McCain Spain

During an interview with a Spanish-language radio station in Miami, Republican presidential candidate John McCain was asked if he would receive Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero at the White House if he were elected to office. McCain responded with, "Honestly, I have to analyze our relationships, situations, and priorities, but I can assure you that I will establish closer relationships with our friends, and I will stand up to those who want to harm the United States."TIME Magazine: The Pain In Spain Falls Mainly on McCain (September 18, 2008)

The comment led many to believe that McCain was either antagonistic toward Zapatero, or had confused Spain--a European ally of the U.S in the War on Terror--with a volatile South American country.The Huffington Post: Bizarre McCain Remarks Appear to Reject...(September 18, 2008) TIME Magazine: The Pain In Spain Falls Mainly on McCain (September 18, 2008)