RECENT POSTS
- Oprah, Health Care Lobbyists, Among Recent Visitors to White House
- An Obama Thanksgiving Menu, with an Extra Serving of Pie
- White House Thanksgiving Traditions: Broken and Observed
- Obama, GOP Air Differences Over Jobs, Economy In Thanksgiving Addresses
- White House State Dinner Party Crashers
- Obama to Lay Out Emissions Goals in Copenhagen
- Free Bird
- The "Good" War
- The Presidential Planner
- Under the Stars, Obama Toasts India’s Prime Minister
MONTHLY ARCHIVES
« Previous | Main | Next »
John McCain's Double "Rope Line" Standard
September 28, 2008 2:48 PM
This morning on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, confronted with comments by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin that seemed to undermine his argument that Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., was naive and irresponsible when he discussed military options about Pakistan "out loud" (more on that HERE), Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., suggested that the problem was the media taking casual comments as if their were policy proclamations.
"She did fine," McCain said. "She did just fine….This business of, in all due respect, people going around and -- with sticking a microphone while conversations are being held, and then all of a sudden that's -- that's a person's position, this is a free country, but I don't think most Americans think that that's a definitive policy statement made by Governor Palin. And I would hope you wouldn't, either."
Waitasec.
Isn't that EXACTLY what the McCain campaign did with an errant off-message comment Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., made about clean coal?
Complete with a TV ad about it, even?
So is there a reason for a double-standard for Palin? Or is it just standard issue campaign hypocrisy?
-- jpt
September 28, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (137)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Obama/Biden 08
A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.
Sidney Goff
Posted by: RJ | Sep 28, 2008 9:43:02 PM
John McCain is a military hero. Well, is a military person. Make that, John McCain likes WAR. Remember when he sang "BOMB, BOMB, IRAN..." and chuckled because he was so pleased with himself. McCain is NOT made to be a President. He is driven by BOMBING and SLASHING. His foreign policy is driven by a war mentality. His domestic policies focus on the wealthy. ENOUGH WITH THE MENTALITY OF WAR MONGERING! Barak Obama has the intellect, good critical thinking skills, and patient wisdom to take this nation to higher ground on the world stage. McCain voted for the war in Iraq as a means to squelch that country's weapons of mass destruction and to kill the terrorists. He was wrong on both accounts - no WMDs, none of the terroists were from Iraq (most were from Saudi Arabia). The United States has destroyed Iraq using the precious life blood of our young people. Thousands have lost their lives. Many thousand more have returned home maimed. U.S. troops led by their superiors are responsible for killing thousands of innocent Iraqi's. The U.S. rationalized going into that country as a humane/democratic thing to do. We have been responsible for far more deaths than Sadam Hussein was. The war has cost our country alone upward of a trillion dollars, and no doubt by the time we have taken care (if that is possible) of all the destruction, it will be most likely at least THREE trillion dollars. McCain acts like staying and "WINNING" is possible. WINNING WHAT? The resentment and disrepect of nations around the world for the MCCAIN supported terrorism on IRAQ? McCain's idea of patriotism and winning are based on his love of war games and winning them. My idea of patriotism is upholding the sacred ideas of our Constitution. Barak Obama is thoroughly knowledgeable of the law and the Constitution having taught Constitutional Law. In my estimate, Obama is the real patriot, the real American hero for standing against that war. He has what is needed to be President.
Posted by: Terresa | Sep 28, 2008 9:42:35 PM
It is better to keep your mouth shut
and appear stupid than to open
it and remove all doubt.
Mark Twain
Posted by: RJ | Sep 28, 2008 9:40:39 PM
One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice president, and that one word is to be prepared.
Dan Quayle
1947-
Vice-President
Posted by: RJ | Sep 28, 2008 9:39:45 PM
Palin is doing just fine...we will see on Thursday just what Biden is against.
She is not running for president; seems we have forgotten that.
"Vote for the party the media hates."
Posted by: MEW | Sep 28, 2008 9:33:04 PM
Jeff, McCain seems to have no problems "repositioning" his body or turning his head left and right". His arms have NOTHING to do with with McCain's REFUSAL to acknowledge Senator Obama's presence on the stage. McCain was trying to show what HE THINKS IS HIS SUPERIORITY OVER SENATOR OBAMA. Instead, he looked like an angry, condescending, old man. Ever hear or read the "ODIUM", "NEVER TRUST A MAN WHO DOES NOT LOOK YOU IN THE EYE"?? If not, I have quoted it for you. I use it in my personal life and working life as well and find it to be very TRUE! Believe it!! McCain is a LIAR and is EXTREMELY DISHONEST. Have you also seen and read the "IDIOM", "ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS"? This is also very TRUE! Believe it!!
Posted by: NinaK | Sep 28, 2008 9:24:07 PM
To: John McCain
From: The American People
One who condones evil is just as guilty as the one who perpetrates it.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Posted by: RJ | Sep 28, 2008 9:17:33 PM
"Strong rumors have it that Obama will ask Biden to step down and he will say he has health problems on or about Oct. 5th."
Carolyn is reduced to posting email rumors to counter act the all to real feelings that Palin is not ready for the job (even articulated by the conservative Kathleen Parker)
What a sad state of affairs for the right wing
Posted by: Ryan C | Sep 28, 2008 9:10:29 PM
"I do not know the truth. I can only report on what I find on the internet."
Ladies & gentlemen, I give you diligent research performed by a right winger.
Posted by: Ryan C | Sep 28, 2008 9:06:22 PM
To suggest that McCain couldn't look at Obama because he has no shoulder sockets is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Why isn't he forever bumping into things?
This is not the first debate he has had infront of a lectern, and he has looked at other people.
I don't think you should be making excuses for him for bad manners.
Haven't you all overplayed the P.O.W. card, it's the reason and explanation for everything.
Posted by: morrigan | Sep 28, 2008 8:57:49 PM
To Debra:
McCain can't look at Obama because he has no shoulder socket and his arms are mangled.
The lecturns were placed in a position where it is impossible for McCain to turn with his war injuries.
McCain has no shoulder socket and his arms are stiff and mangled. McCain's arms have no flexibility and he can't lift them up.
To say your not voting for McCain because of his war injuries is what makes this election so unamerican.
Never before has a veteran been punished for his war injuries like the american electorate has punished mccain.
He can't turn and look at Obama because he has no shoulder socket and he has mangled arms.
Enough of this election.
The american people can only beat up on McCain for 37 more days.
McCain needs to drop out. There is no honor having the american people rip you apart for your disabilities suffered for the defense of this country.
This is not the same country McCain defended.
This country now loves to savage McCain for his war injuries.
He can't turn because he has no shoulder socket and he has mangled arms.
I am so tired of the american people taking advantage of his war injuries.
So many people in america are ungrateful and never served and use his war injuries against him.
This election has shown without a doubt the evilness of this country.
To say you won't vote for McCain because of his physical disabilities is eevil.
Posted by: Jeff | Sep 28, 2008 8:30:34 PM
To Debra:
McCain had his shoulder socket ripped out in Vietnam.
McCain has no shoulder socket on his left arm.
McCain has mangled arms that he can't reach up to comb his hair.
McCain can't turn and look at Obama the way the lecturns are placed.
McCain suffered greviously. He had his arms hung from the ceiling and tied with rope so hard behind his back they would snap. McCain had his arms broken repeatedly.
McCain had his teeth knocked out that is why he has that terrible smile.
The left has taken advantage of McCain's war wounds.
It is uncomfortable for McCain to turn standing up. He has no shoulder socket in his left arm.
The thing that upsets me most about this election is McCain losing votes because of the left taking advantage of his war injuries.
I guess the lesson is if you want to be president never serve in uniform because your opponents will take advantage of your posture.
McCain's arms are wooden. They have non flexibility in them.
This election is painful how much McCain has been savaged.
I wish McCain wouldn't have run because to watch his opponents take advantage of his war injuries is too much.
Posted by: Jeff | Sep 28, 2008 8:19:32 PM
Reasons Why I can't vote for Obama.
Health care:
More services means more taxes, more taxes means a greater disparity between those with money and those without (tax loop holes allow the richest Americans to pay the smallest percentages).
Foreign Policy:
Leaving Iraq because misinformed voters think it is the right thing to do is a bad choice. Going into this war was a bad choice, but as with any fight its a bad idea to start one and try to walk away, usually you get kicked in the ass harder.
Domestic Policy:
More is not better, especially when the only thing we are going to have more of is government. The free market needs no governmental interference, regulations don't stop violations, consumer dollars do though. More government (THANKS CLINTON ERA DEMOCRATS) gave us Fannie may and Freddie mac the leaders in the sub-prime mortgage crisis and attributed greatly to our current economic situation.
Religion:
Wright is a bigot, and Obama listened to him for many years but was only offended the year of the election? Sounds like his religion is like his smile, superficial.
Appeasement is not the solution to life's problems. Obama and Kerry have a lot in common, they change their mind and position with pop culture not fact.
Posted by: 1900637 | Sep 28, 2008 8:11:46 PM
McCain debate Obama .Yes! He was POW and we should respect that.
But he lack on personality, vision and judgment. This guy is rigid living in the past.He doesn’t see the disaster of Iraq coming when he vote in favor of War .He support deregulations and then argue about the circus of Wall Street .A person who talk against the Government but he favors the government interference .A person who pick the Vice-president nominee only after one meeting !
What you can say about his judgment? Oh just a minute he said the fundamentals of the economy are strong .Probably he was thinking about the family Business.
Posted by: foreclosure | Sep 28, 2008 8:08:55 PM
McCain is the most absent Senator in Congress. Maybe McCain should have been involved more in the Senate in the last two years rather than campaigning, because he sure hasn't done anything for anyone in the last year. .
John McCain missed 430 votes since April that is 187 more than Obama what was he doing during that time he couldn’t even vote on the veteran's bill .This another clever political poker game from John Macaroni!
Posted by: foreclosure | Sep 28, 2008 7:54:50 PM
Now former House speaker Newt Ginrich is criticizing the effort to save the American economy from the quagmire that his, President Bush and Senator McCain’s support of International Corporatism has placed America. These International corporatists, much like their cousins International Communists have sought to have all of the wealth and resources of the world controlled by international cartels. They have viewed the role of the US government instead of providing for the general welfare of the country to be to provide for the feed and caring of these corporate cartels. Their goal is the complete destruction of the middle class in this country. They want international low cost workers where these cartels will have the same cheap labor through out the world, no worker nor environmental protection and minimal worker benefits, if any. In the case and point of the United States, their goal is to see no difference between the Mexican and the American worker. They don’t believe in maintaining any infrastructure, hence their demagoguery of any infrastructure expenditures as pork barrel spending. They believe the American worker should be kept uneducated, hence are grandchildren and great grandchildren are now less educated by the public schools than we were. That some of these corporatists, such as presidential candidate McCain want to label themselves as populists is laughable. You look into the eyes of Senator McCain and you see the soul of Comrade Nikita Khrushchev. At the next debate, don’t be surprised if the reckless, irresponsible, and uncontrollable John McCain starts banging his shoe on the podium.
Posted by: Timmy Coffee | Sep 28, 2008 7:53:53 PM
I will give Obama A+ for a positive attitude.
I will give John McCain C+ for a negative and aggressive attitude.
I will give Obama A+ because he demonstrated that he can be a President.
I will give McCain B because he is trying hard to be the next President.
I will give Obama C because he avoided explaining himself properly about his future plans.
I will give McCain C because he avoided being constructive and bipartisan.
Posted by: foreclosure | Sep 28, 2008 7:53:03 PM
Expectations are so low for Palin in the debate, that if she doesn't break down and cry in front of Biden, people will say she came out just fine.
Posted by: schultz | Sep 28, 2008 7:12:14 PM
The profile of Jon McCain!
John McCain favorite food? Chicken nugget!
John McCain hobby? Political stunts!
John McCain dream? Be the president no matter what!
John McCain political ideology? Opportunist!
John McCain cheerleader? Sarah Palin.!
John McCain favorite place? Florida, many elderly residents and you can manipulate the voting results!
John McCain favorite Cable news? FOX spin masters!
John McCain favorite movie? Pinocchio!
John McCain favorite song? Bomb.Bomb..Bomb Iran!
John McCain favorite word.? President Reagan ,my friends!.
John McCain friends? Wealthy people like him.!
John McCain ability ?Regular flip flop.!
John McCain number of houses? Seven!
John McCain Number of cars?Eleven!
John McCain definition of middle class?Under five million dollars assets!
John McCain family business value? Over hundred millions!
Posted by: foreclosure | Sep 28, 2008 7:08:09 PM
carolyn.......Rumors are what the Republicans use to spin the truth. Joe Biden was chosen for VP, for his honesty free spirit and his experience!
He’s supposed to make a point when is needed. Sarah Plain was chosen for the position after only one meeting .The decisive factor was only the women’s vote and the prerequisite to be the John McCain cheerleader. She makes only scripted interviews and has very thin Resume. Sarah Plain VP? Thanks but not thanks!
Posted by: foreclosure | Sep 28, 2008 7:04:28 PM
Post a comment


