PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. — Senator McCain said yesterday that as president, he would appoint Alan Greenspan to lead a review of the nation’s tax code — even if the former Federal Reserve chairman were dead.

“If he’s alive or dead, it doesn’t matter. If he’s dead, just prop him up and put some dark glasses on him like, like ‘Weekend at Bernie’s,'” Mr. McCain joked. “Let’s get the best minds in America together and fix this tax code.”

The 81-year-old Mr. Greenspan served as chairman of the Fed for 18 1/2 years.

Campaigning in early-voting South Carolina, Mr. McCain was asked about his support for a flat tax.

“If the fair tax crossed my desk, I’d sign it. If a flat tax did, I’d sign it,” Mr. McCain said while noting criticism of the concept. “What we all agree: It has to be made simpler and fairer.”

On another subject, Mr. McCain said he wanted Burma expelled from a regional group of Asian nations, calling the country’s leadership thugs. He also decried China’s inaction on its neighbor.

“My friends, we should kick the Burmese out of ASEAN,” Mr. McCain said, referring to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The nation’s crackdown on protesters, including monks, has led to at least nine deaths and hundreds of arrests.

“We should impose the most severe economic sanctions and penalties on them. We should treat them as the pariah nation they are,” Mr. McCain said as he wrapped up a three-day swing the state. “I’m disappointed in the U.N., and I’m disappointed that the Chinese are blocking action in the United Nations against them.”