Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) shooed a man from a town hall in Phoeniz, Ariz., Tuesday after he repeatedly yelled at the senator about American aid to rebel forces in Syria.
The man accused the U.S. of giving weapons to al-Qaeda-affiliated groups in Syria.
McCain repeatedly asked the man if he was finished speaking so that McCain could respond, and then McCain contested that the U.S. has barely donated weapons to rebel groups.
“I’ve been to Syria,” McCain said. “Americans have not supplied many weapons at all.”
When the constituent continued to loudly lecture McCain about terrorists in Syria, McCain told the man he was “rude” and shooed the him out of the town hall with a wave of his arm.
McCain tells guy in shorts (standing) that he is as rude as anyone who has come to a town-hall session: pic.twitter.com/5ekyZQbRez
— Dan Nowicki (@dannowicki) October 22, 2013
McCain town hall discussion turns to #Syria and quickly gets overheated. Angry guy in crowd leaves in advance of getting escorted out.
— Dan Nowicki (@dannowicki) October 22, 2013
McCain later defended his conservative record when questioned by a woman in the audience about the shutdown and the health care law. McCain said he opposed the health care law from the beginning, but knew the defund effort would not work.
“I, who fought when they weren’t even in the Senate … know when a mission can succeed,” McCain said. “I’m an old military guy.”
McCain then asserted that he is a Reagan Republican.
“I am for lower taxes, less regulation, freedom of enterprise,” McCain said. “I believe that I am a Reagan Republican.”
