Sen. John McCain on tough politics in South Carolina

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For the Republican presidential candidates spreading across South Carolina today.

Where the first in the south primary will be held a week from this Saturday.

And where the politics can get downright dirty.

South Carolina cementing its reputation for bare knuckle politics in the states 2000 primary between then Texas governor George W.

Bush.

And Arizona Senator John McCain.

Here's just a sample.

Well let me tell you what happened.

There was a hit and run against me we ran a -- had a New Hampshire.

It's governor bush took the again.

Then I was lead very badly but I know that service.

Called Clinton called Clinton lite called every hypocrite I mean you know -- see -- and here's how.

You've you've seen it turn on the radio turn on the television -- unfortunately now pick up the telephone and you'll hear negative tactics John -- should you change feeling disillusioned.

-- -- -- does anyone actually say one thing.

About all this business Johns titled beautiful little all of them didn't call this it's.

There's an Internet and -- -- windshield yesterday.

There will be questions my -- this is that this is an attack piece that is not what my campaign was just paid for by John McCain.

Joining me now Arizona Senator John McCain senator does that take it back -- Apple's picture down memory lane in fact none of that that's -- let's not campaigns are tough.

Megan you know back and -- and to somehow -- you know go back where and the passion short and in 2008 you could find clips also between me.

And Mitt Romney where this lucky you expected it is a -- it is not a contact sport it's a collision sport.

So it got so ugly -- back in 2000 you came out and said look.

He attacked me so I went negative response but I'm not not done with that now because I don't like the effect it's having -- kids analytical positive in in May cost me.

It cost you so now do you think you got to go negative on.

Think there's very little doubt that and that there is the kind of attack campaign -- which work.

Now the question is is whether they are legitimate or not.

For example.

I think you couldn't.

Attack governor Romney on certain issues that social issues are -- -- -- But attacking him on main capital which is created thousands of jobs I don't think.

Is is gonna work and I think -- have to have a basis a fundamental basis.

Now it's happening right now as you know Newt Gingrich is coming out like history is packets coming out with this movie this long movie thirty minutes against Mitt Romney saying when -- came to town patent describing him as a as a predator a corporate predator -- funded by a casino or.

Owner pockets -- -- and chai who runs casinos I mean.

I'm not making it up but but do you think it will backfire because you're saying -- negativity will work.

This is going into a state that's very in this struggling mightily with unemployment.

Talks about him going in there isn't real people saying they don't like Mitt Romney -- that Bain Capital you know bankrupted their companies does that work.

I don't think it does because I think that people have gotten to know Mitt Romney and I think there is a certain momentum coming out of Iowa New Hampshire.

He can't take anything for granted obviously -- campaigns and I'm sure that there will be responses to it but I think that.

And the crime has a basis of support in South Carolina and I think it's -- carrying -- And in all due respect to Newt Gingrich and especially.

This is a desperate act these are test for its -- -- these are desperate times for the Gingrich campaign and it is what it is -- -- -- -- that you I have endorsed Mitt Romney so you that you -- for him ministries.

Now you came out this morning -- suggested there's an alternative to the way -- does business and it's called communism.

You know where -- -- everybody gets a fair share.

Everybody in business keep every industry no matter how bad it is and that's that's what Communists and -- -- and that unfortunately it doesn't work.

And look.

Nobody feels worse than someone who was involved in when you have to lay people off.

But the fact is that.

There are so many times when you have to improve -- have to cut back you have to do think.

Well let's have another example remember when.

General Motors.

Was bailed out and they had to close dealerships all over America they had to lay off workers have now General Motors is coming back.

And and hiring more people.

They had to go -- very tough challenge that's what.

-- how capitalism works and -- -- world when you're running against Mitt Romney and you only won that race back in 2008 for the presidential nomination.

You made an issue of being as well pointed out that he presided over this company which cost which laid off thousands of workers and some of your surrogates went a little farther than you did.

Yes my serve gets -- that's why you have circuits to go for them.

You know is it wedged it -- -- like hey it's legit to examine what anybody's past do you record is.

But I think overwhelmingly you find it -- nomination -- record -- from pro business it's been -- pro growth and obviously one of the reasons why our economy continues to stumble along is because there is no real vision.

For the future of our economy articulated by the press and United States and that unfortunately is going to be the issue in this campaign I hope that national security will come into it some time because I think were failing all over the world.

Now you mentioned desperation and that appears to be that their counterparts at the Romney camp is about to land.

Calling Gingrich and -- those who are -- launching these attacks against being desperate.

It Gingrich.

Or hurt his campaign and those affiliated with him have come out -- an ad now attacking Mitt Romney over how he traveled with his dog.

Over how -- got with a dog he said he put in an air taken -- and I was up.

I remember this story that's now just getting launched is that desperate what I mean -- is there anything that we're excited.

Desperation and then what can.

Been talking about something that happened I'd I don't know how many years ago -- when his sons were very small.

Well here's the -- they have Chris Wallace at the of that Chris Wallace loves his dog Winston -- exact thing that -- funny why he would do that it was -- of the dog lumped it.

But I mean as the grease -- to the dogs after -- I think maybe maybe the race is gone a little too long when we're arguing about.

Something that happened with -- Romney's done many many years ago and I -- believe the voters of South Carolina more interest in.

Seriously nine point 3% and I believe unemployment.

Serious.

Problems in that state.

I believe that Mitt Romney -- got the right message at the right time.

Can he move and can wrap this -- can he win that's he's headed South Carolina right now.

But you know it's it's famously more conservative -- New Hampshire is and and there's a theory that he might do well because the conservative vote.

Is split among so many candidates and I want to ask you about this because.

Mike Huckabee who had won Iowa back in 08.

Lost in New Hampshire you won then you went down -- South Carolina for the big battle and he told me he believes that happen because he said he thinks you said you convince Fred Thompson to stay in the race and then -- and Huckabee split the conservative vote.

And you won South Carolina that what.

Well you know I'm mr.

Huckabee also hung in for a -- -- time wouldn't accept defeat.

I respect him but that's totally -- it's totally patently false and for him to say something like that.

Maybe it makes him feel better but it's not the truth the fact is of Fred Thompson was viewed as a viable candidate.

It is not necessarily so that he took all of how could these -- I have a lot of votes there.

All I can say to govern -- can be good luck in your program.

On fox but they're not telling the truth.

Why give me prediction of the South Carolina for the GOP nomination -- -- you've endorsed Romney -- give me prediction.

I think that did that he -- a that Romney wins and I think that.

He has a lot of wounded he's back he's already had historically one and I think that his credentials on the economy despite this fight about things.

His credentials on the economy are very important.

Finally South Carolina is very patriotic state.

A lot of members of the for the service members a lot of military bases I think those people gravitate towards his campaign's web.

Is it painful watching it not been in at this time around no not at and it and I enjoyed being going back to New Hampshire and back down South Carolina.

-- -- pressure's off now yet shipped -- you know France can't get to see you sir thank you so much for being here thank all of that Senator McCain.

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Sen. John McCain on tough politics in South Carolina

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