John McCain in CNN political race coverage
On Education:
Decisions on teaching evolution should be made locally
On teaching evolution in schools, McCain says the decision should be made at the local level.
Source: CNN coverage by Bruce Morton
Aug 27, 1999
On Families & Children:
Violence in media caused Littleton shootings
Following the Littleton school shootings, McCain was one of four lawmakers who wrote Clinton after the shootings to call for a close look at "the entertainment media and the violent images and message with which they are bombarding our children."
Source: CNN coverage: AllPolitics
Apr 30, 1999
On Government Reform:
Campaign Finance: ban both labor union & corporate donations
McCain said that unlimited "soft money" contributions by businesses to political parties give corporations an undue influence over legislation. What is needed is comprehensive finance reform: "I would support no campaign finance reform that did not
require that every union member give their permission before the union spends money on politics. That's the good news. The bad news is I would also require that every stockholder give their permission" before businesses could make political contributions
Source: CNN.com coverage
May 10, 1999
On Government Reform:
Politicans poll, posture, & influence-peddle
"We have squandered the public trust. We have placed our personal and partisan interest before the national interest, earning the public's contempt for our poll-driven policies, our phony posturing, the lies we call spin and the damage control we
substitute for progress. And we defend a campaign finance system that is nothing less than an elaborate influence-peddling scheme in which both parties conspire to stay in office by selling the country to the highest bidder," McCain said.
Source: CNN coverage: AllPolitics
Jun 30, 1999
On Government Reform:
CFR passes Senate; focus on House, not court challenges
The Senate is expected to pass a bill to ban unlimited contributions to political parties, a practice known as "soft money." Supporters, including Senate sponsors John McCain, R-AZ, and Russ Feingold, D-WI, say the bill will break large donors' power
over lawmakers. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-KY, and other opponents argue it violates the right of free speech. In addition to banning soft money, it would raise the amount of direct contributions for candidates from $1,000 to $2,000, beef up disclosure
requirements and restrict advertising by independent groups. McCain said he would worry about a court challenge when it comes. First, he said, he will focus on getting the bill through the House of Representatives.
Republicans left open the possibility
that McCain would not even be named to the conference committee [which will work on the bill after House approval]. Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-NE, said McCain's views on campaign finance reform did not square with those of most of his GOP colleagues.
Source: CNN.com coverage
Apr 2, 2001
Page last updated: Oct 26, 2024