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John McCain on rigors of running for President

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    Senator and former Presidential candidate recounts 2008 election and the toll it takes on the person

  • Duration 5:43
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Stay with us -- Monica Crowley in tonight for Bill O'Reilly and the personal story segment tonight what does it take to make a run for the White House.

What kind of inner strength stamina and fortitude and what kind of told -- a tough campaign take on a candidate's personal life.

In an extraordinarily candid interview with bill.

John McCain lays bare the highlights and hardships are -- for the highest office in the -- A senator what what's the most difficult -- thing personally.

About -- running for president four years ago.

I think probably the most difficult to use of pace she you know it's just 24/7.

And even when you -- -- try to go to sleep you're thinking about things but the pace of things but at the same time.

Bill I was -- always cognizant of the fact that.

Here's a guy that stood fifth from the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy crashed four airplanes.

At taxpayers' expense.

That could run for pressing United States and get the nomination.

The Republican Party most of it was exhilaration to tell you the truth OK but you do have to see.

You're jacked up because you have the adrenaline is going all day long.

-- and I Candace I can imagine up more than 45 hours of sleep.

Per night would that be about right.

That that would be about right and I think you have to guard against too you know it's every mistake I've ever made -- -- -- shoots it same with you is when you're tired.

So you try not to get too tired because that's when mistakes are made and I think that's true with other politicians.

You know you we could name.

Those incidents in history -- so.

You try to get as much sleep as possible which she is four -- five hours for the same time.

Don't get so -- that you lose your temper or you say something stupid.

I gonna say some stupid anyway -- Let it drive you absolutely it would -- people get tired they get rundown.

This thought process -- in the shark now when you are out on the road.

You have a schedule.

Now let's schedule all right now President Clinton notorious for being late.

Pres Obama's -- a lot -- you punctual pretty much on that schedule is that your military bearing or did you insist on it.

We'll -- look I admire and respect Bill Clinton has won the great politicians and he could get away -- it I know that the same thing with President Obama but the rudeness thing you can do.

It's keep people waiting they're there to see you sometimes -- are you have to get their way early anyway because of the Secret Service and and all due respect I do not respect politicians' that keep people waiting that are there to see him.

All right so you that was something that you personally insisted upon I'm gonna be punctual don't load me up so I can make a disease.

Psychologically.

When -- barrage with a lot of press.

Did you read and listen to the press while you were campaign.

Some but you know your schedule doesn't allow it because it's -- jammed schedule so you don't.

Each year a little bit enough bubble in that respect.

I knew.

And look.

When their stock market crashed 700 points in one day and we went down seven points.

I knew that we had a very difficult struggle and so I kind of avoided some of the major -- just for my own morale sake.

It's all right so you used selectively look at what now I assume in the morning they give you polling they give you a folder -- -- overnight folder of what they you're handlers think you should know right you get the briefing right.

Yes and then also you know when I get up in the morning I watched early shows him.

Of course have to tune in on FOX & Friends and I'll let you know they want.

Let you -- Leo would do the same kilometers nine -- -- -- sure now in the movie Depp portrayed you and and Sarah Palin and no you didn't think much about that HBO movies Ed Harris played you.

Any plane you as a guy.

Who was in charge of the campaign but -- defer.

To some of your devote advisors they would commit and -- would say listen senator you gotta do XYZ Woody Harrelson was it was playing a lead in that.

We is that true did you run at all or did you defer to -- advisors.

Well first of about the movie and I didn't see it but I'm told that.

I'm portrayed as someone who uses the F word every other word Dan Harris -- -- not -- I'm an old.

I'm an old navy man but I don't do that because I think it's a sign frankly of the lack of vocabulary and a lack of -- but putting that aside.

I pretty much ran my own campaign.

Now there was a time when Michigan was a bone of contention in -- campaign.

And this is true we know this because Sarah Palin works for fox she wanted to campaign in Michigan you -- -- didn't use resources elsewhere.

And so I'm assuming that always your decision that you saw the polling and you deployed the resources that you had.

Where you wanted them it's like a chess game -- you -- the guy move in the pieces is that correct.

Well I think that's correct the -- unfortunately showed that we had no chance shouldn't in Michigan.

I've talked to -- about it she wanted to go there because sure felt that she couldn't.

Turn it around and we had a long conversation about it.

But there was never any space between me and Sarah Palin I love her and I cherish her and her family and I'm grateful for her.

Running with me and I still regret the only thing I regret -- I have no idea.

If she would be attacked as viciously as she still is today so I salute by the liberal press.