John McCain's crude Chelsea Clinton joke
By John Amato Friday Feb 08, 2008 12:01pmJohn McCain made this odious joke about Chelsea Clinton back in '98.
Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno."
-- Sen. John McCain, speaking to a Republican dinner, June 1998.
Not only is McCain's hideous attempt at humor about 10 times more tasteless than what Shuster said (as the David Corn article notes, newspapers that reported on the joke wouldn't even print it), but while the newsman's ill-conceived comment was at least spontaneous, McCain's joke was a prepared remark to a public audience.
Maybe McCain has more in common with Limbaugh than Rush thinks. The straight talk express should be ashamed of himself.
McCain is crude to begin with, why the surprise?
Oooo! That John McCain is such a meanie. Only nice guys should be President. Oooo!
Whatever, folks. If you want to see McCain not succeed, get off the whole McCain-is-a-mean-hothead thing because people don't care. Folks may say they take umbrage with the joke but in truth more find it funny than don't but just aren't willing to admit it.
Stick to the issues and a Demo will get elected. Deviate and the Republicans will happily go along.
The straight jacket express knows no shame.
I've never really heard McCain say much that wasn't crude. Well except for that damn annoying part in ALL his speeches, "My friends.............."
As fast as McCain folded for the Republicans after they demeaned his family with some light slander, how likely is it that he actually held out against the Vietnamese?
Not too likely.
Talk about crude. What a dumb remark. The man can't lift his arms above his head and you say he gave in to the Vietnamese. Very nice.
Again, get away from the extracurricular stuff, folks. You can't beat McCain on the war hero stuff (truly, no pun intended there).
You're right, He can't lift his arms above his head but he sure can put his Foot in his Mouth....
Uh huh. And within' a year, you'll be calling him your next President. Bravo. So much has been learned... mark my words... McCain and his "Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran" is going to be the next President. I think anyone with a modicum of sense sees the bowling pins being lined up and knows the script by heart at this point. The horror... the horror...
I hate HIllary and think picking her to represent our party would cost us the WH even though everything is right for us to take it - she is too divisive and what proggressive can support someone that voted for war with iraq and iran?
Saying that John McCain, with this comment, again shows how much of a myth his media image is. This guy is a mean hothead. What is he going to to if a world leader refuses his demands? Drop a nuclear weapon? Pat Buchanan got it right when he called McCain - Bush on steroids. And if we pick Hillary and thus allow McCain to win - Merle Haggard is right saying that we will be living at the end of what was once a great country.
Hillary being nominated would have given the Democrats at least eight years in the presidency. And if her Vice President didn't run a Gore-like campaign, it could be more.
Obama is going to get the Democrats the office in the short term, but I'll bet you anything he's going to continually take the safe courses in his policies and approaches and we'll end up handing the White House back to the Republicans 4 years from now. We were all sold on his short track record and pretty speeches, but no one truly knows what the heck he's going to when stuff goes wrong besides tell us to "be cool" (okay, Barack, I get it -- you're hip). We've sold out a long term solution for a short term strategy.
I really hope I'm wrong. But I doubt it. Welcome back, Jimmy Carter.
ConcernedCanuck @ 3:
I've been trying to figure out why he uses it so often in his speeches and I'm with you - so annoying!
Is that really . . . so much worse than . . . Obama's . . . continuous pauses while he talks? For such, uh, . . . an educated man, he seems to . . . take forever to say simple things.
At least in Shuster's case it was just a REALLY bad choice of words at the time....
Shuster is a continuously vapid reporter who never really adds much to any show he's on (unless he's giving Joe Scarborough material to rant on), but his choice of words was mildly awkward, at best. Not surprising because he's never really demonstrated any first class intelligence. But he really should not have been crucified. If Hillary wasn't needing publicity, it probably would have blown over.
right, i'm sure mccain is right on that feeling ashamed about a retarded joke made a decade ago. his horrible past has been revealed! isn't there better dirt on mccain?
Probably, but shouldn't we be moving away from giving Republicans material for distraction? If the election is on the economy, the White House is in the bag. Yet, because Democrats can not help themselves and constantly feel the need to get back at the ridiculously mouthy Republicans, they always end up off course and losing the Presidency. How else did George W. Bush end up with TWO freakin' terms?
Learn your lessons, folks! Drop the dirt about a ten year old joke and stay on message. Say what you want about Bill Clinton, the man was great at creating the message and sticking to it. Yet Democrats continue to ignore that because he was such a bad, widdle boy. Isn't that right, Al Gore and John Kerry?
Now that I think about it, it is kind of a humorous joke, and doesn't really slam Chelsea or doesn't intend to do it. It jokingly questions Hillary's sexual orientation, and I remember well, everyone joking about that after Bill's ex-flings starting to come out of the WhiteHouse woodwork and eyewitness accounts of the same things happening while he was Governor. It is in poor taste, but given the date in time he said it, is no worse or better than anything Ann Coulter says.
Cons love pushing peoples buttons.
Thats never changed.
It's a good joke cuz it's multidimensional. It simultaneously pokes fun at the attractiveness of Janet Reno and implies Hillary is a lesbian. It's totally tasteless but well crafted.
Does anyone remember Limbaugh on David Letterman years ago? The bloated gasbag was commenting on how ugly Hillary was and Letterman looks at him and says "Of course you can say this because you're such a fine physical specimen."
same applies to McCain.
This is pretty old news and you've brought it up twice this week. I have to agree that there has to be better dirt on McCain.
John will probably say chill out it's just a hazing tradition.
That joke is funny. Lighten up crooksandliars.
Concerned American @ 1:
I wonder if he makes the same kind of statement now. I'll bet he doesn't do the same thing.
We will probably see soon if he starts doing the comedian thing again. But it seems that he really is crude and without good timing for any vulgarities he might use. Sure sign of a RePUG, a conservative, and someone with lots of aggression.
One of our biggest problems is we let idiots like McCain and Rush get to us.
So if HRC is going to refuse to appear on MSNBC - effectively blaming an entire network for the gaffe of one individual - will she now refuse to debate McCain?
I would'nt worry about this remark. Evidently Hillary doesn't. After all, John is her friend. I beleive that is what she said as yesterday in Washingon.
This guy is a real loser. He may be 71, mentally he is about 10.
KansasCityFaGt @ 18:
Not if he agrees to do it on Fox!!!! Rupert luvs him some Hillary.
I don't get C&L...what's up with this old 1998 McCain silly joke? Have you nothing better to post or are you obligated to post stuff about Hillary somehow?
SassySandy @ 19:
Yep, and ol' Bill said if they were the final two it would be the most civil candidates debates in US history cuz they have mutual respect and admiration for each other, and vote similar on the issues.
harry @ 20:
16-18
10 is still to young to be affected by adolescent games and nonsense. There are better things to do at 10.
You see these "jokes" supporters, but the salient point these people miss is that:
1) The "jokes" are not told in private, they are told in a very public setting
2) They are a reflection of the beliefs and values of those who tell them, which many here do indeed find odious.
I think we can all agree that McCain will become more odious as his fearmongering pitch increases and its either vote for "Him or the Terrorists" which will result in his landslide defeat.
really, if i had learned obama said the joke instead, i would still think of him as a decent man. this particular topid reeks of character assassination, hate to say it. really, the joke is no worse than what you'd see on conan, letterman, stewart or colbert. they make ugly jokes and lesbian jokes all the time, albeit much more funny. ask yourself if you're actually offended, or just knee jerking, as the topic seems to indicate that i should be offended. wellllll i'm not.
Who CARES! No wonder U.S. Troops are still dying in Iraq in the hunt for the 9/11 Conspirator Osama Bin Laden. We live in a nation of idiots and cowards. Democrats Republicans, ugh. It's disgusting. You all need to stop watching MSNBC, CNN, Fox, It's just garbage.
ConcernedCanuck @ 10:
Yea, whatever.
Later.
My self imposed time limit (new discipline) for wasting my time on the internet is up for the day.
Jesus, enough with the daily "Hillary Clinton as victim" story. There really are bigger issues in the Democratic primary.
jonesy @ 13:
It's way too complicated to explain the difference between Iraq and Korea to debunk McCain "100 more years" argument. Much better to just make fun of him.
I wish someone would come up with a Video clip of McCain saying this, that would be a great anti=McWarmonger slogan..
odanny @ 28:
Oh come on. It was a joke. What is with people not having a sense of humour anymore? He made a joke in 1998. At the time, The Daily Show featured McCain regularly because he was funny, and human, regardless of his party. He WAS a maverick. He said whatever he felt like saying and didn't give a damn what the Dems or Reps thought about him. He was essentially, what EVERYBODY has been screaming for in politics. Oh well. And now back to our regularly scheduled faux election symposium covering such wildly entertaining subjects as cult leader candidates, god candidates, and the entire globe pickin' on those poor honest-ta-goodness Clinton underdogs who have been savaged throughout their lives like a beaten housewife.
haha, c'mon thats pretty funny. i thought it was funny then, i think it's funny now.
god, is everyone here too enamored by bill clinton to take a joke?
MSNBC now whining about the Convention is going to select the candidates.
Basically because the Mainstream Media spent a great deal of time shaping the election with spin and deception. Especially hate radio.
The Media is the status quo and I can’t wait till Fox news, CNN, MSNBC become irrelevant.
Post Americans @ 27:
Well, the point you made about looking for OBL and 9/11 conspirators in Iraq says a whole lot, mostly, THEY ARE NOT IN IRAQ !!! they're in Afghanistan. So much for that argument.
McCain stayed in prison in Vietnam because he had no choice. The Vietnamese weren't going to let him go. He's a hero because he survived, and that's all. The History channel had a movie on it.
Barrett D @ 9:
I thought the same thing.
Why is C&L dredging up wince material like this?
Shuster's temporary idiocy stands on its own. He apologized; let's move on.
*sigh* nobody funny no more
http://www.hillaryclintonjokes.com/popup.php?sbpic_id=1&PHPSESSID=c42e70...
Kevin @ 15:
Actually, Kevin, the joke is NOT funny.
To attack an adult by saying their child is ugly is not even worthy of an 8-year-old.
Grow up.
And I think it is a good idea to drag this 10 year old quote out into the open...I had never heard it and it certainly speaks to McCain's judgement and to what ends he will go to please a fringe group.
Finally, I think Chelsea is becoming quite attractive as she grows, and even when she was younger, i thought she bore a resemblance to Eleanor Roosevelt....and we all know what a loser she was.
Hillary Clinton and her driver were cruising along a country road one evening when an old cow loomed in front of the car. The driver tried to avoid it but couldn't - the old cow was killed.
Hillary told her driver to go up to the farmhouse and explain to the owners what happened. She stayed in the car making phone calls to lobbyists.
About an hour later, the driver staggered back to the car with his clothes in disarray. He was holding a half empty bottle of expensive wine in one hand, an expensive Cuban cigar in the other and was smiling happily, smeared with lipstick.
"What happened?" asked Hillary.
"Well," the driver replied, "the farmer gave me the cigar, his wife gave me the wine, and their beautiful twin daughters made mad passionate love to me! ."
"My God, what did you tell them?" asked Hillary.
The driver replied: "I said, I'm Hillary Clinton's driver, and I just killed the old cow."
1) The real story is the bias of the newspaper.
2) Those of you who think the joke was funny and people need to lighten up...how would you feel if someone called your kid ugly, even if they were only joking? You say that about one of my kids and I'll lighten you up.
ConcernedCanuck @ 33:
Calling a teen-aged girl "ugly" isn't a slam at Chelsea? Implying that the First Lady and the Attorney General are lesbians is fair game?
It was disgusting and contemptible. So is defending it.
No More Bubbas For Presideny @ 36:
Vietnam was a war for imperialism, he is no hero.
myiq2xu @ 42:
It is no different than Dem politicians saying similar things about the Bush daughters or the comedians doing it. And they have. 'nuff said. Get a sense of humour.
Shuster got supended for his "pimping" comment but McInsane got swiftboated:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFM1xqqTX_g
ConcernedCanuck @ 44:
Oh, forgot........she WAS ugly.
ConcernedCanuck @ 40:
Got any jokes about Barack Obama picking cotton? If you're going to make a fool of yourself, go all the way.
ConcernedCanuck @ 10:
No better or worse than Ann Coulter?..................THAT'S your smell test?.....................
Truly disgusting. I wonder what it may say about the man. It reminds me of Sen. George Allen’s racial slur, "macaca," but worse.
Seriously - a grown man who with premeditation calls a young girl ugly in a public arena for the sake of a laugh is a miserable, mean, cold-hearted person. WTF? The rest of it is tasteless for a public figure to utter, but dragging a teenage girl into it shows a fundamentally flawed character.
myiq2xu @ 47:
Racist jokes as opposed to a joke about Hillary being a cow....hmmmm...I don't consider racism a joke, but I'm sure there are joke sites about Obama on the web somewhere
seriously? you people are offended by the joke? do you really not watch late night TV?
i comfortably say that the first lady and attorney general is fair game for jokes. i would also say that the president is fair game for jokes, and you can find plenty of rude and crude and hilarious jokes about bush, no one complains about those. the bush twins are often the butt of jokes, too. get over it, if you're adults like you say you are you laugh or bite your tongue and get over it, its really quite nothing. thats why i'm defending, because people are upset and butthurt over nothing.
ConcernedCanuck @ 33:
The funniness is not the issue. He called a teen girl ugly on a national stage. The issue is now all these years later, that teen girl is grown up and campaigning for her mother, potentially against John McCain. The issue isn't whether the joke is funny or not, the issue is politically, is this going to comeback to bite Mac in the ass because it shows what an asshole he is?
Can't you see the commercial now? Fade in to Chelsea sitting on the corner of a desk, on which a TV is playing the clip of McCain calling her ugly. When it ends, she looks at the camera and says "Fuck McCain"
(Personally I think it WAS funny. but again, the issue here is politics, not comedy)
ConcernedCanuck @ 46:
Can you give an example of a Democratic politician saying that Jenna or Barbara Bush were ugly?
McCain isn't a comedian, he's a Senator who is running for President.
The big thing here is that Chelsea was just 18 at the time, a teenage girl probably extremely self-conscious about her looks like the rest of us were at that age.
I wish Janet would kick his sorry ass!!
Lindy
ConcernedCanuck @ 51:
Racism isn't funny but misogyny is?
I think Shuster accomplished his intended task.
To bring attention to American People about the Super Deligates, and the way the democtatic nominee might well be selected.
I am concerned that he might not be as open and forceful after his "suspension".
liberalbiasboy @ 48:
Coulter says he's a comedian. I would wager that McCain said it in gest. No better or worse than Bush daughter jokes, or jokes about Laura Bush, or jokes about Cheney or his wife. They are jokes. Period. I would think with the last 20 or so years, just American political leaders should show beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Americans can take a joke. If not, late night comedy would not be popular. We'll be all sure now to get those faxes and emails flying at The Daily Show and the Colbert Report to not make any jokes regarding politicians OR their families. Geez. Lighten up people.
I hope McCain has gained a little tact and diplomacy since those days. Oh wait, when that lady called Hillary a bitch just recently as she asked, "How can we beat the bitch?" McCain just chuckled. Guess he's got a ways to go.
ConcernedCanuck, it appears it's your turn to make an ass out of yourself.
You're doing just fine on your own, BTW.
Why headline this and ignore Schuster's MSNBC remark that the Clinton's were "pimping out" their daughter to win the election? More smoke and mirrors from the Obama crowd.
Obama should have spoken out and said that kind of rhetoric is beyond the pale. He's supposed to be running above the fray, isn't he?
Olbermann apologized but we didn't hear a word from Obama.
harry @ 43:
Not to mention that the Gulf of Tonkin attacks were greatly exaggerated or faked.
Look, say what you want about the origins of the Vietnam War or the political strategies behind its existence. But don't give me any kind of crap that McCain wasn't a war hero. Whether you agreed with whether there should have been a war or not, that does not erase the fact that the folks that went over and fought it weren't courageous in doing their duty. Does that mean that the men and women over in Iraq right now aren't courage and heroic for doing what they're doing? Or do you have to wait and find out if any run for office as a Republican before you make that decision?
That's the very kind of garbage that simply hands votes over to McCain and Republicans. And beyond that, it's just a plain stupid thing to say.
seriously, 10 years ago? We have to go back 10 years and dig up this crap?
Filthy Harry @ 53:
It is old. So? I honestly hope to GOD (if there is one) that Hillary Clinton is the Democratic Candidate for President and Americans have to sit watching EVERY night as every bit of steamy gossip and case against Bill is dredged up in every political ad. Perhaps then people will lighten up.
The real question for us is why is John McCain's soul so ugly?.
And the answer isn't a joke, it is a tragedy
It's one thing for a professional comedian to make a joke, it's another for a politician to make one like this in public.
Somebody should tell Jon Stewart the difference between professional comedians and politicians. I think he's starting to believe he's in the political arena and not just the host of a cable talk show.
I love a lot of liberals, but so damn many of them have such enormous egos. Don't get me wrong. Republicans have them, too. They just don't seem to whine as much about it. But Jon Stewart, Keith Olbermann, Paul Begala. Damn, get over yourselves.
Lollimom @ 61:
Quoting Late Night Comedy jokes is making an ass of oneself? Nice. Grow up.
kaT @ 62:
I'm sure he would agree that Shuster was out of line. Obama has more class than some of his supporters.
Personally, I'm tired of the Bush and Clinton families beating-up on the free press if they don't play by their rules. There was nothing out-of-line with what Shuster said, and personally, I think he's right. So, Chelsea's big enough to insert herself into the national political scene but not big enough to take the criticism that comes along with it? Now, Hillary has the right to not participate in a debate, but to use her participation as a tool to control the press is beneath contempt.
So this is what the Clintons do to a constitutionally protected free press, and this is the candidate that is supposed to restore our civil liberties?
Folks need to help me out with this. Why is MSNBC totally kissing Keith Olbermann's ass? I can understand why they're taking a turn to the left, but Olbermann has always put his ego over common sense and managed to burn every bridge he's crossed. For some reason MSNBC evidently believes he's not going to implode and throw some kind of tantrum when he doesn't get his way now? The man couldn't even keep it cool at a freakin' sports channel and managed to get shown the door there. (Er, uh, I mean, he left on his own. Right.)
Sooner or later (and judging by the horrendous judgement he's shown in flapping his yap at even his own colleagues on the air), he's going to do his traditional self-destruction and be a funny joke from the past.
I realize a lot of what they are broadcasting is in HD but even with the wider dimensions, his ego still can't stay on the screen.
Looks as if you Americans have a hard decision to make.Sucks to be you
I don't know why this is tasteless. The implications about the sexuallity of the adults involved is hilarious and the premise is not objectionable to liberals anyway. The butt of the joke is not Chelsea. It was not made in public or for the public unlike the comments of David "it's only a joke!" Letterman who refuses to expose his private life. People who repeat jokes are responsible if they see the light of day.
ConcernedCanuck @ 65:
Perhaps then people will get tired of this B.S. and put a stop to it.
I don't want them to bring all this stuff up again. Go Obama.
budda @ 6:
Yeah, well I'm going out to caucus for her today. Bite me.
ConcernedCanuck @ 68:
Here's you: "Now that I think about it, it is kind of a humorous joke..."
Now look in the mirror, and repeat the last three words you said to me.
My issue would be that Chelsea has the access to contact super delegates. I'm not sure if there is another more appropriate term other than "pimping".
Shuster called it right albeit, not politically correct.
Is this the way we give Shuster a pass on his comments...we attack McCain?
I agree the comment wasn't that bad and Shuster probably should have got a slap on his hand...but this is proof on how the mainstream media is controlled by the elite in Washington DC.
When Shuster compared Presidential Candidate and United States Congressman Ron Paul to Al Qaeda....what happened?
NOTHING!!!!!
My kids are ugly. So what!
Razzamatazz @ 70:
No damn kidding. Chelsea is in the public eye, publicly campaigning for her mother. She has MADE herself a target. So somebody made a joke about her 20 years ago?! Wow, and what does that have to do with McCain's voting record, or Hillary's voting record, or Obama's voting record...is this still more of the "feel sorry for Hillary" style campaigning? What is it with this damn family that they always have to play the victim regardless of circumstance. No wonder people are disgusted with them.
Once again Repukes should never ever ever ever try to be funny or attempt to be. It is not in their DNA. When God creates one he leaves it out.
Out of curiosity, is the "Blue Gal" who often starts threads on this site the same as the "Blue Gal" who created this thread?
Granted, even if they are the same, it rather different to be a blogger who brings up the children of politicians as opposed to being a politician who does the same, but, as in the other thread, I'm a little lost as to where the line is supposed to be drawn.
Razzamatazz @ 70:
Nobody has suggested that anything Shuster said was illegal or should be made illegal.
It's about establishing boundries for what is considered decent and respectable behavior, and what is permissible for commentary in politics and what is not.
The press is free to say what they want, but people are free to object to what the press says.
Lollimom @ 74:
Under the circumstances and the date that he said it, ya it was humorous. It offended you obviously. So, during the Clinton WhiteHouse years you never laughed at ANY jokes offered up by the Letterman's of the world? Bull. People have to quit acting so sanctimoniously offended at everything that is said by politicians.
i'm not a comedian either, am i allowed to say jokes? it amazes me how people who are unaffected by the joke are the ones told to grow up. i usually associate temper tantrums and crying over spilt milk (aka making big deals out of nothing) with children, not biting humour.
ConcernedCanuck @ 65:
The difference is that the baggage of the Clintons was fodder for every news and comedy outlet already for many years.
(Not an HRC supporter, just looking at this politically, not as a right/wrong issue. Though still as I said even though I think the joke was funny, you got to be a major asshole to call a teen girl ugly in the national spotlight.)
All this Clinton hate has pushed me and other women right over the fucking edge. I'm donating and caucusing. Good job all you so called liberals. You make me ashamed. And I'm doing everything to get her elected. Even reaching out to my republican sisters and law and dragging them to the polls. You shot yourselves in the foot on this one. You should have played nice and played up Obama, not attacked Hillary.
O.K. Some did not like the word "pimp". What word could have been used to effectively bring attention to the fact that Chelsie is/was actively trying to influence Super Deligates to vote for her mother because Chelsie asked them, and not because thats the person their state, or their constituents actually want..
budda @ 6:
Sound like a broken record. Polarizing, divisive, light rod, blah, blah, blah. Elaborate or change the fucking broken record.
She's gonna win. So kiss it!
Stevenovitch @ 64:
AH the "this is 2 0 0 6, that law was written in 1970, its a different year" defense. Well it shows precedent. It shows history. It shows lack of growth of McCains part. Sure its an old joke, and a abad one at that, but he has continued them to today. Time to be a statesman, not a public clown, if you want to be president. Otherwise he may be telling off color jokes at state dinners. Can't have a president that embarasses us at world events now can we? We need a president we can look up to, not laugh at. We've suffered through the latter, it is time (again) for the former! Bill Clinton knows how to work a crowd, in a manner appropriate to his station, Bush played to the crowd, in a pathetic attempt to be liked. Clinton got respect, Bush got laughed at. Give me Clinton.
these fucking people, clinton, mccain, msnbc, cnn, all of them are complicit in killing upwards of a million Iraqis. and we are going to get hung up on the word "pimp" being used by one of the only balls the the walls reporter in the mainstream media. holy fucking shit batman! Shuster didn't even come close to saying what needs to be said. This country has one of the most conflicted and morally battered puritanical mindsets. It will be its undoing. She is 27, an adult, not a teenager. She is fodder like the rest of them.
Amazonmum @ 85:
Ya cuz it is really smart voting for someone cuz she's the same sex. Kinda like voting for Bush cuz people thought they'd like to have a beer with him. Joke about Bush family? OK. Joke about the Clinton Royal Family? OH, you've gone right over the edge now....why I'm gonna vote for this person now.....sounds pretty lame....Anyone on here ever heard a joke about Jenna Bush and not laughed?? Don't lie now....a simple search even on this site would probably bring back the answer.
pat @ 86:
As offensive as the idea of superdelegates are to me, I don't see the issue with Chelsea. You think every candidate isn't bugging the superdels for their vote? (Serious, I don't know. I just assume they are. If its weird for HRC to be reaching out to the superdels, let me know)
Guys this is not a joke,
This interview below to ABC Australia, posted 4 hours 23 minutes ago on the ABC website
Obama will be assassinated if he wins: Nobel winner Lessing
If Barack Obama becomes the next US president he will surely be assassinated, British Nobel literature laureate Doris Lessing predicted in a newspaper interview published in Sweden.
Senator Obama, who is vying to become the first black president in US history, would certainly not last long, a black man in the position of president. They would murder him," Lessing, 88, told the Dagens Nyheter daily.
Lessing, who won the 2007 Nobel Literature Prize, said it might be better if Senator Obama's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton were to succeed in her bid to become the first woman president of the United States.
"The best thing would be if they (Clinton and Obama) were to run together. Hillary is a very sharp lady. It might be calmer if she were to win, and not Obama," she said.
James @ 50:
Thank you! I was starting to think everyone here was a Republican (due to their penchant for mean-spirited jokes against innocent parties) Here's some reasons the joke sucked: 1) Chelsea was a 17 year old girl at the time, who had no control over who her parents were, and didn't deserve to be called "ugly" on a national stage by a senile old coot. 2) If Hillary Clinton had ever called one of the Bush girls ugly, her career would be over. Just another example of how the media only demands apologies and good taste from Democrats.
I hate McCain but I actually thought that was pretty funny.
God I feel like such a loser lol.
The ironic twist in all this is that Chelsea Clinton is actually quite pretty! Which just goes to show you how wrong John McCain is. Period.
"He's not "right". He's WRONG."
nieddu @ 92:
Someone is predicting that the first black American president will be assassinated? That is not news.
ConcernedCanuck @ 90:
Dickwad, Obama doesn't have the experience to go up against the right wing smear machine. I saw what the rightwingers did to Bill during the 90's. And Bill is one of the best politicians in modern history. 70 million dollars was spent on bringing him down and they couldn't do it, but they did hamstring many of the things he tried to accomplish. Obama is nice but he will get eaten alive if he gets elected. Hillary is the Queen dragon lady and probably already has a counter rightwing smear team in place. She's a bitch, just like me. We can handle ourselves and we're not afraid to resort to bare knuckles if the situation calls for it. Bring it on little man.
Abbybwood @ 95:
You're right she is pretty.
McCain is manifestly a nut.
He is the most hostile and angry candidate out there.
He has worked to simulate a speaking sound that is moderate in tone, but it obviously masks rage.
He is dangerous and nasty.
The press loves him.
Amazonmum @ 97:
Somebody's on their high horses! What is it, PMS? I see nothing in ConcernedCanuck's post that prompt the insult in your response. Obviously someone's here has a small brain!
The right-wing has managed over the last 20 years to degrade the level of political discourse in this country but that doesn't make it right.
The fact that Chelsea Clinton is helping her mother campaign for President doesn't make her fair game for every cheap shot and sleazy joke.
Just because you don't think something is offensive doesn't entitle you to say it and then say "lighten up" or "get a sense of humor" when others are offended. Thast's blaming the victim.
I'm a mom who sent all of my children to catholic schools. I was so horrified when, on the last day of 8th grade, my son came home with "Have a bitching summer" written on the back of his nice white shirt. I was outraged. I destroyed the shirt. Now that I'm older, and wiser, Id kinda like to have that great shirt.
ConcernedCanuck @ 10:
Yeah, but in this context, it's relative to David Schuster's comment, not anything by Man Coulter (who loves to be hated). It does slam the girl, because then she was a minor, and the media meme going around was that she didn't inherit the charisma of her parents. It perhaps then is the mainstream media who should ponder over this representation of a president's daughter.
Much different, though, 9 years later, with Chelsea an adult.
Barrett D @ 52:
The problem is, no one thinks Letterman, Leno, Stewart or Colbert is fit to be president. The presidency once required some modicum of decency, dignity and civility because that was the level of public behavior that was the role model for all Americans. The Republican party apparently thinks McCain, with his public crudeness and stooping to the lowest common denominator, should be president and therefore our role model. We've had seven-plus years of that abhorrent behavior. That's the problem. Enough is enough. Can we become a nation of civility again?
myiq2xu @ 101:
Yeah, it's all the right-wing's fault! Cry babies!
Why is McCain so ugly should be the question. My answer would be self-hatred. All his venomous and slimey past deeds catching up with him.
An old man is left with little but himself.
jane @ 100:
And what justifies your insults?
myiq2xu @ 107:
Oh now, you too are offended? You need some serious help!
Yeah, we get it...
McCain is scum.
How about focusing on the collapse of the "surge" and the economy; and what President Obama is going to do about it?
Hi Harry at 91. Yes, of course , you are correct. Every body is doing everthing possible to ensure their favorite candidate wins.,
and I actually think Chelsie is adorable. Quite an accomplishment. See, I do try to be fair and balanced.
BTW - For everyone who is defending Shuster, consider that he has apologized and admitted he was out of line, and so did Keith Olberman on behalf of MSNBC, after they suspended Shuster.
So if they admit it was wrong, why are you still defending what he said?
Amazonmum @ 97:
Ok. Ya. That sounds so......what is the word......oh ya........Republican
what was stupid about that joke was...it was 6 years too late....at 18, chelsea wasnt the gawky brace face anymore....she was a beautiful young woman
mccain was just gearing up for the prez race and wanted to sound hip and edgy
what an asshat
King of Kings @ 109:
I tell ya...that's one of the reasons Dems keep losing elections they should win: too many cry babies! Someone's always offended: oh they are sexist, oh they are racist, oh they call me fairy tale, oh they use the word "pimped out"...People, grow some balls and focus on some serious issues. I wish they showed as much outrage on things that actually matter...like the War? Where was Hillary's outrage when she realized the president has "deceived" her? Wake up sheeples or you're bound to lose yet another election!
jane @ 108:
I'm not insulting anyone, but I need help?
jane @ 114:
Thank you. A voice of reason. Voting for a person because 10 years ago somebody made a joke about their daughter, is a joke. I don't think the Dems really want to go down that road. I'm sure Hillary and Obama have probably said some pretty stupid things jokingly over the years. Will it make a difference on how they will govern? Not likely. Everyone knows McCain is batshit crazy or senile, so bringing up ANYTHING he ever said makes no difference.
ConcernedCanuck @ 116:
You folks are looking at this the wrong way, as if we're all trying to convince each other to change our votes. We're not the 'sheeples', they're 'out there'. The issue here is about CAMPAIGNING, and discussing how the various campaigns will use various items and how effective they may or may not be.
In other words, discuss how McCain's comments in the past will affect the campaign and why you think so, not whether it should or should not affect the campaign, that is pointless.
John McCain was on Letterman years ago and was asked this question. If the best man in the world was a Democrat running for President and the worst man in the world was a Republican running for President, who would you vote for? McCain said," The Republican. I am a Republican and always support my party." That covers it all. He isn't an American first, willing to do right by America. He is a Republican first and willing to do anything to be next to George W. Bush. Amazing what people will tell you about themselves if one only listens.
Filthy Harry @ 117:
No, the issue here is attack anything remotely related to the current government and it is not a new strategy. Was used at the end of Clinton's term as well. Good vs. Evil always needs a good guy and bad guy. Now, I don't blame C&L because it is their website and obvious to all here that they belong to the Democratic Party. But seizing anything said by a Prez candidate, even a decade earlier, is quite simply partisan politics. Doesn't matter what it is that person said. Posting what McCain said 10 years ago will be nothing like what will be dragged out ad nauseum for the Clinton candidacy. Right or wrong, true or not, it will be a pathetic display and the last person anybody is going to have to worry about in this regard is McCain. He's buddies with Hillary and Bill. Bill and Hillary even said so.
In McCain's defense, even in '98 the guy was like 85 years old. I doubt very much he knew where he was or what he was saying.
jane @ 114:
The GOP Slime Machine and their allies in the Lap Dog Media keep insulting and denigrating our candidates and their families.
If we don't respond, we look weak. If we object, you say we're cry babies that need to grow some balls. Either way, Democrats lose. Josh Marshall called it the (ironically misogynistic) "Bitch-slap Theory of Electoral Politics."
Defending yourself, your family and your party is not being a cry baby, it's taking a stand and asserting your perogatives. It's not being weak, it's being strong.
ConcernedCanuck @ 120:
Well, you can't go wrong there.
I'm just saying, its not like anyone here is going to say "OMG I'm a sheeple, I'm awake now!" and suddenly agree with the poster. Its just silly. Isn't it more interesting to discuss how the electorate may or may not see this issue, whether or not you think it's valid? Because even if you think it isn't valid, its out there and partisan people are going to try to work it from all angles.
ConcernedCanuck @ 3:
I’ve never really heard McCain say much that wasn’t crude. Well except for that damn annoying part in ALL his speeches, “My friends…………..”
I’ve been trying to figure out why he uses it so often in his speeches and I’m with you - so annoying!
I think "my friends" started out as a mechanism to keep him from saying UH or UHM and has morphed into this. It is so annoying and he seems to do it more when tired...which is why I think it is something he isn't doing consciously.
God help us! It's become the election about Chelsea. In the meantime, I recommend all read Matt Taibbi's upcoming article in Rolling Stone, "The Chicken Doves". It's linked on The Raw Story and HuffPo. If McCain and Clinton are the candidates, anyone of us of the 75% who want out of Iraq are screwed. There will be no difference between the two. Actually, I'm even a bit leery of Obama not pushing the Iraq occupation as an issue enough. In the meantime, it seems the blogs will continue to push stories like Chelsea and does she have enough money or doesn't she?
Right. Who's the real "ugly American"?
Wow. I feel like I just looked under the Democratic rock to see what really wiggles and hides underneath...
Does it really need explaining why attacking the CHILD of a political figure by another political figure should not be Okay? (I would actually INCLUDE Bush's lot in that, ideally) And the difference between a private comment and a public, political joke planned ahead for affect?
It may be 10 years ago - so what? Do you really think McCain's basic character has changed in those years? You really think he doesn't make similiar comments now? It was within his recent political career and I find it very revealing. As I do some of the comments here...
Being a lesbian, too - it seems obvious that the "ugly woman = lesbian" moldy oldy lurks in that comment, too. Wanna ask me how I feel about that?
Not to mention the idea that a woman's highest calling must be to be "attractive" or you're fair game, too.
I suspect that everybody that says "no big deal" are people who make similiar jokes, and don't want to have to question their own behavior. It's also classic bully behavior to make insensitive remarks and then say "Hey, lighten up! It was only a joke!"
But, I'm sure presumptions about me and comments about my lack of a sense of humor will be easier to make than stopping and considering what I've said, in any serious way.
It's an adolescent world, man...
Bomber McCain should've been shot by the North Vietnamese but they showed their humanity by letting the retard live.
Yup, this is the key to the hardliner's hearts.
Looks like God got even with McCain for making ugly jokes by taking away half of his face.
LOL, I wish I was the DeeJaay for McCain's b-day bash, what is he now 97?
Just so I get to say to his face: "Comeonnnnn, put yer hands in the aiiiiiirrrrr, like you jusssst don't carreeeeeeee! Come onnnnn Mr. McCain raise the roof, come on put those hands up in the air!!!"
Ahhh, the beatings by the secret service that would follow would be so worth it.
So McCain is a callous piece of shit from way back, why am I not surprised?
That's right- McCain's the real villain here. Give me a break. His joke was 10 years ago.
And I'm sorry, trying to rationalize that Schuster's likening Chelsea to a prostitute with her mom as her pimp is 10 times less tasteless than a joke about her looks is ridiculous. They're both quite equally tasteless.
Can O’ Whoopass @ 128- you take the award from both McCain and Schuster for being the most low-class, tasteless jerk-off in today's discussion. Get a life.
Vote Obama.
The straight talk express should be ashamed of himself.
Christ, Amato, you and your groupies talk shit just as much as anyone. Stop trying to suck up to your peers with nonsense such as this. Talk about low-hanging fruit...
I am not surprised, given mccain's recent abysmal joke about bombing the people of Iran! He is nothing but a good old boy - and fits the rich repuke image very well.
What do you think georgie bush says in private with a few shots of the turkey in him? Bet he is just as crude and rude as the alcohol allows. Trouble with mccain is that he can't seem to put the brakes on his foul mouth, or his temper, even when he is sober.
The country gets what it votes for - so Democrats, no matter who the candidate ultimately is, VOTE DEMOCRAT in November - or meekly accept whatever happens.
hahahahahahahahahahaha.... Good one John...
Let's see, McCain's teeth are crusty and yellow, his neck looks like 3 spare tires stacked one on top of the other and he's got little stumpy arms like Mini Me.
Yea, he's one to talk about ungly.
Kevin @ 15:
troll