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McCain's Lesson Learned

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December 18, 2007 8:55 AM

ABC News' Ron Claiborne Reports: At a John McCain town hall event Monday night in Weare, a small town in southern New Hampshire, a man rose to ask a question.

By way of prelude, he said a bit sheepishly that he never imagined he would be asking something like this until just a couple of weeks ago.

"If you're elected president," the man said, "can we expect to see you offering Secret Service protection to your mistresses?" Abundant laughter.

He went on: "And how do you feel about the potential, or how good an idea it would be for America to elect someone who can't answer that question in under 10 seconds?" More laughter at what appeared to be a snarky reference to New York City's former mayor Rudolph Giuliani and his wife, Judith.

Last month, McCain, R-Ariz., got into some hot water when a supporter at a South Carolina event asked "how to we beat the bitch?" a seeming allusion to Senator Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

When someone called out that the questioner must be referring to his ex-wife, he smiled as the audience tittered.

When he replied, he remarked that it was "an excellent question" although moments later he said he defended Hillary Clinton as someone he personally respected. News reports focused on the "b" word and McCain's "excellent question" comment, thereby gaining him the kind of media attention no campaign wants.

Lesson learned. This time, as the question was posed, McCain's face was absolutely frozen, not a hint of amusement.

In response, he said with the stern tone of a disciplining schoolteacher: "I believe the American people should decide on who they want to be president of the United States based on our vision, our positions on the issues and our record. And, I simply don't think it's appropriate for me to address that issue because I have no knowledge of it and I also happen to respect Mayor Giuliani -- I guess that's your reference -- I respect Mayor Giuliani. I respect everyone who is in this race. I've made many mistakes in my life. And I also believe that there's a Biblical saying 'Judge not, lest you be judged.' "

December 18, 2007 in Bush, George W., Hunter, Duncan, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (10)

User Comments

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Another fine example of GOP values. When that "b" word was used, if McCain had any moral values left, he would have chastized the user, not grinned and let it be steered toward yet another woman. That word insults every woman, even McCain's mother was a woman. Yeah, the GOP really knows "family values" allright.

Posted by: Ron | Dec 18, 2007 12:02:17 PM

McCain and LIEberman is a deserve each other. In the debates, McCain asserted, "We never lost a battle in Vietnam, it was American public opinion that caused us to lose that conflict." Oh, now McCain is blaming the American public for Vietnam? What a jerk.

The Vietnam war started just like the Iraq war, on false statements used by warmongers, like himself and Bush.

After billions of dollars, you mean to tell me that we can't find "Osama bin Laden". I guess our CIA trained him well, and with the help of Bush his relatives were flown out of the U.S. when all other airlines were grounded.

It's obvious "they" never wanted to find Osama bin Laden. They justed to take over IRAQ and "control" their oil. Why else would we they be building a dozen bases in Iraq?

Ron Paul is right, and the fact he receives more donations from military personel must make McCain feel awful.
Support the fightening men and women, bring them home now, and vote for Ron Paul. He is the only one that has integrity and a liftime track record defending the constitution and the rule of law.

Posted by: Greg | Dec 18, 2007 2:51:37 PM

What lesson was he supposed to learn? His response to the HRC was appropriate to begin with. Any characterization otherwise is just forcing your opinion on the conversation. I don't recall Clinton's campaign getting upset with him because it was someone in the audience asking a question. It is time to move on from this boring narrative.

Posted by: imwithmmcain | Dec 18, 2007 3:11:03 PM

I am Proud that I upheld your right to your opinions and actions. I wish I could utilize the same military to take some of them away from you.

Posted by: Lucky13Marine | Dec 19, 2007 10:23:37 PM

'Nough said. I have to agree with the Marine.


McCain Victory!


Slainte'

Mad

Posted by: Mad Irishman | Dec 19, 2007 10:25:08 PM

McCain is the ONLY electable candidate. McCain is BY FAR the ONLY honorable, trustworthy and prepared candidate.

Posted by: Samantha | Dec 19, 2007 10:27:43 PM

Apparently you do not only know NOTHING about politics....but the Military as well.


Viva McCain!

Posted by: RipKid08 | Dec 19, 2007 10:31:30 PM

In any event McCain wins NH and the Presidency hands down. he has the support of ALL of us Independents and Veterans here in NH and across the nation.

Posted by: Scott Card | Dec 19, 2007 10:41:26 PM

First of all I have met Cindy McCain...Why in God's name would John McCain need a mistress?

Second of all, yes in a perfect media world McCain would have said "Now now, Let's have a little more respect for Senator Clinton."

With McCain's fundraising needs, perhaps he should take $100,000 of his campaign funds and ask Hillary's cattle futures trader to invest it for him.

Mccain would have $10 million over night.

Posted by: Steve Cooper | Dec 20, 2007 6:08:34 AM

My comment on the article below is, “Romney needs to get real! This Richie Rich character Mitt Romney has been living in a glass house all his life and doesn’t have a clue how tough it is in the real world. This comment by McCain is nothing compared to all the blows that are awaiting the new President. If you can’t take this minor tiny blow then Romney you aren’t fit to be President of The United States. Where have you been the last eight years? We are at war with a very evil enemy and the Presidential job isn’t a walk in the park.”

SARASOTA, Fla., Jan. 26 -- Sen. John McCain of Arizona accused former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney of having once supported a U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, sparking an angry demand for an apology from Romney, who called the statement "dishonest."

Posted by: JTreadwell | Jan 28, 2008 6:55:25 AM

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