Katie Couric on her interview with John and Roberta McCain

Hey, it's me again.  First, let me say to PunditMom that I'm so appreciative that you think I get it. Woo!! (Just don’t ask my kids the same question.)

I wanted to tell you about my interview with Sen. John McCain and his mother Roberta.  I must say, I've always thought that you can learn a lot about someone by talking to their mother, and that was definitely the case yesterday.  At 96, Roberta McCain is still as sharp as a tack. 

First, let me say the woman is beautiful.  She is really pretty and I hope I look that good at 56, let alone 96.

One thing that struck me, she is absolutely as straight-talking as her son.  It seems that "maverick" streak runs in the family.  As a college student, Roberta ran off to Tijuana to elope with Senator McCain's father.  She told me she took her school books with her on her honeymoon! It actually reminded me of my honeymoon. I took copies of Jane’s Defence Weekly (they spell it that way) with me because I was going to start reporting from the Pentagon when I returned. My husband told me he hoped that was not the kind of hardware I would focus on…but I digress.

(Click Here to see the YouTube video interview between Katie Couric, John McCain and Roberta McCain).

Roberta has clearly always had a lifelong quest for learning.  She loves museums, and told me that she particularly loves D.C. because the museums are open seven days a week and are completely free.  During 

her stay here in NYC last week, she made it to the Met and the Frick.

It was clear watching the Senator and his mother that they are very close.  They talked about the days when Sen. McCain's father was away at war, a submarine commander in the Pacific.  While it was difficult to take care of her three children alone at that time, she instilled a love of learning in her children which was a good reminder for me as I thought about my own parenting. She always took the time to stop and show them historical sites along the way, which made quite an impression on little “Johnny.”

Sen. McCain tells a great story on the campaign trail about his mom and her twin sister.  At 95, the two headed to France together and wanted to rent a car.  They were denied the rental because they were too old, so the two women bought a car.  You go, girls! My interview with the two of them airs tonight on the Evening News.  I hope you can watch.  Also, be sure to check out the behind-the-scenes video I posted on my YouTube channel, and leave comments!

Original New York City Moms Blog Post

Katie Couric is the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, and the mother of Ellie, 16, and Carrie, 12.

Comments

[PunditMom]

Hi Katie! Glad you liked my post -- all of us here know you DO get us! And I hope that I can be as spry, bold and young looking when I'm 96!

[Vicki]

I love that you interviewed his MOM!

And now can you also do an interview with his wife?

As a business owner, I am so impressed that she runs one of the most financial successful beer distributors in the county (doubling (?) her father's efforts since she took over) And yet the Republicans for some reason aren't even highlighting this. The NY Times even quoted her as saying that she would be a "traditional" first lady.

Why do we NEED a traditional first lady any more? Can't we have an updated role model???

As an entrepreneur (and Democrat mom), it makes me like John McCain more. I love that she is a strong, independent and capable side kick.

[Linda]

Wow, so nice to see you posting here again. Looks like she's a fun lady and yes, I agree she looks very young.

[Devra Renner]

Katie,
My husband is in the air force and I met one of the guys who had worked a detail with Sen. McCain, he said "He's a what-you-see-is-what-you-get-kind-of-man, which can be a plus or minus depending upon what you're looking at and what you need."

While I admire that Sen McCain has really stood up when it came to some ridiculous defense spending (i.e. fraud, waste and abuse stuff) I remain very disappointed with his support of the war.

Yeah, I know, military wife saying the war needs to end, but after 20 years of being a military wife, I'm used to hearing myself being described by the other military folks as "refreshing." I'm not unsupportive of my husband and his colleagues, just the war.

I can also appreciate his mom's efforts to keep family "ops normal" during the days when Sen McCain's father was away at war. I've been there too with my own children. I also consult with a program offered by Zero To Three to help support military families who are experiencing trauma, grief and loss related to these deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The interview was fabulous. No doubt McCain comes from strong stock.

[Mom101]

Look at you all blogging, Katie! Totally love it. (Even if I don't like McCain.) Thanks for proving me right yesterday when I agreed with PunditMom that you do get it: http://www.blogher.com/business-mommyblogging-today-show#comment-42846

By the way, coming from Pundit Mom, that's very high praise. But I'm sure you know that.

[steve Garfield]

Hi Katie!

Nice job on the video!

[liz]

hi katie, great to see you on these pages again. you TOTALLY get it.

[PaulKirk]

Solid people. Decent people. He was raised well and will be one of our greatest Presidents.

[alexandra]

I too think that not only will Senator McCain be president, but one of our greatest. Moms are always a good place to start. Please interview other moms/care givers of other famous people. I would love to know "how it all began" for people like Tina Fey to Saddam Hussein or Oprah. It could be a great show! Alexandra

[holli]

Go, Katie - Go!! I really liked reading about Senator McCain's relationship with his mother - this was a completely fresh perspective. I agree.. you can learn much about a man from the way he treats his mother.

What a great interview... and how cool they wanted to road trip at 95!! I am a McCain fan.. and a Katie fan too!!

I'm thrilled to see both on the NYC Moms blog!!

Hugs!

[MamaBird/SurelyYouNest]

I love the 95 year olds buying a car! It reminds me of my grandmother when her DD (my aunt) suggested she move in with her. She took in a roommate -- a 75 year old woman, theoretically to allay our fears. This sweet woman (from my grandmother's church) had a hip problem. So my grandmother? Took care of her until she died. Love those women with backbones. Stronger than I may ever be. So *excited* that you are blogging with the Metro Moms!

[the mama bird diaries]

96? Really? 96? Did you card her? Wow. And I like a gal with some hutzpah...buying a car and all. That's awesome.

I love the behind the scenes clips!

[Amy@UWM]

So when I saw the headline of this post in my Google Reader, I assumed it was a post by someone who saw an interview with you commenting about the McCain interview. Didn't realize you'd actually posted here! Very cool. Thanks for the behind the scenes perspective and welcome to the community!

[Sarah Granger]

My grandmother is almost 95 and she continues to amaze me. She gets up and goes to "seniorcize" two times a week, she still travels the world (currently itching for another cruise), and she still remembers vivid memories from throughout her life. If only we could all be that lucky. Here's a Mother's Day toast to the over 90 set!

[Cate O'Malley]

She sounds like an amazing woman, only compounded by her age; I can only hope to be that with it at her age!