Meet John McCain's wife -- no, not that one
For those who remember the 1992 race, “character issues” was the euphemism to attack Bill Clinton for having a troubled personal life. Has the phrase been applied to Republican candidates with similar experiences? Not so much.
It was interesting, then, to see this report in the UK’s Daily Mail about Mrs. McCain — the first one — who is “seldom seen and rarely written about, despite being mother to McCain’s three eldest children.”
[H]ad events turned out differently, it would be she, rather than Cindy, who would be vying to be First Lady. She is McCain’s first wife, Carol, who was a famous beauty and a successful swimwear model when they married in 1965.
She was the woman McCain dreamed of during his long incarceration and torture in Vietnam’s infamous ‘Hanoi Hilton’ prison and the woman who faithfully stayed at home looking after the children and waiting anxiously for news.
But when McCain returned to America in 1973 to a fanfare of publicity and a handshake from Richard Nixon, he discovered his wife had been disfigured in a terrible car crash three years earlier…. When Carol was discharged from hospital after six months of life-saving surgery, the prognosis was bleak. In order to save her legs, surgeons had been forced to cut away huge sections of shattered bone, taking with it her tall, willowy figure. She was confined to a wheelchair and was forced to use a catheter.
Through sheer hard work, Carol learned to walk again. But when John McCain came home from Vietnam, she had gained a lot of weight and bore little resemblance to her old self.
“My marriage ended because John McCain didn’t want to be 40, he wanted to be 25,” she said. “You know that happens … it just does.”
It’s quite a painful story, involving physical difficulties, infidelity, and divorce. McCain’s first wife insists she’s not bitter, but clearly the circumstances surrounding her accident and the break-up of her family are an unpleasant subject.
Ross Perot, who paid for Carol’s medical care and introduced the McCains to Ronald and Nancy Reagan, said, “McCain is the classic opportunist. He’s always reaching for attention and glory.” Perot added, “After he came home, Carol walked with a limp. So he threw her over for a poster girl with big money from Arizona. And the rest is history.”
Ouch.
Now, I should clarify that as far as I’m concerned, McCain’s marital difficulties and adultery aren’t especially significant in this campaign, especially years later. I’m inclined to see a distinction made between public and private worlds. I defended Bill Clinton, and said his personal controversies had no bearing on his ability to be a good candidate and a good president, so I can’t very well turn around and say the opposite about McCain, no matter how badly he treated his first wife.
But therein lies the point: if Clinton’s personal history was a matter of tremendous national significance as a candidate and as a president, then it’s not unreasonable to wonder why McCain isn’t subjected to the same scrutiny. I’d prefer both issues are off the table, but I’m hard pressed to imagine why only Democratic presidential candidates’ personal lives are of interest in the context of a national campaign.
For that matter, if and when the U.S. media gives this any attention at all, it’ll be worth keeping an eye on the religious right. From an article I wrote two years ago:
Carrie Gordon Earll, a spokesperson for Dobson’s Focus on the Family, recently made it clear that the adultery issue hasn’t lost any of its toxicity among evangelicals. “If you have a politician, an elected official, and they can’t be trusted in their own marriage, how can I trust them with the budget? How can I trust them with national security?” she asked me. Although Earll was reluctant to discuss specific politicians, she noted that a candidate who “had an affair and then moved on and restored that marriage” might find forgiveness with Christian conservatives, but someone “who had an affair and then left his wife” would not.
And guess who that applies to?
"[H]ad events turned out differently, it would be she, rather than Cindy, who would be vying to be First Lady."
Not true. He wouldn't be where he is today without the multimillionaire wife he has now.
So, McCain flip-flopped Cindy for Carol.
Or, he was for Carol before he was for Cindy.
Family values...'nuf said.
First in all things crooked is the McStain.
this is too easy...mccain is such a poor candidate i can't imagine how we could lose...unless....
this is some weird act in the theater of absurdity of american politics. somehow these machinations are part of some bigger scheme to get our hopes up only to be dashed against the rocks of reality.
omg im cynical
George the second is a sociopath and a murderer. A hard act to follow if you aim for the dregs.
McLame is just, well, lame.
OMG...is this true? I've never heard it before.
What a perfectly ghastly story.
The whole republican "values" and "morals" argument is nothing but Keystone Kops slapstick.
This won't become an issue the this year's elecction b/c I would think that McCain would know enough not to run as the family values guy against Obama -- an argument he would surely lose.
But then again, McCain wants this so badly he'll try anything if he thinks it'll get some votes.
Amazing what the press ignores when it comes to republicans.
Mc Cain , Shallow as he is Callow.....
"Family values" are for the other guy.
Ordinarily, I'd say "Not my business." But when you raise the "character gap" as an issue, you open up the door, bub.
What a real sweetheart of a guy. Isn't he the one who refers to his wife as a c*nt? Oh yeah, this is the guy we need to represent this country. Excuse me now while I go and bang my head against the wall.
damn i would never have imagined a politicain with a more insensitive and heartless story about how he left one wife for the next one than newt gingrich's personal tale. i think it is too close to call on these two.
A sad story, to be sure.
I agree with Steve that this isn't significant to the campaign, except how it plays to Christian conservatives.
However, one question nags at me--it's noble of Ross Perot to have taken care of Mrs. McCain's medical expenses, but how did he become involved in the first place? Any info on this would be helpful.
now is the time for us not only use this to show the double standard in MSM, we also need to show how not only Republicans and the RNC has no value, we have to start to put the spot light on them now, especially everyone in the RNC smear department, the guy who use the Willie Horton smear, we need to go after him hard and fast but only with the truth. He like the fake guy that was a plant at the WH news breifing.
Any chance that an American newspaper will run an article on McCain's first wife? I doubt many Americans will know that John McCain is an adulterer, because no American news organization will tell them. The press is in the bag for McCain, he can do anything and get away with it.
Not to take any of the blame away from McSame for the broken marriage, but his first wife, Carol, sounds like the perfect doormat. So accepting of the situation. I would have made sure he wouldn't be able to have sex with any other woman if he ditched me for a new model. Neuter the bastard. Drug him and while he was out...... OUCH!
Bob @ 2:
Maybe that's what the MSM means when they label this disloyal whore a "maverick"....to the institution of marriage.
Not to mention his rich new wife had a painkiller addiction which led her to steal drugs from the charity she was involved with.. which of course led Mccain to get the guy who pointed it out to the DEA fired, while pulling strings to get Cindy off with some drug classes.
Good lord....it's The Penguin! I thought he was a Bush clone, not a Cheney. I...I...I despair!
Seriously, though:
There's this idiot in my office who thinks McSame has "character". And not only that, but more character than Obama. Yep, right here in liberal San Francisco. Freaks EVERYWHERE.
What an asshole.
McCains wife is one hell of a GMILF...
Let the Republicans and the RNC know that we will fight back and not be like most Dem. in congress, spinless, we will fight back.
The irony of him dumping someone for appearance when he's looked like he has a nasty sack of skin hanging off his face (until he recently got that fixed) and can't lift his arms above chest level.
Rp
Gary @ 22:
OK, I'll bite, what is GMILF?
LD @ 19:
Give Cindy a break on the painkiller issue. Imagine having to look up at a foul tempered, disfigured headed, yellow teeth old fool calling you "my friend" while he's banging you. That's a lot of pain.
Robert Poole @ 24:
seriously ... what a pig. Perot was right, an opportunist AND a pig.
Is this the kind of person America wants for a president?
Keep this story alive, take it to other Blogs also, send it off to MSNBC and CNN as an ireport, give it legs.
centralilgirl @ 12:
Dont hurt yourself yet, girl. Wait and see if insane mccain wins, then we'll all bang our heads against the nearest wall.
I'm not a big fan of going the repug-route and pulling up stuff like this. McCain can totally be beat just by going against him on his policies, going into either of the candidates personal lives perpetuates a cycle. Pulling his ex-wife out and putting her all over the blogs seems really low. Any points of distinction you are making between this and Clinton-I'm sorry, I'm not getting it. All it shows me is that we can play tit for tat with those Rove-like lowlifes on the other side.
Left&Left @ 26:
it is ... it is, but she looks kind of squinky eyed and mean also, otherwise how could she tolerate him.
Yeah, that's the kind of couple we want in the WH.
DMS @ 1:
Exactly!! Ross Perot had it right as well. He's nothing but a scumbag opportunist.
We've gone from a president who gets head
To a candidate who get a frosty head on his stein
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6QlCIu-pCQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCf7FAnh7t4&feature=related
OT
This is an important message. If you want to save our Constitution, follow this link.
seagull.girl @ 14:
IIRC, Perot was a leader in the POW issue at the end of the Vietnam War and was in contact with many of the POW families at the time.
But there's a need to be careful with this issue as one of the individuals trashing McCain in that story is Ted Sempley wo was part of the "swift boat" crowd of liars against Kerry. Google his name (or check around the C&L archives for info in the weasel.
OT but here is a picture of George the 1st giving a "terrorist fist bump" to some tennis player. I wonder what they were signaling. hmmmmm Perhaps E.D. could get a body language expert to explain it all.
http://mediamatters.org/static/images/item/fist_bump-20080610-c.jpg
Where's the Democratic version of Regenery Press when you need it?
Why doesn't someone release ALL of the pertinent information about John McCain in a small tome - there's no need to make up lies or exaggerate?! When you get all the facts about his early life, his educational experiences, his time in the military, his penchant for raging, his financial dealings (Keating, comes to mind) and other legislative "inconsistencies", plus his wife swap for money - there's no question that he's not Presidential material. Especially considering the mess we're in thanks to his buddy Dubya.
The problem is the people who are voting for McSame don't care about facts, obviously, or they won't be voting for him. That is the battle we fight everytime.
Cats r Flyfishn @ 33:
yes, most of us watched that whole thing yesterday on the CSPAN channel on the Web.
Everytime I hear about a U.S. soldier returning home without arms or legs and needing to fight for a disability pension, I think of John McCain.
Does John McCain look "Totally" or "Completely" disabled to you? I could understand a "Partial-Disability" pension, like a soldier returning from Iraq missing an arm might get, but certainly not a "Full" disabilty pension. The Clown only has two sore arms .... He is not missing his arms.
John McCain: Gets $58,358 annual tax-free disability pension
The disclosure of the Navy benefit for injuries incurred as a Vietnam POW may raise fitness questions.
By Ralph Vartabedian
April 22, 2008
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-pension22apr22,0,...
McSame certainly wont bring the 'family values' or 'pastor problems' up during the campaign. He'll leave that upto the propaganda arm of the GOP, Right Wing Hate Radio, where anything goes and no dissenting points of view need apply.
McSame's Vietnamese captors treated him better than he treated his first wife. Kind of ironic that he dumped her because she 'looked old'.
foolme1ns @ 35:
Terrorists are everywhere.....
“My marriage ended because John McCain didn’t want to be 40, he wanted to be 25,”
A man of very poor character, few morals, a dirty old man who visits strip clubs and abandons his marriage to his wife. Disgusting slime, I wouldn't want him picking up my trash much less president.
eddiberto @ 29:
When you play with fire, you will eventually burn your fingers.
eddiberto @ 29:
Ordinarily you would be right, but when the Republicans and the MSM and the wacked out religious right make a big deal out of character and family values ad nauseum, then the candidate of their choice must be held to the same standards as anyone else.
And, goddamn right, it's about time we played tit for tat with the low lifes. Do you want to just roll over and play dead? Or, do you want to fight back? And if it takes fighting back dirty, well, them's the breaks.
Jo @ 25:
Grand Mother I'd Like To F___
But I digress...
As an individual who has buried 2 wives due to unexpected early deaths (1- cancer, 2 - childbirth) I find this kind of behavior to your wife especially repugnant. I had not heard this story before, but in my book this outdoes even Gingrich. John McCain should rot in Hell wit the rest of these horrible, horrible individuals that would discard a spouse because they weren't as beautiful as they were when they married.
Shame on John McCain.
Shame on all of them.
If conservatives hold their noses and plan to vote for this man, they should have it thrown right back in their faces with a multi-million dollar ad campaign a la the Swiftboaters. It does matter. It goes straight to deep issues of character, decency, honor, loyalty, honesty, and frankly judgment.
seagull.girl @ 14:
If you do not mind a little speculation, Ross was a naval officer and an outspoken voice for the release of our POWs. McCain was known to being held as a POW. Perhaps, he helped many families, who were waiting for their husbands/fathers to come home? Ross is really a very decent and generous person. I actually had the opportunity to meet and speak with him, when I was working locally (Seattle) for his campaign. For all his wealth, he has not lost touch with his past and and core values. I still think he would have made a great President.
Calm @ 39:
Pretty soon(as soon as Obama wins), the GOP will claim that Iraq is not actually a "war" because Congress did not specifically approve it. So the injured soldiers coming home from Iraq ......... you're on your own.
Left&Left @ 26:
HA!
The more I think about it.. the more this seems to be representative of Mccains behaviour in general... Just like with campaign finance reform or catering to the likes of Hagee and Farwell, he abandoned integrity for convenience.
Maybe a candidates personal life isnt entirely relevant.. but how do you overlook these glaring ethical lapses?
How do you overlook the fact that Mccains ENTIRE POLITICAL CAREER is a product of him abandoning his wife who raised his three kids on their own, in a wheelchair... in her most painful and trying moment, in favor of a rich blonde girl who's father's political connections introduced Mccain to politics.
Thats the kind of people we have had in the Whitehouse for the last 8 years, and I dont think the American people are vying for 8 more years of the same.
Jo @ 43:
Agreed. We can't afford this time to be arrogantly "above them". Don't leave any stone unturned when going after McFraud and his bullshit image.
"To love and to cherish, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, til' death do us part." Obviously, to John McShame these are only words and when push came to shove, McShame ran away to another woman. So much for fidelity, honor, justice, truth. This fraud has no values, family or otherwise. These are not the actions of a true hero. They are the actions of a real coward. It goes to the heart of the character issue. McSame has none. He doesn't deserve the office of dogcatcher, much less the Presidency of the United States. The surrogates for Barack Obama need to be shouting this from the housetops. No self-respecting American would vote for any creep who treats the mother of his children with such contempt. The name McShame should be used at every opportunity. This has to be the priority item. Everything else pales in comparison to this.
MacDaKnife @ 45:
When you're a populist presidential candidate, the media will eat you alive. Obama better get ready for the onslaught.
Chico Hussein Escuela @ 46:
Just like good ole' ronny raygun said about Vietnam Vets.
While McCain's behavior is deplorable, it is not unusual nor did it affect anyone beyond the participants and their children (not to discount that). The real betrayal McCain is guilty of in my opinion is the way he worked vigorously to suppress any and all information on POWs in Vietnam. In "You Are Being Lied To" by Russ Kick, it outlines each and every attempt in congress to investigate. McCain actively worked against it. Now that's betrayal of the highest order. Can you imagine having a president that willingly and knowingly let service people rot? And of course, it begs the question WHY? Ross Perot was leading the charge to investigate.....just saying
has cindy mccain ever been asked about mrs mccain version 1.0?
i would be curious to hear her take on the disloyalty of mccain.
the rest of this sad story should include how mrs. mccain version 2.0 and her money and ties in AZ helped mccain launch his political career.
dakine01 @ 34:
What is there to be careful about? An asshole dumps the wife who stood by him during his years as a POW for a richer, slimmer, better looking model.
I am however starting to get tired with this asshole getting a free pass: He is getting 100% disability from the Navy, but sure we should not use it against him because it would not be nice. And this asshole dumps his loyal wife, thus showing his lack of character and general callous nature, but sure enough we should not use it against him because there are other issues.
And at the end of the day, people spend more time trying to excuse this rat bastard... and voila free pass McCain. Fuck him... Frame him for what he really is: a disloyal philandering asshole, who is collecting 100% disability while marrying into money, getting full senatorial salary, and at the same time denying other soldiers the same level of care even after having spent 100% of his adult life sucking off the public tit.
Oh, but that would not be nice would it...
the best part is that this was published by the Mail-rupert!!! it is NOT the dems dumping on him. this is also ancient news and interesting how many people are completely unaware of his disgusting treatment of his wife, his adultery and the sleazy origins of her money-thank you mainstream media! his personal conduct is totally in sync with his utterly anti-woman attitudes re equal rights, equal pay and personal privacy.
lipstickhottie @ 53:
Agreed. We have a president just like that now. We don't need another one.
lipstickhottie @ 53:
John the Elder @ 50:
Will we be seeing a 'POWVeteransForTruth' anytime soon ?
Yes...McCain dicked over his first wife...but come on - I get the feeling that no matter how scorned she may have felt, she wouldn't appreciate you guys using her has McCain bashing fodder...this is tacky...
I don't see a problem with bringing this up but it's not neccessary to show what a scum-bag mccain is.
lipstickhottie @ 53:
A bunch of people who were interned in the Hanoi Hilton have come forth criticizing his character (or lack there of), some of them publicly claiming they can't in good conscience vote for the man. Now mind you, these are actual POWs who were in it with McCain. Speaks volumes about the man.
Without his "POW hero persona" McCain has zero, zilch, nada.
The Dude @ 61:
His nickname was songbird.
alex @ 59:
I think tacky is dumping the wife who stood by him (McCain) for a better looking, richer, connected person. But hey, it is just me...
Fuck him... or was that too tacky?
Jo @ 25:
I think it's just GILF. Grandmother instead of Mom. If you don't know MILF, Google it, get a million hits. Stiffler's mom in American Pie. Also you can buy t-shirts with GILF on them.
In sickness and in health.
Unconditional love.
Wonderful christian values. Too bad the christians don't follow them. I'm sure Rev. Hagee, et al will find it in their hearts to forgive McCain's sins. But if Obama used drugs in college, then forgiveness is not in their lexicon.
I say hit them every day with every sordid detail of this story.
Maybe we should have been a bit more critical of GW's character before he stole the election in 2000. His character has definitely been a major factor in his decision making since that time.
Just imagine if Obama's name were inserted into this story of McShrub and his first wife (or even his errant behavior while married to her). Can you imagine the 24/7 news coverage this would get for 5 straight months.
My first instinct is to consider this story not legitimate fare for the Democrats to bring up, but a few more "terrorist fist jab" or false "Michelle Obama uses the term 'whitey' " stories and I'll be convinced that every abhorrant thing that McShrub has done in the past needs to be shouted from the rooftops.
I can't believe the rabid right-wing Daily Heil actually printed a story like that!
That guy is a first class wanker, but we knew that, didn't we?
I think McCain has enough working against him in terms of his policy positions that bringing in his marital life is cheap and tacky.
I'm willing to let the wife trade-in go if the repugs are willing to stay out of the bedrooms and marital lives of opposing candidates.
Left&Left @ 49:
F*** the "High Road." When I heard McBush answering a question about same-sex marriage by pontificating about the "sanctity" of marriage between a man and a woman, I wanted to start my own 527. The ad practically writes itself. Not to mention this is a something that Hillary's "older woman" supporters need to know about.
I just got in on comment 69
Can't imagine John and Cindy that way.
Okay I guess I can.
woodguy @ 66:
No kidding, that is what I find most troubling; the clear and present set of real issues that GOP candidates have. All of which are either ignored, or dully excused, simply witness the milliard of concern trolls that are none too eager to deflect the criticism into any tangential avenue.
And yet the slightest non issue is propped in order to frame the Dem candidate. For example; there has been more on Obama's congratulatory bump, than this: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,164859,00.html?wh=wh
Now what is it more serious and news worthy: The way Michelle decided to congratulate her husband? Or the fact that some of McCain's cell mates can't even bring themselves to vote for the guy even after having shared such traumatic experience.
His marriage, past or current, aren't really our business. I am not in the habit of judging someone based on adult relationships.
BUT, he didn't just abandon his wife, he also abandoned his children he had with his former wife. Abandoning your children is something that I feel I can judge someone on, especially if the went on to have (or adopt) other children. If he can abandon his own children, what kind of person is he?
What a sad story, I had no idea that his first marriage ended for such a tragic reason. This should be better known. Keeping this story out of the media and taking the high road would be nice, but you have to fight fire with fire.
When Ross Perot is against you, you've got real problems...
I think this story should be interesting to the religious right and also to all of those middle aged white women (Hillary supporters) that think they want to vote for McCain. He sounds like a real winner for women's rights. It makes no difference to me other than it confirms what I already knew. He's a scumbag.
Biggus Diggus @ 68:
Grampa McSame's private behavior needs to be exposed. His decisions in matters like this are clues about the mental baggage he's carrying. We also gain insights about how he could be with subordinates or even other world leaders, when he loses his regard for them.
I smell danger all around this man, a stench that is every bit as strong as the one surrounding bush.
OK, at the risk of being labeled a "concern troll," do we really have to stoop to this personal level?
If it had some bearing on McCain's politics, I would say sure.
For example, if he were a closet-case like Larry Craig who voted against gay marriage.
But this does not fit the bill.
Can we avoid this route?
Lollimom @ 77:
Attagirl! You nailed it!
Conservativeslayer @ 16:
I have sent this article from the Independent to several friends, and my mom has forwarded it to the five or six McCain supporters she knows. We have both gotten back emails that people were shocked and disgusted. From McCain supporters! Send the article out- if the media won't do its job we'll have to do it for them this time around.
Ron @ 63:
Hokey smokes, Bullwinkle, I just Googled "McCain" and "Songbird". My, my, my...and no MSM coverage....
Gollum @ 78:
Oh,SNAP! Read the damned story! It says EVERYTHING about how he would be as a president.
The Perot-McCain relationship goes back to McCain's five and a half years of captivity in Hanoi. When McCain's then-wife Carol was in a serious car accident, McCain's mother called Perot for help. "She asked me to send my people to Philadelphia to take care of the family," Perot says. Afterwards, McCain was grateful. "We loved him [Perot] for it," McCain told me in 2000.
McShame doesn't love Perot so much now. And feeling is mutual.
Gollum @ 78:
I disagree, I believe that it, along with his voting record including voting against insurance coverage for contraceptive pills and against a woman's lawsuit on lower pay, show his views on women. I do believe that the disgruntled Hillary voters need to be aware of this. The people who say they will vote for McCain if Obama is the nominee should be very careful what they wish for.
WTF, John Amato?
This is sleazy, right wing Faux News style tabloid bullsh*t.
Stop John, please stop.
For better
For worse
For even better
Carol McCain's sad story does bear significance in the election to this degree. No feminist who is so upset by Hillary's defeat as the Democratic candidate, that she claims she will support the opposition in protest, can possibly cast her vote for John McCain.
She will have to throw her vote away on Ralph Nader.
Barbara in BC @ 74:
you really didnt know? i thought it was common knowledge, despite the fact that the msm treat mcoldfart the same way the msm used to treat politicians back before nixon
personally, i think all our best presidents were the ones who cheated on their wives
the guys who didnt cheat, like nixon (im amazed that nixon ever had sex) are the ones that because they werent screwin around, got busy tryin to screw the country
77 Lollimom Says</a
I smell danger all around this man, a stench that is every bit as strong as the one surrounding bush.
blockquote>
That's his Depends, and her lack of proper douching.
sorry I disagree with the whole "we shouldn't examine their personal lives" - dammit, these people have immediate access to nukes, to interest rates, to pre-emptive strike declarations. I expect them to be of a much higher caliber than myself.
Bill Clinton was ultimately not a hell of a lot better than Bush 2. he bombed innocent kids too, he just happened to bomb them in Eastern Europe. he murdered and imprisoned political adversaries too. he told bald faced lies under oath to Congress too (since when is getting a blowjob not a "sexual relation" ?!?! - try telling that one to YOUR wives, fellas "oh hey honey, I didn't have sexy time with the babysitter, she just sucked my pee pee, thats all...")
I think all these guys need to put their personal, economic and political lives under the microscope. because the position description is too important to allow a(nother) scoundrel in there.
look at the terrible things Hillary said about her former friend Vincent Foster, and the shady circumstances surrounding his death. would you REALLY trust that person to watch out for impoverished citizens' rights when HMO lobbyists are promising a hush-hush offshore bank account?
look at the terrible way John McCain treated his former wife. would you REALLY trust him to ensure quality, caring treatment for his fellow veterans?
damn right I'm voting for Obama. he found a great wife, and stuck with her thru thick & thin. he took on low-paying community-focused work and finished the jobs assigned to him even when better-paying jobs enticed him.
I'll take integrity over experience any day, thank you. you don't need to apologize for the potential hypocricy of holding John McCain to the same standards the GOP demaned of Bill Clinton, Mr. Benen. Clinton deserved the scrutiny, McCain deserves the scrutiny, Bush deserves the scrutiny... they all deserve the scrutiny.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 38:
You may have watched this, did you do something? Did you contact your Congressional Representative? Did you contact the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi?
You have to wonder what good ol' Cindy is getting out of her marriage to McSame. She's worth a fortune, so it's not money. One look at McSame's wrinkles, scars and yellow teeth tell me it's not for looks. He has no charisma, so it's not that.
For a woman her age, she's not unattractive (just needs to go lighter on the mascara). She should be with some hot, young stud who can keep he satisfied. Surely, there must be a gardener or pool boy she can hook up with. Heck, maybe she already is.
notreallyabadguy @ 65:
Wear one to a MCBush rally (or whatever they're called) just to piss him off.
Gollum @ 78:
No. Gore the goddamned ox until it bleeds out.
This isn't mudslinging, or swiftboating, it's reporting the truth.
I am sick of these hypocites running our country into the ground while telling us how to live our lives. This information should be availale to everyone, especially the brain-dead 25%'s. It probably won't change their vote, but they should at least know the truth about the scumbag they support.
I think this is garbage. Is this in response to a McCain attack or are we just attacking? I agree that we need to respond to smear tactics but reading this stuff leaves me feeling low. I'm looking for that change we're all talking about. Lets pocket all these juicy tidbits and, if necessary, release them in response to republican smear tactics.
Well John McCain is certainly a douche bag... not that I hold this against him personally, I will still use this bullet to demoralize and destroy his support.
He deserved the Presidency the way his wife deserved better treatment...
Hell he even bites the hand that feeds him..
"Hey sweetie your going a little thin up there" says Cindy sweetly..(in an a typical tease line to be said in front of family and loved ones-or to make the reporters in the room close to them)
"At least I don't put the makeup on with a trowel you C*NT!" Responds an obviously deranged drunk John Seymour McCain... (whose ELECTION ad is on this site right now!!..lmao.. stupid google ads)
Anyone else think that McCain and Colonel Ty from Battle Star Galactica look alike?
(I like Colonel Ty a frak of a lot better)
ysbaddaden @ 89:
Please don't quote me anymore. That was gross, and it totally derailed the seriousness of what I was saying.
spudboy @ 95:
Boy! Talk about short-term memory loss!
Am I the only one that sees the "John McCain for President" add in the banner to the right of the article? ;)
Anyways, it seems that if this type of stuff is off the table out of propriety then maybe somebody should try to take the principal led stand of not posting this type of stuff. Am I wrong?
spudboy @ 95:
The truth is good anytime. No need to save it as ammunition.
Just curious . . . has anyone called John McCain a leaking fistula yet?
FIRST!
People may see John McCain as a "Maverick" but if you really look at that term, what does it actually mean? For me, it has always meant: A person who thinks only about his/her own personal ambitions, power, greed and status and puts those objectives above everything else. They will buck the system or skirt around it if needs be. They will sacrific anything and everything to obtain those, individual, selfish goals no matter what the cost. Carol McCain's marriage is yet another indication of what John McCain truly is inside. I certainly do not wish to see the United States suffer a much larger fate simply to satisfy John McCain's personal objectives.
For all of you who thinks the story of McShame dumping wife #1 is a non-story and we shouldn't be using it against him: Do you honestly believe if it had been Obama who had been such a jerk that the repugs would have said we shouldn't drag out this kind of stuff as it isn't any of our business? You know better! This would be one of the tamer things they would drag out against Obama.
We can't afford to be "nice", too much depends on beating McShame. We need to tell everyone what a liar and cheat he is. He continually says one thing, denies he said it, and says something altogether different. He forgets his first lie will be forever on YouTube and he cannot deny anything. He has proven over and over he has no respect for women. He dumped wife #1 for one who could help him politically with money and connections. He calls wife #2 a name that if I were her I would pull my money and support immediately. But then she is just as bad as he is and wants to be the "first lady" so badly she will put up with anything. Sort of like Hillary standing by Bill after he publicly humiliated her more than once, but she had political plans and thought Bill could help her. Too bad she was such a poor judge of character.
Oh, and by the way, McCain is NO HERO!!!
the Ross Perot comment is pure gold:
But Ross Perot, who paid her medical bills all those years ago, now believes that both Carol McCain and the American people have been taken in by a man who is unusually slick and cruel – even by the standards of modern politics.
‘McCain is the classic opportunist. He’s always reaching for attention and glory,’ he said.
John F A @ 99:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYtlpG0hb38
Calm @ 39:
Whoa..........this IS the scoop of the week, IMHO!!!!!!!!
By all means let the DNC fight ridiculous mania drivel with ridiculous mania drivel. It's the way to contain it all eventually. We want to induce drivel fatigue so folks will find actual wonkish issue stuff to be refreshing.
Of course McOld is a callous skank, W was too. I figure after Reagan, it became a a primary selection criteria, high lizard brain ratios.
Imagine the fun, for every puzzled whitebread worry over a handshake variation, let there be storm clouds of dark rumors involving any faintly plausible scummery that can readily be dredged up.
Think of it as running parallel instead of serial. You ace the wonk practical track for those with an attention span and you fight the disgruntled Hill partisan soap opera of "the young upstart stole her fire'" with the more compelling counter soap opera of "bastard left his crippled wife in the lurch for the rich hottie" .
This will put the 'angry older woman' HRC demographic in a double bind soap opera tail spin that may finally induce them to find a dab of magnanimity as shown by their candidate and start to finally resume digging into the practical stuff, where McOld is toast.
Just to add a bit of perspective, this is not as unusual as you might think. Her accident and disfigurement make it seem deplorable, but it may have had little to do with it. The divorce rate of former POW's is over 27%. More than double the national average. I'm not trying to make any excuse for McCain, but it is a fact that a disproportionate number of former POW's came home and found their wives were not the person the knew before, or were not the person who they had clung to in their minds to keep them sane in the midst of hell. If the former Mrs. McCain doesn't hate him for it, I don't see where others can claim righteous indignation.
For me it's about motivations. What was McLame's motivation for going to Vietnam? PERSONAL glory. Why did he fall out of love with Carol? She wasn't pretty enough anymore for HIM. Why did he marry Cindy? It was the best thing for HIM.
It's all "ME ME ME" with John McCain. These stories need to come out because 1) they are TRUE, and 2) they show his true character, which is a selfish deadbeat dad who takes whatever course would most benefit HIMSELF.
We can't be "above" any of this. This is reality, folks. If he's elected, this will be YOUR reality.
I know Rudy Giuliani's kids did not support dad for president, Obama fans as I recall. I wonder who Carol's kid support for president. John is even worse than Rudy.
Joe O. @ 101:
A Maverick is usually a guy who thinks the rules don't apply to HIM. His actions usual hurt someone else, but they walk away looking like the charmed one.
Joe O. @ 101:
I grew up in a small town / ranching community in Eastern Oregon.
to me, a "maverick" is an unbranded cow. any enterprising rancher who stumbles across said cow can then brand said cow and assume ownership of the cow.
metaphorically, a loner who can easily be placed into the back pocket of a smart, enterprising lobbyist. ;)
POdVet @ 107:
I believe you are correct about the divorce rate.
However...let's not pretend that he did not suffer extreme mental duress and that it did not cause permanent mental scars/damage.
I don't want him sitting in the White House. He's getting a nice tax-free pension, life is good for him, let's take the presidency off of his list of things-to-do-before-he-dies.
We need a mentally stable person in the presidency, for a change. Obama comes to mind, as does Hillary and...
Well I think the mental scars are so bad that is why we see such a flip flop with him regarding torture.
He does not want to appear SOFT or Damaged in anyway...
How sad for him to have sold all of himself... for nothing.
John McBush, a real
classcrass act!I don't think this is john mccain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYrsDT02OcE
Being Canadian, I hardly knew anything about McCain except he was a POW and one of the less repellent Republicans. Now all that has changed. He has dropped all his "maverick" opinions and become another robotic Republican neoConservative.
To those genteel people who say it's not fair to publicize McCain's marital problems, that those kind of tactics are not worthy of Democrats I say, get a grip. I'd like to see Obama as president, so do your best to get him elected! Go team go!
foolme1ns @ 35:
Well...he, like his progeny, is a terrorist.
I don't see why McCain's adultery and dumping his first wife should bother evangelicals. It's not as if McCain took some sort of "in sickness or in health" vow or anything. Sure, Carol McCain raised John's 3 kids while he was being tortured in the Hanoi Hilton, but when John finally got home he expected his beautiful swimsuit model, not some broken down, maimed cripple in a wheelchair. Who can blame him for catting around with and then marrying a beautiful, rich beer heiress? I mean, without Cindy's family fortune, McCain could never have financed his first successful run for Congress, and then we'd never have the benefits of his straight talk.
/snark
Not only did he abandon his 1st wife, I hear he abandoned fellow POW-MIA's. Discussions with the Vietnemese government over POW-MIA's somehow became incompatable with building breweries in Saigon.
So was McCain the role-model for Newt Gingrich's wife dumping or vice-versa?
What a hypocrite. John McCain personally and professionally profits from relaxed social and legal sanctions on divorce -- and their result, the removal of restraints on serial monogamy. But last week he says that California's marriage laws with regard to gay people should not be a "decision made by judicial fiat."
POdVet @ 108:
The national divorce rate is over 50%.
Ron @ 63:
Can't wait until this gets a little sunshine poured on it.
This story might not play so well with all those women who were mad because Hillary lost and are threatening to vote for McCain. It doesn't help him with women. Abandons one wife and family in time of need, commits adultry, seeks out rich new wife to launch career. Makes him a real jerk in the Newt Ginrich club.
Jo @ 98:
Really..screw that! Think that's what happened the last two elections.
xargaw @ 125:
I can picture McSame finishing behind Barr.
The parallels between his personal and professional life are undeniable and therefore relevant.
Senator McCain discarded his wife when a better opportunity came along and he discarded the majority of his policies to be the GOP presidential nominee, to outshine his Father and Grandfather, period.
He was a coward then and he’s a coward now.
“[H]ad events turned out differently, it would be she, rather than Cindy, who would be vying to be First Lady.” – Yeah, and if his Father, Admiral John S. McCain, Jr. hadn’t pulled strings to get John McCain III pushed through flight school after finishing close to last, he wouldn’t have been shot down and captured.
Save it Johnny. You’re a sellout hack and everybody will know it, come November.
You are correct Dr Acula. I was using data from the relevant time period. The divorce rate has since quadrupled.
Has there been anything on his and Carol's kids current feeling about their good dad? Will they celebrate Father's Day? Remember Ron Reagan?
POdVet @ 129:
Thanks for the clarification.
If you haven't seen McCain's first ad, you really need to. It is shot in half shadow, so that only half of his face is visible. Reminded me of Marlon Brando in "Apocolyspe Now"....shot in shadow so that we can't see
1. his age
2. his cancer swelling on that side of his face
3. his left eye that twitches constantly.
I am sorry, indeed, that this man has these infirmities. However, the American people have a right to see what they are getting when they vote for this elderly man.
casper46 @ 127:
Rosanne?
I find this a bit of a McSlimy piece.
We were offended when they did it to Clinton, but now you're acting no better than repugs.
Maybe it's because I'm Canadian but I find this kind of crap very underhanded. We would not have run this article this way if we were talking about a democrat.
AnotherMike @ 128:
How does someone who finished 4 places above the bottom of his class end up driving fighter bombers over Nam? Did daddy get him into flight school? Or were they so desperate for pilots they were scraping the bottom of the barrel?
As another Canadian I disagree with fellow Canadian RD who thinks the Democrats shouldn't publish true stories about their opponents because it's not nice. Politeness is great but nice guys finish last.
spudboy @ 95:
I agree with this guy. There has to be some importance on how you win the Whitehouse. If you win the Whitehouse by coughing up a 35 yr old story with statements that may or may not be true, are we any better than some wingnut site.
Ooh, look, look, McCain was divorced. You can say things like "Now, I should clarify that as far as I’m concerned, McCain’s marital difficulties and adultery aren’t especially significant in this campaign, especially years later." but they are really don't reflect the intended purpose of a piece like this.
I for one am offended by the fact that alleged progressive liberals jumped on this like right wingers would. I spoke out defending Clinton for whatever personal issues he had and I'd be a hypocrite to attack McCain on his personal life. It's not like his crappy speeches, horrible positions and voodoo economics don't give us enough to complain about...
Marriage vows meant nothing to McCain -then or now. And you know what boys and girls? He ain't Clark Gable.
Barbara in BC @ 136:
Hey Barbara,
That's a load of crap. You either decide to be nice, or not. There is no necessity to dig into the mud and crud to beat an opponent and people who think that's the only way to the whitehouse have more in common with Karl Rove than they'd like to admid.
I just think there's a massive double standard with this piece. It's the people that say "ooh, I can't vote for him" because of something in his personal life. I argued during the Clinton years that this was not relevant. When we tread into these waters, we flirt with smearing. As far as I'm concerned, that should be a conservative behavior.
Jo @ 17:
The prospect of any individual resorting to initiative domestic violence, drugging and spouse-mutilation to satisfy personal anger-issues is sad, even if framed humorously.
Hey RD, you can't play by Canadian rules in The States.
Have we ever had a President who was divorced? I'm thinking Ronnie Raygun but I'm not sure (maybe I should "googles" it?).
On a side issue, does any think they've medicated McCain recently? He's supposed to be this hotheaded, fly off the handle, fire in the belly type but listening to his speeches lately he seems like he's a record (for those of us old enough to remember records) being played on the wrong speed or someone who has narcolepsy and is about ready to nod off any moment. I would think it's a strong possibly so as to avoid the possibility of him going completely berserk and making a campaign ending scene.
It's pretty clear that McCain has been a sell-out and hypocrite his whole life. I was thinking it was just recently so he could get elected but the more that comes out shows he's always been that way. If somehow he gets elected I honestly believe this country will be history.
At least Carol wasn't in the hospital when she got the divorce papers, like Newt Gingrich did to his wife after her cancer operation.
Family values? At least McCain's not a pedophile.
Regan was divorced from Jane Wyman. He also had an affair with the Nancster prior to said divorce.
Very happy you are not fanning the flames on her (Carol's) comments since she largely supports her ex and although he is trying to use the character issue to his advantage, the circumstances of his divorce speak for themselves. Progressives don't need to use this good woman as a skewer against her ex and against her wishes. She has given much for the good of her family and of the country and should be respected for it... Got to give McCain a small bit of credit for chosing her long ago. Go OBAMA!
Lollimom @ 6:
Bet you did not know this either --
Cindy McCain's father was a convicted felon who served time. Upon his release he was given the beer distributorship -- allegedly because he took the fall for his boss -- which is the source of Cindy Lou Hensley McCain's fortune. Google Henlsey Marley and you can read all about it.
While you are at it, Google McCain Hensley Bolles and learn of the murder of Bolles, an investigative reporter in Arizona in hot pursuit of Marley and and mob. This murder, which was well known in the US a few decades ago, is still unsolved.
Now, I realize that Cindy was not the culprit but her money is dirty money and the nut does not fall that far from the tree. Imagine if Michelle Obama had such a background, the Obamas on two continents would have been excoriated by the press.
RD @ 139:
... aaaah, but Clinton did not run on a "moral and family values to restore the dignity of the white house and god forbid them gays get to marry think of the children" sort of platform. Did he?
There is nothing wrong in pointing out their own shortcomings, since they (the gOP and most conservatives in this country) seem hell bent on imposing a moral standard that they don't have to comply. If it makes them look bad (and like the hypocrites they are), too bad it ain't my problem.
Before some of you who are so eager to ride on a high horse, I advice you find out what a horse looks like.
Trotting out relevant facts about public figures is justified. Elections are not about maintaining pleasant fictions or vaguenesses about your opponents.
casper46 @ 126:
The last two elections? Try the past half century.
You know there used to be a left in this country, alas years of "we shouldn't do that, we are better than that, we should be nice" and what do you know the GOP vermin did not only not go away, they reproduced and infested the whole country.
But, but... let's be nice, let's make sure we are plenty polite en route to the gas chamber.
"because they do it, we should too," or the ever popular "we have to do what it takes to win" is not an answer. This kind of information is not news.
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