March 03, 2008
Do Svidanya: McCain Wants Russia Tossed From G8
PHOENIX, AZ - John McCain told reporters today that Russia should be removed from the G8, and he questionned the authenticity of the recent presidential contest in Russia, saying it was "an election that would not pass the smell test in any functioning democracy."
"I think that I would stand up to the Russians very strongly in this respect," McCain said. "I don't think that they should attend G8 meetings, because the G8 is based on membership of countries that believe in free and open economies, free and open societies, and free and fair elections, and I don't think they should be included in the next G8 meeting."
McCain also said that he would call on Russia to stop standing in the way of progress as a member of the UN Security Council on issues such as Darfur and Iran.
Although McCain took the weekend off, the Democrats continued to hammer away on his refusal to denounce the endorsement of Pastor John Hagee, the controversial evangelical leader.
When asked about Hagee this morning, McCain parroted his recent responses: "It is simply not accurate to say that because someone endorses me that I therefore embrace their views. When they endorse me it means they embrace my views, and that's a very clear difference."
(NBC/NJ's ADAM AIGNER-TREWORGY)
Posted at 03:12 PM
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