John McCain's Real Record on MLK
By Nicole Belle Saturday Apr 26, 2008 11:08am
(Video courtesy of the DNC)
John McCain continued his campaign tour by visiting Arkansas on Friday. In front of a predominantly African-American audience, McCain again misrepresented his record opposing the Martin Luther King holiday.
McCain claimed to have voted against a federal holiday before changing his mind a "very short time after that." But McCain voted against the federal holiday in 1983, opposed a state holiday in 1987 (four years later), opposed a new federal holiday in 1989 (six years later) and voted against funding for the commission established to encourage all states to recognize the King holiday in 1994—11 years after his vote. Although, when you've been around the block for as long as McCain has, maybe 11 years feels like a short time.
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unbelievable and shameful. if this country
was populated by only intelligent and
compassionate citizens, this would be an
automatic death sentence for his campaign.
fortunately for him, we're not anywhere
near being that country.
What a great presidential election. What choices. A senile old lying bastard, a female lying bastard, or a (OMG) black lying bastard. Oh for choices. All three wanna bomb, bomb, bomb Iran right off the map. All three say one thing, are proven lying, and switch their stories. I have a good question. Why do you or anyone blindly support the Dems so much? Better than Rethugs, or is it just they are sneakier and hide the shit better?
McCain changed his mind all right - about the same time he decided to put his proverbial hat in the ring for prez.
It never ceases to amaze me. The man is a human chameleon. Put him in front of a rainbow and even his flag lapel pin changes color.
11 years is a short time compared to 100 years
as the sick sad shabby truth about this "maverick" comes out
we are winning more all of the time
Looks like our beloved and kookie KKK grand wizard Gramps McWackadoodle is gonna have his liver spotted grim reaper like shakie PTSD fingers on the nuke button for the next 8 years.
Oh well...guess its Heil to the Yankee Swastika still.
Please make sure that the many, many McSame incidents/policy misstatements/ lies/ flops/contradictions/and crimes are saved and pounded, pounded pounded over the next months in national adds. And also, check his entire military career so he won't look like a WAR HERO (prisoner) only. American sheep voters need their information simple and direct or they will get lost. Get out the Ross Perot charts!
Same as it ever was
This would be my add against John McCain.
Remember the Savings and Loan Scandal from the 1980s.
Senator John McCain was one of the Keating 5.
Now the powerful bankers are trying to get their man Sen. John McCain elected President.
As the mortgage crisis continues to get worse; ask yourself this, can we really trust John McCain?
The man's question confuses me. Why don't they teach people in schools how to speak clearly anymore?
But apart from that, yes McCain is a lying fool.
I like Pie @ 8:
Yes, and my guess is that if you hit him often enough, with his own record, he'll have a tantrum---to the delight of us all!
i don't see ANYTHING on the sunday shows this morning about mccain's airfare
flap, either.
big surprise.
I'm only putting this comment on this thread, because it's where the ad appears.
Does anybody care what Arianna Huffington thinks anymore?
She's been so dazzled by her own pseudo-celebrityhood that she's no longer relevant.
On talk shows she laughs more at her own "jokes" from her books than anyone else.
So any political commentary is either fracile or lost.
According to some commenters on this site the Huffington site seems to be more about Hollywood gossip now.
McCain's at that age when if anyone tells him the flag is down, he wonders what national disaster has hit the country.
Not that he's forgotten to zip up again after taking a whiz.
ysbaddaden @ 12:
Her blog is so congested with paparazzi material I don't even go there anymore.
If the Democrats want to lose in November, they should continue to attack McCain's age. It's a petty, ageist thing to do, and whenever liberals get caught being prejudiced they feel a backlash twice as bad as Republicans (because liberals claim to take the moral high ground on matters of social justice.)
Most Americans will feel bad about attacking a person just because he's old. Yes, I understand that your concern is his mental capacity, but most voters will not see him as senile (because he obviously isn't.) They may have some doubts about his mental acuity, but all they will need to do is watch him on TV, where he won't come off as a dithering moron (at any age, he'll sound more coherent than our current president does), and decide their doubts are unfounded.
Also, he'll get a lot of mileage out of jokes making fun of himself for being older than dirt, and he will endear himself to voters further. He can trot out some of the old Reagan lines, and compare himself to Reagan.
Crooks and Liars loooks a little more petty with every post about his age. I hope you stick to posts about him being a hyprocrite and the way he flip flops on issues instead. Or attack his knowledge on specific issues. Not his age.
No one should be surprised that the that Double Talk Express produces nothing but mirage. Illusions built upon a foundation of myth.
Here, once again, Glenn Greenwald lays bare another truth about John McCain and his illusions.
The abominable Military Commissions Act of 2006.
Citizen McCain, first citizen of the party of the barbarians.
Americans love a liar.
Jay (15)
If the Democrats want to lose in November, they should continue to attack McCain’s age. It’s a petty, ageist thing to do, and whenever liberals get caught being prejudiced they feel a backlash twice as bad as Republicans (because liberals claim to take the moral high ground on matters of social justice.)
If this is true on a national level, then I agree that the backlash may hurt. I haven't heard it from Clinton, Obama, or their people--have you? I wonder if C&L posters are letting off steam because McSame appears to get away with so much. We shouldn't lose track of your point, but as long as everyone is also making excellent points, too, venting isn't a bad thing.
He better be asked during the debate why he opposed the MLK holiday, it will be good to see the lying/pandering fool squirm for a half an hour tryin' to spin his answer. Yes, senator you were a racist, you are a racist! end of story.
But on the bright side senator, you have the racist vote locked up & in America that gets you off to a good start in the presidential race.
joshdavis @ 9:
I understood him just fine, maybe you need to clean out your ears.
McCain is a real Good Fella. Older than dirt but a real upstanding fella. Those blacks are always mad at us white folks for stuff. I mean we brought them to this fine country they should be happy to be here. We made them Christian and Jesus thinks thats a real good thing. Look how much better off they are now.
I wonder how the semi-albino racist got blacks to show up? He must have ambushed them.
jay @ 15:
Sorry jay. Many people are legitimately concerned that a 72-year-old man (in his FIRST year of the presidency) may not be up to the physical demands of the job. It is not "ageism." It is realism.
So, what else is new?
In the mind of a liar, like McCain, 11 years could be a blink of the eye.
Perhaps we should rely on the trusted words of our beloved president.
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/28/bus-mccain-2000/
The DNC should rehash everything that Bush said about McCain.
jay @ 15:
Glenn Beck is that you? I like you Beckie thats your new nickname I like that. I'm glad you decide to come over to C&L for some R&R, been to thinkprogress lately?
Interesting that the article doesn't mention how many people were in this "predominantly african american" audience. What kind of crowd did McCain draw? Where in Arkansas was he? How did he attract this "predominantly african american audience"?
There are a few details left out of the story, but I am sure that is because giving the fewest details possible was the best face that his "base", the MSM, could put on this occasion.
McCain was proud of Bush's leadership on the war in Iraq:
MATTHEWS: Let me you about, are you proud of the work, and the leadership of the commander-in-chief in this war?
MCCAIN: Yes, I am. I think the president has led with great clarity and I think he's done a great job leading the country, don't you all? [MSNBC Hardball, 4/23/03]
McCain on admiring Rumsfeld.
MCCAIN: "…and I'm a great admirer of Rumsfeld."
...MCCAIN: I think the president is blessed to have two extremely talented people (Powell and Rumsfeld), experienced people, working for him, and others, but particularly those two. [MSNBC Hardball, 4/23/03]
McCain – Sunni Shia can probably get along.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Senator McCain, with what you've already said about the powerful presence of the Shiah majority in Iraq, how would you propose we represent that majority in the new democracy?
MCCAIN: Well, I don't think there's any doubt that as the largest population segment, that they would play a major role.
I think one of the tricky areas, of course, is the relationship they have with the Kurds. There's not a history of clashes that are violent between Sunnis and Shiahs. So I think they can probably get along. [MSNBC Hardball, 4/23/03]
Despite claiming to have called for more troops from the outset, McCain didn't think we needed more international troops on the ground.
MCCAIN: I think that the only military presence required right now would be American and British. [MSNBC Hardball, 4/23/03]
jay @ 15:
Nobody cares about that flip-flop thing. Honestly, most Americans are not smart enough to understand the issues anyways. Karl Rove was right about one thing; people do vote their fears. People are afraid of losing their homes and jobs; McCain was a member of the Keating 5. He has ties to the banking industry. People are afraid of growing old and becoming unable to function; hit him hard on the age issue. It's a legitimate question; can John McCain handle the job; or, will he be led around by a bunch of corporate handlers.
Yes, but REALLY...he only opposed the MLK holiday 4TIMES!...It will probably play well with a lot of scared white people if his handlers can market that just right....you know, with a wink. Maybe he can become a Law and Order Candidate, the code of the old days for racism.
Jay seems to think the Dems shouldn't be talking about McCain's age. I disagree.
Who feels wrong about attacking old people? Young people won't and I can guarantee that older Amercans won't.
I'm considerable younger than McCain but am collecting Social Security. I, and probably anyone my age or more, know the presidency is not a job for a 72 year old man. Especially one with questionalble health.
The guy was a war hero and a senator. He should rest on those laurels and leave the presidency to someone who is young enough and savvy enough to handle it.
The job is a killer, if you work at it everyday.
Kathy in St. louis @ 30:
Maybe that's McCain's plan - to do the job as half-assedly as Reagan and Bush Jr. did it. The final years of the Reagan presidency proved that even a near-vegetable can fill the role as long as his advisors hustle.
Just one thing on McCain and his military experience. He should start catching up with how war mentality works though. I bet you Al-Qaeda will endorse Obama if they could make another video from a cave somewhere in “allied” Pakistan. Because they know how to use reverse psychology (you idiot, McCain). How do you get your enemy to do what you want them to do? Tell them the opposite. Want war? Then endorse the one guy from the “enemy” who wants peace. McDrain and the gang please note - Hamas is playing you like a little toy drum. And you are walking to their beat. McPain should wake up and think a little bit more. Think. Think. What do Al-Qaeda want? What do you think Hamas want? Chaos so they can recruit more. Anarchy so they can continue a mindless war. They want one thing and will tell you the opposite. You think you can trust what they tell you? They are playing you for a fool. You played into their hands in Iraq. And you are going to play into their hands again. You stupid, stupid man. http://angryafrican.net/2008/04/26/i-angry-african-endorse-mccain/
It looks like his home state is also trying to ban ethnic student groups and studies as well:
From the Unite Farmworkers
I wonder if McCain will comment on this one early on or take a decade to be informed.
if true, it should be asked by at least 5 different mainstream media outlets directly to McCain's face, on video.
will it?
Rusty Shackleford Says:
Kathy in St. louis @ 30:
Jay seems to think the Dems shouldn’t be talking about McCain’s age. I disagree.
Who feels wrong about attacking old people? Young people won’t and I can guarantee that older Amercans won’t.
I’m considerable younger than McCain but am collecting Social Security. I, and probably anyone my age or more, know the presidency is not a job for a 72 year old man. Especially one with questionalble health.
The guy was a war hero and a senator. He should rest on those laurels and leave the presidency to someone who is young enough and savvy enough to handle it.
The job is a killer, if you work at it everyday.
Maybe that’s McCain’s plan - to do the job as half-assedly as Reagan and Bush Jr. did it. The final years of the Reagan presidency proved that even a near-vegetable can fill the role as long as his advisors hustle.
I used to say that Bush was proof the country could run itself, he did so little. I take it all back. He is so unsuited for this job and so inept that the harm he has done will take generations to repair, it it can be repaired at all.
Enough with the "age" jokes. You guys know better.
When your older than the hills, what's 11 years? Treebeard would agree with him, now don't be hasty master voters.
To ConcernedCanuck, I vote democrat because I see an extremely huge difference between the 90s and the 00s and I want the 90s back.
I'd wager ConcernedCanuck doesn't get so worked up over media lying bastards, when they lie to pretend a democrat is a lying bastard.
ConcernedCanuck. I read many of your posts. Some good
some bad. After post #2 it proves you are a demented fool.
I'm wrong about your good posts. After #2 all your text is shit.
Steeve and ratface although ConcernedCanuck’s post is harsh on all fronts, I’m afraid I have to agree with him. Neither party is going to fix our problems. There are forces outside of the US which are going to continue to cause our economy to slide. The dem’s missed their chance in the mid-term elections, they were told what to do, bring the troops home and they did not. Jesse Ventura was dead on about that, they control the wallet and they chose to pass the political buck and be a bunch spineless jelly fish.
We already know Bernacki will bail out his buddies, he is a student of the great depression and knows the government was a day late and a dollar short on all the problems that lead to the 29 crash and the shortage of capital. Bernacki will flood the economy with dollars and intentionally devalue the currency, better to have too many weak dollars rather than not enough.
It will make America competitive on exports, to stay competitive Europe and China will follow suit and print more of their money to devalue their currency intentionally, Bernacki will respond by printing even more. At that point we are in deep shit, the world economy will tank and there is little our government will be able to do to fix it. Better fill up the pantry with food and buy and hold as much gold and silver as you can starting now.
I am 70 years old and many times I stand in the middle of my kitchen trying to remember why I am there.
I have lived in my current house 11 years and it seems like yesterday I moved in. hence I understand Insane McCain's plight the difference being I am not running for POTUS
It's not McCain's age as much as it is his seemingly perpetual confused state that concerns me. I know plenty of folks that are older than 70 and are very sharp mentally. I just don't think McCain is very lucid, besides being a panderer and a liar. Plus, he is beholden to the big business who helped win his nomination. People can say what they want about Obama's inexperience, but on the bright side, he doesn't owe "favors" to big business like McCain. Also, I trust that Obama will surround himself with intelligent people and pick his administration thusly. McCain, I'm afraid, would do much like Bush; appoint buddies and others that he "owes" favors to--not qualified people.
And don't forget that MLK was assassinated in 1968 - so that only gave McCain 15 years to "learn" about him.
But hey - for someone as old as Methuselah, those are just "winks of an eye".
(Besides, McCain is reported to fondly recall American slavery from his young adulthood years.)
ConcernedCanuck @ 2:
What makes you think Obama wants to bomb Iran? And, sure, all three have been caught in lies. McCain lies about his record on MLK day, stole money from lots of folks as a member of the Keating five, and does an unethical tango with public campaign financing. Hillary embellished a story about landing in Bosnia and... um, fiercely defended her husband. And Obama... um, allegedly lied about... um, knowing whether some guy who raised money for him was involved in a bombing plot forty years ago?
You are making false equivalences. And who said anything about "blindly" supporting anyone?
You having a bad day or something?
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