McCain Takes Swipe at GOP on Blago Scandal

Dec. 14, 2008 -- Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., took on his own party this morning for continuing to criticize the way President-elect Barack Obama has handled the scandal surrounding Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

"In all due respect to the Republican National Committee... I think we should try to be working constructively together, not only on an issue such as this, but on the economy stimulus package, reforms that are necessary," McCain said in an exclusive "This Week" interview with George Stephanopoulos.

RNC Chairman Mike Duncan has released a statement every day since news broke of the Blagojevich corruption investigation calling on the Obama team to reveal all contact that they've had with the governor.

However, McCain also called on the Obama transition team to publicly release all information relating to Blagojevich.

"I think that the Obama campaign should and will give all information necessary... I don't know all the details of the relationship between President-elect Obama's campaign or his people and the governor of Illinois, but I have some confidence that all the information will come out. It always does, it seems to me," he said.

McCain argued that the disgraced governor should resign.

"He should," he said. "You know, there's a lot of corruption amongst Republicans and Democrats, and this kind of thing doesn't help in these kinds of difficult economic times. So I would hope that he would resign, but we also ought to look at systems that breed this kind of corruption, and unfortunately, it isn't confined to one city or one state."

In his first Sunday interview since the election, McCain explained his role in the Republican Party going forward.

"I think my job is, of course, to be a part of and hopefully exert some leadership in the loyal opposition... Will there be areas of disagreement? Of course. We are different parties and different philosophy. But the nation wants us to unite and work together."

When asked where he foresees coordinating with his former rival, McCain suggested he is willing to sign onto a stimulus plan in January.

"I'm willing to sign on to a package that will help our economy get fixed," he said. On Obama's proposed economic recovery plan, McCain explained, "I want to see the details of it... We also have to enact some fundamental reforms about the way we do business."