CHARLESTON, SC — Senators John McCain (R-Ariz) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said they want to reach across the aisle on some of the most divisive issues facing America — including health care reform and the war in Afghanistan.  Both appeared at a town hall meeting at the Citadel, South Carolina’s public military college.

“We want to fix health care,” McCain said. “It’s the cost — not the quality. And we want to sit down any time, anywhere with the president and/or the Democrats to get this situation fixed. But we’re not going to do it with government taking over health care.”

Although the audience of approximately 700 was mostly receptive, there were occasional jeers and boos from both sides of the political aisle. One of the most contentious issues was the “single-payer” government insurance option — which both senators oppose.

One woman in the audience said she was equally frightened by the prospects of adopting single payer and maintaining the status quo. “Do I want a government bureaucrat deciding what treatment I get? Or do I want somebody whose bottom line depends on whether I get treatment?” she asked.

The senators said they see nothing wrong with people and companies making money from health care and health insurance, as long as they provide quality service. They said new regulations and increased competition could ensure that.

“If you want to control prices and you want to get costs down, allow competition,” Graham said. “Allow people to compete for your money. That’s what’s missing in health care.”

Although open to the public, the military college venue for this town hall meeting brought a large number of Citadel cadets. Acknowledging that some may one day serve in Afghanistan, the senators insisted an American victory there is both possible — and the only acceptable option.

They said an American withdrawal now would cause that country to fall back into Taliban control and, once again, become a haven and training ground for terrorists — creating even greater problems for future generations.

“The number one obligation of any member of Congress is to defend the nation,” Graham said. “So, if president Obama wants to send more troops to Afghanistan, I’m going to be right there by his side. Because if we lose this war, nothing else matters.”