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McCain Loses Cool With NY Times Reporter
March 07, 2008 12:44 PM
ABC News' Bret Hovell Reports: Senator John McCain grew agitated Friday with a New York Times reporter who asked about his 2004 conversation with then-Democratic nominee John Kerry about McCain possibly running as Kerry’s vice presidential nominee.
Watch the VIDEO HERE.
McCain was addressing reporters on his campaign plane flying between Atlanta and New Orleans. He had just come from a town hall style meeting in Atlanta, where he was asked by a member of the audience whether he might consider Kerry as his vice president, the way Kerry had considered McCain.
"No. No," McCain said in the town hall meeting. “We have very vastly different philosophical fundamental political views. I respect those views. I respect them, I just totally disagree with them.”
McCain continued: “When I was approached, when we had that conversation back in 2004, I mean that’s why I never even considered such a thing.”
On the plane, the Times’ Elisabeth Bumiller, asked McCain about that meeting, quoting a 2004 story in which McCain said the meeting hadn’t taken place. McCain responded forcefully, his displeasure on display, but never raising his voice, telling Bumiller: “there is no living American in Washington” who doesn’t know about that meeting.
Bumiller pressed on, and McCain insisted that she knew of the meeting as well.
“You know it too. You know it. So I don’t even know why you ask.”
The back and forth went on for nearly two minutes before Bumiller asked a question on another topic. At that point, McCain resumed his more typical demeanor.
The following is an ABC News transcript of the conversation:
New York Times correspondent Elisabeth Bumiller: Senator can I ask you about Senator Kerry. I just went back and looked at our story, the Times story, and you told Sheryl Stolberg that you had never had a conversation with Kerry about being, about Vice President –
John McCain: Everybody knows that I had a private conversation. Everybody knows that. That I had a conversation. There’s no living American in Washington -
EB: Okay.
McCain: - that knows that, there’s no one.
EB: Okay
McCain: And you know it too. You know it. You know it. So I don’t even know why you ask.
EB: Well I ask because I just read –-
McCain: You do know it. You do know it.
EB: Because I just read in the Times in May of ’04 you said.
McCain: I don’t know what you may have read or heard of, I don’t know the circumstances. Maybe in May of 04 I hadn’t had the conversation --
EB: But do you recall the conversation?
McCain: I don’t know, but it’s well known that I had the conversation. It is absolutely well known by everyone. So do you have a question on another issue?
EB: Well can I ask you when the conversation was?
McCain: No. Nope, because the issue is closed as far as I’m concerned. Everybody knows it. Everybody knows it in America.
EB: Can you describe the conversation?
McCain: Pardon me.
EB: Can you describe the conversation?
McCain: No, of course not. I don’t describe private conversations.
EB: Okay. Can I ask you –
McCain: Why should I? Then there’s no such thing as a private conversation. Is there (inaudible) if you have a private conversation with someone, and then they come and tell you. I don’t know that that’s a private conversation. I think that’s a public conversation.
EB. Okay. Can I ask you about your (pause) Why you’re so angry?
McCain: Pardon me?
EB: Nevermind, nevermind.
McCain: I mean it’s well known. Everybody knows. It’s been well chronicled a thousand times. John Kerry asked if I would consider being his running mate.
EB: Right.
McCain: And I said categorically no, under no circumstances. That’s all very well known.
EB: Okay, let me ask you… (moves on to another question.)
March 7, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (224)
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Great, just great. Way to go, Republicans, this is OUR guy this time around.
Just brilliant. This guy is a total loan shark used-car salesman waiting to take over the Oval Office. No wonder most of our people want to vote for Obama.
Although, then there's Michelle Obama... maybe she & McCain ought to compare notes on how to respond to the press.
Posted by: DisdainLady | Mar 7, 2008 1:02:00 PM
Is there video? This guy has a terrible temper - if this sets him off imagine when he starts getting really tough questions.
Posted by: D | Mar 7, 2008 1:16:03 PM
HA! This is just the first of many incidents we'll be hearing of over the coming months. Any one care to bet McBush will lose his cool in a debate?
Posted by: Yankee Clipper | Mar 7, 2008 1:16:39 PM
I can't believe this is the best the Republican party can offer up as the nominee...would you really want this cranky old coot in the oval office with his finger on the button? He'd answer the red phone at 3AM, and it wouldn't be pretty. He's not just like this with reporters, I've heard through the grapevine that he has treated others with the same cranky attitude - flight attendants in particular.
Posted by: herewego | Mar 7, 2008 1:19:10 PM
We need Jeb Bush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: | Mar 7, 2008 1:23:49 PM
McCain will "swiftboat" himself, mark my words and the Real Democrats will win the election. And the war will continue. Our spending will stay out of control. We will lose more jobs overseas, and the inflation of prices will continue unabated. Think this election matters;It's all a lie.
Posted by: cba | Mar 7, 2008 1:27:09 PM
McCain didn't lose his cool.
The media is trying to stereotype McCain.
Jake correct this garbage biased misleading headline.
Posted by: John | Mar 7, 2008 1:28:39 PM
I doubt this was entirely spontaneous. Yes he has a temper, but he is also trying to play to the right-wing base, and mouthing off to the NYT would be a good way of doing that, no?
Posted by: jock59801 | Mar 7, 2008 1:29:14 PM
I wonder if SNL will do a skit portraying the favoritism the press gives their fellow dems over repubs. Cuz I mean, come on, if Hillary wasn't getting fair treatment, repubs are facing an inquisition.
They can't even wait for the dems to have a nominee to start trashing McCain. I wonder if John complains a bit, if the press will start getting harsher on his opponent. NOT!
Posted by: squeenter squillo | Mar 7, 2008 1:32:01 PM
LOL He will get lots of coaching for debates. For all we know, he will get medicated by Karl Rove. But you can bet the RNC is going to do all it can to help him present a cool head image. Just before the TX vote, the campaign had announced he would be taking a break from the trail. He stated he would be taking that time to put plans and proposals together on the party's policies, unite the party, and begin forming his cabinet after choosing a running mate. I wonder why that has not happened yet? Looks like someone needs a nap. LOL (Just a joke... he i obviously stressed by the race.)
Posted by: DCVoter | Mar 7, 2008 1:34:05 PM
McCain didn't lose his cool.
You even admit in your piece that he didn't raise his voice.
If he didn't raise his voice how did he lose his cool.
So according to you if McCain has a disagreement that means he lost his cool.
This is not journalism. You are supposed to be unbiased. How can you call yourself a reporter.
If you want to lie about McCain then don't call yourself a reporter.
Posted by: John | Mar 7, 2008 1:36:01 PM
Am I the only person who remembers that NYT ran a completely BS story attempting to implicate JSM in a sexual affair by using the words 'innappropriate relationship' to characterize his receiving money from a lobbyist. If an organization treats a man with that level of disrespect I don't think they have reason to expect better in return.
Posted by: DangYankee | Mar 7, 2008 1:38:04 PM
he lied, he got caught in the lie and his response was to get terse with a reporter over it and refuse to anser the question. In effect saying, everyone knows he lied and that the meeting he said did not take place did and that we are just to continue ignoring that. 8 years of this crap is enough. Bush insist that we just ignore his WMD lies, then his terror lies and then his sowing democracy lies about Iraq. 4000 lives later we are no where, and the organization that was being 9/11 is stronger and bolder than ever. Virtually unchallenged in Afghanistan and OUR President says that the man ultimately behind 9/11 Osama Bin Laden, no longer matters. McCain supports this position. Enough, is enough.
Posted by: Louis | Mar 7, 2008 1:38:06 PM
Hey Winston, what about Obama bomb bomb Pakistan.
McCain's was a joke not a policy position like Obama.
McCain knows more about war and peace than Hillary and Obama ever could.
McCain wants to withdraw our troops from Iraq responsibly.
Clinton is unqualified to be president.
She has no knowledge of foreign policy.
She flip flops on Iraq constantly.
Clinton lies saying she wasn't for the war when their is a video of her two weeks before the war saying she is for the invasion.
Clinton has Gloria Steinham out bashing McCain for his service.
And this is who you wants as CIC.
Posted by: John | Mar 7, 2008 1:40:03 PM
It is not necessary to raise a voice to be perceived as losing one's cool. Words, mannerisms, body language, facial expressions, tone, etc. all play a factor in perceptions. Be honest about that.
I think a video with audio is needed to really know how people will perceive him.
Posted by: DCVoter | Mar 7, 2008 1:40:12 PM
I don't think you want video of McCain losing his cool on the internet. It would set off too many filters. LOL. But seriously, I want to see HRC losing it. Don't tell me that woman doesn't get angry when she doesn't get her way. I wanna see the footage of her after she found out that BHO won New Hampshire.
Posted by: DangYankee | Mar 7, 2008 1:44:01 PM
Louis McCain is qualifed to be CIC.
Hillary Clinton isn't qualified to even stand on the same stage as our brave men and women.
She used our troops for political gain.
She was for the war for years when it was popular then switches for political gain lying about how she wasn't for it when she is on tape being for it.
Hillary voted against an amendment that would have stopped military action in Iraq.
Clinton is a flip flopper.
Even now she is lying about Iraq. Saying publicly she will remove troops right away while her advisers are saying in the background that is just for political gain.
Hillary NEVER wore the uniform.
She has no clue how to deal with foreign affairs.
Hillary thought Musharraf was running in the recent presidential election.
Hillary didn't pass her DC bar exam.
Hillary is stealing Bubba's resume.
Hillary didn't make it on her own. Bubba got her the job at the law firm and got her everything.
Hillary talks about sticking up for children but in 1972 accused a 13 year old rape victim of liking older women.
The detective in that case says Hillary had no evidence to make that accusation.
Hillary Clinton is a fraud.
She is a joke. She isn't qualified to be CIC.
Hillary said Nafta was great for American and New York.
Hillary is on tape praising Nafta.
Now she lies saying she was against it.
Then she calls Canadian embassy saying take it was a grain of salt yet bashes Obama for the same thing.
Hillary Clinton is a serial liar.
Posted by: John | Mar 7, 2008 1:47:47 PM
IF you poke something with a stick long enough it will let you know you had better stop. If you were asked the same question 12 times and asked to define its properties ..what would you consider it? The reporter is shamefully
pounding a useless question. McCain answered the question.."No..No" end of conversation..next question. I wouldn't want a traitor like John Kerry on my team...He will turn his back on you and not support you all at the same time.
Posted by: Jim | Mar 7, 2008 1:49:09 PM
John: You hit the nail on the head!
This reporter was trying to harass him into lossing his temper!
How many times does a person have to
Answer the Same Question?
This was a Setup and It Won't Work!
John McCain will be Our Next President!
Deal With It!
Posted by: reaganfan | Mar 7, 2008 1:49:50 PM
C'mon Folks, anyone is better than Obama
Obama has lied to the American people time after time, Flip flops on everything, and double talks and talks around direct questions, or even his platforms.
He wants to be president for his own personal goals and to make history.
Other wise he would of taken his Senator job seriously and voted, and tried to change things.
If it wasn't for his high price advisors
he wouldn't know much about what he talks about.
It is a shame, all the ones who dropped out of the race, could not keep up with the purse strings he is attached to.
You go McCain, your a Proud American, who has proven himself, worked hard for America and will continue to do so.
Posted by: seah | Mar 7, 2008 1:50:07 PM
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