[big campaign] Tracking Update: McCain Speech at Livestrong Summit in Columbus, OH 07/24/08

podesta-emails 3,628 words email

P22 P17 P19 V14 V11

-----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK----- mQQBBGBjDtIBH6DJa80zDBgR+VqlYGaXu5bEJg9HEgAtJeCLuThdhXfl5Zs32RyB I1QjIlttvngepHQozmglBDmi2FZ4S+wWhZv10bZCoyXPIPwwq6TylwPv8+buxuff B6tYil3VAB9XKGPyPjKrlXn1fz76VMpuTOs7OGYR8xDidw9EHfBvmb+sQyrU1FOW aPHxba5lK6hAo/KYFpTnimsmsz0Cvo1sZAV/EFIkfagiGTL2J/NhINfGPScpj8LB bYelVN/NU4c6Ws1ivWbfcGvqU4lymoJgJo/l9HiV6X2bdVyuB24O3xeyhTnD7laf epykwxODVfAt4qLC3J478MSSmTXS8zMumaQMNR1tUUYtHCJC0xAKbsFukzbfoRDv m2zFCCVxeYHvByxstuzg0SurlPyuiFiy2cENek5+W8Sjt95nEiQ4suBldswpz1Kv n71t7vd7zst49xxExB+tD+vmY7GXIds43Rb05dqksQuo2yCeuCbY5RBiMHX3d4nU 041jHBsv5wY24j0N6bpAsm/s0T0Mt7IO6UaN33I712oPlclTweYTAesW3jDpeQ7A ioi0CMjWZnRpUxorcFmzL/Cc/fPqgAtnAL5GIUuEOqUf8AlKmzsKcnKZ7L2d8mxG QqN16nlAiUuUpchQNMr+tAa1L5S1uK/fu6thVlSSk7KMQyJfVpwLy6068a1WmNj4 yxo9HaSeQNXh3cui+61qb9wlrkwlaiouw9+bpCmR0V8+XpWma/D/TEz9tg5vkfNo eG4t+FUQ7QgrrvIkDNFcRyTUO9cJHB+kcp2NgCcpCwan3wnuzKka9AWFAitpoAwx L6BX0L8kg/LzRPhkQnMOrj/tuu9hZrui4woqURhWLiYi2aZe7WCkuoqR/qMGP6qP EQRcvndTWkQo6K9BdCH4ZjRqcGbY1wFt/qgAxhi+uSo2IWiM1fRI4eRCGifpBtYK Dw44W9uPAu4cgVnAUzESEeW0bft5XXxAqpvyMBIdv3YqfVfOElZdKbteEu4YuOao FLpbk4ajCxO4Fzc9AugJ8iQOAoaekJWA7TjWJ6CbJe8w3thpznP0w6jNG8ZleZ6a jHckyGlx5wzQTRLVT5+wK6edFlxKmSd93jkLWWCbrc0Dsa39OkSTDmZPoZgKGRhp Yc0C4jePYreTGI6p7/H3AFv84o0fjHt5fn4GpT1Xgfg+1X/wmIv7iNQtljCjAqhD 6XN+QiOAYAloAym8lOm9zOoCDv1TSDpmeyeP0rNV95OozsmFAUaKSUcUFBUfq9FL uyr+rJZQw2DPfq2wE75PtOyJiZH7zljCh12fp5yrNx6L7HSqwwuG7vGO4f0ltYOZ dPKzaEhCOO7o108RexdNABEBAAG0Rldpa2lMZWFrcyBFZGl0b3JpYWwgT2ZmaWNl IEhpZ2ggU2VjdXJpdHkgQ29tbXVuaWNhdGlvbiBLZXkgKDIwMjEtMjAyNCmJBDEE EwEKACcFAmBjDtICGwMFCQWjmoAFCwkIBwMFFQoJCAsFFgIDAQACHgECF4AACgkQ nG3NFyg+RUzRbh+eMSKgMYOdoz70u4RKTvev4KyqCAlwji+1RomnW7qsAK+l1s6b ugOhOs8zYv2ZSy6lv5JgWITRZogvB69JP94+Juphol6LIImC9X3P/bcBLw7VCdNA mP0XQ4OlleLZWXUEW9EqR4QyM0RkPMoxXObfRgtGHKIkjZYXyGhUOd7MxRM8DBzN yieFf3CjZNADQnNBk/ZWRdJrpq8J1W0dNKI7IUW2yCyfdgnPAkX/lyIqw4ht5UxF VGrva3PoepPir0TeKP3M0BMxpsxYSVOdwcsnkMzMlQ7TOJlsEdtKQwxjV6a1vH+t k4TpR4aG8fS7ZtGzxcxPylhndiiRVwdYitr5nKeBP69aWH9uLcpIzplXm4DcusUc Bo8KHz+qlIjs03k8hRfqYhUGB96nK6TJ0xS7tN83WUFQXk29fWkXjQSp1Z5dNCcT sWQBTxWxwYyEI8iGErH2xnok3HTyMItdCGEVBBhGOs1uCHX3W3yW2CooWLC/8Pia qgss3V7m4SHSfl4pDeZJcAPiH3Fm00wlGUslVSziatXW3499f2QdSyNDw6Qc+chK hUFflmAaavtpTqXPk+Lzvtw5SSW+iRGmEQICKzD2chpy05mW5v6QUy+G29nchGDD rrfpId2Gy1VoyBx8FAto4+6BOWVijrOj9Boz7098huotDQgNoEnidvVdsqP+P1RR QJekr97idAV28i7iEOLd99d6qI5xRqc3/QsV+y2ZnnyKB10uQNVPLgUkQljqN0wP XmdVer+0X+aeTHUd1d64fcc6M0cpYefNNRCsTsgbnWD+x0rjS9RMo+Uosy41+IxJ 6qIBhNrMK6fEmQoZG3qTRPYYrDoaJdDJERN2E5yLxP2SPI0rWNjMSoPEA/gk5L91 m6bToM/0VkEJNJkpxU5fq5834s3PleW39ZdpI0HpBDGeEypo/t9oGDY3Pd7JrMOF zOTohxTyu4w2Ql7jgs+7KbO9PH0Fx5dTDmDq66jKIkkC7DI0QtMQclnmWWtn14BS KTSZoZekWESVYhORwmPEf32EPiC9t8zDRglXzPGmJAPISSQz+Cc9o1ipoSIkoCCh 2MWoSbn3KFA53vgsYd0vS/+Nw5aUksSleorFns2yFgp/w5Ygv0D007k6u3DqyRLB W5y6tJLvbC1ME7jCBoLW6nFEVxgDo727pqOpMVjGGx5zcEokPIRDMkW/lXjw+fTy c6misESDCAWbgzniG/iyt77Kz711unpOhw5aemI9LpOq17AiIbjzSZYt6b1Aq7Wr aB+C1yws2ivIl9ZYK911A1m69yuUg0DPK+uyL7Z86XC7hI8B0IY1MM/MbmFiDo6H dkfwUckE74sxxeJrFZKkBbkEAQRgYw7SAR+gvktRnaUrj/84Pu0oYVe49nPEcy/7 5Fs6LvAwAj+JcAQPW3uy7D7fuGFEQguasfRrhWY5R87+g5ria6qQT2/Sf19Tpngs d0Dd9DJ1MMTaA1pc5F7PQgoOVKo68fDXfjr76n1NchfCzQbozS1HoM8ys3WnKAw+ Neae9oymp2t9FB3B+To4nsvsOM9KM06ZfBILO9NtzbWhzaAyWwSrMOFFJfpyxZAQ 8VbucNDHkPJjhxuafreC9q2f316RlwdS+XjDggRY6xD77fHtzYea04UWuZidc5zL VpsuZR1nObXOgE+4s8LU5p6fo7jL0CRxvfFnDhSQg2Z617flsdjYAJ2JR4apg3Es G46xWl8xf7t227/0nXaCIMJI7g09FeOOsfCmBaf/ebfiXXnQbK2zCbbDYXbrYgw6 ESkSTt940lHtynnVmQBvZqSXY93MeKjSaQk1VKyobngqaDAIIzHxNCR941McGD7F qHHM2YMTgi6XXaDThNC6u5msI1l/24PPvrxkJxjPSGsNlCbXL2wqaDgrP6LvCP9O uooR9dVRxaZXcKQjeVGxrcRtoTSSyZimfjEercwi9RKHt42O5akPsXaOzeVjmvD9 EB5jrKBe/aAOHgHJEIgJhUNARJ9+dXm7GofpvtN/5RE6qlx11QGvoENHIgawGjGX Jy5oyRBS+e+KHcgVqbmV9bvIXdwiC4BDGxkXtjc75hTaGhnDpu69+Cq016cfsh+0 XaRnHRdh0SZfcYdEqqjn9CTILfNuiEpZm6hYOlrfgYQe1I13rgrnSV+EfVCOLF4L P9ejcf3eCvNhIhEjsBNEUDOFAA6J5+YqZvFYtjk3efpM2jCg6XTLZWaI8kCuADMu yrQxGrM8yIGvBndrlmmljUqlc8/Nq9rcLVFDsVqb9wOZjrCIJ7GEUD6bRuolmRPE SLrpP5mDS+wetdhLn5ME1e9JeVkiSVSFIGsumZTNUaT0a90L4yNj5gBE40dvFplW 7TLeNE/ewDQk5LiIrfWuTUn3CqpjIOXxsZFLjieNgofX1nSeLjy3tnJwuTYQlVJO 3CbqH1k6cOIvE9XShnnuxmiSoav4uZIXnLZFQRT9v8UPIuedp7TO8Vjl0xRTajCL PdTk21e7fYriax62IssYcsbbo5G5auEdPO04H/+v/hxmRsGIr3XYvSi4ZWXKASxy a/jHFu9zEqmy0EBzFzpmSx+FrzpMKPkoU7RbxzMgZwIYEBk66Hh6gxllL0JmWjV0 iqmJMtOERE4NgYgumQT3dTxKuFtywmFxBTe80BhGlfUbjBtiSrULq59np4ztwlRT wDEAVDoZbN57aEXhQ8jjF2RlHtqGXhFMrg9fALHaRQARAQABiQQZBBgBCgAPBQJg Yw7SAhsMBQkFo5qAAAoJEJxtzRcoPkVMdigfoK4oBYoxVoWUBCUekCg/alVGyEHa ekvFmd3LYSKX/WklAY7cAgL/1UlLIFXbq9jpGXJUmLZBkzXkOylF9FIXNNTFAmBM 3TRjfPv91D8EhrHJW0SlECN+riBLtfIQV9Y1BUlQthxFPtB1G1fGrv4XR9Y4TsRj VSo78cNMQY6/89Kc00ip7tdLeFUHtKcJs+5EfDQgagf8pSfF/TWnYZOMN2mAPRRf fh3SkFXeuM7PU/X0B6FJNXefGJbmfJBOXFbaSRnkacTOE9caftRKN1LHBAr8/RPk pc9p6y9RBc/+6rLuLRZpn2W3m3kwzb4scDtHHFXXQBNC1ytrqdwxU7kcaJEPOFfC XIdKfXw9AQll620qPFmVIPH5qfoZzjk4iTH06Yiq7PI4OgDis6bZKHKyyzFisOkh DXiTuuDnzgcu0U4gzL+bkxJ2QRdiyZdKJJMswbm5JDpX6PLsrzPmN314lKIHQx3t NNXkbfHL/PxuoUtWLKg7/I3PNnOgNnDqCgqpHJuhU1AZeIkvewHsYu+urT67tnpJ AK1Z4CgRxpgbYA4YEV1rWVAPHX1u1okcg85rc5FHK8zh46zQY1wzUTWubAcxqp9K 1IqjXDDkMgIX2Z2fOA1plJSwugUCbFjn4sbT0t0YuiEFMPMB42ZCjcCyA1yysfAd DYAmSer1bq47tyTFQwP+2ZnvW/9p3yJ4oYWzwMzadR3T0K4sgXRC2Us9nPL9k2K5 TRwZ07wE2CyMpUv+hZ4ja13A/1ynJZDZGKys+pmBNrO6abxTGohM8LIWjS+YBPIq trxh8jxzgLazKvMGmaA6KaOGwS8vhfPfxZsu2TJaRPrZMa/HpZ2aEHwxXRy4nm9G Kx1eFNJO6Ues5T7KlRtl8gflI5wZCCD/4T5rto3SfG0s0jr3iAVb3NCn9Q73kiph PSwHuRxcm+hWNszjJg3/W+Fr8fdXAh5i0JzMNscuFAQNHgfhLigenq+BpCnZzXya 01kqX24AdoSIbH++vvgE0Bjj6mzuRrH5VJ1Qg9nQ+yMjBWZADljtp3CARUbNkiIg tUJ8IJHCGVwXZBqY4qeJc3h/RiwWM2UIFfBZ+E06QPznmVLSkwvvop3zkr4eYNez cIKUju8vRdW6sxaaxC/GECDlP0Wo6lH0uChpE3NJ1daoXIeymajmYxNt+drz7+pd jMqjDtNA2rgUrjptUgJK8ZLdOQ4WCrPY5pP9ZXAO7+mK7S3u9CTywSJmQpypd8hv 8Bu8jKZdoxOJXxj8CphK951eNOLYxTOxBUNB8J2lgKbmLIyPvBvbS1l1lCM5oHlw WXGlp70pspj3kaX4mOiFaWMKHhOLb+er8yh8jspM184= =5a6T -----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK----- Hello All, Just got off the phone with our tracker, Ryan, on the ground in Columbus. Below are the notes from our call. *BIG HIGHLIGHTS: * - Jabs at Obama for American press attention he's getting abroad - Says his plan would "build on employer-based coverage" - Mentions worries that "even after this reform, many Americans with pre-existing conditions ... could still be denied insurance" - Says he tried to curb tobacco influence but was defeated by those under the influence of special interests - Says states don't use the cigarette tax to fund anti-tobacco advertising - McCain wouldn't support raising federal tobacco tax because he doesn't trust Congress to use the money correctly, promises he won't raise anyone's taxes - Says he would reverse decreases in Natl Cancer Institute budget, but we won't spend more. - Says we need to expand SCHIP but he takes issue with SCHIP covering more than just children, as its name would suggest Columbus, OH: McCain Speech / Livestrong Summit 07/24/08 *(Disclaimer: The following are notes, not direct quotes. If you'd like a quotable transcript or video of any part below, please email us.)* *Background Details* - reading speech from paper (not teleprompter) - occasionally went off prepared remarks to tell personal stories or thank people - 500 people in Ohio State University auditorium - Larger press area than normal, but not full. Approx. 20 cameras. More bloggers and print than cameras. - Event was ticketed. Appeared to be people who work in cancer research - event was part of a weekend-long forum. - About 20 protesters outside before event: SEUI posters, protesters 'for Retired Women', a few antiwar protesters. Protesters chanting, "John McCain, get off my back!" - Emcee [name unknown] gives brief remarks - Dr. Aludo gives introductory remarks to summit - Paula Zahn, host, gives remarks, intros Lance Armstrong - *most Americans can't afford to fight cancer* - short video about Armstrong Foundation plays on big screens - Lance Armstrong gives introductory remarks - We are a country at war - we're here for a different war. I was asked to go to Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar, etc - it was one of the most humbling experiences. It reset the scale for what sacrifice is. - lays out what we need to do to win the war on cancer - On Nov 4th, we'll pick a new President. the 44th Prez must take on this challenged, address this epidemic. That's why we're so honored to have McCain here, to talk about his experience as a survivor and to talk about himself running for President. - We are a c3 - we are not and do not want to endorse someone. Cancer doesn't care your politics, neither do we. We want to give candidates a forum. - McCain's story is well-known. He has served in Congress. He is a cancer survivor. *LINK to FULL REMARKS from McCain's Event at LIVESTRONG Summit:* http://thepage.time.com/remarks-from-mccains-event-at-livestrong-summit/ ARLINGTON, VA – U.S. Senator John McCain will deliver the following remarks as prepared for delivery at the LIVESTRONG Summit in Columbus, OH, today at 6:45 p.m. EDT: Thank you, Lance, and thank you all very much. Dr. Gee, Representative Deborah Pryce, Paula Zahn, and other guests: it's a pleasure to be with all of you. And I appreciate the hospitality of The Ohio State University. We are all familiar with the story of courage and perseverance that led our host to six victories across the finish line in Paris. But it says even more about the man that to this day he is leading the cause of cancer research. He knows what it's like to get a tough prognosis. And he knows what a difference it makes to have the support and love of others. For many thousands of people in the fight of their lives, Lance Armstrong is making all the difference in the world – and I am honored to be in his company. * * *You have billed this event as a Presidential Town Hall, and I sincerely hope that the next president is here today. My opponent, of course, is traveling in Europe, and tomorrow his tour takes him to France. In a scene Lance would recognize, a throng of adoring fans awaits Senator Obama in Paris – and that's just the American press.* I'm here today to listen and to learn, and I look forward to your questions. But let me just offer a few thoughts before we begin our panel discussion. Thanks in part to the work of organizations like LIVESTRONG, medical researchers are making dramatic progress in the fight against cancer. In the lives of cancer patients, they are adding decades where once there were only years, and years where once there were only months. Scientists are closing in on the enemy, in all its forms. And one day they are going to save uncounted lives with a cure for cancer. In all of this, doctors and researchers are showing the medical profession at its most heroic. And in many areas, they are counting on a sustained national commitment to finding new treatments and cures. One essential step is to better coordinate the efforts of public and private research institutions. As it is, breakthroughs in the laboratory often take too long to reach patients in the hospital. Everyone engaged in the cause of treating and curing cancer is a stakeholder in the same great enterprise. And when advances are made, no policy of government should delay their deployment to the frontlines in the battle against cancer. There are many ways to hasten the delivery of lifesaving treatments, and one of the surest ways is to streamline the process of clinical trials. Usually, when cancer patients seek to participate in a clinical trial, they've run out of established options, and that trial may be their last hope. We need to do all in our power to extend that hope to all who need it. As a senator, I have cosponsored legislation to broaden access to clinical trials, and supported reforms to modernize the registry for clinical trial information. And in my administration, the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services will work closely with the private sector make the expansion of clinical trials a priority. By far, the best prescription for good health is to steer clear of high-risk behaviors. The most obvious case of all is smoking cigarettes, which still accounts for so much avoidable suffering. Most smokers would love to quit but find it hard to do so. We can improve lives and reduce chronic disease through smoking cessation programs. So, as president, I will work with business and insurance companies in support of programs to help people quit smoking. Throughout our health care system, the great goal is to make the best care available to everyone. Underlying the many things that trouble our health-care system are the fundamental problems of cost and access. And these rising costs are by no means always accompanied by better quality in care or coverage. *I believe the key to real reform is to restore control over our health-care system to the patients themselves. Under my plan, we will build on the employer-based coverage, by offering generous tax credits directly to individuals and families for the purchase of health insurance. The health plan you choose would be as good as any that an employer could choose for you, or even better – by providing incentives for coverage of wellness, prevention, and other methods of avoiding the onset of chronic disease. These health plans would be yours, and yours to keep.* * * *Some worry that even after this reform many Americans with pre-existing conditions – including many thousands of cancer patients – could still be denied insurance. And to make sure they get the high-quality coverage they need, I have proposed a Guaranteed Access Plan – or GAP – that will combine industry, state, and federal resources to help in the purchase of coverage for those hardest to insure, including patients with pre-existing conditions. There would be limits on premiums, and lower-income Americans would get additional financial assistance. *This cooperation among states in the purchase of insurance would also be a crucial step in ridding the market of both needless and costly regulations, and the dominance in the market of only a few insurance companies. We need to break down these barriers to competition, creativity, and excellence, with the goal of establishing a national market to make inn ovative policies and lowest prices available to every person in every state. Sometimes in our political debates, America's health-care system is criticized as if it were just one more thing to argue about. And the oncologists and cancer researchers with us today might grow a little discouraged at times listening to campaigns debate health care. But I trust you will never lose sight of the fact that you are each involved in one of the great vocations, doing some of the greatest work there is to be done in this world. Some of the cancer patients you meet are in the worst hours of their lives, filled with fear and heartache. And the confident presence of a doctor, or the knowledge that researchers like you are on the case, can be all they have to hold onto. That is a gift only you can give, and you deserve our country's gratitude. I thank you for all for your contributions to the work of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and I wish you success in the even greater work that lies ahead. * * * * *Speech Highlights (not in prepared remarks)* - Thank you OSU. I don't want to bring back bad memories, but I flipped the coin and it wasn't a good game for OSU. - Dr. Gee - we pray for the speedy recovery of his daughter and we mourn the loss of his son-in-law and we honor him in this continued service to one of the great - I'm not going to talk to you about why I want to be POTUS or give you a campaign speech. I want to be POTUS to inspire a generation of Americans to serve a cause greater than themself. You could all be doing something else but you are doing just that. - I was in a battle, not a war like some other brave Americans, but a battle with melanoma. I know to a small degree just how brave those people can be. And I've become a fanatic when I see, e.g. a woman with a baby in the sun - get that baby some sunscreen. - Like Lance, I'm optimistic about the future. The human genome project is a source of great hope. - Now there are years and years where once there were only months. One day they will save uncounted lives with a cure for cancer. - *Flubs: Says "There would be NO limits on premiums"* - There's 4.8 billion in budget - we'll discuss that in the future. - Best to avoid high-risk behaviors like smoking, but it's difficult for smokers to quit. I quit 29 years ago, having been a 2 pack / day smoker. - *2 years ago we tried in the Senate to bring a meaningful end to tobacco influence and go after tobacco companies. I'm sorry to say we were defeated. We were defeated by special interests.* - *Then we reached an agreement that cigarette tax proceeds were supposed to go to states for use in anti-tobacco advertising. We know this works. Sadly, no state used it. Go back to your state and make them use it. * * * *Forum [Armstrong, Zahn, McCain]* * - 1Q) ARMSTRONG: What do you do to stay fit? - MCCAIN: If I remember, you said you didn't want to hang with me or Obama. ARMSTRONG - See what google can do. MCCAIN: I go on the internet. ARMSTRONG: I said neither of them can hang. MCCAIN: That's even worse. - MCCAIN: Dr. Carmona is great. I hike, swim, I do light exercises. I love to hike my beautiful estate. 2 summers ago my son and I hiked the Grand Canyon. I can also tell you campaigning is great exercise. ZAHN: And the food is great. MCCAIN: And I never get to eat because I'm always speaking when others are eating or dozing. We also have a place in AZ called Oak Creek, and I love going around there. Mainly, I hike. - 2Q) ZAHN: A lot of people believe if you raise the cig tax, you would deter young people and even adult smokers from smoking? If you were PRez would you support a raise? - MCCAIN: I don't think I would because the states now don't put it to the right use. I don't believe Congress wouldn't put it back to general revenues. I'd have to be assured that Congress would put it in the right place. I believe in anti-tobacco advertising. Who here believes in Congress? 9% approval. - FOLLOWUP: If it could be proven, would you then agree to it? - MCCAIN: I don't believe they could. There's corruption in Congress. I don't believe this Congress would put $ in the right place. - MCCAIN: And by the way, I'm not for raising anyone's taxes. We need lower taxes. - 3Q) ARMSTRONG: Tobacco spends $15B to market, we spend $5B to fight the disease. Should the FDA regulate tobacco? - MCCAIN: I believe so. I wonder how much they spend overseas to advertise? There you see a rise in tobacco. - ARMSTRONG: It's estimated that in 100 years, tobacco will kill 1B people in China alone. - MCCAIN: In WW2, we gave away free cigs. And we are seeing the effects of that too. - 4Q) FOLLOWUP - ZAHN: On corruption in Congress - Are you saying that Congress members are being bought and sold by the tobacco lobbies and that's why this isn't moving forward? - MCCAIN: I believe we failed because of the influence of the tobacco companies, yes. - ZAHN: As pres, what would you do? - MCCAIN: I would lead America and tell Congress to clean up this mess. What about gas tanks surprise? And Congress is doing nothing. - MCCAIN: There were many Congress members that held honestly-held views in opposition. But the tobacco companies played a big role too. - ZAHN: So what are Cong members afraid of in going against tobacco companies? - MCCAIN: I dont' think it's fear. They're rewarded - in campaign contributions and other ways. - ZAHN: How do you stop that? - MCCAIN: Americans sick and tired of being sick and tired. I will stop that. I didn't win Miss Congeniality again this year because I stand up to the special interests. I went with Feingold for campaign finance reform. And Kennedy-- he's in our thoughts and prayers. As POTUS, I can be more effective. - Q5) This election has gotten constant coverage. i've seen Obama say voting for you equals voting for a third term. And for the 3rd year in a row, GWB has shrunk the budget at National Cancer Institute. Will you continue or reverse that trend? - MCCAIN: Reverse. But we also have to establish--and I think you'll agree-- we need to support a better method of apportioning the funds by using the best minds in America--health care providers, etc.- so the money is going in most effective way to lead us to success against cancer and more. There's a competition between the advocates and addressing these important areas. Dont get me wrong- but I'd like to see more guidance from the community you've been so heavily involved in. So we can better direct our money. - ARMSTRONG: We hear that a lot on the Hill. - MCCAIN: Don't you feel like you're often competing with other legit causes? - ARMSTRONG: Yes. we hear that a lot. Heart disease, Parkinsons -- even from within - breast cancer, etc. That's the beauty of this event -- a united approach, it's one disease. I have no idea who's going to be POTUS, but if I were POTUS (MCCAIN: you could probably run)-- I heard you right, you would decrease that trend? - ZAHN: By how much? Dems in the fall said they would double or triple that budget? - MCCAIN: I can throw out-- quadruple, sextuple that! We have to figure out how we're going to pay for it. Liberals can just throw these things out. We've laid all this debt on the next generation, who are not going to receive the same SS benefits, Medicare. We need fiscal responsiblity in Congress. First thing, we're going to have to cut out pork-barrel projects. My opponent has asked for a million dollars every day he's been in Senate. - ZAHN: So some hard #s? - MCCAIN: I'd be glad to give you hard #s about the 9000 pork-barrel projects taht Obama keeps voting for. I'd be glad to give you more #s. How about 6trillion in unfunded liability for SS. 46 (47?) trillion $ in unfunded liablity for Medicare that we're laying on the next generation. It's not fair to say we're going to spend all this money that we can't pay for. I'll increase the budget for NCI, but we won't spend more. We won't spend it on bear DNA studies, on bridge to nowhere. We'll take that money and make sure it goes to the right place. - Q6) ARMSTRONG: When and if you're POTUS and you elect your cabinet--you have to decide your spending priorities within budget--to me it's easy to understand the significance of the disease when you see the toll it takes on USA lives. It costs us $250? billion (I believe) to fight this and we're spending $5B. it doesn't make economic snese. We have to look at where wer're spending money. Lung cancer is under-funded. Allocate the money were it affects us most. Do you know how much we allocated for SARS? Bird flu? Weneed to prioritize this disease adn how diseases are affecting our society. - MCCAIN: I think I agree with you. We need to prioritize. We also need to scrutinize our government branches and scrub and eliminate those that aren't doing what they're suposed to do. Beauracracies keep going regardless of whether they're doing something necessary. Look at the farm bill. Then we can take those funds and put it to the causes that are most vital. adn personally as having fought to quit smoking, I don't think we should penalize people who smoke. (The government should help) - [presentation] McCain takes questions from pre-selected audience members (on stage) - 7Q) [African-American girl] Question about local under-funded community health centers. - McCain's microphone goes out. Jokes 'this microphone brought to you by DNC - MCCAIN: These centers most useful in helping people -- We need to do a better job with education -- [stump speech] The civil rights issue of our generation is getting quality education for all Americans. -- Breast and prostate cancers are most prevalent in African Americans. -- And I think we need to expand SCHIP. - 8Q)Question about under-insured individuals - MCCAIN: health care costs are skyrocketing but I want the decisions to be placed in the hands of the families. $5k tax credit should be there to be put toward health ins. - 9Q) ZAHN FOLLOW-UP: Didn't SCHIP fail in part because of a tax on tobacco? - MCCAIN: We need to eliminate and reduce use of tobacco products. SCHIP sounds like it's for children based on the name but it's really beyond just children - it goes to other people. I dont agree with that. If you're going to have legislation, call it what it's really for. - 10 Q) LANCE ARMSTRONG: How can you inspire people to care more about cancer and health care needs? - MCCAIN: Young people listen to me. Shaq inspires young people to lose weight, and that was great. We need to get athletes and celebrities to use power to motivate people. - Lance and McCain and Paula pose for closing picture. Event ends, all walk off stage. PRESS AVAIL: - MCCAIN: I don't believe the government should run the health care system in USA. The problem isnt' quality, it's availability and affordability. - Reuters - MCCAIN, would you public ban on smoking? - MCCAIN: I would encourage anti-smoking measures. Because I'm a federalist, I think most of those decisions should be made at state and local level. States aren't using their funds to stop smoking - it's going into general revenues. - ARMSTONG: I'm not going ot say who I'll work out with. I don't want to distract from what we're doing tonihgt. * -- Sara DuBois Deputy Director of Tracking & Media Monitoring Progressive Accountability Office [email protected] 202-609-7681 (office) 410-967-7306 (cell) --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the "big campaign" group. To post to this group, send to [email protected] To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] E-mail [email protected] with questions or concerns This is a list of individuals. It is not affiliated with any group or organization. -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---