A transcript of the encounter follows. (Weaver is John Weaver, his senior adviser, and Brian is Mr. Jones, his press secretary):
Reporter: Should U.S. taxpayer money go to places like Africa to fund contraception to prevent AIDS?
Mr. McCain: Well I think its a combination. The guy I really respect on this is Dr. Coburn. He believes and I was just reading the thing he wrote that you should do what you can to encourage abstinence where there is going to be sexual activity. Where that doesnt succeed, than he thinks that we should employ contraceptives as well. But I agree with him that the first priority is on abstinence. I look to people like Dr. Coburn. Im not very wise on it.
(Mr. McCain turns to take a question on Iraq, but a moment later looks back to the reporter who asked him about AIDS.)
Mr. McCain: I havent thought about it. Before I give you an answer, let me think about. Let me think about it a little bit because I never got a question about it before. I dont know if I would use taxpayers money for it.
Q: What about grants for sex education in the United States? Should they include instructions about using contraceptives? Or should it be Bushs policy, which is just abstinence?
Mr. McCain: (Long pause) Ahhh. I think I support the presidents policy.
Q: So no contraception, no counseling on contraception. Just abstinence. Do you think contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV?
Mr. McCain: (Long pause) Youve stumped me.
Q: I mean, I think youd probably agree it probably does help stop it?
Mr. McCain: (Laughs) Are we on the Straight Talk express? Im not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, Im sure Ive taken a position on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was. Brian, would you find out what my position is on contraception Im sure Im opposed to government spending on it, Im sure I support the presidents policies on it.
Q: But you would agree that condoms do stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Would you say: No, were not going to distribute them, knowing that?
Mr. McCain: (Twelve-second pause) Get me Coburns thing, ask Weaver to get me Coburns paper that he just gave me in the last couple of days. Ive never gotten into these issues before.
This went on for a few more moments until a reporter from the Chicago Tribune broke in and asked Mr. McCain about the weight of a pig that he saw at the Iowa State Fair last year.