McCain Increasingly More Unhinged In Denver Speech
By Nicole Belle Thursday Jul 24, 2008 4:50pm
Download | play 
Download | play (h/t Logan)
I don't know about you, but I'm a little worried that McCain might stroke out before November. He's definitely having a much harder time keeping his infamous temper in check. In fact, yesterday at his appearance in Columbus, Ohio, McCain completely snubbed a Wall Street Journal reporter (watch Lindsey Graham's face as he does it--hilarious!). Today, in Denver, you could sense McCain's rage was just bubbling under the surface. (The Colorado Independent liveblogged the event) I get the distinct impression that he's no longer got his heart in it. It must irk him that Obama drew more than 200K yesterday and according to the press, only 500 showed up to see him in Denver--the smattering of applause sounds more like 50--and even with those diehards, there was dead silence during much of his attacks on Obama.
Like every speech of McCain's lately, his confusing verb tenses claim that we have won and will win, have succeeded and will succeed and yet he's still able to predict "defeat" from Barack Obama's position, despite all this winning and success. It's a stunning psychic ability for McSame as he then says that the troops will come home during "the next president's first term." Isn't that what Obama promised as well? McSame actually told Wolf Blitzer that he thought Obama's 16 months was a pretty good timetable. Confused yet? As Logan points out, McCain says that when he brings the troops home, they're staying home. What does he plan on doing in Afghanistan? Those permanent bases in Iraq? Is this yet another flip-flop?
Even Joe Klein, who has always taken his status as a Beltway Bubble Villager so seriously, is finding McCain unhinged:
This is the ninth presidential campaign I've covered. I can't remember a more scurrilous statement by a major party candidate. It smacks of desperation. It renews questions about whether McCain has the right temperament for the presidency. How sad.[..]
The reality is that neither Barack Obama nor Nouri al-Maliki nor most anybody else believes that the Iraq war can be "lost" at this point. The reality is that no matter who is elected President, we are looking at a residual U.S. force of 30-50,000 by 2011 (a year ahead of the previous schedule). The reality is that McCain should be proud that he helped salvage a disastrous situation by pushing the counterinsurgency plan. It's something to run on. But, at this point, McCain must sense that it's not a winning hand. Obama, the poker player, has drawn to an inside straight: the Iraqis favor his plan over McCain's long-term bases. That must be galling. But it's no excuse to pop off the way McCain did. It was, shockingly, unpresidential.
I went to Iraq many times, and heard all the phony explanations about how we were winning. I knew we were failing. And I told that to an administration that didn't want to hear it.
Violence in Iraq fell to such low levels for such a long time that Sen. Obama, detecting the success that he never believed possible, falsely claimed that he'd always predicted it. There have been almost no sectarian killings in Baghdad for more than 13 weeks. American casualties are at the lowest levels recorded in this war. The Iraqi Army is stronger and fighting harder. The Iraqi government has met most of the benchmarks for political progress we demanded of them. And the nation's largest Sunni party recently rejoined the government. In Iraq, we are no longer on the doorstep of defeat but on the road to victory.
Sen. Obama said just this week that even knowing what he knows today that he would still-still would have opposed the surge. In retrospect, given the opportunity to choose between failure and success, he chose failure. I cannot conceive a Commander-in-Chief making that choice. My friends, a new hope is rising in Iraq today. Across the country, Iraqis are preparing for upcoming provincial elections and security has improved enough to permit the Iraqi government to begin seriously providing services and opportunities to the Iraqi people. This progress is encouraging but it is reversible. If we heed those who have always counseled defeat, when they now argue to risk our fragile gains and withdraw from Iraq, according to a politically expedient timetable, rather than the advice from the commanders who so brilliantly led this stunning turnaround in our situation in Iraq. I said the surge has succeeded and it has. That's why the additional surge brigades are almost all home. I said we can win, and we will. I'm confident we will be able to reduce our forces in Iraq next year and our forces will be out of regular combat operations and dramatically reduced in number during the term of the next President of the United States. I don't know....I think you know who I'm referring to.
We fought the worst battles, survived the toughest threats and the hardest part of this war is behind us. But it's not over yet. And we've come too far, we've sacrificed too much, to risk everything we've gained and all we could yet gain because the politics of the hour make defeat the more convenient position. Because of the choice we made and all the surge has accomplished, the time will soon come, when our troops can come home. But we face another choice today: we can withdraw when we have secured the peace and the gains we have sacrificed so much to achieve or save or we can follow Sen. Obama's unconditional withdrawal and risk losing the peace, even if that results in spreading violence and a third Iraqi war. Sen. Obama has suggested he would consider sending troops back if that happened. When I bring them home in victory and with honor, they are staying home.
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"Audacity of hopelessness..."
They're laughing at you, John, not with you.
I sure hope not!
I think his attacks on Obama are even starting to sound as worthless to the 20%ers as it does to the rest of us. McSame is trying to keep up with Obama as far as getting press. It's grueling and hard work even for a 46 year old person like Obama. For somebody as ancient as McGrandpa it has to be affecting his health. I sure hope he doesn't drop dead before the election.
Secretarian violence is down because there is no one left to kill.
What McCain doesn't mention is that MOST of the people who were saying that the administration was failing in Iraq were DEMOCRATS and the actual liberal media. So is he saying that we should vote for him as president and VOTE OUT all the REPUBLICANS who were stupid and said the war was going well?
The guy is falling apart! I saw this speech, no applause just dead air. He is becoming more and more nasty. I bet the Repugs are peeing their pants! Some candidate! "Hey everyone let's watch Grampa fall apart." I would feel some sympathy but the Bush years killed my sensibility.
anyone catch cspan today? im surprised C&L isnt covering ANYTHING on it...
interesting.
If McCain can't take a campaign, can he take being President?
Obama has been running for months now; he's taken some beatings but still is going at it hard. I don't know how he can take the exhausting pace that he has had this past week.
It's Joe Klein.
Different spelling, same insular Beltway lapdog.
he should get no sympathy. he's a stupid, arrogant old man who's sucked bushes ass from day 1 and is now circling the drain and i hope he takes the msm with him.
John "free beer" McCain
Audacious
Kinda makes you wonder about the people they get to talk to for polls...or the polls themselves.
The man has Alzheimer's. He needs to be placed in a home.
Senor momemt, or is it something else? If I was on the Obama staff I would jumping for joy at the prospective of a debate with Gramps, just make sur that the press doesn't get to ask the questions, let the people in the crowd ask the questions.
BTW: Andrea Kramer just sais that she thinks that McCain has found his voice at the speach in Denver, bitter, bitter, bitter about the prospect of losing acsess to the white house should Obama win.
I think that Obama should issue a challenge to McGrumpy to go to Europe and talk to the world leads etc etc. It would be nice to see the kind of reception he would get but as they say to lawyers “don’t do something that you don’t know the answer to.” I really think McSame would get the same kind of reception that Bush gets; Protests in the street.
Janet @ 12:
Not until a day or two before the election. Pleeeeeeease.
BigIslandDave @ 8:
You're right. I originally wrote the Atrios-coined "Joke Line" and then changed my mind. I messed up the spelling in the correction.
its_me_ya_krazy @ 6:
It's coming up.
"stroke out" is a poor choice of words in reference to an old man
Starting Monday morning, I want Obama hammer this senile old prick.
And pick Wesley Clark for VP.
I'm sick and tired of this cranky, old fool. If we've won in Iraq than why does that country still not have a unified government, which was the original point of the surge (in addition to giving Chimpus Maximus enough time to dump this war off on the next dictator-president).
And I'm fucking tired of his "Straight Talk Express" BS when he has continually lied and has flip-flopped on every damn issue!
This nosferatu-looking asshole needs to retire!
The war in Iraq can neither be lost or won, which is the ultimate failing of the neo-con propaganda. It cannot be either of those things because it is neither a game nor even a proper war, it's merely a debacle.
Please! If McCain went to Europe NOBODY would line up to see him. To the Europeans and all others in the world, McCain is another clone of Bush. And if he did go, do you think it would be a replay when he showed up to an event and only one measley reporter showed up? Repugs are a tarnished for decades. Good!
I'm an old man and I think he'll "stroke out".
In any event, he's too damned old. He's out of touch. He's incoherent. He's pathetic. And he is the best the Republicans have. Both sad and terrifying because if we don't rid ourselves of the republican Party there is no chance of bringing this Nation back from it's death bed.
doesn't andrea kramer do sports?
Zlad! @ 11:
Yeah, I wonder about that too. The way I understand it is that they don't call cell phones which is the only phone communication a lot, (most?) young people and more and more other people have anymore. I just can't believe that McFuckitup can hold on so close with all his screw ups.
Any bets on how long it takes for McCain to SNAP! . Obama's getting mucho mas better publicity.
McCain's a ticking time bomb, and the fuse is lit.
Lyon@20, I couldn't say it better myself.
McSame is beginning to make Fred Thompson look like a great campaigner.
BigIslandDave @ 8:
Ok, now I'm a little confused. It is the Joe Klein with the little round head, kind of fat lips, and the failed attempt at a beard and not bald but a little light on top, dark hair who attempts to "write" for Time Mag?
Captain Bitter Whiner Husein Kangaroo @ 24:
While head-to-head polling has shown St. McCain is close to Obama (to within 6 points), polls including Ralph Nader and Bob Barr have increased the gap by as much as 13 points between Obama and St. McCain. This shows that neocons and conservative-leaning Independents would chose Barr if they are not forced to chose St. McCain.
When I bring them home in victory and with honor, they are staying home.
It always bothers me that McCain implies that somehow the troops will lose their honor if he isn't the next commander in chief.
gjr@27, LOL! I forgot about poor old Fred. Let McCain pick Fred as a VP! After the debates they will need oxygen and wheelchairs!
McCain Increasingly More Unhinged In Denver Speech
boosh has some oil for those aging hinges.
I don't see him as being 'unhinged' in the clip. Content-free, yes.
It must kill McC*nt that he is no longer the golden child of politics. He was in 2000, then he ran into the Chimpy-Rove slander machine and his moment quickly passed.
Now you have a elderly man who is trying to make up for lost time. Too late. Your opportunity was eight years ago and you lost out to a scumbag idiot and his evil henchmen.
McC*nt desperately wants to be prez, but it's not in the cards. He's too old...senile...stupid...and angry to win. At this point, that reality might be sinking in.
America does not need a trigger-happy fossil who wants to re-fight the Vietnam War. Sorry chump, you already got your ass shot out of the sky once.
Expect more of McC*nt's crap...with even greater intensity, frustration and venom. McC*unt will continue his "kitchen sink" approach. It's his only chance.
Meanwhile, he'll continue to give coma-inducing speeches at dimly lit VFW halls in front of 20 or 30 "supporters."
Poor slob.
gjr @ 27:
Maybe he should ask him to be his VP?
Captain Bitter Whiner Husein Kangaroo @ 35:
I think Fred Thompson is about the only person who looks as bad, physically, as St. McCain.
redcat @ 23:
Your right, I had just finish watching the Cubs highlights,lowlights, I meant Ms Greenberg.
The right 'temperament'????? Mcfeeblemind? Naw... And the repubs can't pull the plug on this charade at this late date.....
The old man's temper is the only the latest of their worries now.... Must really be starting to suck to be a repub/neoconservative and/or on that McCain team now... Much like another poster indicated.. I'd like to say I am beginning to feel sorry for this increasingly pathetic the old man and the losers who promoted and backed him but that would be a lie.....
After eight long frustrating years of Bush and Cheney? I don't feel the least bit of sympathy for either the republican party, John McCain, or the immoral assholes in the Bush administration who have wrecked this nation for eight years like a drunken frat house cheerleader at a kegger.... You republican peckerwoods should have known running the country into the ground wasn't such a hot idea.... If you people could have seen past your own hubris, greed, and...
Ah well, your evangelical camp followers like to say you reap what you sow... So there you have it assholes. Enjoy what the fruit of your labors has delievered up to your doorstep. A tired old man who ain't up to the challenge trying to work last centuries gameplan of fear as a standard barer and a growing percentage of this nation and the world at large fed up with all your shit.....JD
i find it interesting that the party of corporate interests consistently fields candidates who are unintelligent, personality-disordered and just plain unprofessional . . . are republicans really such poor judges of character, or are they simply looking for puppets to manipulate?
That speech is incredibly boring even in the reading of it.
When Obama goes to Europe he talks to heads of state and makes speachs to large crowds, McCain goes to London and picks up checks at fundraisers.
its_me_ya_krazy @ 6:
I saw most of it...the one guy that has the book, cant remember the exact title, something about GWB convicted for murder, was the best of the bunch. He laided it out there!! To bad we wont see it mentioned on the MSM anywhere....except maybe, just maybe on Countdown. Was nice to see Bob Barr on there as well....
After Bush reams him in 2000, and then the promise comes down that he'll be the next candidate, Then ends up the speed bump.
Only Bush's bus ain't slowin down for the speed bump. He's actually backing up over it again , and again, and again.........
Yeah, I expect him to snap at least once.Before this is all said and done. A complete meltdown.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE DEBATES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
His fangs will come out for sure.
McCain is so inspirational.
Excuse me. I meant embarrassing.
Did anyone else hear McSame tell Wolf B. that he was sorry for being so obtuse? Does he even know what that word means? Just so you know in the future John, it means stupid, although it is the perfect word to describe you, I don't think you were really admitting what we all know to be true.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwnnnnnn!!! Is McSame still around?
.
There is NOTHING on MSNBC, CNN, HUFFPO, ABC, NBC, CBS, Think Progress, Move On, Crooks and Liars, Firedog Lake, Open Left, TPM, AmericaBlog… about the House Judiciary Committee hearing that took place today regarding holding the current Administration accountable.
W H Y?
.
I can’t remember a more scurrilous statement by a major party candidate.
Did Klein not cover Bush v Gore or Bush v Kerry ?
Anyway, I feel very sorry for John McCain. He is closer to the end of his life than to the beginning. The 2000 candidacy was stolen from him by the dirty tricks of Karl Rove and George W. Bush. He lost his dignity by sucking up to them, presumably for their support in 2008. Their support doesn't matter now. In fact, it is a liability. He knows he will lose and he will never be able to run again. This is his last hurrah. You must at least have some empathy for for the man for that.
The problem with McCain is that he just isn't as mean-spirited as George W. Bush. He can't really pull off these Obama insults with the same venomous contemptuous sincerity that George can. He's trying to follow Karl Rove's playbook, but he just isn't in their league. He's too old and too tired to play the game anymore. And the game keeps getting rougher and more indignant all of the time.
McCheese is such a cocksucker...
and yes, we know who you are refering to as the "next president of the United States" - it's Obama...right gramps?
Captain Bitter Whiner Husein Kangaroo @ 28:
One and the same, Captain Bitter ...
McCain's campaign reminds me more and more of the Bob Dole 96' Pres campaign.
Haphazard itinerary, low turn-out, etc.
Riding around in his automoble, with no particular place to go.
jeff @ 37:
Go Brewers!!!
innocent bystander @ 39:
Think Howdy-Doody, I mean Ronald Reagan. The answer is puppet.
Slip sliding away
Slip sliding away
So near the destination
And now it's slip sliding away
(h/t Paul S.)
vincent bugliosi is the guy with the book wanting to charge bush with murder. he's the guy that prosecuted charles manson. the msm will run away from this guy like he's wrapped in the aids virus.
i don't think his heart ever WAS into it... but he was pre-ordained to be the repug candidate in order to usher in the bush's REAL pick, mittens romney... my take...
Wes @ 42:
Vincint Bugliosi: The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder
oh, and have you seen this?
McCain Embraces 16-Month Withdrawal: ‘I Think It’s A Pretty Good Timetable’
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/07/25/mccain-timeline/
mudshark @ 25:
You stole my thunder. I was going to comment, "Look out. I think he's gonna blow!"
Geez, that speech made less sense than a Chimpie speech!
Gawd, this stiff-armed old codger -- and, yes, I know why he gesticulates in that awkward, robotic manner -- makes Bob Dole circa 1996 look downright vibrant, persuasive and studly.
Very pitiful. He might as well phone it in right now.
SURGE TO VICTORY . . or
LOSING THE PEACE ???
You decide..
He's The Terrible Tempered Mister Bang. What's worse, he's old enough to know who that is. Poor despondent dotard.
umm...sorry folks, but what was so "un-hinged" about the speech. It was completely boring and stupid, but he did not look un-hinged. So I really do not know what the deal with the headline is. We have enough to criticize McCain with real stuff, so why are we making stuff up?
Come on...let's nail them on substantial stuff.
.
Johnny McCain't be sane.
.
Are you worried about McCain's health or the fact that Romney would step up if McCain drops out?
I was at the VA hospital today. I mentioned to a couple of other patients how mccain wants to ration treatment to those injured in combat. Not only did they never hear this before, they didn't doubt me. They got angry at the idea. We all wondered if even if you sustained injuries in battle and are receiving help, what about when your in you 50's-60's with other conditions, heart or cancer? Would that be covered?
While I was eating a late breakfast in the mess watching CNN there was no coverage of this story. It's one of the far too few there at the VA that's not set on FAUX.
So before...when they told us that we were winning we were really losing. But now when they tell us that we are winning we are winning.
And we can tell the difference how?
its_me_ya_krazy @ 6:
I was on it from beginning to end.
Bruce Fein really set them all straight around 10:50 a.m. or so when some Congressmen were stating the fact that the Bush Administration continues to avoid all the various subpoenas such as with Meirs and Rove. Fein said, "Well, if you start impeachment hearings and issue subpoenas and they don't show up, then there are your absolute grounds for impeachment!"
So I guess Bush can play the executive privilege game on other issues, but not when he's being brought before an impeachment committee.
Interesting. Any legal scholars have comments on this from today's hearing?
Captain Bitter Whiner Husein Kangaroo @ 15:
He needs to be placd in the basement (where he belongs).
cybergal619 @ 61:
McBush spent way too much time trying to win over the repug base. He's now operating under the illusion that all voters are much dumber than he is and it's quite insulting to the 70+%ers.
Captain Bitter Whiner Husein Kangaroo @ 3:
Darn right it's hard. You'd think his handlers would schedule a few more breaks for him before he does drop dead. Don't think he did himself any favors this week while Obama was in Europe. He and Cindy should have just stayed home and decided how to spend their coming windfall on the Bud sale. Well actually, Cindy looks like she could use a vacation from him.
mudshark @ 25:
The debates for sure. He'll have steam coming out of his ears and his head will explode right on national TV.
Hateful I know...but I want to see THE GEEZER become unhinged...just hoping he does it before the fools who think he's the ONLY choice to "keep us safe" is elected! It would help if the MSM kept the pressure on (you know like they did with Hillary) to see if he truly is up to the task!!! Do I think they will...YEAH, RIGHT!!!!
Like every speech of McCain’s lately, his confusing verb tenses claim that we have won and will win, have succeeded and will succeed and yet he’s still able to predict “defeat” from Barack Obama’s position, despite all this winning and success.
The verbiage reveals what we already know: The plan is to stay in Iraq FOREVER.
The risks of leaving are losing what we have gained -- whatever that is at the moment. That means, we must stay.
We have gained so much at the moment, so we must stay.
In times of peril in Iraq, we must stay in order to try to gain.
For the Warmonger Party, there will never be a time when leaving is an option, and the great / good / stable / normal / bad / violence / horror on the ground will be the evidence for their position.
McCain's only hope appears to be coming from the MSM who are propping him up. He sure isn't doing anything to help himself.
I cannot wait for the debates!
Obama is going to wipe the floor with this automaton!
The one line that isn't quoted here that he used is "the audacity of hopelessness." This from the same guy who pledged a "respectful campaign." Like Klein said, very unpresidential. I'm fantasizing about McCain blowing a gasket during the debates, flipping out and tossing the podium aside, going after Obama. Now that would be must see TV.
Um, I hate to tell you guys this, but this is a very damaging speech to Obama. See, you've got to see this with the eyes of people who aren't committed anti-Republicans. He's painting Obama as a guy who would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and while that's bullshit it's pretty convincing bullshit to those who aren't particularly well informed: A group that constitutes a regrettably solid majority. Remember, Ronald Reagan was full of crap that liberals used to laugh at too but who do you think came out on top?
PS...nobody listens to Bruce Fein (witness our disgusting congressional leadership) or there would have been impeachment hearings long ago...that's reason enough to DUMP THEM ALL!!! Fein is one of the few with the intellect and experience to make points that deserve listening to...but will our MEDIA bother...nah, only the likes of Bill Moyers who had him on MONTHS ago...these overpaid fools need to be salivating over McSHAME and Obama while saying LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT ME!!!
i am just waiting for mcsame to crash......
he is obviously not healthy enough
to make it thru the election process.....
so is this the plan of the gop to get
another candidate for president........
use one to death then a surprise blackhorse?
Everytime I watch a McCain speech I wonder if he is actually running to be the President or if he is running to be a Commanding General in the military. All he ever talks about is military strategy which should be the responsibility of the real Commanding Officers on the ground and not his. Obama seems to have a better grasp of what it means to be a Commander in Chief though. He knows those commanding officers have the ability to carry out their duties and he has full confidence in them. McCain apparently doesn't share that view so he feels he has to micro-manage Iraq with the help of an outside, civilian organization called AEI in order to come up with a military strategy. I guess McCain thinks that those commanding officers couldn't come up with one so he has to do it for them.
Scy @ 22:
well said, sir.
People always say that, but I don't think, in general, that anyone should be overly eager to get Obama into debates. He's been remarkably ineffective in live debates. He's great with prepared text, but so far I've been surprised and disappointed at his limitations in extemporaneous speech.
On the other hand, there may be a real possibility that McCain is not only dumb, which I have long taken for granted, but also sagging into senility. Given the superficiality of debates, they offer McCain an opportunity. After all, they reward simplistic sound bites and McCain seems incapable of anything more. But from what I've seen of McCain lately, I think AARP or Cindy or someone should step in and retire him for his own (and our) good.
He proved quite adept at crashing airplanes. I'm pretty sure he won't have any trouble sinking the US.
Abbybwood @ 70:
It's a Catch 22 to subpoena Bush or Cheney.
You can not be forced to incriminate yourself.
Should Bush be called to the Judiciary, ANY testimony under Oath can not be used against him.
However, every time Executive Privilege is used, it reflects upon the Administration as an Obstruction of Justice.
Hieronymus Braintree @ 79:
its not a damaging speech at all, because those alleged voters youre alluding to that may listen to McCains rants, arent listening to him. hardly anyone is, right now at least. now after the conventions and toward to debates, then theyre listening. and McCain doesnt help himself as he doesnt deliver his lines with any energy or conviction. they are forced. and theyre clearly written for him. whereas Obama pretty much is writing his own stuff, or editing it. thats for sure. McCain just comes across as petty and angry. it doesnt look good when you look at him. those debates will staggeringly highlight his age, and if he sounds like this, then his mind set also. not a pretty picture.
Barack Obama could have criticized McSame's trip to Columbia just in time to get the hostages released. I read the WH tipped McSame to go there when he did. Barack has so much class and McSame does not have any. He just yells at the world. An angry old prick.
woodguy @ 60:
It's going to happen. I'm not a gambling man, but I'd put about a million on it....if I had it
McDoin-it-LIVE baby!
John McCain should stop making campaign speeches. The 2008 presidential election is not about him. It has never been about him. The election will be a national referendum on whether or not America is willing to trust the keys to the White House in the hands of a Black man. End of story
McSame is quite delusional but a lot of this warmongering crap is posturing 'coz it's all the ReThugs have to offer: we can kill a lot of brown people in foreign countries, therefore we achieve "victory" & create "honor" (I love how McSame not only imitates the Chimperator, but the creepazoid Nixon w/ his "Peace w/ honor" crap; not that most 'Murikans know enough history to even catch the allusion).
Unfortunately, Obama's also rattling some sabers today w/ tough talk on Iran & their completely manufactured "nuclear threat". I'll hold my nose & vote for Obama and am certain things should get better in the economy (a slower redistribution of wealth to the top 1% than under pure RePuke rule) & government-sponsored homophobia will be ramped down as well. But I think it behooves us DFH's on "the left" (barely existent in U.S.) to ask what we're going to do after Obama's election to take our genocidal & expen$$$ive foreign policy out of the hands of the Villager-NeoCon thugs who currently control it. As Pelosi and Reid have reminded us (rubbed our nose in) the last two years, you can elect Democrats, but the same old war- and profit-driven policies that benefit the Washington elite will remain intact. So: how to stop/ slow down the military-industrial complex?
So ..
When is McCain gonna release his delegates?
And .. Slip out the back ..
He's not the Republican nominee YET.
This could get really interesting ..
I think Mr. Braintree has a good point there. McCain didn't look that unhinged to me, and, sad to say, it's only us liberals that know that every other sentence out of his mouth was a lie.
McCain is the most pathetic presidential candidate I have ever seen, but here is what he has going for him:
30% of the electorate that will vote for a Republican no matter what
a $400 million dollar Republican war chest which is going to be spent in 2 months entirely on smearing Obama
the mainstream media which will stand by and pretend not to notice what's happening
and, at the end of the day, Diebold.
Don't think Obama has a lock on this. The opposition guy in Zimbabwe won the popular vote too, and look how that turned out.
I respect what Senator McCain has sacrificed for our country - and I wouldn't have been terribly disappointed to lose to him (as opposed to GWB) eight years ago - but lately, I've wondered if the stress of campaigning is getting to him.
More and more, he's beginning to act like my grandfather did, in the early stages of his battle with Alzheimer's.
It's more than the "get off my lawn" sort of responses, it's the complete disconnect from what I'm sure he must know is fact (e.g., the Surgue vs. the Awakening, Pakistan's border neighbors, Czechoslovakia ...) and what comes out of his mouth.
Seriously - isn't anyone in the Republican party worried the Senator might be in the early stages of a meltdown?
oh really @ 84:
I think Obama will do very well in a more traditional debate format. I wish they could be Lincoln-Douglas or at least return to management by the League of Women Voters. Obama is quick on his feet. The so-called primary debates were not debates at all but mostly gotcha moments, and they favored Clinton at the time. The thing Obama has to be careful about in debating McCain is not to come across as if he is belittling or making fun of McCain.
this is one of the reasonings for the unhinging mccain is
hoping black and white thinking will prevail regarding the
"surge"......obama may need to further address this this video says it very clearly.....mccain/bush hate YouTube
http://www.veracifier.com/episode/TPM_20080723
His advisers are out to lunch on this. He should be claiming that the surge created a climate of security in which the Sunni Awakening and al Sadr's ceasefire could operate and come to a political reconciliation between Sunni and Shia. That political reconciliation, alas, took the form of a collective desire for America to get the hell out of Iraq, which was not what the administration wanted to hear so it is as if it never happened.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. . . . .hmphph! Is the speech finally over? Wow, what a horrible speech!
Hieronymus Braintree is right, I fear. Not enough Americans are in tune enough to realize the utter BS that McCain's camp is feeding them that they will think it is chocolate pudding.
So, please, sheeple, remember:
1. The Iraq War is long over. We won, in little more than a couple of week in March-April 2003. It has been the occupation that has been the tragic aftermath for both Americans and Iraqis.
2. Senator McCain, from the summer of 2002 until he decided sometime in the summer of 2006 (when he decided he would run for President), not only was the Senate's biggest cheerleader of the President's Iraq policy, he also mimicked Cheney's prognostication abilities by claiming we would be greeted as liberators and that Iraq's oil would pay for the occupation.
3. Despite the GOP's and the MSM's claims, the Surge is not working! By whose word has violence declined--the Bush administration's? When will people realize they CANNOT believe a single thing it states. The DoD since January 2007 does not count those killed in Iraq who die in car bombings and those who are not shot in the back of the head. (Since people are dismembered in car bombings, one cannot get an accurate body count. One is only a victim of "sectarian" violence if one is executed--i.e. shot in the back of the head.) "There have been no sectarian killings in the last 13 months. . . ."--BS! There have been at least three car bombings that have killed more than 100 people in the month of July itself.
4. For Senator McCain to claim that Senator Obama would rather lose a war to gain politcal advantage is a scurrilous attack on Obama's patriotism. Such an accusation is beneath any elected official, much less a potential President of the United States. Obama's response has been classy and appropriate. I would love to see him respond in a debate, if McCain made the claim again, to walk over to the old fart and coldcock him.
I'm pretty much a libertarian, and I don't much care for the politics of either John McCain OR Barak Obama, but I like John McCain just a little bit more after seeing that clip.
However, a person with integrity would probably blow off the press completely. Of course, that's impossible to do, if you're running for President.
But then again, I'd never make the mistake of accusing a Presidential candidate of having integrity.
Debby Hussain @ 87:
He could have, but he didn't because it's not... presidential. The candidate who is behind or feels he's behind is always on the attack. Obama has been taking the high road on this and only points out that comments like McCain's are "disappointing."
As far as the debates are concerned, on the issues, Obama will have a good grasp, but that's if the moderators ask substantive questions.
Yawn... boy I feel asleep watching McCain talk. What was he saying again? That he was right? Yes, of course you were... now run along before you miss the re-run of MASH.
Americans don't give a shit about Iraq when we have $4/gal gas, crashing economy, foreclosures, busting infrastruture and record deficits. McCain is just another out of touch Republican. McSame is peddling the same GOP lies and fear to scare America but people are tired of that shit. Americans see they have been sold up the river for the corrupt conservative elite for the past decade and we will be paying a price for some time to come. We can't have another 4 years of Bush to undo.
Hey, give McShame some credit, he is getting much better at reading off of the
teleprompter.
What I don't understand that he talks in this canned speech about all the gains
we have made, how we are on the threashold of total success, etc. and yet in
the same breath says(and I quote verbatim).."and we cannot allow these fragile gains to be lost as would be the case if we follow Obama's
plan."
Damn, get your shit together McShame and stick to it,for you cannot have it both
ways.....as you have repeately tried to do with the "surge" statement.
"I’m a little worried that McCain might stroke out before November. He’s definitely having a much harder time keeping his infamous temper in check"
Agreed. Like when lost his cool over them metric system. http://youtube.com/watch?v=R7YTf08xjpE
Obama has always said we need to take as much care getting out of Iraq as we were careless when we went in to Iraq. What part of that don't you understand Mr. McCain? Or do you just plan to continue misrepresenting what Mr. Obama says? That's what I thought!!
I'm sure that the families of the 2,000+ people killed, and countless wounded,in Iraq during the last three months will be relieved to hear there's been "next to no sectarian violence in 13 weeks". Not to mention those in Afghanistan.
What an absolutely dishonest, and ignorant, POS the Republicriminals have offered for sacrifice.
Zlad! @ 11:
Obama's not running against McCain, he's running against the color of his own skin. The polls aren't close because people like McCain, the numbers are close because we've got way too many "passive" racists in this country that are just looking for any excuse not to vote for the black guy. For some of them, things have gotten so bad that they're willing to put aside their bigotry, but many are going to need something even bigger and more dramatic than the Epic Fail that is John McCain to cast their vote for someone who's "Not one of them".
People generally vote not for the candidate with the best ideas, the best plans, but for whoever they feel the most comfortable with - and all the "passive" racists in this country just can't feel comfortable with any African-American.
Good.
Riddance.
NOW are we allowed to point out that mccain is a cranky old man and that that is a legitimate point of concern when considering his potential as president?
First off, I'm a HARDCORE Democrat.
I fail to see your critical observations of McBush in this article. Granted......McBush is different, but from a Republican viewpoint, he states EXACTLY what the Repugs want to hear.
Come on people.....we can do better then this! Dumping on McBush over this horseshit just brings us down to the Repug's level.
PLEASE DON'T BRING OUR FUTURE DOWN WITH SHIT LIKE THIS!
RIVALS DUBYA AS THE WORST PUBLIC SPEAKER IN US HISTORY. McGeezer, you're not just a liar, you are a painfully boring liar.
I've said it before and I'll doubtless say it again. Watch who he nominates as VP, that's the real Republican presidential nominee.
McCain was probably being told who he was going to choose for VP when he visited Poppy Bush. Taking orders to the very end...
I can't understand why the Obama campaign doesn't devour the Obama's "defeatist" vote against the surge more than they have done to date. Am I the only one who remembers Obama explicitly saying that solely a surge of troops would not have the effect needed UNLESS the factions in Iraq stopped fighting amongst themselves and built a stronger government, while standing up more on their own. Otherwise (as Obama said) we could send even more troops into Iraq and it really wouldn't help so long as the Iraqi's did not stop their in-fighting/killing and get rid of any outside antagonists. And it would kill even more Americans in the midst of a civil war.
Now doesn't that sound like what happened? A combination of the surge and Iraqi efforts - which Obama said was the ONLY way it work out favorably?
Different Anonymous @ 110:
GREAT point DA !
Lindsey Graham is flaming!
If the GOP is pinning their slim hopes on a "Savior" for VP and McSpin's failing health? They're more dysfunctional than I thought. Flat out, unadulterated, racism is the GOP's only real hope.
And, as a candidate for President, anything which serves to demonstrate his unsuitability to serve is relevant.
Obama's appearance in Iraq...
his re-iteration that THE COMMANDER IN CHEIF sets policy, not the commanders... and
Maliki's endorsement of Obama's plans for troop withdrawal...
These three things hav NEGATED THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ as an election issue!
Maybe Obama IS a modern Massiah! Be STILL MY HEART... I'm agreeing with Rush!
What about the half that is white?
dadams @ 81:
It's going to be Bloomberg. Count on it.
That's why he's waiting on the sidelines.
kasinca @ 116:
Most bigots don't care about that. In fact, the color of his skin shouldn't be an issue at all... yet it is.
American's have come a long way when it comes to tolerance and understanding, but many still have a long way to go.
RickMack @ 112:
It's going to be Bloomberg.
Is it just me or does he look padded? He can't even put his arms down by his side. Is this supposed to make him look more robust and seem fitter?
When is McNasty going to fly off the handle? Should we start a pool on it? The only think Rove ever got right is that McCain is a madman.
McCain is just too old and I dont think he is well. The mind goes into senior moments and you forget things. I know because I am McCains age. Your joints hurt and you have aches and pain. I dont know how he can do it. I know I could not and I am healthy but tired. I am not going to vote for McCain as I think we need change and I think Obama will do it here in the USA
and around the world.
Hey John -- Newsflash -- no one cares about Iraq -- it's the stupid economy, stupid.
He moves like a cardboard cut-out doll ... has anyone checked him for a pulse lately????
McCain is sort of old and cranky, but you have to deal with the choices given to you. On the one hand, someone old and cranky, and on the other hand, an inexperienced and most liberal member of the senate.
bobsf @ 33:
He is a rude, cantankerous old fool, losing his marbles and never will see out 8 years. Imagine the idiot propped up in the oval office on pillows in a wheel chair, dribbling at the mouth and this is what would run the country,its too much its Bullshit to even contemplate him being there. He will be run by the behind the scenes dictators, the same way Bush is now, just more so.
why is mccain getting no traction? cuz he is a fucking liar
lets go to the videotape where he says over and over how he has supported bush and the war since day one
if the surge is working, then i guess we can stop paying insurgent groups from killing our guys, and all the refugees feel safe enough to come home now
what? we cant and they wont?
and i guess it was the press who told over 200,000 in berlin to come out for obama's speech...and the press who told our troops and support staff to mob obama in iraq
senator mcoldfart...you surrounded your campaign with those who want only to continue raping the treasury....do you honestly believe they really cared to serve you well? they want to use you, just like a con artist loves to use some senile old fool over the phone
give it up...you are done
its all over but el druggos crying come november
That'll be fucking funny! Obama gets elected because the old asshole croaks before November. I'll die laughing!
Folks, you know I love your work but please correct your grammar.
"Increasingly more unhinged," is redundant. He may be "more unhinged," or "increasingly unhinged." The mean the same thing so "increasingly more," is just silly.
I know this will seem like nitpicking to some, but if you're going to rip into someone for inaccuracies, it's vital to be correct yourself.
gomccain @ 126:
Really. Wow. Please, look into this statement to see how wrong this buzz-phrase actually is.
Have a good day.
John Cage
McCain didn't strike me as unhinged in the clip, and that one moment of applause sounded like more than 50 people.
Still, McCain is in an unenviable position on Iraq. If the violence continues to decline and real gains are made in infrastructure repair, access to clean drinking water, and so forth, then there is no reason that we can't draw down our forces like Obama wants to. And in that sense, Obama is lucky, because the success of the surge makes it possible to draw down our forces without looking like we are "cutting and running."
It defies belief that anyone who cares about the future of America could vote for John McCain.
Yohance @ 44:
I can't either! I think that Obama is going to mop the floor with McBush's wrinkled old ass.
I'd feel sorry for him except he so dangerous. He is pathetic and in dire need of some rest. I plan on calling his office on Monday and ask when the last time he voted in the Senate - April 2, 2008. He can fly around in Cindy's jet but he can't make it to work. He needs to vote or resign since he apparently can't do both. Aricept for everyone who supports Bush III. Maybe his face cancer has reached what little brain he has left.
Worry about it?!? I actively pray to the great flying spaghetti monster in the sky every day that will happen. It's very hard to steal an election in favor of a candidate that is incapacitated. Not impossible, even in this country dead men have been elected. But my point is, the only way this dortering fool could possibly become president is the same way the existing moron in chief became president; by stealing it. That is made much more difficult from a hospital bed. And there is much more than a 50% chance that President McBush would not be able to serve out his first term anyway.
I only hope that a President Obama would actually execute the laws of this country, as he would be required to do by the constitution, and prosecute the criminals currently in power to the fullest extent.
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