Republican presidential candidate John McCain holds up the Yale sweatshirt he received following his Dec. 8 talk in Silliman College.

McCain vows to reform government, military as president

In a brief speech on Dec. 8 in a packed Silliman College common room, Arizona senator and Republican presidential candidate John McCain said that the main reason he wants to serve as the nation's leader is so he can re-engage Americans in the political process, particularly its "alienated" younger voters. He followed this statement with a pledge to his predominantly student audience: "Until my last breath is drawn, my effort will be to give the government of the United States back to you." Describing himself as a "proud Republican conservative," McCain broadly outlined some of the issues he intends to tackle if elected president, reserving most of the time in his hour-long appearance for a question-and-answer session. "I'm running for president of the United States because I think we need to reform government," he said. "I think we need to reform the educational system so that parents can choose where they want their child to go to school. I think we need to reform the military ... to stop spending on things we don't need and start spending on the things we do." McCain said it is primarily the fault of Congress that while the United States "pork barrels billions of dollars," for unnecessary defense spending, there are about 12,000 men and women enlisted in the U.S. armed forces who rely on food stamps, a situation that he vowed to change if elected. He said that in addition to a 3 percent pay raise every year over the next three years, he supported improving the housing and living conditions of military personnel and "not sending them to every place in the world that is a trouble spot." The current administration, he said, treats its soldiers as if they are the world's "social workers." He also faulted President Bill Clinton for causing the "real" scandal in the nation's capitol, which, he said, "was not Monica Lewinsky" but that "the President took the Lincoln Bedroom and treated it like a Motel 6," referring to allegations that Clinton improperly solicited campaign funds from contributors in exchange for overnight stays in the White House bedroom. In addition, McCain decried the current administration's lack of a strong response to Russia in light of the country's ongoing military advances in Chechnya, which he described as being "on the verge of mass slaughter" since the Russian government's recent ultimatum telling Chechen citizens that they will be attacked if they fail to leave the Chechen capital of Grozny. "This administration better stand up to Russia and say, 'Don't do it; it's not acceptable to do it and there will be severe consequences if you do,'" McCain said. The senator fielded about 15 questions from audience members on issues ranging from gun control, free speech and the Internet, campaign finance reform and his experience as a prisoner of war in Hanoi during the Vietnam conflict. McCain described his main rival in the Republican race, Yale alumnus George W. Bush, as "a fine man, who has a fine family." He later drew loud laughter and applause from the audience when he responded to a question about his greatest challenge on the campaign trail with the quip: "While we are having this meeting, Governor Bush is probably raising two or three million dollars." -- By Susan Gonzalez T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Yale boasts three Rhodes Scholars Bulldog coach, players cited for championship season Interior Secretary will push to expand U.S. parks Finding sheds new light on the alphabet's origins Squash courts refurbished with alumnus' gift Sons' gift establishes visiting professorship Mandelbrot is appointed Sterling Professor Former YSN dean is new master of Silliman College McCain vows to reform government, military as president Gary Hart warns of impending attack on U.S. mainland Exhibit features children's books by Connecticut authors Art Gallery exhibit explores mysterious prints Students' new creation protects children from loaded handguns Former tennis star wins prestigious Silver Anniversary Award Former Bulldog urges Bears to enjoy life off playing field Film expert's book tells of 'Scrooges' past and present Architects in training tackle Shanghai project in China Studio Nathan Jacobson, noted for work in abstract algebra, dies Sheffield Fellow to discuss 'Internet Learning' Community invited to help build labyrinth Study questions who is choosing oophorectomy option Grant from HHMI will support graduate education in sciences Talks will explore relationship between faith and science Sights of the Season Security Procedures for Recess . . . In the News . . . Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page