Six-term Senator John McCain, a Republican from Arizona, spoke in 2013 with New Republic magazine and spent time criticizing his party, while also finding time to say that President Barack Obama had grown during his first term in office.
McCain has fluctuated in the past between being considered a maverick for challenging the status quo among Republicans and serving as a one-time proponent of a fence along the Mexican border. In the interview, he also took time to note the inconsistent reporting taking place on the Fox News Channel.
One example McCain offered was how a portion of the channel’s news is what is perceived to be straight reporting. Meanwhile, opinion-based shows have tended to bring on guests making claims that aren’t accurate on subjects like illegal immigration.
Commenting on the job of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, McCain stated that she had done a fine job, a severe contrast from many other Republicans’ opinion.
Asked about mistakes that Obama had made in office, McCain indicated that emphasizing the passage of the Affordable Care Act should have been secondary to addressing the now $19 trillion debt.
At the time of the interview, the issue of gay marriage had yet to be decided by the Supreme Court, but McCain remained steadfast in opposing it, in contrast to the opinions of both his wife and daughter.
Finally, McCain had no regrets about choosing Sarah Palin as a vice presidential candidate in 2008, but yet derided the Tea Party, which Palin supports.