Cafferty File: McCain is liable to break a hip with all his flip-flops
By SilentPatriot Tuesday Jun 17, 2008 9:15pm
Jack Cafferty's 4 o'clock question Wednesday dealt with the interesting position John McCain finds himself in while he tries to play both sides of the fence on literally every issue in an attempt to secure the support of the dwindling GOP base, while at the same time trying to maintain his moderate, maverick image.
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"If John McCain doesn't stop changing his position on the issues, he threatens to make John Kerry look like an amateur. [..]
"So here's the question. How clear is it where John McCain stands on the issues?"
I've said this before and I'll say it again: When the history of the 2008 election is written, the main theme will be the tragic fall of John "Maverick" McCain who sacrificed every honorable principle he ever had at the altar of rabid and unappreciative Republican base,alienating everyone outside of that shrinking group in the process. Oh yea, that and America electing it's first African-American President.
Full transcript below the fold:
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: If John McCain doesn't stop changing his position on the issues, he threatens to make John Kerry look like an amateur. In order for McCain to win in November, he has to appeal to both the traditional Republican base and to Independents.
Dana Milbank, in "The Washington Post," says that's a delicate dance. And if McCain's not careful, "... he's liable to break a hip." Of course, any doctor will tell you a broken hip can be very difficult to recover from.
On Iraq, the economy, guns and God, McCain is to the right. On immigration, campaign finance reform and global warming, McCain is to the left. Sort of reminiscent of John Kerry back in 2004.
McCain went after Barack Obama yesterday for proposing a windfall profits tax on the oil companies. A month ago, McCain said he was willing to consider a windfall tax on the oil companies.
What about offshore drilling? During his run for president in 2000, McCain was against it. Now he's for it, saying the states should decide if they want to drill for oil off their coastlines. This could cost him big-time in states like California and Florida, which are very environmentally conscious.
Then there are the Bush tax cuts. McCain was against them twice, now he's for them.
McCain has also called for the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay to be closed down and torture banned. But last week he criticized the Supreme Court's ruling that detainees there should have access to U.S. courts, calling the Supreme Court decision one of the worst decisions in the history of this country.
So here's the question. How clear is it where John McCain stands on the issues?
Go to cnn.com/caffertyfile. You can post a comment on my blog -- Wolf.
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I for one welcome our new President Obama.
McCain flip-flop! Why the right doesn't think so. But then again, they thought Rudy would make a great President!
Jack better be careful about not reading Karl Rove's talking points verbatim while on the air.
" sacrificed every honorable principle he ever had " the same may apply to Obama in the end, lets hope not, but his tune is getting a bit grim.
John McCain is a neocon. Nothing more, nothing less. He has always been a warmonger. He loves death and pain and bombs, and he is financed by those who make billions off those things. And those who make money off of you and me.
I have no love for McCain, but it really is amazing to see him throw away a reputation as a rational politician for what he is now--someone who makes W look like an intelligent, articulate, free-thinking man of the people. I never thought anyone could have done that, so in his own way, McCain's a miracle man.
The Republicans know that with state of the uninformed electorate combined with their vote repression strategy they could put up Ronald McDonald for President and still have a 50% chance of winning.
Where is the post on Dodd and him getting sweetheart deals from CW. Have to be fair on here.
Regarding McCain, he is all over the place just like Obama. Both say whatever they need to regarding the crowd they are in. Either will be a terrible President, gone in 4 years.
I'll bet anyone right now that no matter who wins, they are no reelected in 2012
McPatton is very clear on the issues. He is a war hero, he knows what it's like to be brainwashed and tortured.
Where does he stand on the issues, well, he's for everything, and he's against everything (just in case you disagree). What position do you want? Just tell mcsame and he will contort until he is in that position.
" How clear is it where John McCain stands on the issues ?"
As clear as the RNC tells him to be . This week .
Please stop with the vote repression lies, there are just as many counts against the Democrats as well. People just like to repeat these things with no actual facts.
We need to sponsor a national referendum that passes a law that every single count of voter fraud gets someone 2 years mandatory term. Voter fraud is the worst crime anyone can commit, it is committed against 350 million people. It needs to be dealt with
I know it's evening over there, but everyone seems exceptionally tired today. Was a a rough day in the USA? Why is everyone so down in the mouth?
Dave @ 11:
Not to mention the rest of the world looking at us with the largest Nuclear Arsenal of all and the ability to sometimes elect Idiots to the highest position.
Cafferty is an actor.
Anyone remember him as a local NYC anchor?
Far different then.
He plays a role.
Dave @ 11:
I'm sorry but is push polling a lie? It's vote repression.
Dave @ 8:
I'm not a gambling type, but if I was betting I'd bet Obama gets reelected, not McCain.
It's pretty much Obama's election to lose, at this point. You can see the desperation dripping from republicans.
They do not have ANYTHING to do other than race-bait, lie, fear-monger and agitate.
Not gonna work this time, scumbags.
Good to see Jack the Obama hack Cafferty is still alive.
Anyhoo, McFlippityflop is all over the place on the issues.
I can't keep up and doubt he can in a debate.
What has Obama flipped on, Dave?
The Buzz over here this morning amongst the EX-Pat communities is all about general Taguma (sp) (guy who headed up the Abu guraeb torture investigation) saying that War Crimes were committed. That is a very heavy statement and it is being repeated every half hour on International News Network CNNI.
Is any of that sparking things in the USA?
I am surprised not just at McSame, but some of the other so-called 'Lawmakers' like Gingrich and Santorum, to name just a couple.
The Supreme Court ruled that prisoners on US territory [Guantanamo, just like Embassies world-wide are considered US territory by treaty] have the right to Habeas Corpus - the right to be informed of the charges against them. Nothing more and nothing less.
For those 'Lawmakers' to pretend that the Court has decided anything different is just unbelievable.
The court does not and should consider the reason a person is detained, but only assure that Constitutional requirements are applied.
McCain has stated on a prior occasion:
"Federal judges today, issue rulings and opinions on policy questions, it should be decided democratically. Assured of lifetime tenures, these judges show little regard for the authority of the president, the congress and the states. They display even less interest in the will of the people. and the only remedy available to any of us is to find, nominate and confirm better judges".
Appalling!
Don't trust McCain! Read up on the Air Force refueling tanker deal, McCain could give a mouse's behind about everyday Joe's and Americans. I'm not saying that Obama is the right choice (I like RP). What is McCain going to do on energy? Every three weeks it's some new stance from what I've seen.
Support S.2958 for lower gas prices, look out for yourself, McCain does. Read up, affordable energy, good jobs, mystery, romance, S.2958 has it all (well maybe not the last two).
http://www.AmericansForJobsAndEnergy.org/
Good Job Crooks And Liars, another timely article!
♠Bob In Chiang Mai♥ @ 20:
Nope, not that I've noticed on the MSM.
C'mon baby do the McLocomotion.
There's never been a dance so easy to do.
It's really made him happy since his hair's dyed blue.
C'mon babies do the McLocomtion with him.
Ooh! His new campaign song! It's got a beat. You can twist to it! Me like.
Bob in Chiang Mai, I think we are all 'shocked and awed' by the sheer audacity of these creeps in the US government that continue to commit crimes and nothing is ever done about it. Hence, the silence. Sometimes there are no words.
Bush et al continue to murder, steal, lie, cheat, hide, delete, forget, obfuscate ... yet they remain free, smirking and smiling as they enrich themselves along the way. It leaves me absolutely speechless.
Plus, there's a full moon tonight. Cheers.
ronhohn @ 21:
yeah, the checks and balances thing always pisses off the Republicans, until of course, a Democrat should take the Presidency. At that time there will be a great cry of a different and whinier type.
calgarylady @ 25:
Exactly. The silence has been glaring on this side of the pond for years.
Face it MSM is useless! A bunch of over payed shills, spouting what corporate masters want.
I think the question for McCain, given his position that if he could go back in time, he would support starting the Iraq war again, should be, "Given that the Republicans ran on a ticket against nation building, and given that the Congress likely wouldn't vote for war, absent a representation that Iraq was an imminent threat, would you (McCain) misrepresent the Iraq threat like Bush did in order to garner support for the war?".
What lengths would he go to in order to get his war started?
P.D. @ 2:
Flip flop does not adequately describe what McCain has done. Kerry may have changed his mind. McCain is pandering to whoever is dangling a campaign contribution in front of him at this particular moment. The Oil Companies have apparently given him a lot. This man is as malleable as solder and stands up under heat just as well.
I am keeping track of the flip flops.
http://georgebushsthirdterm.blogspot.com/
whizkid @ 14:
And a damned good role. We need more actors like him and a lot fewer bad actors.
xoites defends Constitution @ 30:
The Mighty-Morphing-Mcchange!
From Kos:
The un-impeachable offense: http://hunter.dailykos.com/
Blowjobs matter. Deaths of innocent people and US service members over a trumped up war don't.
Slightly OT, but O'Reilly talking about oil
email to O'Reilly:
"It never ceases to amaze me that all of you neocons claim to want to get the government out of everything, except when it hurts you in the pocket book, then you go screaming your head off and want them to regulate."
xoites defends Constitution @ 32:
Yeah, and Jack Ad-Libs a lot of lines away from what the Directors probably want.
Wolf is just a News Reader, Jack has an opinion and is not afraid to state it.
Here is the real deal:
The GOP is going front McDuffus as the President then force some either slick or shiny GOPer on the ticket as VP. This VP dude will be a version of Cheney. He or she will be the bulldog while McShame will be "What me?" They lack respect for Obama so much they will force him to respond against the VP candidate.
McCranky will only be brought out to speak at photo op stacked events and say nothing at all but: It's great to be in - terrorists - 9/11 - kill wildlife for oil and vote for me... and the crowd will go wild....
I mean if he really wants to have Bush's 3rd term that's what I would do.
TheNextDylan @ 31:
May i put a link to your site on my blog?
I need to point out why the only way McCain can win is if the smear campaign against Obama is successful.
Hi, Bob! :)
Thanks for stopping by. :)
xoites defends Constitution @ 39:
I had a good time there. Thanks for having me.
xoites defends Constitution @ 38:
I see you've been busy with your blog x. Good stuff.
Peter G @ 41:
Thank you. I could use any tips anybody has. You put all this stuff together in one place and the smear campaign looks pretty silly.
Here's what Obama's attack on McCain should be: "If you don't like McCain's positions, just wait an hour."
enough @ 5:
Agreed, but more to the point, and in honor of the honorable Blugal's open thread last night:
John McCain is a neoc*nt. Nothing more, nothing less.
euphgeek @ 43:
I don't think Obama needs to attack McCain. I don't think McCain can win without a smear campaign.
euphgeek @ 43:
i like it .....you better e-mail that idea to them.that's why barack should say he wants to hold off on the debates until he(mccain) makes up his mind.........doesn't have the zing yours does
Al Jazeera dishes up the dirt on the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba and Abu Ghraib in Iraq and seems to be the only news outlet fully covering this.
Further proof that the Networks in the US are no longer free.
karl @ 46:
Done.
mccains strategy regarding social security a sophisticated flipflop
http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/42122-tpmtv-mccain-s-social-security-bambo...
My advice to Mr. Obama is not to debate Mr. McCain at all. How can you have a meaningful debate or discussion with a man who has been on every side of every issue as John McCain has. Sticking a finger in the air to discover where the political winds are going does not make him a maverick. It just makes him a man without scruples or shame. Mr. McCain is truly a man who will say anything to get elected. Mr. Cafferty is mistaken. I don't think Mr. McCain could possibly break a hip. Mr. McCain has proven himself to be slippery and slimy like an eel and twice as pliable.
A recent article in Newsweek attempted to defend mccain as being different from bush.
Truth is, his voting record lines up perfectly with bush policies. But when he's out stumping he changes or muddies his position so often that people aren't sure if he's "for" or "against."
Many of these flip-flops and gaffes might not be mistakes. It may be a campaign strategy. Confuse the public, then in the end hope they vote for the white guy.
Oooo, broken hip joke. Pretty cruel.
♠Bob In Chiang Mai♥ @ 47:
BBC America is a good source for *real* news as well. Can't trust the MSM here in "the bastion of freedom" can we?
P.S. Hey Bob, do you ever sleep? :)
america is an imperialist country.
we americans support this war for profits complex
until we protest in the streets nothing will change in wash
it took years of protest to stop the vietnam war
until we americans look into a mirror and see war mongers nothing will change
we did not learn our lesson in vietnam now we get another opportunity to learn with iraq
iraq will bleed us a very slow bleed in lives and treasure
if they are smart they will realize we are there to turn them into a colony of america
we want 58 bases there imperialism at its best or worst
america the germany of the 1930's
Moral Compass @ 3:
Cafferty seems the type who doesn't give a shit if he gets access to the crooks or not. So says whatever .
Maverick has become Weathervane McCain
The worst has to be his flip/flop on torture. There's no way someone can argue he has any integrity at all after hearing that he now supports torture.
Flip flop express.
The Mighty Flip-Flopper. I sure hope the media and all those wonderful journalists out there call him on the carpet for his ever changing positions. The question is which McCain would inhabit the WH if he were to win. My bet would be that McCain would do whatever his base tells him. I don't think he has the spine to do what's right for the People.
A true shame, but me thinks Jack Cafferty`s days are numbered on CNN. He has become real uppity with the Blitzer as of late also. I don`t think Jack gives a hoot.
Thanks Jack....
this is one of the least reported aspects of McCain's pursuit of the office of the Presidency.
While the MSM is still smarting from the supposed kid-gloves tag on Sen. Obama how about reporting on John McCain 2008 and not on the pre-neo conservative John McCain.
I could imagine the SNL skit if they had the courage.
Sen. WAR HERO MAVERICK McCAIN...what do you think about the Energy Crisis. We know during you 5 years of imprisonment that your maverick ideals were shaped and formed. Whatever you say today we will accept as your position...
Oh Jack - don't you realize that Grandpa's campaign is just setting us all up? They're doing this so they can present Grandpa as "The Great Appeaser"! He gets along with everyone, my friends!
/snark off
♠Bob In Chiang Mai♥ @ 20:
Sorry Bob - here's your big news in the good old US of A this morning...
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/06/18/midwest.flooding.pigs.ap/index....
I remember McCains speeches on the floor of the senate, berating Clinton for Somalia and Haiti, and I remember how much I used to agree with him. 15 or so years later, and its obvious that either everything this guy does is simply for political reasons, or this once reasonable republican has jumped on the neo-con bandwagon.
WOW. Just on Morning Joe they were talking about Obama’s flip flopping. No, really. Joe and Mika are starting to make O’Reilly look smart. Well, not so much but these Republicans are shameless. I wonder what Mika’s dad thinks about her being a shill and a lap dog for “The Scare.”
calgarylady @ 25:
And it doesn't help matters when our lame and inept Congress does nothing to rein in the criminals. It's a national disgrace!
Now Joe is blaming the non alternative energy policies on the Democrats. He went back to Nixon and said none of the presidents since then have done anything. He even mentioned Carter’s “failed attempt”. Nothing about Ray Gun taking the solar panels off of the White House that Carter put up. Not a mention of that. Not a mention about Bush and the Republican congress for 6 years.
McGranpa is now for drilling off the coast of Florida after he was opposed to it and now he has Chuck Crist doing the flop and Crist is now thinking about having oil wells off shore is a good thing. No Florida candidate has ever won a statewide election when they were for drilling off the coast.
For the record, Arnold says "just say no" to drilling off of California. Ne says NO WAY.
There is a big rally for healthcare in San Francisco. The Cafferty File has no real interest and neither does McCain. I offer you a form letter if anyone is interested in calling their congressman. Let democracy work. Be interdependent, it's better than being independent. The form letter to congressman is as follows:
I write as a constituent to express my support for single-payer national
health insurance and to urge you to co-sponsor HR 676, the U.S. National
Health Insurance Act.
It is scandalous that in the richest most powerful country in the world more
than 46 million Americans are uninsured. Even for those lucky enough to have
insurance, rising costs and deteriorating coverage cause more than
one-in-four (28 percent) to go without needed care because they can't afford
it. Indeed, of the one million Americans bankrupted by medical bills
annually, more than three-quarters had insurance when they got sick.
Single-payer national health insurance would save enough on administrative
paperwork - more than $300 billion per year - to provide comprehensive
coverage to all Americans. It would provide full choice of doctor and
hospital for patients, and unleash physicians from arbitrary corporate
dictates over patient care. It would control the health expenses currently
crippling our economy and provide for a wholesome revitalization of our
democratic values.
Please join with the 70 percent of Americans who support such a system and
co-sponsor HR 676.
Sincerely,
"When the history of the 2008 election is written ..."
Depends on who is writing the history. Just think of all the books Bush administration people will write -- or people like Ann Coulter. It boggles the mind what future generations will think about all this.
"the main theme will be the tragic fall of John “Maverick” McCain who sacrificed every honorable principle he ever had at the altar of rabid and unappreciative Republican base,"
what?! campaign finance reform and some kind of lame immigration policy constitutes "honorable principles"?! what?!
look, the guy may have been somewhat better than satan on a few issues, but he was NEVER honorable...he was and always will be an anti-abortion, pro war, pro corporate whore...
words matter, loudmouthedpatriot
Mornin folks...
I think McBain is the sacrificial lamb for the neo-cons this election...
I have no idea why this stupid, beaten, old man would even want to debate Obama even once. Obama will expose McWorthless on a national stage for the confused, pandering, gold digging, career political opportunist whore that he is. Unless this nation is willing to descend to hell, this race is over.
Left&Left @ 73:
I'm tellin ya L&L...McBain's campaign is intended to be a loser...if they actually thought he could beat Obama...BWAAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!
It looks like CNN is playing catch-up with MSNBC and the other forms of media pointing out the endless McCranky reversals.
Have to agree that history will characterize his campaign as one big pandering, inconsistent mess. It is kind of sad to see a person lose their bearing so badly, basically a shell of the person that they used to be. Whatever gain he had from his past reputation, seems to be drowned out by the helter skelter campaign strategy his advisors are running him through.
Rachel Maddow provided some great insight into the Conservative mindset on her Air America show. Conservatives look for the most outrageous policy positions -- i.e. The Fair Tax (no mention how those earning $250,000 or more benefit, wonder why?), overturning Roe v. Wade, etc. She also added how they hate when America receives favorable coverage from the international press, referencing Obama's victory in the primary. They wear their unilateral American pride with a "badge of honor." Inevitably, this out-of-touch, irrational mindset will propel Americans to overwhelmingly vote Democrat and force the Republicans to move more towards the center like Schwarzenager.
The Kerry 'flip-flopper' moniker was a right-wing smear that they hammered into public consciousness so hard that even Cafferty has bought into it. It's unmitigated hypocrisy and it pisses me off. If you compare career statements of Bush and Kerry, you will find Bush has been duplicitous or changed his stance on enough issues to make Kerry look like the Rock of Gibraltar -- my favorite being Bush's pre-presidency declaration that he didn't see the United States in the role of 'nation builder.' Hello Afghanistan! Hello Iraq! Hello crushing economic burden! Thank goodness there's not enough time in his presidency to complete a trifecta. The key difference between McCain's flip-flopping and Bush's flip-flopping is that the Bush administration was much better at redirecting attention away from it by manufacturing or exaggerating irrelevant issues.
Kerry's 'flip flopping' was made up to look that way....but McCain's flip flopping is genuine.
I have noticed something "physical" about McCain...and wonder if any one else has noticed this also...
His "right hand" is always cupped by his side with his arm straight...and when he realizes the motion he is doing, he needs to bring his hand up and hold or rub his hands together...has any one else noticed his physical motions as I am describing?
Now, with that said, I am NO doctor, but this shows all the signs of major issues that have or currently happening to him. I begs to question more on his physical health and/or mental status to be president.
Your thoughts!
The McSame Damaged Goods We Have Now
The Republicans must think very little of Barack Obama. To even considering running George J. McSame for president has got to be the worse decision of the decade.
At the start of the Republican primaries, I knew there would be some Flipping and Flopping going on; however, I had know idea it would be this obvious. In general, throughout my life, the Republicans have been dishonest. They are masters at rationalizing dysfunctional choices that benefit their financial interest. Even today, in the face of the American people, they are stealing this country blind while using a rationalization that would make the smartest con envy.
I watched CSPAN's Washington Journal today. They had on Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Energy & Commerce Subcommittee, Ranking Member. As expected, he tried to run down this lie about drilling in America. The real crafty thing about this guy was he never once told the viewers not a drop of oil will be available for the next ten years. That is if they started drilling tomorrow. Yet, he delivered his line rapped up in our current gas problem as if it were a solution to our problems.
Rule number one for the Republicans Party: Make every issue a debate -- especially if it is an issue involving illegal actions. President Bush has used this tactic to get away with torture, spying on the American people, and starting a war that caused the lives of a million people. What does he have to say about that: "whoops." It truly is time for change and not the flip flop kind.
Joseph
Where is the post about Obama’s flip-flop on public financing of his campaign?
Blind ideologues hurt our country, no matter what side of the aisle they’re on.
Tom @ 81:
Consider this your post on Obama's so called flip flop. Flip Flopping, also known as lying, is an topic designated for the McSame camp.
There is a difference is considering something and flip flopping. Your sense of the same politics has injected the wrong fact. I know the Republicans wish they could force Barack Obama to take a choice that would benefit his opponent.
For now, George J. McSame will have to face his campaign finance shortcomings by his self.
Joseph
Mr. Hit and Run Jack Cafferty. John Mc Cain has changed his position on oil drilling. With oil approaching $5.00 a gallon, I think it was the right thing to do. If your messiah Barack Hussein Obama is elected president, gas prices will be $10 a gallon in his first term. Changing on the Bush tax cuts was obvious. He discovered they worked. Nice try to get a Republican. It shows your bias towards the democrats and far left. Get a Toup. You can afford it.
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