John McCain's tepid Presser on the NY Times/Lobbyist story
Download | play wmp...
After McCain made a statement to the press denouncing the NY Times story, he took several questions from them. I couldn't help but notice that he looked like a frightened little deer caught in the headlights of the usually friendly media. He was very passive and it's so unlike him.
I found it interesting that McCain calls John Weaver a good friend, but had no idea what actions he took while trying to keep a young and pretty lobbyist, Vicki Iseman away from him.
Dana Bash: (John Weaver) and what he said was that he did speak with Ms. Iseman and he wanted to tell her was that he was hearing that she was telling people around town, that she had influence with you, that he was worried back then that, just like it would today, it would undermine your campaign and that's why he went to her. Knowing that, did he make the right move?
McCain: I don't know because again, I never discussed it with John Weaver and so, as far as I know there was no necessity for it. That's a judgement that he made so you'll have to discuss it with him. I did not know anything about it.
It reminded me about the Clemens steroid case. Andy Pettitte, a good friend of Roger's told the Mitchell Report that Clemens admitted he did use steroids. Clemens, like McCain didn't know why he said that.
Here's my first question for all the media types who have been covering McCain: why is it that any negative story about his myriad lobbyist connections gets relegated to the back pages -- the A17 story death knell? Anyone know -- because I'd love to hear the scoop.
And Marcy asks:
For the moment, though, I'm more interested in the 2004 election--the one McCain didn't run in. You see, I find it a mighty curious coincidence that two of the companies for which Iseman was lobbying John McCain in 1999 and 2000--the time of their potentially inappropriate relationship--also happen to be the two television companies that championed the Kerry smear, "Stolen Honor," in 2004.
The real story is how close John McCain worked with lobbyists to promote their interests. Let's see the MSM dig into this a bit further, shall we? And how nice is it to have Robert Bennett, McCain's paid attorney go on teevee and defend McCain's honor by practically calling him the last honest man?
The NYT had been working on this for months and this was all they were able to come up with? Perhaps there's something more here, for the NYT sake there damned well better be because right now it's a lot of innuendo, but no actual evidence...
I totally can't wait to see McLovin break down and cry in public. You know he will, one of these days.
How about this: the NYT actually wants McCain to win and released this story to galvanize the right against the “librul media”.
They release this story (which may be true anyway) so that when the general election gets underway, McCain has “gone through crisis” and comes out stronger…
Point is, this seems to be having only one effect: to help McCain.
It makes him seem more noble (he can feign outrage at the gutter politics), he can hone his message and has time to explain himself in a way he wouldn’t have been able to if Romney were still in the race, and it really makes the “librul media” look like a petty, slimey machine. I think the easy observation is that the times wants Obama to win and released this to hurt McCain. I think if you dig deeper, this actually helps McCain in every conceivable way. I think the NYT has an agenda, and we are sheep.
the mrs would look good in tight leather pants and jacket with a pretty swastica arm band!siegh siegh heil
Oh yes, "Stolen Honor" that piece of shit Sinclair put on the air with LOTS OF HELP & $ from the "good" folks at NewsMax!
sagra @ 2:
#175, thanks! lol
:-)
Why did McCain bring a drag queen with him to the press conference?
Wednesday's contributions to the McList of (currently 170) McPetNames(h/t Dr. Matt):
McGrandpa
McAssclown
McChimpy’sbidet
McJowls
McI'veFallenAndCan'tGetUp
McScary
McRedface
McWannabe
McMorewars
McAlzheimer's
McLeakeyoldass
McTerrible
McTemper
McIsGonnaBotchThisCampaignLikeBotchingIsGoingOutOfStyle
McDoesAnyoneReallyThinkMostOfTheseAreWittyBecauseISureAsHellKnowTheyArentCauseIAmNotLaughing
McBobDoleJr
McPoopypants
McPeckertracks
McDilatedrectalsphincter
McCrazamnesty
McIncompetent
McLover
McHornyoldgoat
McCock
McHorny
McPhilanderer
McBoner
McHornybastard
McViagra
McTicklethepickle
McSpankthelobbyist
McBoningtheblondie
McLickher
McNutJob
McMilfhunter
McDidher;didn’tI?!
McCheatin’
McBootycall
“Shorter lists are funnier” generally holds true, and very well may re the McList. C&L’ers are diverse and eclectic, and I’ve enjoyed many lols, LOLs, LOL!s and Ha ha’s here. I’m reluctant to exclude any McEntry, ’cause they’re all funny/pointed/cathartic to varying degrees, and the sheer length of the entire list (posted Tuesdays and Fridays) has a humorous quality of its own.
We are also generating denigrating McMemes, some of which may be useful, in a memie sort of way. The thuglicontards are very aware of the usefulness of denigrating memes, and it won’t hurt to put out a few of our own.
That being said, a Top 11, Dirty Dozen, etc. are considerations, for those (myself included, usually) who like things condensed to essentials.
Pile on, C&L'ers!
Will update at my convenience on pertinent threads.
8-D
"It reminded me about the Clemens steroid case. Andy Pettitte, a good friend of Roger’s told the Mitchell Report that Clemens admitted he did use steroids. Clemens, like McCain didn’t know why he said that."
and now I shall heave a fervent and utterly resigned ***sigh***
Ah Memory....such a harsh Mistress John.
He sure hired a big time lawyer is there is nothing to this story. Makes me wonder why he would spend that kind of money on lawyer fees to work on a story with no there, there.
Has it occurred to anyone that this story might just be a means of bringing the crazies together in support of McCain. Rush has already defended him. funds are being raised in defense - those nasty liberals - There is something very fishy about all of this and it feels like a Rovian kind of dirty trick. I must be very cynical indeed.
Cindy Lou looks ready to blow a gasket. I predict she cracks up before the end of this campaign.
ANYONE CHECK OUT THE NUMBER OF TIMES MCCAIN BLINKS?
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
ISN'T THIS CONSIDERED A "TELL" IN POKER AS TO WHEN SOMEONE IS BLUFFING (READ LYING)?
Randi Rhodes is breaking this story down. The New York Times & Olbermann with MSNBC went the sensational route with this one. When I heard about affair and then lobbyist. I wasn't worried about the affair but whom he had the affair with. Then when you read it very closely, it's more serious than I thought. Read the whole story carefully. This is bigger than the affair with another woman.
Add McStain to the list of names.
I have a hard time with the label (liberal media) associated with the NY Times or the W Post. I have a hard time with liberal media as a label for any of the MSM.
Is she covered under the telecom immunity deal?
pissed off patricia @ 10:
Ya, sounds like what Bill did after one of his first trysts broke. Got a big time lawyer. Damn, can't find it. Had a link to a "rumour" that Nancy Pelosi and McStudmuffin had an affair once, but can't find it now.
WOW ! Listening to him speak at the presser worked as good as my Tamazepam (sleeping meds).
McPander
Dr. Acula @ 20:
McBoring
McOldfart
McCradlerobber
cynick @ 12:
*cue Groucho Marx* *drumroll*
"probably not the first gasket she's blown.." *rimshot*
*cue laugh track*
>Cindy Lou looks ready to blow a gasket.
"Cindy Lou Who?"
--Senator McClapper
Dr. Acula @ 20:
McBain!!!!
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
BLINK
I counted about 194 at about the half way mark. I almost couldn't count the blinks fast enough.
The story everyone is missing does not center around the affair John McCain had with this lady. The real story is the fact that John McCain can be bought and sold. McCain has a history of selling out if the price is right.
Robert Crush @ 25:
Maybe he's sending coded messages to someone. A morse (blinky) Code.
LOBBYISTS ARE FRONT PAGE STORIES
get on the fucking ball, media-america!!!!!!!! fucking lazy asses... (wonder why i don't watch/read/listen to you anymore??)
Bangkok Bob @ 27:
McBlinky the Pugbot.
Playing the devil's advocate here... does anyone recognize the hypocracy of all the McCain puns with his name?
I'm sure that as liberals and progressives we can rise past the silliness of having to reduce a man (or woman... in Coulter's it can be argued that it'll go either direction) to a mere nickname.
If we're are trying to rise above the movement of demonizing that the Republicans and Conservatives consider a staple in their playbooks, then how can we show others that we're really better than this?
I'm certain that if another blog or website took great pains to refer to Obama as Osama or Hillary as Bitch, it would upset many of us. Since others have done this, what makes this site any better than those?
I'm all for humor, and making fun of other people (or things... in the case of Coulter) as it pertains to the issue at hand.
I would like to think that we can be better (and perhaps smarter) than this.
Again... I'm just playing the devil's advocate here.
pinkobait @ 24:
McWolfbain
Mars ATTACKS!!!
C'mon really! Can't a senator gets some nookie now and then. He's busy and on the road a lot.
( And I'm not being sarcastic ) I think all the affairs scandals crap against public figures is just that: crap. There are plenty of other reason not to vote for McCain.
You know: "LEAVE JOHN MCCAIN ALONE!"
Don't say I didn't warn you...
ConcernedCanuck @ 18:
He hired the same lawyer that Bill Clinton, Robert Bennett
"I did not have sexual relations with that woman..."
James Says:
Why did McCain bring a drag queen with him to the press conference?
****************
which one ? chris matthews or his 'wife' ? hey maybe his 'wife' .. cindy...is actually chris matthews in drag ? what do you think ? hmmmm . . and, hey, look at the blue dress .. hmmm again ...
Sure sounded to me like a 'I didn't do it and I will never do it again' kind of denial.
johnnyr @ 33:
I quite agree.I couldn't give a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut about McBain's stupid affairs.
I only care that these elected officials do their GD jobs...although I won't be holding my breath anytime soon on that account.Spare me the sanctimonious hypocritical horse shit please.
Lanny Davis, a former special adviser to President Clinton and longtime Democratic activist, challenged reports today that Sen. John McCain may have done a favor for a female lobbyist, calling them meritless.
Mr. Davis said the likely Republican presidential nominee did not “yield to a lobbyist” and backed up Mr. McCain’s account that the senator only wrote to the Federal Communication Commission in a routine letter that did not cross the lines of propriety…
Mr. Davis, who emphasized he doesn’t support the Arizona senator’s bid, was also lobbying on the same deal [as Vicky Iseman].
“It is sad and unfortunate that facts are not included to make a fair story and that good journalism rules were not followed,” Mr. Davis said. “I am unhappy. I am sad that McCain’s actions are being described as improper when we went beyond the pale to avoid looking like he was violating an FCC rule.”…
During the Post interview, Mr. Davis reminded the reporter that he had already made a statement to the paper in 2000 which cleared the senator of wrongdoing. The statement was not included in today’s story which paints a damning picture of Mr. McCain’s activities.
The Times never contacted him at all, Mr. Davis said. He said he was troubled by today’s accusations.
He can always plead insanity. So can Vicki Iseman. She'd have to be touched to let that nutty old crater head mother fucker bang her.
Is the placement of the press and the cameras in the room controlled by the McCain staff or is it arbitrary? If it's controlled by the staff there's a brilliant play of eye-line direction in this clip which ends with Mrs. McCain confronting the viewer directly with her pissed off and frankly martial stare. Shame on thee! Very effective.
McCain is so pathetic...
Check out this article that points out the "liar's tells" that McCain exhibits when he speaks. It links to an article from Wikihow entitled "How to Spot A Liar." You'll be amazed by how many of the tells mentioned there that McCain exhibits constantly, especially the excessive blinking.
How many times per minute can a man blink, anyways?
Anyone ever notice how many times Dana Bash blinks her eyes while speaking?!? I can never get any of what she is talking about because I find myself hypnotically staring into her huge (OVERLY HUGE) alien-like eyes as they blink some weird Morse-Code signal a mile a minute. The other night during the primary coverage she had a little piece where she was on camera for less than two minutes and I counted (no kidding) THREE HUNDRED eye blinks.!!! I am sorry, but CNN should d something for her to stop that blinking or, put her behind a desk and off camera. Creepy little skinny twit.
RantingRaver @ 43:
How many times per minute can a man blink, anyways?
Between 16 and 25 times. Depending upon the research and the source.
samdog @ 44:
But John King loves him some eye blinking Dana Bash!
Interesting how many times he blinks. Also very telling is how his wife cintinues to look at him after every question. it is like she is trying to get the truth as well, or has been told some story and doesn't by it. At previous press conferences, she just stands there and looks into the crowd, here she is almost turning around to look him in the eyes.
He actually says that he has not had any contact with Vicki since this story broke. I call Bullsh*t. Middle of a presidential campaign and your not going to contact the woman who you are accused of having a affair with? Come on!
Who's in charge of the visuals in McCain's campaign? Does anyone know?
ConcernedCanuck @ 18:
#176, lol thanks!
Does it occur to anyone that this story is breaking at a good time for McCain? That if The Times had wanted to hurt him, they'd have broken the story about a week before the Iowa caucases, or even the general election? Now that McCain has sewn up the nomination, he has time to recover from this.
At this point in time, it only makes The Times look bad.
I LOVE THIS. I LOVE watching these POS Republicans getting nailed to the cross like this. Give me the sponge 'o' vinegar!!!
well, mccains snicker surpasses hillary's cackle in awkward mannerisms unbecoming a president.
this guy is insanely crooked.
too bad a true corruption story is commingled with a meaningless sex story.....and will be forgotten because of the awkward coupling...
ThunderMonkey @ 45:
Between 16 and 25 times. Depending upon the research and the source.
Seriously, take a look at Dana Bash and start counting. 16 to 25 my Aunt Fanny! The girl is a blinking maniac.
Bangkok Bob @ 21:
#177'n'8 thanks! :)
pinkobait @ 22:
Hahahahaha, thanks!
samdog @ 53:
Seriously, take a look at Dana Bash and start counting. 16 to 25 my Aunt Fanny! The girl is a blinking maniac.
That's the average... I'm sure that Dana and McCain (or McBlinky, although McBinky has a better ring to it) surpassed that average.
earl @ 23:
#179, thanx! haha
;-)
Just curious -- has Holy Joe come out with a statement yet?
Or is he busy drafting a speech to condemn McCain with from the floor of the Senate?
Should be interesting.
Proud2bHumble @ 54:
Okay, how 'bout McBlinky
Sorry Thundermonkey -- didn't see your "McBlinky"!
By my count.....
John blinks approx. 400 times in this 5:17 clip. That's roughly 1 blink every 1.3 seconds.
As a comparison, Cindy blinks approx. 66 times in this clip.
Sorry, bored at work.........
pinkobait @ 29:
#180, "and 47 points each" - Clive Anderson
Took you guys long enough. Been waiting since Robert Crush@13
lol 8-)
McPhunter
McShunter
McMyFriends
McBullshitartist
Dr. Acula @ 60:
No apologies needed... great minds think alike. :)
I prefer McBinky (in the South we tend to call pacifiers "binkies")
McMyFriends
tyree @ 4:
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q3/Outernet_2006/uni01001_120x120.jpg
Cindy McCain's face is creeping me out. Why do all Republican wives look like wax figure creations?
Where's the Elizabeth Edwards or Michelle Obama Republican wife? It's funny - Republicans pretend to be so progressive, but who could imagine them ever backing a male candidate with a strong-willed female spouse?
The truth is women scare the hell out of them, which easily explains their quite unexplained hatred for Hillary.
McDepends
McGeritol
McKaopectate
McFleets
McCriminalyInsane
ThunderMonkey @ 30:
I hear ya, Keanu, but I feel this is well above the line of 'win by any means possible, even if you don't win' that the rethuglineotheocontards obliterated a long time ago. Albatross put it well on the Colt-er thread - just substitute McAintgotnoscruplesneverhad for mAnn, and 'looks' for 'books'.
Or read the agendum-addendum under the list.
All on the same side here... :)
Robert Crush @ 13:
Absolutely, the guy is lying through his teeth. His wife's reactions are also telling.
Dr. Acula @ 31:
McWolfbain</blockquote>
#181, McProlific Impaler!
:)
McCain is a liar. He is a man that can be bought and sold. Check out his history. Even in the news conference where he tries to defend his action he lies. Notice when he is caught in a lie during this news conference he has a nervous laugh attack.
The whole issue here is not the affair John McCain had. It is how John McCain is really a Washington insider that will write laws for the right price. In this case helping big media get the laws they wanted. In the past the Keating Five.
I always heard that police say people blink a lot when they are lying.
This story isn’t about an affair that happened 8 yrs ago. It’s about how easily influenced John McShitForBrains can be. Of course anyone paying any attention already knew that.
ThunderMonkey @ 56:
McBinky
#182, that's the spirit! Thankz!
(8>D)
Hey look at who may be america's 1st "First Homewrecker"
Dr. Acula @ 63:
#183, and that's no bullshit. Thanks!
;)
30 seconds in. Forced dissmissive chuckle from both of them about little issues. The story is true. The French president recently traded his spouse in for a new model while in office.
The new Ms. Sarkozy.
http://pinaypie.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/carlabruni460.jpg
Obama/Edwards '08 @ 65:
Came in at #114, sorry. Keep trying :-)
here's a chuckler:
A grade school teacher in upstate New York, asked her class how many of them are 'Hillary fans'.
Not really knowing what a Hillary fan is, but wanting to be liked by the teacher, all the kids raised their hands except one boy.
The teacher asked Johnny why he has decided to be different.Johnny says, "I'm not a Hillary fan."
The teacher says, "Why aren't you a Hillary fan?"
Johnny says, "I'm a George Bush fan."
The teacher asks why he's a George Bush fan.
The boy says, "Well, my mom's a George Bush fan and my dad's a George Bush fan, so I'm a George Bush fan! "
The teacher asks, "If your mom was a moron and your dad was an idiot , what would that make you?"
So Johnny replies, "That would make me a Hillary fan."
*Doh!*
fwacbar @ 68:
Wow, yer a real volume shooter, a regular McPeterNorth, ha!
#s 184-7, thanx!
(:<O) lol
Roket @ 73:
#188, thanks! lol :)
takin a break - will check back
out
Sorry tyree I cant get the picture to link.
Too bad. Looks just like her.
McIsemanstain?
That woman with McCain looks like Kim Novak in Vertigo. Kind of appropriate when you think about it.
how many people died today in Iraq and went hungry in America while you try to smear a guy that already through out his credibility years ago. what a joke. Nader and Gravel are in talks. Independent party. anyone anyone? you guys like corporate America? strangling all the creativity out of this country...
Its to bad, but this is a weak story the way it stands right now. Like alot of people I have read this story over and over, and to use a old saying "where's the beef"? I expect more out of the NYT paper. I would love to see McCain to be shown how locked up he is with these lobbists, but this story just doesn't come up to snuff. Maybe (and I hope) the NYT has more.
old hack @ 85:
I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for my few minutes of schadenfraude over John McCain's public humiliation causing the deaths of untold numbers of Iraqis and the grumbling tummies of untold numbers of Americans. I accept that my penance for not paying attention to exactly the things you think I should pay attention to is throwing my vote away in November.
the liberal media is after mccain...circle the wagons. conservative troops to the rescue.
media..." what can we do to make this a horse race?"
stir the pot!
DC @ 26:
Aaah yes... he can be bought and sold, over and over and over again... And it's true that when someone is doing that much blinking, they're lying... In the Simpson's fashion, add Blinky McBlinkerson to the list of names.
Why didnt the so called left wing media ask John, "Did you sleep with Ms. Iseman?"
peter @ 90:
Because thats the bullshit part of this story. The real question is, how far up the ass is this guy with the lobbists.
I think the fact that he was so tepid in his response to these allegations shows that there's more than a shred of truth in these allegations. If you come out forcefully, in front of the media, and say, "I did no wrong," it looks a lot more believeable, to me anyways. I don't think this story goes away, though, and it could play a role, somehow, in November.
Rusty Shackleford @ 87:
Wow! People in Iraq just suddenly stopped dying! And now all Americans are fat and lazy, even the homeless ones! Nice work Rusty, way to save the world!
Obama/Edwards '08 @ 93:
Whats your point? Have you read any of the posts on this thread? Rusty was responding to another dumb post.
Remember, this is the same John McCain who upon returning from Vietnam and seeing that his wife was now disabled from a serious automobile accident, divorced her.
One month later he married his current wife.
Not much love.
Not much honor.
McTootTootAllAboardTheLoveTrain?
Cindy McCain:
"My CHILDREN and my FAMILY know John would not do anything to harm us or AMERICA"
Damn, she managed to get all 3 catch words in one sentence!
The real question is always the same, who does this story benefit. Certainly not the Republican opponents of McCain. Me thinks the McCains doth protest too little. I think they allowed this story to go forward for one purpose only. that purpose was to rally the conservative base behind McCain. Everyone had basically stated the conservatives would not support McCain. With Obama apparently winning the Democratic nomination, the hated Hillary Clinton is no longer in the equation, so her hatred by conservatives would not be a rallying force for McCain. Now if you can't get the hated Clintons, what's the next biggest target of the right, well of course the hated liberal New York Times. McCains lack of outrage and indignation at this story seems a little to moderated for me, given we all know what an incredible temper he reportedly has.
Looking good.
http://news.ccpblogs.com/files/2007/12/huckabee_resized.jpg
Yes, McCain was quite "tepid," as in keeping his cool and staying at the podium until there were no more questions.
McCain:
"We are not going to let what happen to me in 2000 happen again"
Er, excuse me but wasn't it Bush, Rove and the Republicans who smeared you in 2000?
Betty Layport @ 95:
Oct/1967: McCain shot down
Dec/1969: first wife Carol seriously injured in automobile accident
Mar/1973: McCain released from POW camp
Apr/1979: McCain meets Cindy Hensley
Apr/1980: McCain divorces Carol
May/1980: McCain marries Cindy
Haven't we seen this dog and pony show from the republicans before and you know how all of them turned out. This one must have slipped through Larry Flynt's hand.
Obama/Edwards '08 @ 95:
You're welcome.
He doesn't need to be defensive or angry because he knows the press has his back.
I'm not saying he's guilty or not guilty, but take note: When answering the questions, he's blinking a lot which is a strong indicator of deception.
i'm tired of having to do a mental flyover every time his service to the country is mentioned knowing that many veterans are homeless and can't get the services they need while mccain is canoodling with the scourge of this system: lobbyists.
But again, the NYT story did not say they had an affair. That was not the focus, for those who did not really read the whole piece. What worried the staff is someone who didn't know could think they were and the staff was concerned for McCain's image. That's part of what handlers are paid to do - worry about how things seem versus how they really are.
McCain's poor judgement is the issue of the story. He did not listen to his staff's advice about lobbyist. In politics, the appearance of a problematic issue is something some are clearly more sensitive to than others. McCain brushed off the concerns of others that this could look bad. It does. It may not be worse, but it passes this test : he does not listen to good advice. The reminders of the Keating Five are better done now than later as well. Just as Hillary Clinton's past faux pas will always be just a google away, here is an event some may have forgotten that again underline the problem of McCain's Judgement and Reasoning. He seems naive in both situations - each a decade apart. So he didn't improve with age.
Perhaps the corporate connection of Seattle's PostIntelligencer is more the answer to why that paper felt too timid to print the McCain Lapse In Judgement story. That would be Hearst.
By the way, how can you find the hypocrisy in this event...
The San Francisco Chronicle did not choose to print the McCain / Judgement story from yesterday's NYT and WaPo. (Even after Weaver was revealed as a legit source, btw.)
The San Francisco Chronicle had no problem printing a story about Huckabee's wife going to a Vegas fight and staying at a Hooters Casino.
this is the second or third video on McCane that "is no longer available" WTF is up with that. more repube bury and hide?
just did a john mc cain search on yourtube. not one video on this topic. i find that somewhat hard to believe.
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