Senator John McCain: A Fan of All Imus Brothers

Sen. John McCain had the privilege, if not the pleasure, of hanging out with Fred Imus a few weeks ago at an event in Tucson, Arizona.

“Your brother is enjoying life,” McCain told Imus. “He’s one of the most entertaining guys I’ve ever met.”  You’ve got to get out more, Senator.

McCain speculated that President Obama delayed his trip to the Pacific this week because he has the votes he needs in the House to pass the health care bill. Yet, an article in today’s Washington Post indicated that Speaker Nancy Pelosi might try to push the bill through using parliamentary methods that don’t require an actual vote.

“It basically would deem the Senate bill ‘passed’ so that they don’t have to vote on the bill, they can vote on their own bill,” said McCain. “On an issue of this magnitude, that would be a horrendous thing to do.”

Should the bill go through, McCain believes there would be “a reaction probably unlike anything we’ve ever seen” from the public, most of whom oppose health care reform.

“The majority of American people want us to start over,” McCain pointed out. If the Democrats pass the bill by whatever means they deem necessary, McCain predicted an upheaval for their party come November.

As for his own reelection, McCain faces a challenge from the intolerable former Arizona Congressman J.D. Hayworth. While McCain is aware of the fierce anti-incumbent sentiment in the country, he and fellow Republicans are working hard to earn every vote.

In fact, Sarah Palin will soon rally for McCain in Arizona, fresh on the heels of Senator Scott Brown, with whom McCain campaigned last weekend. “She’s certainly very, very popular,” McCain said of his former running mate. “I’m grateful for her coming out.”

Despite Rep. Patrick Kennedy’s recent emotional plea for the press to quit covering trite stories and focus on issues like Afghanistan, McCain insisted things are going pretty well over there. Later today, General David Petraeus will brief the Senate and the Armed Services Committee on the situation on the ground in Afghanistan.

“We’re succeeding in Afghanistan,” McCain said. “There’s going to be greater sacrifice, it’s going to be tough, but we’ve got a great general in General McChrystal, and we have the best military we’ve ever had in our history.”

As he headed into a meeting with Petraeus, McCain encouraged Imus to swing by Arizona and spend some time with Fred. With all due respect, Senator, the situation in Fred’s trailer might be even more dire than the one in Afghanistan.

-Julie Kanfer