight talk express? Looks like Joe Lieberman is on your short list. Ah, the good old days of Ronnie Reagan and the Iran Contra mess.

HH   March 13th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

This war has wasted billions John, talk about double talk.

Glenn   March 13th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

McCain forgets that he voted for Bush's spending which is bankrupting the country and causing all the economic woes in the country. A vote for McCain is a vote for continuing the economic policies of Bush or McBush.

Andrew   March 13th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

Neither McCain nor any other republican is any longer allowed to talk about needless spending until they get back the trillions of dollars spent not only on a 'needless project' but also the one that killed hundreds of thousands of people.

Kate   March 13th, 2008 12:35 pm ET

Bush and Cheney are now planning to invade Iran in september to help McCain win the election.

Rod   March 13th, 2008 12:34 pm ET

Obama will be President. No doubt about it.

Shannon Shiflett   March 13th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

mccain is a hypocrite. the criminal occupation of iraq has wasted TRILLIONS of dollars and has killed 4000 americans and 700,000 iraqis. don't talk to me about waste when the democrats want to spend money on programs to help americans, not kill them. republicans can be so vile.

Mike in Houston   March 13th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

McCain is absolutely right. Only McCain will put the government economic house in order. Clinton and Obama equals tax and spend. We all know where that leads to.

Candi   March 13th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

What different does it make to McCain. Advice is good but do you think you should be telling the Democrats how to earmark their dollars. McCain get on with your campaign and hope you are preparing to get the rest of the troops home to safety soon.

Vincent   March 13th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

McCain McCain.. you are old n weary.

Be it any democrat you are gonna loose.

Please we have heard enough about veto and the presidential powers. IIIFFF IFFFFF you are the President try and work with both the parties. We do not want another Bush. Though you seem to be more like Bush.

Karlie   March 13th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

How dare we spend hundreds of millions on earmarks when we have hundreds of BILLIONS to spend on wars.

Gini   March 13th, 2008 12:31 pm ET

Oh geez, give it a rest already old man!

Independent   March 13th, 2008 12:30 pm ET

Someone really should organize people to tell Clinton's remaining super delegates to urge her to drop out of the race.

She is dividing the party.

We aren't about "who's turn" it is become President.
We want the right choice!

Obama '08

king from toronto   March 13th, 2008 12:30 pm ET

do mc cain really wants to go there??????????????

HP Boston   March 13th, 2008 12:29 pm ET

It is a shame we can not save money and dock the pay of these Senators who are not at work EVERY DAM DAY! Talk about a waste of money, we can not afford THEM!

Randy - Denver   March 13th, 2008 12:29 pm ET

Umm Mr. McCain the earmarks were approved and signed into law by YOUR President, for anyone to say lets not follow a signed law would be wrong now don't you think? I KNOW they are Democrats and apparently cannot stick behind even their own rules but asking them to break the law so you will look better is a bit of a stretch even for them and you isn't it?

Jay MN   March 13th, 2008 12:28 pm ET

McCain certainly has the high ground on this issue. He has taken zero dollars in earmarks in his career.

Ken   March 13th, 2008 12:27 pm ET

He will just send American military jobs to foreign countries

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