John McCain: Republican Debates Are 'Damaging' To GOP Candidates

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is not a fan of the extensive number of GOP debates that have shaped the race for the Republican presidential nomination to date.

He expressed serious concerns on Capitol Hill Tuesday, claiming the debates have taken on an "inordinate influence" that was absent in 2008. "I think it's very harmful to Republicans, because instead of the candidates presenting their views and their policies and their proposals, it's all gotcha," he said, according to USA Today. "And disapproval ratings go up when they spend an hour or two insulting each other. So I think it's very damaging."

There have been 18 debates so far, with the next one airing on CNN on Thursday, just 48 hours after the preceding debate, shown on NBC.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was reportedly considering skipping NBC's Florida debate but decided against it. One of his strategists, Stuart Stevens, complained that there had been too many of them. "We have to bring some order to it," he said. "It's kind of like a cruise that's gone on too long."

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, on the other hand, seems to be reveling in the opportunity to showcase his strong debate skills. "There is never enough debates," said Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond, who questioned why any candidate would not want to partake. "You'd have to question how well they'd do on a debate stage with President Obama," he said.

It's undeniable that the debates have shaped the race, for better or worse. Texas Gov. Rick Perry's "Oops" moment in November's CNBC debate -- which came after a number of unflattering televised moments -- is credited by some with killing his chances for the presidential nod.

Gingrich's strong debate performance ahead of the South Carolina primary likely played a role in his decisive victory. Two-thirds of primary voters said the GOP debates played an important factor in their decision, according to CBC News exit polls.

McCain, who endorsed Romney, his former rival in the 2008 presidential race, in early January, is planning on stumping for him in Florida ahead of the Jan. 31 primary.

His advice to Romney for the next debate? "He's got to stay on offense, he can't play defense," he said. But it's unclear is whether McCain will be watching. "I have a tendency to nod off," he joked.

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Comments

[fgrammit]

06:45 PM on 01/29/2012

far as i have been able to tell from listening to these so called debates , the Candidates are doing the damage to themselves. bickering and name calling are not what we should be looking for in a potus.

[rudyg43]

07:34 PM on 01/26/2012

I used to say these debates were a waste of time, but I have changed my mind. Even though these generic candidates all say the same thing and constantly call out Reagan's name, they still call out president Obama repeatedly. That is free advertisement. It's also great comparison, especially since there have been upticks in the economy even with the party of "NO" lack of cooperation.

[slots23]

11:01 PM on 01/25/2012

Mr. McCain.... The only thing I can say to Mitt Romney is..... "Run Run Run... as far away from John McCain as you can if you want any chance of winning this." Remember....John, you gave us Sarah Palin. And we got to see yours and Sarah's map for taking back the country.
The outcome was a lot of heartache and tears in your state.
And we noticed, Mr. McCain that you are doing a lot of nodding off!
My other question to you Mr. McCain, did you say goodbye to Gabby Giffords today or send her a card..... Did your good buddy Sarah offer to pay for any of her medical expenses or for any of the other targets?? Oh that's right, there's no guilt on either your's or Sarah's part.
That's one of the marvelous things about being a Republican..... short term memory!!

[mrmoonlite5]

03:01 PM on 01/26/2012

im sure john didint do that on purpus hes old memory goes as you get old

[USAGramma]

07:17 PM on 01/25/2012

I for one welcome all these debates. In my opinion, these guys are making Obama's re-election campaign easier, if only in the sense of it will boil down to him or one of these republicans. Obama 2012!

[myrevolution]

03:59 PM on 01/25/2012

When everyone is done patting themselves on the back i'd like to point out we have over a 1.5 trillion dollar deficit every year and over 15 trillion national debt, now more than our GDP. This is not sustainable and we have to make the cuts necessary, raising taxes does not help our economy. Our spending is out of control and it will end whether we want it to or not, lets just try to end it on our own terms. China, Russia and Japan have all already agrees to stop buying oil with American dollars and I will assume many more countries will sign on. The only strong export we have is the dollar and when we're not the reserve currency any longer we will be a third world nation. Ron Paul 2012!

[fgrammit]

06:48 PM on 01/29/2012

the strongest EXPORT WE HAVE IN THIS CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE IS JOBS.

[myrevolution]

03:41 PM on 01/25/2012

I am an American whose family came here right after Castro took control and he really has ruined Cuba and he is a horrible dictator but if Sanatorum thinks that jihadists are camping out and that catholic Cubans are helping them well he is beyond out of touch, same with Gingrich. Ron Paul 2012!

[PublicCitizen21044]

02:10 PM on 01/25/2012

The sunlight rule does not work in the GOP's favor because they spout so much negativity and inspire people to jump of cliffs to support their brand of madness posing as religious social constitutional political correctness where everyone must think and act and do as they see fit. As if people are supposed to live as if they are in a dictatorship where the Czar or King has domain over his subjects or off with their heads if they defy him(never her for it is all Patriarchal or male dominate systems of governance).

[Djay0252]

11:03 AM on 01/25/2012

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is not a fan of the extensive number of GOP debates that have shaped the race for the Republican presidential nomination to date. McCain is blaming all of this on the debates...try looking at the candidates themselves Sen McCain......they are completely unqualified and not able to lead our country.

[PublicCitizen21044]

02:13 PM on 01/25/2012

But the problem is that the debates expose that and that is why they are bad for the GOP candidates as they are slowly exposing themselves to be shameless sycophants for the rich or desire to further their own corporate interest or personal interest.

[MDCA]

10:15 AM on 01/25/2012

His tendency to nod off is not a joke, but a fact of life for a 70+ year old man. It is just that in Arizona they must be so short of talent that they have to keep sending old John back to DC.

[PublicCitizen21044]

02:17 PM on 01/25/2012

Or the retirement population is large enough to keep him in office well beyond his time for he needs to retire as he is annoyingly vocal in support of fighting wars we cannot win and should not risk young men and women's lives fighting and for that same reason he leads one to wonder how much stock does he have in G.E.,Haliburton,Raytheon,etc.(war profiteer?????).

[quicks9]

08:30 AM on 01/25/2012

for me the debates has been a dog and pony show. what can you do to help jobs, wasteful spending, kids that cannot read or write ,unemployment higher than the number that the white house post says, damning each other does no good to 300 million people with 4.00 gas and 4.00 milk and 2.75 bread.

[fgrammit]

06:51 PM on 01/29/2012

YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!

[94613]

03:11 AM on 01/25/2012

Where's his Oxygen Mask ? Mr. S&L bribery lootmeister and Political Patronage Meistersinger chimes the bell for ethics, integrity and decency in debates. Please Retire-JonBoy.......

[l78lancer]

11:29 PM on 01/24/2012

McCain's insight is astute and accurate. But the super PACs play a roll here, too. Because they now have the capacity to impact campaigning with unlimited money they are capable of placing items front and center on the discussion agenda. Therefore, debates have been essential for righting the ship when the ads have destabilized or disrupted the message, or drive home a point when the ad supports the cantidate's message. Essentially the high number of debates and ads super PAC advertising forces the cantidates to fight hard battles and use lots of ammo, thus weakening them in preparation for the real war.

So the influence and misuse of the debates and the profound funding from super PACs are helping to diminish and weaken the republican field through over exposure, not help it.

McCain is right.

[PublicCitizen21044]

02:20 PM on 01/25/2012

So the logic is that if people get to know these candidates they will not vote for them?

[l78lancer]

02:24 PM on 01/25/2012

Absolutely. The whole deal is like buying a car from a used car dealer. Talk fast, avoid questions and close the deal. Let the buyer live with the defects.

[Zippy1169]

11:16 PM on 01/24/2012

I think the debates are showing their true character. Other than Paul it's not very flattering. Wish Huntsman were back.

[Redunzl]

11:47 PM on 01/24/2012

Poor Jon, he never did get a chance to get behind the wheel of the clown car.

[Zippy1169]

10:10 AM on 01/25/2012

haha. The circus is in town where I live so I like the reference.

[Djay0252]

11:08 AM on 01/25/2012

McCain needs to chill...sit down and listen to Frank Zappa.

[cameron d]

11:10 PM on 01/24/2012

I say that if you decide and announce in early 2011 that you're going to run for President that you be forced to do even more debates. It's not the debates that are damaging to the political system, it's the fact that people are effectively campaigning for 3 years.

If you want to announce that early then face the consequences.

[BetweentheLines]

10:31 PM on 01/24/2012

It’s not gotcha John, it’s just more and more exposure of what the GOPs clown car is filled with! The more exposure the bigger the fool!

[l78lancer]

11:30 PM on 01/24/2012

LOL! That's a very succint way to put it.