John McCain quotes

John McCain was an American politician and military officer, best known for his service as a U.S. Senator from Arizona and as the Republican nominee for President in 2008. His legacy includes decades of public service, a reputation for bipartisanship, and advocacy for national security. He stood out for his courage, resilience as a Vietnam War POW, and dedication to his country. Here are 259 of his quotes:

I didn't decide to run for president to start a national crusade for the political reforms I believed in, or to run a campaign as if it were some grand act of patriotism. In truth, I wanted to be president because it had become my ambition to be president.

John McCain

The U.S. does not involve itself in what is happening in the world's largest democracy, nor does it intend to do so.

John McCain

[I]n the words of Chairman Mao, 'It's darkest before it's totally black.'

John McCain

Maybe 100. As long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed, it's fine with me and I hope it would be fine with you if we maintain a presence in a very volatile part of the world where al-Qaeda is training, recruiting, equipping and motivating people every single day.

John McCain

I think they put some lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.

John McCain

Fear is the opportunity for courage, not proof of cowardice.

John McCain

Only a fool or a fraud talks tough or romantically about war.

John McCain

I looked into Mr. Putin's eyes, and I saw three letters, a "K," a "G," and a "B."

John McCain

I would vote for a Muslim if he or she was the best candidate able to lead the country and defend our political values.

John McCain

You know, the French remind me a little bit of an aging actress of the 1940s who is still trying to dine out on her looks but doesn't have the face for it.

John McCain

I spent five and a half years in prison. The worst part was coming home and finding out Green Acres had been cancelled. What the hell was I fighting for?

John McCain

I was concerned about a couple of steps that the Russian government took in the last several days. One was reducing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia.

John McCain

America is the greatest force for good in the history of the world.

John McCain

Anybody who believes the surge has not succeeded, militarily, politically and in most other ways, frankly, does not know the facts on the ground.

John McCain

Let me say that no one has supported President Bush on Iraq more than I have.

John McCain

The president, comparing him to a kid in the back of a classroom, I think, is very indicative of the president's lack of appreciation of who Vladimir Putin is. He's an old KGB colonel that has no illusions about our relationship, does not care about a relationship with the United States, continues to oppress his people, continues to act in an autocratic fashion.

John McCain

Neither party should be defined by pandering to the outer reaches of American politics and the agents of intolerance, whether they be Louis Farrakhan and Al Sharpton on the left, or Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell on the right.

John McCain

I'm going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated.

John McCain

I hate the gooks. I will hate them as long as I live.

John McCain

As you know, there are al-Qaeda operatives that are taken back into Iran, given training as leaders, and they're moving back into Iraq.

John McCain

I can't believe a guy that handsome wouldn't have some impact.

John McCain

You may have noticed that Senator Obama's supporters have been saying some pretty nasty things about Western Pennsylvania lately. And you know, I couldn't agree with them more.

John McCain