In the interview, McCain – who has had prostate surgery and treatment for melanoma – said his health is "excellent" and sees no problem in running for president even though if elected in 2008, he would be 72 – "about what Reagan was."

Asked point-blank if he wants to be president, McCain answered: "Absolutely. I think every member of the Senate wants to be president."

McCain said he wants to gain the White House "because I think I’m qualified to help make the world a better place."

As president, McCain said, his foreign policy would greatly mirror President Bush’s: "I believe we have a unique opportunity, particularly now, to spread democracy and freedom throughout the world."

He continued that domestically, "one thing is to expand opportunities for national service – the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, neighborhood and community organizations. You see, I think after 9/11 we had a golden opportunity to call all Americans to serve the country – not just to tell them to take a trip and go shopping. And I think they would have responded. I think they will still respond."

McCain told Men’s Journal he’s going to wait a couple of years before making a decision on running for the White House in 2008, in part because he wants to devote his energy to the Senate and as a former candidate he’s already laid the groundwork for a campaign.

Looking back on the last election, McCain said he believes John Kerry mishandled the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth controversy.

"He should have responded immediately. I think that was a mistake – not responding. You can’t leave charges like that unanswered."

As for what he personally thought of the attacks on Kerry, McCain declared: "I said when they questioned John’s service in Vietnam, it was both dishonorable and dishonest."

About Kerry’s much-bruited offer of the vice presidential slot on a Kerry ticket, McCain confirmed that while "it was never officially offered," Kerry "certainly discussed [it] with me on several occasions."

Asked if he saw a U.S. presence in Iraq for 50 years, the senator replied: "In some form or another, as a military presence? Sure. Like I can see us in South Korea for another 50 years. We can be in Bosnia for another 10 to 15 years. Or Kosovo."

Among McCain’s other comments:

On the right wing’s view of him: "They’re more accepting of me than they used to be – not accepting, but more accepting – because of the fact that I worked hard for Bush’s re-election."

On whether Colin Powell will ever run for elective office: "No. His wife is convinced that somebody would try to kill him."

On Dan Rather: "I feel sorry for Dan, because I think he obviously made a serious mistake, but he also paid a heavy price for it. Anybody who believes he lost his job for any other reason just doesn’t recognize the truth. His career was terminated."

On Dick Cheney: "He will be seen as the most powerful vice president in the history of the country and a major impact on the conduct of national security policy."

Editor's note:
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