The Real McCain: Fighting Words and Flip Flops
[Click image to purchase book]
Yesterday, I posted about a largely unreported incident between John and Cindy McCain that Cliff Schecter has included in his new book The Real McCain: Why Conservatives Don't Trust Him and Why Independents Shouldn't. Cliff's book, which will come out next month, is full of exhaustively researched tidbits on John McCain that his buddies in the media are loathe to bring up and which points out the lie in his carefully crafted reputation as a maverick. I spoke to Cliff yesterday and asked him if he would give C&L another incident that shows McCain's character as it truly is. I particularly liked this one, as it exemplifies how McCain's rhetoric doesn't often match up with his voting record, and moreover, how he frames the discussion in combat terms, as if to remind anyone who disagrees of his "war hero" status:
McCain made a big speech when Republicans were voting for Bush's bill to get rid of the Estate Tax. He called those who supported it "whiners" while those fighting were "sacrificing for their country" and that it should not be "eliminated during a time of war." He has now flip-flopped and wants to make it permanent (and even took the lead in May of '06 to do it!). There has been more out there on his flip-flop on Bush's taxes overall, but not much if anything on this specific statement and position. And it is important, as the Estate Tax is specifically for the rich. Voting for that bill back then, however, was "a far cry from sacrifice."
Cliff has been working on The Real McCain for quite some time and he promises there are tons of stuff (and I'm going to work on him to give us more exclusives) that show John McCain as he really is, such as his fisticuffs with *Rep. Rick Renzi after McCain repeatedly tried to humiliate him. I am going to buy a copy of the book--just $10!--not only to show my support for someone in our progressive community, but also to give to a family member who to my horror, said that they would be voting for McCain if their Democratic candidate didn't win the nomination an idea of how the maverick persona is one of media creation and bears little resemblance to the real man.
*corrected to reflect that Renzi is a member of the House, not the Senate.
McCains flip flops should be a major theme against him. There's no way McSame should be able to get away with as many inconsistencies as the media allows him to.
If the Democrats were smart they would go after everything he's said. None of this polite bull-shit. Rove and his merry band of rouges are giong to smear any progressive around. But Rove might be busy answering question about his behavior in the Alabama governor case.
McCain Has Explained His Penance for Calling His Wife the 'C-Word'
For more Cliff, watch Republican Sexcapades, Thursdays on The Young Turks
Don Davi,s what is up with the c-word. I've seen some mention, but I don't know what it's about.
Ah, nothing like the scent of Aqua Velva.
Whoever winds up winning the Democratic nomination need only run that picture with The Turtle's "Happy Together" playing in the background for their campaign commercial.
I'm sure the VC torturers are glad they sent mccain home, or he'd be snuggling up with them.
Pillow Pants @ 7:
I'd prefer this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbaFM_CA4mw
At this point and time in American history we need someone who is willing to throw down. I'm sorry but America does not need a lib who wants to talk about it in time out..
P.D. @ 5:
See this post
I'm just hoping for McCain to lose it in front of a camera and a live microphone. Each day that goes by he is getting more and more tired from campaigning and probably tired of campaigning too. You know he's gonna blow. You just know it.
Haven't we learned anything yet: Reich-wingers "expand their original intent", Democrats "flip-flop"
He called his WIFE the c-word! How charming! What a jerk!
Think about it, if all this stuff was out there about Obama the press would be drunk on it. They would be like little pigs in shit. But because it's McCain, he just gets a pass and a pat on the head.
That picture of mcain n bush is so funny. It reminds me of the gay therapy guy who cured homosexuality through male embrace that is non sexual.
I have no respect for any man who calls any woman the "c" word. And I think I have even less respect for any woman who tolerates a man calling her that.
Patricia has it right, if we can get any of this on camera it will show folks what he is really like. A book just won't do it (it will help, but not enough). Conservatives won't read it anyway, so we have to spread the word other ways...
This has nothing to do with this post per se, but I needed to say that I just heard a woman named Michelle totally kick Rush Limbaugh's ass on the radio today at about 1:45 EST or so. She was a black woman who lived near Pittsburgh and explained to Rush how racism still exists in Pennsylvania. Rush had absolutely NOTHING to fight back with. He ended up playing a simple game of subterfuge and even tried flirting with her at one point to fluster her. Didn't work. If ANYONE can find this audio and post it, it would be really appreciated!
pissed off patricia @ 17:
I hope your feeling resonates with women everywhere.
From the article:
McCain repeatedly addressed two new members, congressmen Trent Franks and Rick Renzi, as 'boy.' Finally, Renzi, a former college linebacker, rose from his chair and said to McCain, "You call me that one more time and I'll kick your old ass." McCain lunged at Renzi, punches were thrown, and the two had to be physically separated. After they went to their separate offices, McCain called Renzi and demanded an apology. Renzi refused. Apparently this posture made McCain admire him, as they became fast friends.
[chuckling] More like McCain wussed out when he realized that this guy would never kiss his ass or perhaps simply realized that he acted like a spaz and didn't deserve an apology. Either way, I laugh in his general direction.
Whatever. The more republicans taking swings at each other, the better. Next time these two cocks fight somebody should attach spurs to their ankles to juice up the action.
HELP ! ! ! !
Is it just me or does anyone else have a problem with 'hero'.
You will find just about anyone who served in the military being called a 'hero'. I always thought that doing something beyond what your job calls for, at the risk of your own safety, is worthy of being called a hero.
1. a shortened form of {submarine sandwich}
2. An illustrious man, supposed to be exalted, after death, to a place among the gods; a demigod, as Hercules
3. A man of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger
4. a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
It seems to me that the title is thrown around too often, thereby degrading real heroes. If everyone who served in the military is a 'hero', then what do you call those who did something extraordinary?
"Friend, I'll kick your ass."
It just doesn't work.
A good advertisement for the book. I wasn't going to buy it before, but I think I will now.
"I'll kick your old ass."
That's great. i hope that gets said during a debate.
When was Rick Renzi promoted to senator? He's a congressman from Arizona who is presently under indictment on 35 counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, insurance fraud and extortion. Just your typical average Republican politician.
I get how being shot down and failing to elude capture followed by years of cruel treatment by his captors can imbue hero status on McCain, but how does that make him a foreign policy expert? Or, an expert on anything other than being tortured.
If "Maverick" is a false narrative, so are his so-called credentials on war and foreign policy.
The current political field is a lot like a side show in some circus of the damned. It's a contest for who's the least objectionable and nobody wins.
Meanwhile the country swirls the drain, the military slowly crumbles along with infrastructure and individual human rights but hey, have a free 'support the troops' magnet for your suv. Made in china of course.
Can you just imagine if Obama called HIS WIFE "c*nt" in front of the media? Nonstop loop for a month.
pissed off patricia @ 17:
Maybe their into rough sex.
Like on Leave It To Beaver, you only saw Ward of June sticking their heads out of their bedroom door, perhaps because the bedroom was bedecked dungeonesque.
Ward or June.
Dirtiest statement ever made on television.
June to Ward..."Ward, you were pretty rough on the beaver last nite."
casper46 @ 29:
Astounding, isn't it? A person doesn't have to be paranoid to see that the press is protecting this doofus.
ronhohn @ 22:
McLame is NOT a hero. He destroyed 5 aircraft during his tenure as an aviator. He has 20 hours of combat experience and received 28 medals...that's 1.4 medals per hour of combat. He didn't do anything heroic. Sorry....those are the facts.
A Hero Ain't Nothing But A Sandwich.
What would be the equivalent of the c word that a women would call her guy.
I suggest that rather than "suggest" that we all buy this book, or that book, as has been the case lately, you sell banner ad space. This is getting as bad as the cable networks and "lap-dog" media you devote endless attention to; all your telling me what to do and what to think.
I am not planning on voting for Grandpa McSame. Those that are likely to vote for him are probably not regular visitors to, or consumers of the information on this site. Those that will vote for him could care less about his record. I suppose it must feel rewarding to stand atop an issue such as this with one's righteous superiority in hand and proclaim divinity.
"Sen. Rick Renzi"? Was Renzi perhaps an Arizona state senator because he sure was not a U.S. senator. Facts matter as you put together your stories against the opposition.
Give Me Convenience @ 37:
GMC, the right wingers have their own welfare when it comes to writing anti-Democrat/Liberal books. They buy them in bulk to artificially push them up the bestsellers lists and then give them away or put them in the bargain bin. Regnery Press depends on this kind of welfare. The progressive community has no such infrastructure.
I already have an advance copy of the book, because I am friends with Cliff Schecter. If its content actually got play in the mainstream media, I don't think McCain would have a chance in hell of a credible run for office. I am buying a book anyway to support our progressive community and help raise the visibility of his book on Amazon bestsellers list for non-blog reading buyers and media bookers to see. It's now #6 of political books, which is fantastic. If it goes to #1, Cliff may more easily get booked on news shows to get his message out even more widely, which is my point of putting the link to purchase the book.
You may choose not to purchase the book and that's fine, but no one is TELLING you to do anything.
gussmith @ 38:
You're right. I was typing faster than my head was working last night as I did the post. I'll make a correction.
Necadawg Says @ 36:
C**k S********************************************?
Some how that wouldnt spur to get a divorce.
Necadawg Says @ 36:
I'd use the same c word, myself. It's pretty offensive no matter who gets tagged with it.
Dale @ 20:
Necadawg Says @ 36:
Prick?
pissed off patricia @ 17:
What man would do say that to his own wife without getting stabbed in the face?
And "trollop" ?? McCain's using circa 1600 slang.
I have to take issue with the people who act superior when they learn that someone might abstain from voting or vote for Nader if their candidate doesn't get the nomination. I think in the case of Obama supporters, if by some miracle or behind-the-scenes wrangling he has the nomination stolen from him, abstaining from voting is a legitimate protest. The democratic party is by no means perfect or infallible. In fact, ever since the Bush debacle in 2000 they have consistently made terrible strategic choices and weak conciliations to the republican agenda.
If the voters continue to swallow their medicine, so to speak, by voting for whatever candidate is thrust upon them, the party will never change. If Clinton steals this nomination, I will quite possibly stay home in November. I'd rather see McCain take this country further downhill than see a democrat do it in my name.
Quick Poll: $102 Billion MORE for Iraq?
In April, Congress will consider Bush's demand for another $102 billion for the never-ending and disastrous occupation of Iraq.
This is on top of the $562 billion Congress has already given Bush since 2003.
And it is on top of the $3 trillion the Iraq War is estimated to cost for veterans' care, weapons replacement, and higher oil prices.
How should your Representatives vote? Simply click the link below your choice to vote.
Yes: give Bush $102 billion more for Iraq
No: do not give Bush $102 billion more for Iraq and tell him to use existing funds to bring our troops safely home.
Not sure:
(If you make a mistake, simply vote again - your last vote will replace your earlier vote.)
I can't wait until McNasty goes off during the campaign. He's banannas.
So we need someone who can 'throw down', eh?
Well, we've learned that in the 35 years since McCain's heroism, he's only been able to 'throw down' his ex-wife (in pursuit of numerous affairs), 'throw down' the gauntlet of campaign reform that he hasn't picked up as his own standard this year, 'throw down' verbal abuse at his current wife (in front of reporters who stayed mum) and at Chelsea Clinton, 'throw down' his principles by filling his campaign team with corporate lobbyists, 'throw out' verbal abuse at his peers, 'throw forth' the repetitive confusion he possesses about the differences between Sunnis and Shias, Iran and al-Qaida, and who won the recent battle of Basra, 'throw in' with Falwell, Rove and Bush after the racist rumors they directed at him and his family in the 2000 race, and 'throw out' habeus corpus.
Us 'libs' are perfectly capable of 'throwing down' our enemies. But sometimes, it takes a few seconds to complete the process of 'throwing up' at the role model of Republican heroism who, to us, looks a lot like a garden variety spouse abuser and bully with a mind as sharp as a steel pillow sham.
chris @ 10:
That last comment was referencing this comment, above.
You know I'm becoming so cynical that I think the more flipping and flopping McCain does the more people accept it and go on. Bush has done it (along with straight lies) and no one cares anymore. Romney does it for a living and so what. But let Kerry say "I was for it before I was against it" and the phrase becomes part of the lexicon!
Obama = Kansas
Clinton - Memphis
McCain - North Carolina
It seems that Clinton was pretty sure it was locked up, but her free throw is bad and she's worn out at the end. KU worked as a team and North Carolina - well- they're history. It's looking more like basketball every day.
Aperturius @ 19:
When it's not one of his dittoheads calling in and wanting to fellate him, he has no idea what to do. I'm surprised he let her on.
Again, people bring up his temper like it's a bad thing. When will you guys realize that most Americans are giggling quietly and applauding in approval when they hear these stories about McCain? Call it ignorance if you must, but at the end of the day, they want the guy with some anger and heat over the guy who gingerly bowls a 37. And there's not much you can do about it.
Yeah, he's a flaming headcase - & why is this either surprising or controversial, given that the guy was a bloody torture victim? Almost impossible NOT to wind up a mess after that ... which leads to the question of just who the hell thought he'd make a good POTUS candidate, EVER.
But there's a little McCain story that just keeps getting ignored, & I'm curious as to why.
Why is the revelation of him snogging a Beltway lobbyist - & the subsequent & VERY convenient evaporation of said lobbyist - a total non-story? Compare & contrast with how the MSM gang-banged the hell out of Trent Lott. Lady in question is still off the radar, last I heard. That one scandal alone should've torpedoed whatever molecules of credibility he may've had up to that point.
Guess those off-the-record press-corps massage/pedicure/BBQs really DO pay some sweet dividends.
Vote Cliff Schecter for GOD!
..the worst thing about it is that this guy's gonna be the next American president.
The Democrats, if they're smart (and that's a HUGE if), will use that photo of a beaten, pitiful, sycophantic, emasculated and obsequious McCain hugging a triumphantly contemptuous Shrub, who'd just as soon kill McCain as embrace him.
It's a classic. Disgusting, creepy -- and classic.
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