McCain Issues Warning to Russian Leadership

With Barack Obama on vacation, John McCain has the campaign trail all to himself. And he didn't even wait for the Monday rush hour to end before coming out to slam Russia for its actions in Georgia. You can decide if his opener was a swipe at his opponent's visit to sunny Hawaii:

Americans wishing to spend August vacationing with their families or watching the Olympics may wonder why their newspapers and television screens are filled with images of war in the small country of Georgia.

Speaking to reporters at a hotel in Erie, Pa., McCain called for the UN and NATO to swing into diplomatic gear to try and end the conflict, and he warned Russia's leaders that they must "understand the severe, long-term negative consequences that their government's actions will have for Russia's relationship with the U.S. and Europe."

As for questions from reporters - well, McCain isn't taking them often anymore. And when he finished his statement, the more disclplined McCain refused to play ball when a reporter asked about any necessary military preparedness if the Russian-Georgian violence continues.

"This is the total of my recommendations for right now," McCain said, before walking away.

-- David Greene

10:42 AM ET | 08-11-2008 | permalink

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