April 9, 2008
Posted: 07:10 PM ET

From

WESTPORT, Connecticut (CNN) – During a Q&A following a town hall in a New York suburb, a young hedge fund employee asked John McCain if he would consider giving up his Arizona Senate seat this summer. In that scenario, the questioner suggested, the Republican who would replace him would have an easier time defeating an opposing Democrat in a special run-off election because McCain will be at the top of November’s ballot.

“No, I will not,” replied McCain after complimenting the audience member for his knowledge of Arizona election by-laws. McCain added he was confident that a Republican would succeed him if he were elected President so he doesn’t feel the need to resign his seat early.

Towards the end of his answer, however, McCain told the crowd he would entertain the idea.

“I will go back and think about it, and think about the scenario that you just described,” said McCain, adding, “right now my intentions are to remain in the United States Senate.”

McCain was asked the same question in February, telling the Wall Street Journal, “if I get the nomination, we’ll figure it out.” He admitted that time on the trail took him away from his Senate duties.

But now that he has the nomination wrapped up, what will he do? In the same interview, McCain noted that he told Bob Dole in 1996 that he shouldn’t give up his Kansas seat while running for president. In the end, Dole gave up the seat and then lost the race for the presidency.

Filed under: John McCcain


Whites in the backround   April 10th, 2008 12:19 am ET

Grow up all the canidates do it New agencies report Clinton rallies filled with white women but behind her are white and black males, it called framing a picture, McCain does it as well they want to show America a diverse support base, also it was probrably a white person that asked for more white people its a non issue seeing as how fox didn't make an issue of the Tiger Woods comment.

rachel   April 10th, 2008 12:11 am ET

McCain should go ahead and give up his seat. I also see that as usual Obama has waited to hillary has done something (tell Bush to boycott the olympics) and then followed suite a couple days later. What a follower he probably just wanted to wait to see what kind of reaction Hillary got from before he took a stand. Barrack needs to man up and stop beign such a light weight and start taking a stand whether its popular or not.

JC   April 10th, 2008 12:08 am ET

Obama has the least baggage, while Hillary is loaded.

McCain doesn't shy away from any baggage.
It seems nothing sticks to him.

Chris Crew   April 9th, 2008 11:43 pm ET

McCain is clearly not confident that he can win. That is the ONLY reason he would have to stay in the senate at this point. He knows he will not have time to be a good senator during the spring and summer before the election, but he is not yet all-in on being president.

If I were him, I'd do the same. Obama looks really strong. Its not to say that McCain has no chance, he's just a realist. He has lost before and knows he is up against the most inspiring leader in a generation. McCain is rightfully worried that Obama will win.

DM, Arlington TX   April 9th, 2008 11:35 pm ET

McCain,

Via his lobbyist connection made over $ 3.2 million dollars he congress don't pay in comparison. The game is over..

Bacusla   April 9th, 2008 11:34 pm ET

To Grif''s question: No, not trivia. McCain has been asking Obama questions about campaign funding options – you'll find it here on the Ticker; its a fair question. That's the surest way to go.

Kimberly   April 9th, 2008 11:30 pm ET

Why are you guys not covering the monkey story? It shows the double standards of Obama. The american people need to know how Obama really feels about white people, he is just like his spiritual advisor.

Why do you guys constantly bash Hillary and report none of Obama's truth's? Is there not any one over there at CNN that does not realize that not only is our planet in peril but our White house will be in peril if Obama is our president?

Blue Eyes   April 9th, 2008 11:27 pm ET

The reason he won't even think about giving up his seat is because even he knows, when the Dems. have a candidate his numbers will tank.

Seriously, after hearing Gen Petraeus and (uh-hum, uh-hum Crocker, listening to him drove me mad) give their justification for continuing this madness in Iraq, even McCain knows he can't win the presidency.

Carlos   April 9th, 2008 11:18 pm ET

Rice doesn't balance the ticket in terms of knowledge — McCain needs someone like Romney who can help with the economy and domestic policy. Rice has a solid background in foreign policy, but that is one of McCain's areas. I'm not sure who his choice on VP should be (I like Romney, but he has his drawbacks), but if he makes the right choice, I see McCain beating Obama. I think Clinton would make for a closer contest, but I doubt she gets the Democratic nomination.

Marc   April 9th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

You'd have to be a fool to give up your seat.

Penn State   April 9th, 2008 11:14 pm ET

Compared to Clinton, Obama is buying this election!!!!

Obama's political action committee has doled out more than $694,000 to superdelegates since 2005, the study found, and of the 81 who had announced their support for Obama, 34 had received donations totaling $228,000.

Clinton's political action committee has distributed about $195,000 to superdelegates, and only 13 of the 109 who had announced for her have received money, totaling about $95,000.

Nick, TX   April 9th, 2008 11:09 pm ET

McCain shouldn't give up his seat because he will be back there soon hopefully 'uniting' behind President Obama like he has so willingly followed Bush.

Bayou Joe   April 9th, 2008 11:05 pm ET

Hillary will win PA big time. Superdelegates will go to her and she will be the- nominee. Obama cannot win against McCain. Too much baggage.

Danny   April 9th, 2008 11:01 pm ET

Don't worry if Obama get nominee we going to vote for you. The good thing is you need to resign your seat earlier. John I think you going to win
any way. Look Obama still not divorce his Rev. Wright preach about 9/11 yet so he not going to get many people support or vote for him in the general election.

John do not pick Rice for you VP you going to loss because Americans
don't need Bush Third term.

Lou - NH   April 9th, 2008 10:48 pm ET

Richard – I don't know where you live but up here in NH we get heavily exposed to candidates on a regular basis. The primary season up here last for a couple of months and I have seen just about every candidate both Republican and Democrat. Having said that, It is common practice for all candidates to establish a backdrop of supporters of all colors and creeds. Just over a month ago, HRC campaign had to move most of the attendies behind her so it would look like the rally was larger. These are examples of slow news day stories.

John in KY   April 9th, 2008 10:48 pm ET

Better keep that seat McCain you ain't going to the White-House!!!!

kathleen retired Professional w/woman for obama   April 9th, 2008 10:44 pm ET

John McCain giving up his seat in the Senate? No, he will not!!!!
Young man, don't ask that question again!!!!

Chris in Va.   April 9th, 2008 10:34 pm ET

Don't quit your day job John, you're going to need it.

Tex   April 9th, 2008 10:33 pm ET

McCain may be old but he isn't dumb. He knows that he will not win in November against either Democrat.

Zeak Rivers,   April 9th, 2008 10:24 pm ET

He;s too old to run for anything but President, which he will lose because of the economy, not the war. Republicans want the war to be the issue, so they will paint it as everything is going swell over there. This country will be in the midst of an economic disaster come November, the war wil be the las thing on working folks minds. We want good jobs, we want affordable health care and we want the government to stop wasting our tax dollars.

Where is Ross Perot ???

Kirk From Michigan   April 9th, 2008 10:24 pm ET

You Can't Be President , And Hold A senate Seat At The Same Time . He'll Have To Give It Up Obviously .

Hillary , Or McCain 2008

Bubba   April 9th, 2008 10:18 pm ET

I could live with McCain – Rice.

aliou salam, Jacksonville FL   April 9th, 2008 10:09 pm ET

It is obvious that Obama is our Next prez. Yet CNN has definately decided to cover the Clintons, and not the Obamas. I can guarantee you CNN, you are choosing the losing horses.

carlos sevcik   April 9th, 2008 10:09 pm ET

A McCain-Rice ticket sounds great.

aliou salam, Jacksonville FL   April 9th, 2008 10:08 pm ET

Obama is our next president. so McCain better keep what he got while he can. He better not because he can't win. Unless the democrats pick Hilary, for what ever folly of theirs, then Mccain can win flat out, no contest.

SueB   April 9th, 2008 10:03 pm ET

"right now my intentions are to remain in the United States Senate." Good. I think you're a good senator. You've tied yourself to closely to Bush to win the presidency though.

stefan, Barstow, Ca   April 9th, 2008 10:00 pm ET

He said it perfectly," I'll entertain that idea…right now my intentions are to remain in the United States Senate." Oh but heaven forbid, If he doesn't win the presidency he has to go back to Arizona and pick lettuce.He cannot win an election as John McWar, and he cannot give up his senate seat because he'll lose the public cash cow. He is just running because the republicans need someone that can lose with honor.

Grif   April 9th, 2008 9:59 pm ET

I guess I don't understand. Why the question? Trivia????

brandon   April 9th, 2008 9:59 pm ET

You dont have the guts

richard   April 9th, 2008 9:56 pm ET

CNN please report on Obama campaign wanting more white people in the background of Michelle Obama during campaign stop. FAIR AND BALANCED

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