'Hardball College Tour:' John McCain

MATTHEWS:  We’re back at Villanova University outside Philadelphia, a week before the Pennsylvania primary on the Democratic side.  We have here with me—the man who’s called the presumptive—I love that phrase—the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party, a man who’s a flip of the coin away from running this country.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:  (INAUDIBLE)

(LAUGHTER)

MATTHEWS:  This is—we got...

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERS)

I think we have the Cro Magnon men over here.  Here we go. 

Your question, sir?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:  Good afternoon, Senator McCain, Mr. Matthews.  My name is Matthew Brady (ph).  Senator McCain, the day following Barack Obama’s speech on racism at the National Constitution Center, he remarked on comments he made during his speech about his racist grandmother, referring to her as a “typical white person.”  Would you characterize yourself, as Barack Obama would phrase, as a typical white person?

(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)

MCCAIN:  May I say first that I thought that Senator Obama’s speech was an excellent speech and I think it was well presented.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERS)

I think it was an important statement that he had to make at the time, and I think it was—I think it was good for all of America to have heard it.  I can’t comment directly as to how I portray myself, except to say that I hope that all of us learn over the years the need and the importance of treating everyone in this nation only and solely on the attributes they have and their ability to follow their ambitions and their hopes and dreams as far as they’ll take them.

And I think that this campaign has contributed to that debate and that progress, and so I applaud him for the statement he made, the differences that will take place and that will be discussed between myself and Senator Obama, if he’s the nominee, or Senator Clinton, if she’s the nominee and would be the first woman nominee in history, as you know, of a major party, then that will be on our vision for America, our values, our beliefs and our views of the role of government in America.

But I do believe that I will present a vision of optimism and strength and the profound belief and conviction that America’s best days lie ahead of us.  So I’m sorry if I basically ducked the question, but...

(LAUGHTER)

... but I want to say that I think Americans, all Americans, want a respectful campaign.  They want that and they want (INAUDIBLE)

(APPLAUSE)

Video   Students ask McCain questions April 15: Students from Villanova ask John McCain questions,  like whether he views himself as a “typical white person” and if he, like Sen. Clinton would like to throw back a shot of whisky. Hardball

MATTHEWS:  Next question.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:  Hi, Senator McCain.  My name is Peter Doocey (ph).  I’m a junior here.  And I’m sure that you saw your—one of your Democratic opponents, Hillary Clinton, recently drinking whiskey shots with some potential voters.  Now, I was wondering if you think that she’s finally resorted to hitting the sauce just because of some unfavorable polling.  And I was also wondering if you would care to join me for a shot after this.

(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)

MCCAIN:  I did not see the clip of it, but I certainly heard about it. 

And whatever makes Senator Clinton happy is...

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERS)

... is certainly—certainly what she—the...

(LAUGHTER)

You know, I’ve had two of the best questions, or the toughest questions that I have ever had...

MATTHEWS:  Aren’t they great?

(LAUGHTER)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) 

MCCAIN:  ... in the last two questions. 

I think it’s important for all of us to show that we understand Americans and appreciate them.  I happen to be a big sports fan.  What I would like to do is take everybody and join everybody that can to me as the Suns defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs coming up. 

(LAUGHTER)

That’s what I—oh, I see we have...

MATTHEWS:  Well...

(LAUGHTER)

MCCAIN:  No, I—I think it’s important for us to keep on the things that we enjoy. 

I enjoy hiking and fishing and swimming and the beauty of Arizona.  And I also enjoy sports a great deal, including some of the teams that are right here at Villanova.  But I also want to say...

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) 

MCCAIN:  ... that...

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) 

And I’m rambling a little.  But as a mediocre high school athlete, there’s nobody I admire more than great athletes. 

MATTHEWS:  You know, I’m so proud of Villanova, because we came here hoping for the best.  And we got two of the most wiseass questions in the world.

(LAUGHTER)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) 

I think it’s just a tribute to the academic rigor of this school.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) 

We will be right back with more from Villanova. 

I’m so proud of this place. 

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) 

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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