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CNN Live Event/Special

Senator McCain Holds Media Availability

Aired April 11, 2004 - 09:49   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: We turn now to Senator McCain speaking in Washington. Let's listen in.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I hope we can take actions to prevent it from happening again. The reason why Senator Lieberman and I supported this legislation, so we can find out who is responsible. So far, no one has been held responsible.

QUESTION: Do you think there's a need for increased troops in Iraq now?

MCCAIN: I was there in last August and have said since then that we needed more troops, we need them very badly. We may be paying a price for not having had more troops there, and I feel sorry for these young men and women having to remain there, but they know their job and I'm sure they'll do it well.

QUESTION: Do you see any indication that president or Mr. Rumsfeld will send more troops there?

MCCAIN: We are keeping troops that were supposed to rotate home, and I hope that they will understand we need more troops there for a long time.

QUESTION: And do you feel any concern for the fact that this Iraqi battalion didn't want to fight their fellow citizens?

MCCAIN: It's a matter of concern, but at the same time they've got to be sure they're on the winning side. And it means we have a tougher job ahead of us. We must win. We have to win, and we will win.

And I'm getting wet.

QUESTION: Thank you very much.

MCCAIN: Thanks.

HILL: Senator John McCain speaking there, making the rounds for our Sunday stakeout.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired April 11, 2004 - 09:49   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: We turn now to Senator McCain speaking in Washington. Let's listen in.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I hope we can take actions to prevent it from happening again. The reason why Senator Lieberman and I supported this legislation, so we can find out who is responsible. So far, no one has been held responsible.

QUESTION: Do you think there's a need for increased troops in Iraq now?

MCCAIN: I was there in last August and have said since then that we needed more troops, we need them very badly. We may be paying a price for not having had more troops there, and I feel sorry for these young men and women having to remain there, but they know their job and I'm sure they'll do it well.

QUESTION: Do you see any indication that president or Mr. Rumsfeld will send more troops there?

MCCAIN: We are keeping troops that were supposed to rotate home, and I hope that they will understand we need more troops there for a long time.

QUESTION: And do you feel any concern for the fact that this Iraqi battalion didn't want to fight their fellow citizens?

MCCAIN: It's a matter of concern, but at the same time they've got to be sure they're on the winning side. And it means we have a tougher job ahead of us. We must win. We have to win, and we will win.

And I'm getting wet.

QUESTION: Thank you very much.

MCCAIN: Thanks.

HILL: Senator John McCain speaking there, making the rounds for our Sunday stakeout.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com