McCain, White House seek deal on torture ban

McCain, White House seek deal on torture ban

'We're not there yet,' Arizona senator says ahead of meeting

WASHINGTON - Sen. John McCain and President Bush's national security adviser met early Wednesday in hopes of reaching a compromise on the senator's proposed ban on cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of foreign terror suspects.

According to a highly placed official, remaining points of disagreement are primarily between McCain and Vice President Dick Cheney. According to the source, McCain rejected the Vice President's most recent offer.

"We thought it was very fair," the official said. "In return for backing off from the anti-torture provisions, the Vice President would agree not to torture John McCain. McCain actually had the audacity to laugh at the offer, as if the Vice President were joking."