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McCain in Colombia: Just Say No (Seriously)
July 02, 2008 12:00 PM
FROM GUEST-BLOGGER RICK KLEIN, from ABC's The Note.
Sen. John McCain gave an interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America” this morning that’s worth the watch -- if only if you want to hear some exotic birds (or maybe monkeys?) in the background.
If you want to listen to what McCain, R-Ariz., had to say, you’ll witness a candidate who’s perhaps a touch too defensive about the fact that he’s decided to spend three days outside of the country this week, while Sen. Barack Obama takes on GOP turf on faith, patriotism, and service.
Before Robin Roberts could ask a question, McCain said this:
“May I just say, I’m here for one day, I’m in Mexico the next day, then I’m back home -- also drugs is a big, big problem in America, the continued flow of drugs from Colombia through Mexico into the United States is still one of our major challenges to all America.”
“I’ve been here many times, I’ve been here several times in the past, as well as with Mexico, and I think that it deserves our attention,” McCain added.
When Roberts asked why he was in Colombia when the economy is foremost in voters' minds, this was McCain’s response:
“Well, I’d be glad to repeat myself,” he said. “There is clearly a continued threat of drugs pouring into the United States of America, which can harm us and our young people very badly. I’m happy to say that there has been some success. The cost of cocaine on the street is up.”
Not to belittle the nation’s drug plague -- but in between the bird chirps, I think 1984 just called, asking for its candidate back.
Maybe this is huge with conservative voters and I’m missing something, but I had Nancy Reagan flashbacks. With the economy teetering, $80 SUV fill-ups, and two real wars, this is what McCain has chosen to spotlight in a foreign trip, four months before Election Day?
Just judging from the polls -- shouldn’t he be a little more concerned with the price of gas than the price of cocaine?
To be fair, McCain went on to talk about free trade and the economy -- including denying that he ever said he was less than expert on the economy. (Not true.)
But given the odd choice to make this trip at all -- yes, foreign affairs is an area of strength, but this is not a candidate without his weaknesses -- this seems a particularly odd choice of topics to emphasize when you’re there.
-- Rick Klein
July 2, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (75)
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Hmnn....let me guess. This guy is democrat, and he supports Obama. How about you do your patriotic duty and tell all our fellow americans that without exports this economy will not get out of stagnation? Did you know, sir, that next year more cars will be sold in China than in the US (about 15 million cars), and barely seven years ago the ratio was one to fifteen? God, I hate ignorant people.....
Posted by: Alberto Bernal | Jul 2, 2008 2:42:38 PM
well rodney and everyone have to go know time for work thank god every day i still have my job very grateful take care!!!!
Posted by: ANGIE | Jul 2, 2008 2:41:39 PM
Angie,
Google Cuernavaca, Mexico. It's about 45 minutes south of Mexico City. It's beautiful there and the weather is always 75-85 degrees and sunny year round. Think Palm Springs! And about a 2 hour drive to Acapulco. Most people in the stores and restaurants speak English.
Posted by: SERIOUSLY! | Jul 2, 2008 2:40:51 PM
Ha ha ha. McCain Clueless as usual. He should stop in Panama while he's down there.
Posted by: SpaceCat | Jul 2, 2008 2:39:48 PM
seriously
just dont drink the water---just kidding---i have bought a home in florida--a lot cheaper to live there--but could kick my own butt---i had oportunity to buy 10 acres in costa rico- and passed it up-----the heating oil cost alone this winter will be devastating to a lot of people.
Posted by: rodney | Jul 2, 2008 2:39:05 PM
HEY SERIOUSLY
good idea love the post maybe my family and i will join you i said if mccain gets elected some how some way i would get the hell out of this country
Posted by: ANGIE | Jul 2, 2008 2:36:46 PM
geevil,
AND they have that fancy new plane to fly them back to the US, lol!
Posted by: SERIOUSLY! | Jul 2, 2008 2:36:04 PM
This is what happened, Cindy loves drugs, McCain planned the trip for Cindy to talk to her suppliers in Colombia. Don't expect anything from someone who doesn't have a clue about the economy. Even the birds at the back ground were laughing at McCain.
Posted by: geevill | Jul 2, 2008 2:34:42 PM
rodney wrote:
seriously
maybe we can go to china or mexico and get one of our jobs back.
********
LOL! You don't know how funny that is!
My husband and I have been looking for houses in Cuernavacca, Mexico for the last few months.
I keep saying that if McCain is elected, then we are out of here.
The stock market in Mexico is rising, the peso is rising, the food is cheaper, the gas is cheaper. The weather is wonderful and the people are the best in the world.
I keep teasing that Mexico will soon be building a FENCE to keep the US citizens out of Mexico, LOL!
Posted by: SERIOUSLY! | Jul 2, 2008 2:34:02 PM
rodney
I COULDNT AGREE WITH YOU MORE!!!
Posted by: ANGIE | Jul 2, 2008 2:31:43 PM
I saw the interview this morning ABC. You did not mention the big lie he told about never saying "i don't know much about the economy"
"to be fair"
Posted by: watching | Jul 2, 2008 2:31:05 PM
ReaganDem,
Ummm....The European Union are our strongest allies and the relationship between the EU and the US is at an all time low. A candidate for POTUS would be strongly advised to go there and shore up support.
Mexico and Colombia are not part of NATO FYI.
Please educate yourself before you post.
Posted by: SERIOUSLY! | Jul 2, 2008 2:30:20 PM
my opinion ---NO BALANCE NO TRADE--and that just about says it all.
Posted by: rodney | Jul 2, 2008 2:30:12 PM
like obama said there has to be fairness in free trade with protecting our jobs and the american people it has not been that way in the last 7 yrs and wont be in mccains 4 years
Posted by: ANGIE | Jul 2, 2008 2:27:56 PM
I hope when BHO goes to Europe, all the above critical comments about Mccain going to Columbia to discuss free trade (economy) are repeated.
Including the "odd choice" comment by Tapper.
Please ABC don't turn into MSNBC!
Posted by: ReaganDem84 | Jul 2, 2008 2:26:22 PM
angie your children ---and my grandchildren---one out of 9 has a good job----very poor odds---
Posted by: rodney | Jul 2, 2008 2:21:58 PM
seriously
maybe we can go to china or mexico and get one of our jobs back---lets see if after gas has risen 300% inless than three years they give us 20 or 30 cents off on a gallon and the people jump for joy---they use the public like we are idiots
Posted by: rodney | Jul 2, 2008 2:18:16 PM
RODNEY
i so worry about my childrens future thank god my boys to too young to be drafted ending up with war mongering mccain we will have three wars iraq afghan iran and their will have to be a draft military is to stretched
Posted by: ANGIE | Jul 2, 2008 2:17:21 PM
rodeny,
Yes, many US compaines are shuttering their factories in China, Tawain, Thailand, etc. due to increased shipping costs.
About 6 years ago many of the US comapnies left cities like Juarez, Saltilo and Toluca, Mexico for China because wages were so much cheaper there.
Now friends of mine in Mexico say that they are coming back in droves.
But now Mexicans want fair wages, unions, standard of living, and fair environmental practices.
Colombia Free Trade wont have those limiations. That is why McCain is down there touting it.
Posted by: SERIOUSLY! | Jul 2, 2008 2:15:15 PM
hey JOHN
dont you know by now the media gives john a free ride if they reported everything on john there would be no since of having a voting day john would probably drop out or obama would all 50 states first time in history a canidate would take every state
Posted by: ANGIE | Jul 2, 2008 2:14:26 PM
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