“Hardball with Chris Matthews” received an enthusiastic welcome from ISU students Wednesday.

Chris Matthews interviewed Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., live from Stephens Auditorium on the news network MSNBC.

Matthews began questioning the senator on the state of politics, asking him how he felt about winning votes with negative advertising. McCain said he doesn’t believe Americans should have to put up with negative ads and that it discourages young people from becoming involved in politics.

“I don’t want anyone to come up to me and have to say, ‘I see these commercials all the time, and I hear these personal attacks and the disparaging of people’s character and patriotism, so why should I expose myself and my family to that?'” McCain said.

McCain went on to say the reason negative ads have become more popular is because there is a lack of communication among parties and too many politicians are willing to use negative attacks if it means they will get elected.

Matthews then moved on to the subject of North Korea’s nuclear weapons and the possibility of war there. McCain said he supported the way the president handled the issue – going to the United Nations – and that the American people will support a war with North Korea if they believe it poses a threat to the United States.

Matthews replied by saying that 56 percent of Americans do not approve of a war with North Korea. He then demonstrated the strain another war would put on the military by asking any members of the military in the audience to stand up. After a very small percentage of the audience stood, Matthews asked how another war would be possible without a draft.

McCain said a draft won’t be necessary if the military increases its recruitment of youth.

“I guarantee you, if these young people felt that this nation was in a crisis and they were asked to serve their country, every one of them would stand up,” McCain said.

The microphone was then turned over to students who asked McCain about his stance on a variety of issues. The senator fielded questions on topics such as illegal immigration, gay rights and Bush’s signing statements attached to bills passed by the Legislature.

McCain responded to the question of immigration by saying it is a problem, but the solution is not building a wall.

“We need to secure our borders, not seal them,” McCain said.

He said Israel is a perfect example of why sealing borders will not work.

McCain moved on to another question, saying he is critical of Bush’s signing statements.

“As a member of the Legislature, I don’t like it a damn bit,” he said.

McCain said signing statements has never been used more than by the current president; it violates the system of checks and balances, and he would support challenging these statements in court.

McCain responded to the issue of homosexuals in the military.

“The current ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy is the most appropriate way to conduct the military,” McCain said.

He later went on to say if top military officials supported a change to the policy, he would as well.

This question spurred Matthews to ask McCain about his views on gay marriage.

McCain said if homosexuals wanted to have a ceremony, that would be fine.

He later clarified that he does not support the legalization of gay marriage.

After the broadcast, McCain joined the ISU College Republicans for a reception to answer questions and rally support.

McCain encouraged Republicans to support their party through the current scandals and vote to keep Republicans in office.

“We should clean up this ethics scandal, and we should clean up the lobbying, and we should stop the earmarking,” McCain said.