Nov 12, 2007

Techcrunch blogger Michael Arrington is interviewing presidential candidates to get their views on tech-related issues. We wrote about his first interview, with Republican candidate Mitt Romney, and today he released a transcript and podcast of his chat with Arizona Senator John McCain.

Sen. McCain, who's spoken at a number of industry conferences since he started campaigning, seems to be doing his best to court the techie vote, and Arrington admits to being a fan.

Here's a summary of other talking points from the interview:

• On advancing tech's growth in international markets: "One thing I would do is make sure we have free trade agreements, so that every market in the world is open to our products and our innovation, in which we lead the world. Obviously, education reform has to be a part of any agenda so we have a trained and capable workforce."
• On Congress' recent vote to extend the Internet tax moratorium: "I have always supported, and, in fact, have taken the lead on making the ban permanent...at least getting seven years was better than the last time when we only got four years."
• On Yahoo! turning over information to the Chinese government: "Well, obviously, it was an unacceptable act. And then apparently they tried to cover it up some time ago. Yahoo is a great, great corporation. They have contributed so much. And it's embarrassing, and it's frustrating."
• On American companies, in general, doing business in China: "My message to people in Silicon Valley, in high-tech, and people who do business in China, is you'd better not accede to assisting that government in maintaining and oppressive and repressive society. It doesn't pay dividends in the long run. It harms the image of American corporations...I'm not prepared to quote punish these corporations yet, but I think they ought to know exactly what public reaction will be if they engage in those activities that cause abuses of human rights."
• On net neutrality: "In general, I think we need to move to a different model for thinking about the FCC. I think it should focus on policing clearly anti-competitive behavior and consumer predators. But, frankly, until some foul has been committed, I don't think it should be interfering in the market, and probably shouldn't be trying to micromanage American business and innovation."
• On the government's role in preventing identity theft and protecting online privacy: "I think the best solution is continued consumer education and business innovation to try come up with further safeguards."
• On H-1B visas to allow more foreign born workers into the U.S.: "I want H-1B visas. I want highly skilled workers. I want all those things. But, the American people are saying, in the messages, secure our borders, because they have no trust or confidence in government."

As he did with Mitt Romney, Arrington also asked Sen. McCain if has an iPod (he does), and whether or not he uses a Mac or PC. McCain's response was to laugh and say: "I am illiterate."

You can read the entire transcript, and listen to the podcast, on TechCrunch.

Tags: 2008 Elections, John McCain, Republicans