WASHINGTON (CNN) – John McCain said Friday that his former rival Barack Obama has put together an "excellent" national security team, and defended the selection of Leon Panetta to head the Central Intelligence Agency.
"I'm not here trying to argue that this president is perfect and that there aren’t still disagreements, but I do think his national security team is an excellent one," McCain told Fox News.
He described his post-election conversations with Obama as "cordial" and said he has spoken with the president-elect about the situations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Asked about Obama's decision to name Panetta to run the CIA, McCain defended Panetta against early criticism that the former Clinton official lacked sufficient intelligence experience to lead the spy agency.
"Leon Panetta has great experience as chief of staff of White House," McCain said.
He called Panetta "highly qualified" and added: "In all due respect, I think it's not bad from time to time to have someone from outside the intelligence community, but with strong experience in the White House."
On the topic of Obama's economic stimulus package, McCain did not promise to support the plan, but said it deserves consideration.
"These are extraordinary times that require extraordinary measures," he explained. Despite the recovery package's hefty price tag, McCain said the tax relief measures included in the plan made him more inclined to examine it.
From CNN Politics
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Thank you John McCain.
Looks like McCain is happy that he is not responsible for dealing with this mess ....
I think mccain and Palin should just go away!
ya see!! McCain was never a right winger neo-con, he just voted with Bush's policy 90% of the time....whatever!!!!
McCain is a wise man, and Obama is not. Think about it!
Just like PE Obama and future SOS Hillary Clinton, the other two adversaries will find they can work together....three great Americans!!
Now this sounds more like: "Country First".
It's true...he sent his support on his homeade Blackberry.
I sure hope that McCain has been advising Obama on foreign policy – he needs the input of someone who actually knows what they're talking about. Ever wonder why the "transition team" has so many staffers?
another one is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack....
He called Panetta "highly qualified" and added: "In all due respect, I think it's not bad from time to time to have someone from outside the intelligence community, but with strong experience in the White House."
I agree with Senator McCain's comments.
Well at least he is handling the loss better than Palin.
What??!??!
McCain defended Obama's pick on FIXED NEWS?
I think that's great.
Sounds like "Panetta" could be a "Maverick"
Compare McCain's comments vs Palin's: McCain is commenting as an elder statesman and Palin sounds like a high school girl cut from the cheer leading squad.
McCain's campaign was such a surprise and a disappointment. Glad to see McCain, with nothing to loose, can now be free to be who he is.
Glad to hear McCain acting like his old self. These are hard time and different measures has to be taken. The old way will no longer help.
I have the feeling that Obama's reaching out to McCain is going to make McCain a huge ally of Obama's
McCain was never anything more than a stooge to get Obama elected.
I think we're starting to see again the real "maverick" McCain – back before he was the GOP nomination for president, before he had to satisfy the right wing of his party. I didn't vote for McCain, but I think it is an honorable thing for McCain to be actually putting his "country first" – above his party. The worst thing that happened to McCain was his party – the Republican party was the thing that made him the partisan he unfortunately became during the 08 election.
I'm happy to see that McCain is back to his old self. He is certainly moving on more graciously than his VP pick, who is continuing to exploit herself on an almost daily basis. She is behaving very immaturely and showing that she is in no position to hold national office. It's like kindergarten with her.
now that he got little to lose,
he can speak the truth to power (of mosad's agents who have infiltrated in key intelligence positions of this country).
THANK YOU MR. MCCAIN FOR BEING KIND AND HONEST, UNLIKE THE OTHER REPUGS.
Mc Cain is the man. He knows uif Obama picked a great security team.He probably helped Obama's decision.
Good man, McCain. I have no problems with him now that the election is over.
Go John! See I never disliked him, it was "That One" he chose as his running mate that turned my stomach.
McCain-bashing in 3... 2... 1...
Hey McCain! As if we are going to listen to what you have to say about picks after you and Carabou Barbie ruined the GOP and ran the worse campaign in history. You both just need to be quiet. You have lost your credibility as far as I'm concerned.
What McCain should have said is:
"The Panetta nomination is exactly the kind of decision that you get when you elect an amateur political hack that has never accomplished anything of substance in his life to the office of President of the United States".
Who asked him? He couldn't even pick a running mate. Idiot
So the old bigot devil has spoken... who cares?
For once I agree with John McCain.
Y'know, if McCain had picked Pawlenty as VP, and had run a more honorable campaign, he would probably have won, barring making some other major foopah on a par with "The fundamentals of the economy are sound".
An endorsement from MCcain . . . wow, great way to poison the water, lol!
Where was this man a couple of months ago ...
McCain spoke warmly of Obama on Friday.....Senator McCain is still a Maverick !!!
Seriously, WHO CARES about what this person says about anything? He is a bib, big loser. He first lost the primaries to Bush, long ago, and now he lost to Obama, mostly because of his absurd and irrational VP pick. Paraphrasing what many, so many others think, if it was possible I would sue John McCain, because the creation of the Palin monster is all that Idiot's fault. I am now forced to read and hear what a moron like Palin has to say for the rest of my life. John McCain should be punished for bringing Palin onto the national scene. McCain, do you want to redeem yourself? Then please make the monster you created just go away, just as you brought it into existence. Please!
Now, if he would just get Palin to shut her trap (or speak up and put her in her place) I would really begin to regain my respect for him.
On second thought, he made that women believe she was more relevant than she ever will be just by picking her as his vp choice. Out with them both! They are stale news.
McCain has been a model of graciousness throughout. God bless him.
I can't say that I really follow Senator McCain's logic on this. Yes, Mr. Panetta is a man who has achieved great political and managerial success in his career. However, that fact alone does not qualify someone for a position in the intelligence field. The CIA director is the chief manager of an intelligence organization, he should have intelligence experience.
You wouldn't want to make someone a hospital CEO who has never stepped foot in a hospital. You wouldn't want to want to make someone a bus driver who has never driven a bus. You wouldn't want someone to become a commander of military ground forces who doesn't himself have military experience.
So why then, at this crucial point in time especially, would we want someone with no intelligence experience leading our efforts to gather intelligence to keep our nation safe?
I didn't vote for McCain ,
However he is a very admirable man who has given much for his
country and continues to do so.
McCain's support is much needed being he is a no BS guy !
And so is Mr. Panetta !
All the best to you Senator McCain .
I love John McCain
Good job McCain, Good Job!!!
John may have had a tough campaign...but you have to admit...he has earned respect from America's republic since the concession....
McCain is a politician!
Wow.... did the light bulb just now turn on? Ooops...it's still on "dim" mode.
John McCain knows he better support his NEW BOSS or he'll be peeling potatoes in the Senate HELLS kitchen!!!
Palin didn't get the memo that the election is OVER. Looks like McCain did. Moving on.....
So where was this guy in October? You know, the John McCain I would have happily voted for in 2000?
If THIS McCain was the one to have run, the old 2000 McCain, and if he had selected someone with any REAL credentials/ability to be his VP we would be awaiting his inauguration. Unfortunately he decided to follow the republican slash and burn/lie and distort pattern and lost.
idiots
Hey mike H. On comment #3. With regards to Mccain choosing Palenty instead of Palin for VP. Let me tell ya, I am from Minnesota and with the way Palenty governs here in MN, he would not have been better then Palin in my opinion. He has done nothing here in Minnesota to help this state! He's just another typical republican who's main slogan is always I will not raise taxes! That's all he ever says, but he never gets anything done here!
Don't forget McCain's campaign, he didn't have anything to offer then and he doesn't have anything to offer now or later, Bush is leaving office so he can't keep of his bomb theory.
Does anyone care what John McLoser thinks?
McCain is a good man and very gracious. He will speak warmly of Obama because he too wants what is best for our country. He has served his country well.
I sure hope that McCain is advising Obama on foreign policy – he'll need all the help he can get.
To a woman in California for Obama: Stop drinking the haterade. Seriously, you are the most partisan blogger I've ever seen on here.
If only the majority of Americans who voted for McCain could be as gracious as he is towards our new president.
I don't care what John McCain says anymore. This is the man who introduced Sarah Palin to America- and worst yet, wanted us to entrust our lives and our childrens lives in her hands. That seriously calls into question his judgment. Sorry John... I lost respect for you.
Panetta will find out what really went down on 9/11,he scares alot of criminals.
Does anyone care what McLoser says?????????
"A Woman in California For Obama" January 9th 2009 5:46 pm ET
So the old bigot devil has spoken... who cares?
Since when is a man who refused to bring up Rev. Wright, a huge political advantage for him, during the campaign because he thought it was too racially insensitive a "bigot devil"?
I think John McCain could spend 20 years serving his country in uniform, including being tortured in a Vietnamese prison camp, and then become a leading bipartisan voice in the Senate, and then run an honest, fair Presidential campaign, and the robots who voted for Obama would still think he's a horrible person.
Oh wait...
Exactly why the conservatives didn't vote for him in 2008, he's a demotwit in sheeps clothing.
All air and nothing to offer!
So McCain is back to being a statesman.......thats good to see. He can do more good from his senate seat than he could have as POTUS. The next step up would have been a "bridge too far" for McCain I expect, but he is still helpful at his current level.
Who asked him? He couldn't even pick a running mate. Idiot
Frankly I don't know why McCain's opinion would be sought? Unless there was some Pork Barrel spending he wouldn't know enough about the issues to comment. Wasn't he Obama's rival who had differing views on every topic during the Presidential Campaign? And has everyone forgotten, he chose Palin for his VP? His view is important because?
McCain has no relivance in respect to the Obama Administration. He should consider himself lucky that Obama even considers his advice. Bush/Cheney did not give a flip what any democrats thought or said! And with a Republican Congress he did not have to! The shoe is on the other foot now!
Whomever Obama chooses, it has to be better than Bush's choices! So far, Obama has not considered a housekeeper, his or anyone elses. No one he is considering or appointing was the head of a horse show or beauty queen candidate, nor a moose hunter! I tell you he can't hold a candle to Bush and Cheney for mismanagement and just plain ignorance!
Obama is choosing intelligent well qualified people for all the positions. I can hardly wait for Jan. 20th!
I don't know how that guy can stand to look at himself in the mirror after the campaign he ran. The disgusting accusations and insinuations that Obama was "pals" with terrorists, what a pathetic disgrace, I don't care if he served that honorable man is long gone, this dishonest miserable shadow of a man disgusts me.
you know Mccain is not half bad....problem is he screwed up royally and lost the election when he chose that azz clown and walking train wreck sarah palin as a running mate. holy crap she is a bimbo and dumb as dirtt.
ginger
I'm impressed by McCain's post-election graciousness; it makes it clear that he was pushed into the negativity of the campaign, and that that wasn't the real John McCain. Now, do you suppose we'll EVER hear McCain's running mate say anything complimentary about Obama–or about anyone other than herself?
Good, its okay for both parties to have disagreements with each other, I'd be scared if, both parties always agreed on everything. But I'm pleased to see, that some of the partinship is being put aside, so we can get stuff done. As a die hard Obama supporter, I want to give props to Senator McCain, for his statement, on Obama's C.I.A nominee,
The reasonable McCain has returned. He is not longer trying to win the support from the right wing nut jobs, how refreshing!
McCain is trying to be honest, and for that I give him high marks.
To: Woman in California:
Was that comment absolutely necessary. President Elect Obama could do without your type of divisiveness.
I voted for Barack Obama, but I have much respect for John McCain I feel he is a good man.
These are serious times and if you only have hate to offer then you are part of the problem and not the solution.
God Bless You
DX in TX
@ Ian Atlanta
I hate to be the one to inform you but the CEO of your local hospital is not very likely to be a medical professional, they are more likely to have a MBA than a MD after their name, the same can be said for your schools and MOST major organizations. The belief that people start at the bottom and work their way to the top i not really accurate the facts are that most bus drivers will never become the owner of sa bus company the skill set required are very different. I work with engineers every day, very good ones at that, and I can tell you this, with a few RARE exceptions I would not want ANY of them running the business. They are smart people but lack the skill sets required to run a business. Based on what you said it would appear that the only good officers in the military are those who were once enlisted and that, from 21 years military experiance, is FAR from the truth. Leadership is not so much being able to do what your subordinates do or even knowing how to do what your subordinates do, it is about knowing your people, their skill sets, increasing their skill sets and getting the right people to WANT to do the job right. As we attempted to explain during the presidential race it is not detailed specific experiance that makes an effective and good leader it is understanding what needs to be done and letting those who are best suited/qualified to do that job do it. Panetta has shown he is a good leader and he has the background to know what the President needs to know NOW and what he needs to know in a standard breifing. In other words Sen. McCain is correct he will make an effective head of the CIA.
People has a short memory. Mccain turned the election to be very bitter of his supporters towards Obama.....Will never forgive him to with the hate and his running mate fueled!
Senator McCain doesn't have to say anything in regard of the team, either good or bad. Of course lots of people have expressed feelings already towards the tradition since the beginning, Senator MCCain doesn't have to protect my boy and his team. They are grown ups and men...(and women, sorry laides, LOL!) they are responsible for their actions and let me do it so far...
But I do respect his props, Good looking out Senator...wait a minute, he wants something, huh? Na'h, I'm playing, LOL!
Hey Mike H. As someone who grew up in MN and lived one block, yes one block, from the bridge that collapsed; (which looked horrible for YEARS I might add ) I thank the lord that Pawlenty and his lack of vision and judgment are no where near the white house.
Please mccain and Palin go away!
McCain is back! The real McCain is back!!!
I love reading all the "love" McCain is getting from the same people that were tearing him to shreds a few short months ago. I guess as long as he is towing the Obama line, he's a gracious and experienced man. Such hypocrites.
Absolutely hysterical! Keep going dems, your conquest of America is almost complete. The re-education camps are right around the corner.
Great, who didn't expect McCain to lock-step. I feel more and more each day he ran for and won the GOP nomination so he could throw the election to the Libs. He's one of them more than he is a Conservative anyway. If Mr. Reid needs a fillabuster margin, here comes the OLD maverick to the rescue (or should that be defeat).
If McCain can move on, the rest of the Republicans that are haters ought to be able to let it go.
McCain regained the honor he lost in the race. Too bad he was'nt himself during that time! Now if the other Repubs could follow along? Forget it! Im wasting my time with that one! Their too busy discussing facebook! LOL
thank you john mccain, now could someone plese tell palin that she cost you the election, and the more she hollers the worse she sounds, it's so plain all she wants is attention, with our country falling apart and she's whinning about the questions she was asked during the election, this is so selfish of her.
This is the deal. We are the United States of America. That is a fact whether you like it or not. The key word is United. We all have our preference, and so we vote our choice. But my one vote is one in millions that make up a greater cause, the United aspect of this country. And while I might not always get my way or win an election. I still win because I am part of something greater than me alone and that is the United States of America! A land where we can agree to disagree and still extend our hand to one another in times of need. A house divided against itself cannot stand. So if a thing like a house/family cannot stand divided then how can something much greater like a divided country stand? The Divided States of America? Does not even sound right, or any place you want children to grow in. In fact that describes parts of the middle east at this time. So all that being said, here are the rules I go by.
The United States of America first Political Party second. No matter who wins the election. Being an American is a team sport! A rough and tumble team sport but a team sport non the less.
I actually agree with John McCain. Its good to see him working for the good of the whole country. By the way I voted Obama!
The best thing everyone can do with this economy, is to work with excellence if you have a position. I work in the steel industry and I know each day... I not only work for my family...but I serve my country.
Typical Democrats-"-Now "you are capable of LISTENING,sadly you have been so biased you have been deaf to truth,justice,and the American way.
He was my guy in 2000 but he chose to exclude us independents when he chose the hyper partisan path that so many republicans rally behind.
McCain was a setup for the Democratic Party. He sold out to the Dems so there would be no opposition in the general election.
He refused to take up any real issues with Obama so he could have a cake walk into the White House.
Its no wonder that the candidates have to run such polarizing, partisan campaigns with the likes of some of the posters on here that clearly can't think for themselves. The politicians know that unfortunately, much of the country is incapable of comprehending a political concept and just votes based on negativity towards the other side. Thanks MK, WHO, and Woman in CA for making this country so great!
I applaud posters like Betty and Ian that may not agree with McCain but are able to articulate why, instead of coming up with clever nicknames and endless negative rhetoric.
Let me be the first to say here,we will get new taxes and we will need them.Living on credit wont work,the bills are due and someone has to come up with the cash,just like your own house.
The campaign seemed to bring out an ugly side in John McCain. I am really glad to see that he is regaining the fair and middle of the road attitude back that he was so known for before the election.
To the woman from California – enough with the hate. No one is impressed by your bitterness. Not Dems. Not Republicans.
I voted for McCain. I'm over the loss. I'm ready to move on and hope that Obama does a great job.
So why aren't you ready to move on?
The biggest problem facing our country today is our divided we are.
You are not helping.
Sorry John McCain you are wrong on this one. Seriously.
Mccain is a grown up and knows he needs to salvage whatever self-respect he has left after the disastrous bigotry-filled presidential campaign he run.
From the way he has handled himself since the election, he might go all the way and gain all the love and appreciation back.
If only Palin would follow suit.
So he says he thinks Obama has put together an "excellent team"...his endorsement matters now why??? This from the man who chose an undereducated, attention grabbing, vitriol-spewing hate magnet as his running mate? Obama did not have to go far to beat McCain's taste in people with whom he wants to help him run this country. Not news, just an attempt to put a benign face on a very ailing Republican party and its members.
To Fred:
If I am the most partisan person on these blogs, I guess you are either a) blind; or b) stupid as you are definitely missing out on your fellow bloggers "Welcome To The Obama Show and TCM" these people are way out there and I have NEVER criticized their opinions because those are their opinions and I know they seek attention so quit being a hypocrite. McCain was awful, low down and pure dirty during his campaign and I don't respect him at all. However, I do thank him for his military service.
I'm a liberal Democrat but I like McCain a lot, maybe not policy-wise but generally speaking. He's a good guy. If the Republicans had let McCain run his own race maybe he could have won it.
REAL-EYES January 9th, 2009 7:11 pm ET
If McCain can move on, the rest of the Republicans that are haters ought to be able to let it go.
______________
We're not haters, REAL-EYES - we're REALISTS !!!!!!!! THAT is the Republican Party - WE ARE REALISTS! WE don't support HYPE. WE support FACTS!!
YOU - REAL–EYES, have blinders on your forehead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How truly sad for you !!!!!!!!!!!
He's back!! What Happen?
This is the Sen. McCain I used to know.
one word to describe mccain: STUPID!
REAL-EYES,
Read the comments on this thread again, and ask yourself if it's the REPUBLICANS that are haters that you should concern you. Right, Woman In California?
Maybe if McCain had been advising Bush we wouldn't be in this mess.
Now this is the honorable McCain I know.
Seems Senator McCain is the only Republican who knows how to lose an election with dignity, too bad the same can't be said of Palin, Coleman, Limbaugh, Hannity, and their inbred followers.
yeah... people care about what john "mcloser" says. MORON!
the man has been at the forefront of american politics for the past 25 years and he served his country with honor. yeah he lost the election but dont even bring bush into this. bush gives republicans a bad name.
john mccain made me proud to be in the GOP
I voted for John McCain.
Although I voted for Obama, I still think John McCain is a great gentlemen. Too bad his own party wasn't more supportive of his true nature.
Finally, the real John McCain is returning.
Who cares what this reprobate thinks?
What a great role model!
Perhaps if McCain had been so genuine during the election he would be No. 44.
John McCain's hateful campaign devoid of substance but burgeoning with hateful innuendo and accusations, eliminated for me what little credibility he had remaining. His choice of Palin made clear he was driven by ambition and NOT "Country First". His legacy will be a tragic one.
McCain the closet democrat.
A Woman In California For Obama January 9th, 2009 5:46 pm ET
So the old bigot devil has spoken… who cares?
I am thrilled to know that even you are allowed to vote, too bad you lack any intellect or facts to support your posting.
Texas Teacher January 9th, 2009 6:43 pm ET
Whomever Obama chooses, it has to be better than Bush's choices!
You mean like Gates?
Larry January 9th, 2009 7:21 pm ET
Typical Democrats—"-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And who would you categorize as a typical Conservative or Republican? Surely not the xenophobic bigoted isolationists for whom Senator McCain reconfigured his campaign strategy into a crusade of fear and racial and religious hatred in hopes of gaining their vote?
The ones who cried out to 'Kill' the 'Arab' 'Terrorist'. The true values voters 'Red State Patriots' like yourself.
Bless you Sen. McCain, you seem to be back on point. Unlike your running make, the Rogue VP. She is now being used to bash the media, and indirectly, PE Obama. I kept trying to figure out why the media refuses to release her back into the wilds of Alaska. I finally came up with an explanation. She and Gov. Blagojevich are both oxymorons. They are both annoying yet intriguing – AYI. Brace yourselves people, they're here to stay. If Gov. goes to jail, he'll still be making news from his jail cell.
Thank you God for a breath of fresh air that is PE Barack H. Obama. I am so happy with him. Prayer truly does change things. Oh la la!
Finally, the real John McCain that this Clinton-supporting, taxes on the rich raising, universal health care-advocating democrat so liked and respected, has dumped his evil twin and seems to be making a full recovery. That's great, because we need more like him, genuine public servants who truly believe in doing what's right, and speaking the truth. What a formidable and worthy opponent he would have made for Obama if he had not let the handlers and political operatives and dirty tricksters take over.
I'm glad you're back, Sen. McCain! (But I'm still elated that Sen. Obama won!
What a bunch of mean nasty lemmings, you contine to try to tear down this mans charecter to make yourselves feel good about your pitiful lives. Your man won and you still choose to spew venom when we should be trying to pull the country together. Get the heck out of the USA if you cannot deal with a system of government representation for all dems, repubs, indep we all have a say in our Government if you don't like it go to Canada and stop trying to degrade our American heros and statesmen that are out here working for usan bunch of idiots.
Could it just be that McCain is seeing the demise of the current Republican Party and is thinking of jumping ship? It would not surprise me.