Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Senator McCain is Undergoing Prostate Surgery

Aired August 29, 2001 - 10:04   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: To many people, John McCain is a hero. Well we find out this morning that he's also very human. The senator is in the hospital this morning. He had to undergo a procedure on his prostate. We understand that it was a minor procedure.

We are joined right now on the telephone by his wife Cindy McCain, who's going to give us an update on the senator's condition. Good morning. What can you tell us, how is he?

CINDY MCCAIN, SEN. JOHN MCCAIN'S WIFE: Good morning, Leon. He's fine. In fact, I just got off the phone with the OR, and they're just about done with the procedure. He's doing fine. They anticipate all this being over in not too long from now.

HARRIS: OK. So, is he under the knife right now?

MCCAIN: As we speak, he is.

HARRIS: OK. So what did you -- can you tell us what you talked about before he went in?

MCCAIN: Well it's the usual. John is a great one to lighten the mood for all of us. He was joking and making fun of the whole situation, saying -- you know, using the old Yogi Berra line, "If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself."

So, I mean he was in great spirits this morning.

HARRIS: Well, that sounds like him. Did you get a chance to at least have some birthday cake before hand? Because, we know today is his birthday, and I guess it's going to be kind of hard to get one through an IV.

MCCAIN: I know it is. I felt so bad for him this morning for that. But we did -- we had a nice family dinner with our children last night, and enjoyed just being together. Of course we left quite early this morning for the hospital.

HARRIS: We understand it is a minor surgery, or it's not considered to be a major deal here. But, why then scheduling on a birthday if it wasn't something that was this important? Could he have done this any other time? MCCAIN: Well, as you know, he just returned from the Balkans last night. This is just a matter of timing. It was not an urgent procedure that needed to be done right away, so he went ahead and completed his trip that had already been planned. It was the next day that was open for all of us. It just happened to be his birthday.

HARRIS: Yes. Well listen, we don't want him to miss the budget battle that's coming in Washington.

MCCAIN: I know, he doesn't want to miss it either.

HARRIS: You know he's the man when it comes down to sound bites for us.

MCCAIN: I know it.

HARRIS: So, how long is he going to be out of the action?

MCCAIN: He's supposed to be in the hospital a day or two, and then it looks like he'll be back, he'll come home, and then he'll be back in Washington for the first vote on the 4th.

HARRIS: OK. Now listen, is the whole family with you there at the hospital?

MCCAIN: No, I'm just here. As you know, the children are in school right now. So, they'll be down later.

HARRIS: All right, good deal. We'll let you get back to it. Thank you very much for letting us talk to you, and we hope to check back with you later on. We hope he's doing well. Make sure you give him a happy birthday from us when he does wake up.

MCCAIN: Thanks for your concern.

HARRIS: All right, take care. Cindy McCain joining us.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com