'This Week' Transcript: Sen. John McCain

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2011 — -- (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AMANPOUR (voice-over): This week, are Republicans turning into doves with their calls to end the war in Afghanistan?

ROMNEY: Our troops shouldn't go off and try and find a war of independence for another nation.

AMANPOUR: ... and stop U.S. military action over Libya?

BACHMANN: We were not attacked. We were not threatened with attack. There was no vital national interest.

AMANPOUR: This morning, the last Republican nominee gives a stern warning that his party is headed in the wrong direction.

MCCAIN: I do want to send a message, and that is that we cannot move into an isolationist party.

AMANPOUR: Then, after the Republican debate, Romney breaks out, Bachmann shines, and Pawlenty stumbles. We'll size up the field on our roundtable.

And "Good Morning America's" Robin Roberts joins us with an exclusive interview, President Obama on Father's Day.

OBAMA: I have this huge advantage. I live over the store. At 6:30, no matter how busy I am, for an hour to an hour-and-a-half, my only focus is them.

ANNOUNCER: Live from the Newseum in Washington, "This Week" with Christiane Amanpour starts right now.

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AMANPOUR: Welcome to the program, and happy Father's Day.

Senator John McCain will join us in just a moment, but first, some news since your morning papers.

In Japan, a new phase in the struggle to contain radiation at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant. Workers will briefly open the main door to install a cooling system to avert another explosion. It's been more than three months since the reactor was swamped by that devastating tsunami.

Here in the United States, tens of thousands of people in the South are without power today after heavy storms battered the region. Heavy winds, pounding rain, and lightning hit Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina.

And Bruce Springsteen fans the world over are gathering today to mourn the death of the boss's longtime band member, Clarence Clemons. The saxophonist died last night after suffering a stroke early in the week.

Today also marks a milestone in America's war against Libya. It is now 90 days since the United States launched air strikes against Moammar Gadhafi. President Obama authorized that military intervention without congressional approval, but under the War Powers Act, he must get official Capitol Hill sign-off after 90 days of hostilities. Today is the deadline, but the questions remain: Will Congress cut off funding for the war, or with lawmakers vote to approve or disapprove continued U.S. intervention?

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AMANPOUR: Joining us now, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator John McCain. Thank you for being with us.

MCCAIN: Thank you for having me on.

AMANPOUR: Let us talk about the debate really roiling and raging on Capitol Hill about what the president of the United States is authorized to do over Libya. And earlier this week, you issued a warning, an admonition to your own party. Let's listen to what you said earlier this week.

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