Straight-talking McCain vows to fix world's view of the 'ugly American'

[T_i_B]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/18/wus18.xml

John McCain, formerly the leading Republican presidential contender, has told The Sunday Telegraph that restoring America's sullied reputation abroad will be "a top priority" if he wins the White House. The Arizona senator, an Iraq war hawk, was talking aboard the revived Straight Talk Express - the vehicle that made his name during the 2000 presidential election and that he hopes will revive his faltering fortunes this time round.

Of America's poor image abroad, even with long-time allies, Sen McCain acknowledged candidly: "It is a very dispiriting situation and I know we will have to work hard to improve it."

In a sign that he wants to distance himself from the president - to whom he lost in an ugly campaign in 2000 - Sen McCain outlined a series of measures to roll back Bush policies and counter the "ugly American" image. "I would immediately close Guantanamo Bay, move all the prisoners to Fort Leavenworth (an army base in Kansas) and truly expedite the judicial proceedings in their cases," he said. "I would reaffirm my commitment to address the issue of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. I know how important this is in Europe in particular."

John Weaver, Sen McCain's chief strategist, confirmed his plans for a markedly more conciliatory foreign policy. "The next president will have to work extra hard to unite our friends and divide our foes. Sadly the opposite has occurred in recent years," he said, as Sen McCain addressed a crowded hall in the farming community of Cedar Falls. "John believes that you can accomplish a lot more in this world by sticking to your principles, while adopting a much more humble tone with your partners."

[BayCityProgressive]

1. How would he do that?

he is even more of a heartless social cutting, war mongering beast than Bu$h! McCain is sickening!

[globalvillage]

2. This isn't a parody?

McCain IS the ugly American. And he's flip flopping again on his pal GW? Sheesh. He's making me dizzy.

[CurtEastPoint]

3. Isn't that KAREN HUGHES's job?

What are we paying to cow for?

[BushOut06]

4. So, I'm guessing he's planning on not travelling abroad?

If ever there was a walking definition of an "ugly American"...

[ixion]

5. yeah, good luck with that...

:eyes:

[billybob537]

6. The Ugly american is so 1970

Now it's the EVIL LYING MURDERER WAR OF AGGRESSION PROFITEER AMERICAN.

[merh]

7. To read that a republican admits the "Ugly American" image

is actually quite surprising. Most on the right deny the image and say that it is just moonbats trying to sully the image of * -- only an image perceived by moonbats that hate amerika.

McCain cannot clean up the image as he is part of the problem, he is as twisted as *. IMHO, he is worse than *, he could have made a difference early on had he opposed the war and torture as he should have, vigorously and constantly. He doesn't know what his principles are, so he would have trouble sticking to them.

[mtnsnake]

8. Pruneface is the LAST person who should do this. He is the poster boy for ugly. nt

[Ian David]

9. The bombing will continue until you love us again. n/t

[Vickers]

10. These idiots think it's all just a PR problem.

The sheer vastness of their delusion is breathtaking.

[TwilightGardener]

11. Gee. what's uglier than pressing for an escalation of a war that is

the NO. 1 reason why people hate us? He's clueless. Yeah, keep it up in Iraq, but shut down Gitmo--that'll turn it around!