John McCain to Steve Colbert: Think I'd Make a Good President?

Arizona Sen. John McCain, who was the GOP presidential nominee in 2008, appeared on "The Colbert Report" Monday to promote his new book, "13 Soldiers: A Personal History of Americans at War," which he co-wrote with Mark Salter.

Colbert suggested that with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel leaving, McCain, a decorated Vietnam veteran who was held as a prisoner of war in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton," might make a good replacement.

"We need somebody who's got experience. You're here for the 'Colbert bump.' Is this a trial balloon to be secretary of defense?" Colbert asked.

"Actually, I was thinking about running for president again. What do you think?" McCain deadpanned.

"You would have the full resources of the 'Colbert Report' at your back in 2016 — if it were still on the air," Colbert shot back.

Colbert's show ends later this month, and he'll take over "The Late Show" when David Letterman retires in 2015.

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