Posted by Monique Garcia at 5:50 p.m.
Former Republican presidential nominee John McCain visited Chicago today, where he attended a closed-door fundraiser in support of Congressman Mark Kirk’s bid for the Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama.
McCain said he’s supporting Kirk not only because of his record in Washington, but because of Kirk’s experience as a Naval Reserve intelligence officer.
“I understand that the key issue in Illinois and Arizona is jobs and jobs and jobs and the economy,” said the Arizona senator. “But we are in two wars, and Mark Kirk brings a degree of knowledge and background on military and national security that is badly needed in the leadership of this country.”
McCain would not speculate on the outcome of Kirk’s race against Democrat Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, but he cautioned Illinois Republicans against assuming GOP victories in other Democratic stronghold states would mean an easy win for the ticket here.
“People all over this country are angry, they’re upset, they’re frustrated,” McCain said. “So, obviously the Scott Brown election in Massachusetts invigorated all of us, but we Republicans, including … Kirk, including me as I run for re-election, have to convince the American people we’re worthy of their support. We haven’t closed the deal yet.”
McCain also defended former running mate Sarah Palin over criticism for writing notes on her hand at a recent appearance, while also taking a jab at Obama in the process.
“I was of course entertained by the attacks that the media and the liberal media and the liberals in this country make on her,” McCain said. “Which is more egregious? Reading from a word on your hand or a teleprompter? I mean, I continue to be entertained now by the continuous hysterical attacks on Sarah Palin who is very, very popular with a significant segment of the American people.”
McCain added that he would “absolutely” choose Palin as a running mate again, though he noted he’s moved on from the 2008 election.
“I’ve put it behind me, I really have,” McCain said. “It’s not a good intellectual exercise to think of what might have been. But thanks for reminding me.”
He also thanked the Chicago Cubs for keeping their spring training facility in his home state, and invited Chicagoans to take a trip west this spring.
“I want to say again to the citizens of Chicago, please come and join us this spring,” McCain said. “ We need the money.”