McCain Again Asserts Independence From Bush

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McCain Takes His Campaign to Critical Swing States

As Republican presidential candidate John McCain gears up for Election Day, his campaign focuses on targeting voters in critical swing states, such as Florida, Colorado and New Mexico.

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The June 2005 interview concluded with McCain stating that "I strongly disagree with any assertion that I've been more at odds with the president of the United States than I've been in agreement with."

A somewhat flustered-looking McCain asserted that he was "the harshest critic of the failed strategy in Iraq" and that "I've supported action to address climate change since 2000 and said we've got to do something. Sharp disagreement there."

Brokaw cited polls that showed McCain far behind Obama nationally and in battleground states. McCain dismissed them, saying he sees a greater intensity for his campaign than he's ever seen for a presidential candidate.

"I choose to trust my senses as well as polls and the enthusiasm at almost all of our campaign events is at a higher level than I've ever seen," he said.

McCain also came to the defense of his vice presidential nominee, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, calling her a "role model for millions and millions of Americans."

When Brokaw asked McCain whether the Republican National Committee made a "colossal" mistake by spending $150,000 outfitting Palin and her family, McCain retorted she had already returned a third of the clothes that made up her new wardrobe and the rest will be given to charity.

"Look, she lives a frugal life," he said. "She and her family are not wealthy."

Palin spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt elaborated on the clothing issue in a statement Sunday, saying, "A third was returned post-convention. Many of the remaining clothes have never been worn. She wears a lot of her own clothes from Alaska. Regardless, what wasn't returned will go to charity after Election Day."

McCain also defended Palin's accusation that Obama is offering socialist policies to the country.

"All I know is that Senator Obama's record is very clear," McCain said. "He started out in the left hand lane of American politics and has remained there. He has been judged the most liberal United States senator."

McCain had one cringe-worthy moment during the interview. When Brokaw mentioned former secretary of state Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama, McCain said that he had been endorsed by five former secretaries of state.

He tried to list them but could only name four.

"I'm very, very happy to know that five former secretaries of state who I admire enormously -- Henry Kissinger, Jim Baker, Larry Eagleburger, Al Haig, uh, eh, uh."

He tried once again before giving up: "Jim Baker, Henry Kissinger, Al Haig, Larry Eagleburger, and one other." A few moments later, as Brokaw moved on, it finally came to McCain.

"George Shultz. George Shultz is the other one. George, I'm sorry I left you out to start with," McCain said. "George Shultz is one of the greatest secretaries of state in history."

Staff writers Robert Barnes in Denver and Juliet Eilperin in Washington contributed to this report.