Hotline After Dark -- Back To The Future

Barack Obama and John McCain continued to make the TV rounds last night.

ABC's Wright spoke with McCain.

Wright, on McCain saying Obama would rather lose a war to win a political campaign: "That's pretty strong language. Do you really think he's that craven?"

McCain: "I think that it's very clear that Senator Obama has refused to recognize that the strategy in Iraq called the surge has succeeded. ... I do not believe that any objective observer can conclude that the surge did not work. And he should know better if he wants to be commander in chief, and certainly behave differently, as far as our presence and our strategy in Iraq."

Wright: "Shouldn't this debate really be about the future and where we go from here?"

McCain: "Oh, you're exactly right. It's all about the future. And the future, in my view, we have succeeded. But it's still fragile. But the point is that we are responsible for our records. I was right. Senator Obama was wrong. So, therefore, I think that I have more credibility on what the future should be as opposed to Senator Obama."

More after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Wright: "You've been touring here in the States, had the domestic stage all to yourself. And yet, we're talking an awful lot about foreign policy. It seems like the narrative of this campaign is being driven by whatever Senator Obama does and that you're left to kind of react to that."

McCain: "It may seem like that to you. It doesn't seem like that to me. We're getting very good crowds. We're doing well in the polls. So, I'm very happy with where we are" ("World News," 7/23).

McCain also caught up with FNC's Hannity.

McCain, asked if the reports that he is close to choosing a VP are true: "We have said exactly the same thing all along, as you know, that we'll make the decision when we make it. The obvious impact of mentioning somebody's name or where we are would cause a flurry of speculation."

McCain, asked if he has made a final decision: "No."

McCain, asked what he looking for in a VP: "Someone who shares your priorities, your principles, your values, and I've got to also say, priorities. One of the toughest decisions a president makes is setting priorities. ... And one of them, of course, is someone who can take your place immediately. That's maybe viewed by some as even more important in my case" ("Hannity & Colmes," 7/23).

Meanwhile, ABC's Gibson sat down with Obama in Israel.

Gibson: "Do you sense that there's a considerable portion of Israelis and even American Jewry who are very reserved and even distrusting of your commitment to Israel?"

Obama: "People understandably want to lift the hood and kick the tires. And that takes some time. Those who know my track record have absolutely no doubt about my unwavering support for Israel and its security."

Gibson, on Obama saying Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel and it must remain undivided: "To Palestinians, that is flatout unacceptable. When you said that, did you not realize the significance that that has for so many people in this region?"

Obama: "Well, look, number one, the fact is that Jerusalem is Israel's capital. So, I was simply stating a fact. ... The issue of it being undivided, I have said and I said immediately after the speech, that that word was poorly chosen. That what I was referring to is making sure that we're not setting up barbed wire across Israel."

Gibson: "Rookie mistake?"

Obama: "I wouldn't say rookie mistake. I think that veterans make mistakes, as well."

Obama, asked what he envisions is the capital of Palestine: "I'm going to let the parties sort that out. And I don't think that it's the United States' job to make that decision."

Obama, on Iran: "If Iran gets a nuclear weapon, it triggers a potential arms race, a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, that is not only life-threatening to Israel but it is a profound, a game-changing shift when it comes to our national security. We have to do everything we can to prevent it."

Gibson: "What if Israel decides in the name of its own security, that it needs to make strikes on Iran?"

Obama: "Well, it is not my job, certainly, as a candidate for president, to tell the Israelis what their defense posture should be. I have said that I would not take military options off the table, when it comes to Iran, in dealing with their nuclear capacity. Beyond that, I think that we have to make sure that we are doing everything we can to avoid having to make that choice" ("World News," 7/23).