March 19, 2008
Posted: 06:28 AM ET
McCain overseas tour, which took him to Jerusalem Wednesday, includes stops in Baghdad, Paris and London.
McCain overseas tour, which took him to Jerusalem Wednesday, includes stops in Baghdad, Paris and London.

JERUSALEM (CNN) – The Western Wall is the most sacred structure of the Jewish people. And, for a few minutes anyway, a welcome stop on the U.S. presidential campaign trail.

"The next President of the United States," was a cheer from one of the American tourists crowding a corner of the Western Wall plaza to see Senator John McCain during his visit Wednesday.

After slipping the traditional private note into the sacred wall which once supported the western side of the Second Temple, McCain received a tour of the tunnels of 0ld City Jerusalem.

Later, as he approached a railing to wave to the gathered Americans and a smattering of mostly less-interested Israelis, Eli Ezer of New York took a photo, but kept on a running debate with another tourist about McCain's choice of a running mate.

"Do you think he should pick Lieberman?" the woman asked, referring to Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, the Democrat-turned-Independent who is a McCain supporter, and was at his side Wednesday.

"I hope not, " said Ezer. "McCain is conservative, but only on about 70 percent of the issues. He needs to go for a conservative — [Mitt] Romney would be ok, but I am hoping for Thompson."

Ezer said former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson was his first choice in the Republican field this year, but that he had voted for McCain in the New York GOP primary because Thompson was gone from the race at that point.

Related: Watch McCain pay tribute in Jerusalem

–CNN Chief National Correspondent John King

Filed under: John McCain


F. Lynn   March 19th, 2008 8:00 am ET

How silly will he look after loosing the election

Heather   March 19th, 2008 8:24 am ET

Shalom John

I am a life long registered Democrat. However I views vary depending on the issue. I plan on Voting for Clinton if she makes it at the convention. If she doesn't I plan on crossing to other side and voting for McCain. I like him. He is a moderate Republican. So he got his extremists mixed up with Alqaeda. Bush has made more mistakes speaking his native language. I'll give McCain a break. I think McCain will offer Lieberman a position and he will most likely turn it down considering what he had to do to keep his senate seat.

Jed in Texas   March 19th, 2008 8:26 am ET

This photo says it all.

Uncle Sam   March 19th, 2008 8:33 am ET

If you pay close attention to the development of this year's presidential race you will notice something very interesting about the way things have unfolded for John McCain's candidacy. This past summer he was written off for dead, due mainly to his positions on the war and immigration. To his credit, he did not give up and helped to bring his campaign back to life by conducting over 100 townhall meetings in NH. Around this time the surge, which John had defied conventional wisdom by supporting, began to show signs of progress. Additionally, due to in large part to the President's unpopularity, the Republican field consisted of atypical candidates and the way was made clear when John's opponents split the vote, enabling him to advance in winner-take-all primaries. Since winning the nomination, John has had the advantage of time to coordinate his campaign while his opponents continue to battle it out for the nomination, with no clear winner in sight. One cannot say how this presidential will ultimately play itself out, but up until now I would say the John McCain seems to be the man of destiny.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   March 19th, 2008 8:34 am ET

No matter who McCain picks, there will be some baggage that he needs to overcome such as his anger. Can he really rally the religious conservatives that he blasted in 2000? I would think that he still has to work harder on that. If he were to pick Romney (who I don't think would go for it) or Huckabee (who might jump at it), that would get some of the conservative vote. I think that chosing Lieberman would be a huge mistake. Lieberman doesn't have the same level of social and economic conservativism that would attract the voters that could help put McCain over the top in Novemeber. Besides, Lieberman is/was a Democrat.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   March 19th, 2008 8:36 am ET

No matter who McCain picks, there will be some baggage that he needs to overcome such as his anger. Can he really rally the religious conservatives that he blasted in 2000? I would think that he still has to work harder on that. If he were to pick Romney (who I don't think would go for it) or Huckabee (who might jump at it), that would get some of the conservative vote. I think that chosing Lieberman would be a huge mistake. Lieberman doesn't have the same level of social and economic conservativism that would attract the voters that could help put McCain over the top in Novemeber. Besides, Lieberman is/was a Democrat.

Heather   March 19th, 2008 8:41 am ET

Shalom John,

I have been a lfe long registered Democrat. However, my views vary according to the issue. I plan on voting for Clinton if she makes at the convention. If not I'm crossing over.to the otherside and voting for McCain. I'm a reasonable and practical person. McCain seems to be a moderate Republican who knows you have to comprimise to get work done. So he mixed up his extremists and Alqaeda. Bush has done worse with his native language. I think McCain will offer Lieberman a position and he will turn it down. Considering what he had to go through to keep his senate seat he will turn it down

hello   March 19th, 2008 8:54 am ET

this is only topic open for me to write about Jack cafferty column about 'hillary will do anything to win'
does not obama do the same thing after his pastor's blunder?
and when hillary's poll no. are 50% why I see 80% favorable comment for obama.
Is jack deleting favorable comment of clinton?

White, Female Boomer   March 19th, 2008 8:55 am ET

"But I do know Senator Obama. He does not share these views."
John McCain when asked about Rev Wright's comments.

Though I support Barack, in the event that Clinton pulls out the Democratic nomination, McCain seems a better candidate solely for his forthrightness over the constant drama and spin of the Clinton machine.

Praetorian, Fort Myers   March 19th, 2008 8:58 am ET

Unlike his opponents–he's already cementing relationships in the mideast and establishing talking points on support and security in the region.

His opponents have only given us vague promises and talk. No action.

Unlike Bush–he's already there on the ground and establishing expectations for allies, enemies, and the American people on how he'll really change the U.S. Presidency and it's foreign relations.

Mary - Independent   March 19th, 2008 9:00 am ET

So, what is McCain promising to Jerusalem. And if he becomes our next President, what can we expect?

Amy in Iowa   March 19th, 2008 9:06 am ET

McSame wants to continue the Bush policies. And isn't he is too old? He is making mistakes in his public speeches.

S. Colbert from   March 19th, 2008 9:09 am ET

McCain was there when the Western Wall was built. He was in his mid-twenties…

S. Colbert from Chicago   March 19th, 2008 9:11 am ET

McCain was there when the Western Wall was built. He was a pre-teen…

M. S. Indiana   March 19th, 2008 9:13 am ET

I just wonder how he is gonna pay for all this ?? and still give tax breaks to the rich and companies for sending work to china and open up more free trade into USA… Why dont he talk about American problems ??? Like Katrina, roads, bridges, education….

NIC   March 19th, 2008 9:19 am ET

NO to WAR
NO to McCAIN

BUTCH   March 19th, 2008 9:20 am ET

WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM MCCAIN IS A BETTER AMERICA THAN FROM CLINTON OR OBAMA. GET TO KEEP MORE OF MY PAYCHECK, HOPEFULLY A SMALLER GOVT TO STAY OUT OF OUR LIVES. A STRONG MILITARY, AND I HOPE SOMEONE WHO DOESNT GIVE IN TO FOREIGN GOVT ON WHAT WE SHOULD DO IN THE WORLD.. LIKE LISTENING TO SOCIALISTIC VEIWS FROM THE UN.

Jeff   March 19th, 2008 9:22 am ET

A Republican in the holy land? I'm surprised there were no plaugues and the sun didn't turn black.

Ron, Las Vegas   March 19th, 2008 9:31 am ET

If McCain is establishing expectations for allies, enemies and the American people while in the middle east, why didn't he do that before he left? I would think the American people should be the first to know what his agenda and expectations are. It also seems very presumptive to be setting expectations in foreign countries before the election has been held.

Ed   March 19th, 2008 9:34 am ET

There is no doubt that it would be extremely fittng to have Lieberman take Cheneys place. You would have a Bush clone takeover for Bush and a Cheney clone take over afterCheney then the lies and deceit would continue unabated. I do not know what this country has done to receive this kind of punishment but there is a little tounge in cheek here as it will never happen and we stand a good chance to get rid of both losers at one time.

Rex Alan   March 19th, 2008 9:39 am ET

Too bad he won't go visit the Palestinians who endure genocide at the hands of the sacred Israelites.

Phil in KC   March 19th, 2008 9:41 am ET

John can probably recall when that wall was built….
(Just kidding, John.)

Brian G, Sugar Land, TX   March 19th, 2008 9:46 am ET

Wait, wait! McCain stuck a note in the Wailing Wall? Isn't that a Jewish tradition? Don't tell me. Oh my God (ahh, I mean, "Oh my Yahweh") is McCain secretly Jewish?

Oh no! John must have been observing local custom as was the case with Obama in traditional African dress.

Now I am so unsure which candidate is truly pure blooded American…Obama dressing like a foreigner, McCain sending messages to someone other than Christ. and, of course, Hillary in a pants suit…must be a lesbian. ARRRGGGGHHHHHH!

CHERYL   March 19th, 2008 9:51 am ET

YEAH, WELL GUESS WHAT?

THE NEXT PRESIDENT WILL BE SENATOR CLINTON! OR GOD HELP US!!!!!

SHE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT TO DO ON THE FIRST DAY!

I TOTALLY TRUST! HER SHE IS SMART AND WILL NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!!!!!!

HILLARY HAS PROVEN THAT SHE DOES NOT GIVE UP! AND IS IN FOR THE LONG HAUL!!!!!!!!!

MY FAMILY IS BACKING HER 100%!

GO SENATOR CLINTON!!!!!!! 2009!!!!!

Dylan Kay   March 19th, 2008 10:04 am ET

McCain's recent comments on Iran and Al-Qaeda, illustrate what is clearly a shallow and short-sighted view of the Middle East.

He wants to be President, and he doesn't know the difference between Sunni-dominated Al-Qaeda and Shiite Iran.

WHAT?   March 19th, 2008 10:15 am ET

Did everyone not hear McCain's blunder on Tuesday 03/18?
He doesn't know the difference between Shiites and sunis. Look into this story. He would be making decisions about war? Another puppet who needs someone talking in his ear. Scary very scary. How come we don't see this splashed all over the news? I read only one article about this and nothing on T.V. Not very informative to the public.

Annie O   March 19th, 2008 10:17 am ET

Why isn't McCain visiting Gaza and the West Bank? A true leader would do so.

TheLeftNut   March 19th, 2008 10:17 am ET

It hurts alot more than the economy…

4,000 US Soldiers dead

30,000 US Soldiers wounded

100,000+ Iraqi's that died that wouldn't have

Cowards that allow our beloved Constitution to be comprimised in the name of "security" and "torture"

The good name of the United States stained

…just to start

Fred   March 19th, 2008 10:20 am ET

McCain returning to what he remembers as Mesopotamia?! He probably celebrates not knowing the difference between Iran and Iraq, ya know…kinda like that Country&Western song he loves so much.

TheLeftNut   March 19th, 2008 10:22 am ET

"McCain will continue to stain our good name!"

OBAMA or HILLARY!

Bill   March 19th, 2008 10:45 am ET

We now have a president who doesn't have a clue, let's not elect another one. The next debate should put all the candidates in seperate rooms and without notes, so they can not hear each others answers. Then McCain and Obama can openly reveal their ignorance of the issues, without someone there to correct them. Vote for McCain get 4 more years of Bush, Vote for Obama and have Wright mentoring the White House.

Jay   March 19th, 2008 10:48 am ET

Good retirement city stay there old man John.

GMS   March 19th, 2008 10:52 am ET

The only reason McCain is running I think his life long dream is to run his own war.Some people dream of becoming President and then there is McCain dreaming of his own war. He might not be a bad President if he wasn't flip flopping and so tight with Bush and wasn't so hungry for this war to continue.He just looks and acts to excited to get his hands on this war and not really concerned with the people of AMERICA and what's happening here.I think his priorties are all messed up like Bush has been for the last 7 years.NO MORE!

nigel   March 19th, 2008 10:58 am ET

Iam a rockie in politics, but I can do better than John what do you think guys.

Grif   March 19th, 2008 11:02 am ET

The City, that "Jordan" likes to think belongs to them….

jerome   March 19th, 2008 11:06 am ET

Senator McCain, I'm totally against you becoming our next president, but I would like to offer one word of advice. "Dump the loser/traitor Lieberman"! Any loyal democrat should cringe at the sight of him–what a loser!!!!!!

Steve   March 19th, 2008 11:22 am ET

McCain needs to pick a VP that will help build his conservative base. I know he is good friends w/ Lieberman, but picking him as a running mate would be an absolute disaster. McCain is already moderate enough, he needs to win over religious conservatives, picking a Dem (yes, even though Lieberman is an independent, he is still a Dem in many peoples eyes) would be political suicide. Personally, I like Romney as his running mate. Romney would sure up the conservative base, and also sure up the economic side, which McCain admittedly lacks. Although, I don't know how much Romney's religion would come into play. Huckabee would definitely sure up the religious conservatives, but I just can't see this man in office at this point in time.

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