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McCain Jokes About Age, Democrats, on Saturday Night Live
May 18, 2008 6:27 AM
ABC News's Bret Hovell reports: Senator John McCain appeared in two sketches on season finale of "Saturday Night Live", one in which he urged his rivals on the Democratic side to keep battling it out, and another, self-deprecating piece in which he made fun of his reputation as a cost cutter in the Senate, and his advanced age.
"What should we be looking for in our next president?" McCain asked at the beginning of a faux political advertisement. "Certainly someone who is very, very, very old."
Decrying so-called "pork barrel" spending, of which McCain is a strident opponent, the presumptive Republican nominee repeated an oft-used line from his stump speech: that he has never brought home to his state of Arizona any pork barrel money.
"Not even highway funds," McCain said. "When I entered the Senate in 1987, Arizona at 47,000 miles of paved roadway. Today, it’s less than 900."
"I’ve also opposed federal water projects, even when they’ve benefited my state. That’s why thanks to me, fifteen percent of Arizona citizens must get their drinking water from cactus."
"My friends, controlling government spending isn’t just about Republicans or Democrats. It’s about being able to look your children in the eye. Or in my case, my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and great great great grandchildren, the youngest of whom are nearing retirement," the 71-year-old joked.
Later, joining cast members Seth Meyers and Amy Poheler on the "Weekend Update" set, McCain argued for the protracted race on the Democratic side to continue.
"I want to give you this piece of advice, Democrats," McCain said. "I have to urge you, do not, under any circumstances, pick a candidate too soon."
Meyers followed up: "Oh, so you don’t think Hillary should drop out?" he asked McCain.
"Absolutely not," said the Senator.
Poehler then snapped at Meyers: "Told you."
"Cool it," said Meyers.
"You cool it," said Poehler.
"That’s right, fight amongst yourselves," said McCain, whom many believe has benefited greatly by the unresolved nature of the Democratic race. McCain sealed up his party’s nod in early March, while the Democrats have yet to settle on a candidate.
"Imagine the excitement of leaving the [Democratic National] Convention and still not knowing who the nominee is. That would be crazy. Crazy exciting," McCain predicted.
He concluded his time on the "Weekend Update" set by recommending one more candidate for Democratic consideration.
"I also thought John Edwards had a lot of good ideas," McCain said. "You might want to kick the tires on him one more time."
McCain hosted SNL in 2002. During that show he played then-attorney general John Ashcroft in a send-up of the cable news show Hardball, and sang some Barbara Streisand songs.
Senators Barack Obama, D-IL, and Hilary Clinton, D-NY, have both made cameo appearances on the program this season.
McCain spent part of the day Saturday on the set of SNL rehearsing. Actor Steve Carell hosted the show, and the musical guest was Usher, with whom McCain could be seen chatting at the end of the program.
May 18, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (113)
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I saw him on SNL - Pathetic.
Why didn't the old geezer say to all the young viewers how he wants to send them all to Iraq?
Is this how we elect presidents now? They have to appear hip and appear on Comedy shows? McCain should be ashamed of himself.
Posted by: Ralph | May 18, 2008 7:36:10 AM
He's a Fuddy Duddy. We're witnessing the begining of the fall of the Republican Party, and I'm enjoying it. OBAMA '08
Posted by: Ken | May 18, 2008 8:54:38 AM
I have been thinking that congress would do well to pass a constitutional admendment requiring all Republicans holding office in the Whitehouse to undergo quarterly mental compentency tests. I am not sure we can withstand any more dementia, delusions of grandure and out right psycotic behaviour.
Posted by: cjacks | May 18, 2008 8:56:07 AM
Right on, John. You will have the votes of we Hillary Democrats. We trust you with the security of our country that you have earned through your many years of service to America. We know, of course, of giving 5 years of your life as a prisoner in Vietnam. Yes as a Hillary Demorcrat, you have my vote.
Posted by: benvictor | May 18, 2008 9:59:42 AM
No,
You can give a tax cut to the middle class rather then the upperclass.
And might I add this was an issue was John McCain quoted "offended my conscience"
Flip-Flop?
I admit Obama isn't the best "debater" but that does not change his policies.
What Obama/McCain debates will reveil is the similarities between McCain policies and Bush policies.
Posted by: Vanessa | May 18, 2008 10:05:43 AM
Discrimination comes in many forms. White/Black, Old/Young, Woman/Man.
One that I have found most troubling is the one against the Clinton who have worked all their lives for civil and human rights now to be accused of playing the race card. As the memo from the Obama campaign early on put out to find anything the Clintons say to use as racial. The media and the Obama campaign have both done. It is like you can't say anything with the fear of being accused.
I don't think it should be about White/Black, Old/Young, Woman/Man. It should be about who is most qualified for the job. When we hire for any position for any company we need someone capable and experience.
Posted by: lois | May 18, 2008 10:12:59 AM
I think it was funny. You can't take it so seriously. We all have to laugh at our weaknesses in order to overcome them.
Posted by: margaret | May 18, 2008 10:22:16 AM
To benvictor:
Please understand that McCain having many years of service doesn't gurantee you security he will render to the country.
Its the right people who will surround and work with him and support him. If he doesn't have them, his long service will be recognised as we do now!
Posted by: Peace | May 18, 2008 10:25:23 AM
McCain is a decent man. Too bad he is a Republican and therefore must follow their wrong-headed policies that have bankrupted this country and promises troops in the Middle East for decades to come...
Posted by: indy_voter | May 18, 2008 10:39:13 AM
Let's see if McBush makes any jokes this fall in the general election.This is no laughing matter, come November you're TOAST Mr, McCain!
Posted by: LogicalAA | May 18, 2008 10:50:28 AM
I don't think McCain can afford to joke about his age. It's going to be a huge liability for him this fall and even to joke about it is going to harm his chances. Remember when Bush was joking about not finding WMD in Iraq? "Maybe they're behind this curtain..." Joking about a problem doesn't make it go away.
Posted by: dem in chicago | May 18, 2008 10:52:29 AM
McCain's handlers can have him kid about it all they want ...but the country doesn't actually need a mean spitited, nasty elderly man running the country. I have nothing against age per se as an issue ... but he has a reputation for being a big faker when it comes to his nasty temper. He tries in public to exude this kindly persona, when in reality, he's as personally nasty as they get.
Posted by: dgfiit | May 18, 2008 10:55:42 AM
Someone wrote: "I don't think it should be about White/Black, Old/Young, Woman/Man. It should be about who is most qualified for the job. When we hire for any position for any company we need someone capable and experience."
I believe it is the "IDEA" that's imperatively important because that's where the nation is lead into the future. We definitely need new ideas to cchange the old "experienced" non-wworking policies.
Posted by: mampang | May 18, 2008 10:56:44 AM
You are good John; great commedy. I only wished you had married up the annointed one of Teddy and Mr. Bush as running mates. George will be looking for a job in January, and since the annointed one will garner few votes anyway, why not an SNL skit of those two on the same ticket? Anyhow as a Hillary Democrat, you have my vote.
Posted by: benvictor | May 18, 2008 11:13:10 AM
McCain has more brains in his feet than Obama has in his head. We need experience.
Posted by: barefootboy9 | May 18, 2008 11:13:17 AM
MCcain is going to win in a landslide. Anyone who thinks otherwise is out of touch with reality. You can not explain this to sick liberal elitists. They can not be reasoned with due to mental disorders. Bush won! haha Hillary had a chance to win all or some of the swing states that would have given them a chance but thanks to Soros and Moore funding Obama republicans are a sure win.
Posted by: Mike | May 18, 2008 11:22:10 AM
McBush is supporting a war that is causing a deficit in the US & giving Iraq a surplus, also says openly he doesn't understand the economy, & has sr. moments on his foreign policy experience.Now you tell me, who's the empty suit?
Posted by: LogicalAA | May 18, 2008 11:30:58 AM
Quit you gripping and help get out the vote for George W. McCain !!!
Posted by: Keith | May 18, 2008 11:32:42 AM
He is right! More experienced! Years make us more knowledgable!
Posted by: Bill | May 18, 2008 11:34:35 AM
I started getting to knwo John McCain and he is very different than George Bush!
I like him and allthough I voted for barrack in MN, I can not anymore!
If I knew his relationship with Rev Wright, my vote would have not been for him to begin with!
Go McCain!
Posted by: Shanna | May 18, 2008 11:37:36 AM
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