Senator John McCain Appears on Jay Leno
Former Republican Presidential Candidate a Gentleman and Patriot
Nov 11, 2008
Senator John McCain appeared on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Show on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2008. The former Republican President Candidate was in good humor, made jokes and proved himself to be a gracious gentleman in his appearance, just one week after the historic presidential election of Barack Obama.
The Veteran's Day Show was an appropriate show for the war hero and Vietnam Veteran to appear on. Audience members cheered enthusiastically at the appearance of the senator and Vietnam war veteran.
Senator McCain joked jovially with Leno and skillfully deflected questions about any regrets he had about the campaign and things that might have gone differently. He avoided saying anything bad about anyone and was very complimentary about his running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Senator Joe Lieberman and his opponent Barack Obama.
The senator defined good sportsmanship and team spirit as he refused to get into critism of the press or how circumstances could have been different.
Leno asked if he had any thoughts on why McCain lost the election, but McCain deflected the question when he stated that he would always remember the wonderful people he met and the places he visited and that it was an honor to have been the candidate for the Office of President of the United States of America.
McCain Complimentary About Sarah Palin
McCain said he was proud of her and her wonderful family on the campaign trail with him. People on the campaign trail found her to be exciting and inspiring politician who would go back to being a great Governor of Alaska and that she still has a great future in politics.
Leno Asks About Issues
Leno asked about issues that affected the campaign, such as the War in Iraq and if the outcome would have been different if that had not been a factor.
McCain made a statement that he avoided getting into the might have beens, and that it may sound repetitious but that he was honored to have run.
When Leno asked about the liberal media coverage by the press, McCain replied, "We are big guys and we are supposed to be able to take this kind of stuff," McCain followed up by saying that he gets to go back into the Senate.
Leno asked if he would run again in four years. McCain laughed and shook his head,. He said that another generation of leaders will be coming along for the next election.
A Statement for the Military on Veterans Day
Leno asked McCain to say a few words about Veteran's Day and McCain replied by relating a story about his days as a prisoner of ar in Vietnam. A fellow prisoner, by the name of Mike Christian, fashioned an American Flag, sewing with a needle he formed out of bamboo. He wore his flag on the inside of his T-shirt, so it was hidden from the Viet Cong. Every night, when they were put back in their cell, Mike would take off his shirt, hang the flag on the wall and the prisoners would say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. It was an important part of their day.
One day the Viet Cong found the flag and beat Mike Christian severely for a couple of hours.
Later that night, while McCain was laying on the concrete floor, he looked up and saw Mike, with his eye swollen nearly shut, sewing another flag. He did it not for himself, not for the other guys, but for the country. He said he would never forget Mike Christian.
This touching story was greeted by cheers from the military and audience members.
In his appearance on the Jay Leno Show, John McCain proved himself to be a good sport, a gracious gentleman and a patriot.
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