Des Moines Register
10-19-06
Iowa State a lively backdrop as McCain visits 'Hardball'
By LISA ROSSI
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Ames, Ia. - U.S. Sen. John McCain, during filming of the cable news show
"Hardball" on Wednesday, stressed the need for more troops in Iraq and the
need to reserve the option of military action against North Korea if it continues to
develop nuclear weapons.
Iowa State University students and young adults packed into the Iowa State
Center to watch McCain, an Arizona Republican who is considered by some a
front-runner in the campaign for president.
"He'll probably win simply because he's Republican, but he's more moderate
than George Bush," said Tim Kister, 22, of Ames, who added that he would vote
for a Democrat.
McCain focused on foreign policy issues during the interview with the MSNBC
show's host, Chris Matthews. He said several steps need to be taken with North
Korea before America should consider military action.
He said if United Nations sanctions against North Korea fail, a coalition of Japan,
South Korea, the United States and possibly other countries should help impose
those sanctions.
"I understand the reluctance of Americans to engage in warfare," he said. "I also
think you have a dangerous country - a failed state."
During the interview, McCain also worked to connect with the college-age
audience, talking about how ISU should beat Texas Tech at its homecoming
game this week.
"How's that for pandering?" he said, to laughter.
He urged young people to consider running for public office, despite the
increasingly negative tenure of campaigns.
"I think we are motivated to do whatever is necessary to gain public office," he
said. "I'm afraid sometimes we look at polling numbers and see negative attacks
move those in our favor. The voters in some degree are responsible - they have
to reject these negative attacks and ignore a lot of this stuff."
The show relied on cheering and participation from students in the audience. ISU
cheerleaders led students in the fight song before the show, and producers led
chants of "Hardball!"
"He is the front-runner," Matthews said of McCain before the show. "Most think
he will be the next president."
Alicea Murra, an 18-year-old student from Buffalo Center, said she has not yet
taken the time to learn about the various people running for president.
Other students grilled McCain during the show about social issues: the policy
regarding gays in the military, efforts to secure the borders and gay marriage.
"I think private ceremonies are fine," he said. "I do not think gay marriage should
be legal."