OXFORD, Miss. – The war on terrorism was the focus of an
address by U.S. Sen. John McCain Friday afternoon at the
University of Mississippi’s Ford Center for Performing
Arts.
Winning the war on terrorism requires America to
reach two specific goals, McCain said. First,
ensure a stable Iraq, and more importantly,
diminish the ideological divide separating Muslim
extremists from true Islamic believers.
“This is a titanic struggle,” McCain told the
standing room-only crowd. “We have to change the
minds and hearts of the extremists, and prove to
them that democracy can bring hope and
opportunities.”
McCain, the senior senator from Arizona, admitted
mistakes have been made in the war in Iraq, but he
added that mistakes are always made in times of
battle. He said America is making progress in the
war, despite the daily setbacks.
“We didn’t choose this battle,” McCain said. “The
terrorists chose us on 9/11.”
In regard to withdrawing American forces from Iraq,
McCain said setting a timeline for removal would
only allow the insurgents to sit back and wait. “If
we fail in Iraq, the consequences will be
catastrophic,” said McCain. “We can’t leave until
the Iraqis can govern for themselves.”
Visiting UM’s Oxford campus for the first time,
McCain spoke as part of the inaugural Trent Lott
Leadership Institute Lecture Series. As he walked
onto the stage to make his address, he received a
roaring standing ovation from the audience, which
included some 40 UM Naval ROTC cadets.
“Today, we celebrate leadership here at Ole Miss,”
said Chancellor Robert Khayat. “This is a wonderful
opportunity for our students to be able to have
dialogue with one of the world’s most distinguished
leaders.”
Before his main address, McCain was joined by Sen.
Lott in the Ford Center’s rehearsal hall, where he
addressed some 50 students from the Sally McDonnell
Barksdale Honors College.
“Social Security reform has failed because
politicians won’t work together,” McCain told the
students. “Unless we work together for reform, you
won’t be able to receive Social Security benefits
when you become eligible for retirement.”
He also discussed rebuilding the Mississippi Gulf
Coast devastated by Hurricane Katrina. McCain said
Lott and Sen. Thad Cochran are working diligently
with Gov. Haley Barbour to provide the funds for
that restoration.
“This issue is fading from public consciousness,”
McCain said. “We must raise it back up.”
Lott, whose Pascagoula home was destroyed by the
hurricane, said it will require patience, time and
tenacity to rebuild. “When we look back five years
from now, south Mississippi will be better than it
ever was before,” Lott said. “I want Mississippi to
rise up from Katrina.”
A former Vietnam POW, McCain graduated from the
Naval Academy in 1958 and began his career as a
Naval aviator. In 1982, he was elected to Congress
representing what was then the first congressional
district of Arizona. In 1986, he was elected to the
U.S. Senate to take the seat held by Barry
Goldwater.
In 2000, McCain ran unsuccessfully for the
Republican nomination for president. He chairs the
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and serves on
the Armed Services, and Commerce, Science and
Transportation committees.