McCain's confusion has nothing to do with his age
By Steve Benen Wednesday Jun 11, 2008 11:00amI can appreciate the fact that the McCain campaign and Republicans in general are a little touchy about the senator’s age — running to be the oldest president in U.S. history will do that — but that’s no reason to characterize every critical adjective in the language as some kind of slight about McCain’s septuagenarian status.
Poll after poll shows that more voters trust Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on matters of national security than they do Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois. Hoping to bridge that chasm, the Obama campaign and Democrats harped on comments McCain made on the Today show this morning, repeatedly calling the 71-year-old presumptive GOP presidential nominee “confused,” seeming to feed into concerns voters might have about the Arizonan’s age.
After McCain said this morning that it’s “not too important” when U.S. troops come home from Iraq, Obama aide Susan Rice said on a conference call that McCain’s comments reveal a “real confusion and lack of understanding of the situation in Iraq” and the larger region. She added that McCain’s series of errors of fact and judgment are “reflective of a pattern of lack of understanding and lack of strategic depth.”
Reporters, apparently having internalized McCain’s talking points, asked Rice if she was attacking McCain’s age by calling him “confused.” She responded, “[W]hat I meant by that is very simple — on critical, factual questions that are fundamental to understanding what’s going on in Iraq and the region, Sen. McCain has gotten it wrong. And not just once but repeatedly.”
Look, this is silly. Every criticism is not a veiled reference to McCain turning 72. People of all ages get “confused.”
Maybe McCain and the media can draw up a list of acceptable adjectives that McCain critics can use?
The kicker is McCain really has been confused. Whether he’s 72 or 22 is irrelevant — he’s been consistently wrong about Iraq, demonstrating time and again that he just doesn’t understand the basics.
* McCain has been confused about how many U.S. troops are in Iraq.
* McCain has been confused about whether the U.S. can maintain a long-term presence in Iraq.
* McCain has been confused about the source of violence in Iraq.
* McCain has been confused about Iran’s relationship with al Qaeda.
* McCain has been confused about the difference between Sunni and Shi’ia.
* McCain has been confused about Gen. Petraeus’ responsibilities in Iraq.
* McCain has been confused about what transpired during the Maliki government’s recent offensive in Basra.
* McCain has been confused about Gen. Petraeus’ ability to travel around Baghdad “in a non-armed Humvee.”
* McCain has been so confused about Iraq, in November 2006, he couldn’t even do a live interview about the war without reading prepared notes on national television.
And we’re not supposed to say McCain’s “confused”? Why, because it might make him sound old?
Tell you what, reporters and McCain campaign, pick a better adjective for us. “Confused” sounds like an attack on his age? Fine. You tell me. Befuddled? Bewildered? Baffled?
The problem isn’t that McCain’s critics are picking loaded terms; the problem is McCain doesn’t seem to know what he’s talking about when it comes to his signature issue.
Why we’re not supposed to mention this is a mystery. I guess I’m confused.
Login or Register to post comments.
Just wait till he gets "confused" during a military crisis.
CD @ 1:
Yeah....really looking forward to that! Woohoo!
when the fox is in the hen house the hens have no reason to doubt the fox's abilities for stealth, ruthlessness and violence.
they have no reason to doubt that whatsoever!!!
By harping on every criticism as a veiled criticism of his age aren't they only drawing more attention to his age?
Just say "Dan Quayle wasn't old. Maybe McCain has the same problem Quayle had."
Can anyone doubt how screwed up the Repubs are? They actually put this dweeb up as a presidential candidate. Reagan, BushII, and McCain
all had or now have organic brain deficiencies, not to mention their utter lack of compassion. The CEO's of the corporations that support them
are unbelievable creeps to support these morons.
"Hey, you kids, git off my wand!"
"Eww. Mr McCain! What the heck was THAT supposed to mean? We were just walking across your lawn!"
"I..! Erp...! D'oh...! .....WHIPPERSNAPPERS!"
[badoom~boom *rimshot!*]
I would use the word "ignorant" to describe him. On pretty much every issue.
Obama calls him confused, I call him crazy.
I guess it's obvious who the politician is.
Would everyone feel better if we just called McSame a fucking moron?
Underground Pirate @ 6:
I say again, they don’t want to win this one. They know that nobody can fix the mess the Administration has made in four years. They think they can make a comeback in 2012.
Remember, McCain probably wouldn't have gone to college if his dad wasn't an admiral. He certainly would never gained entrance to the Naval Academy. In fact, judging from his near last finish in his class, I suspect he graduated only because of his legacy status. The point is this is a lightweight mind and needs a vanguard of caregivers to make it through the day. In the amped up presidential campaign, he has yet to show the ability to make it through one day without steeping on a mine. And thats with a very friendly press corp.
Confused is stinging, but accurate. He can bitch through surrogates, but he can't refute it's use. Personally I'd ramp it up.
One thing that McCain is not "confused" about is his platform plank of lowering the corporate tax rate to 25% - presently at 35%. Pretty shrewd of the old guy and guarantees good favorable press - and defense from same- since, if elected and if 25% comes to pass, there'll be tens of millions of tax dollars saved that can easily find a new home at contract negotiation time for these same corporate media celebs.
The ultimate quid pro quo which should be harped on repeatedly by any Dem spokesperson subjected to this deliberate narrowing of the issues.
Follow the money.
He's not confused...He doesn't know sh**
He's just trying to repeat the talking points that BushCo made him memorize and regurgitate
McCain confused / not confused. IT DOESN'T MATTER !! HE WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT because Americans are 1,000 times more confused than McCain !!!!! McCain is doing exactly what he's supposed to do. The constitution says what it says. Nancy Pelosi has super-empowered the Republicans. Bush now has his hand in a tight fist and he's about to shove his whole arm up America's ass !!!! Pass the lubricant baby ! A HUGE Middle East war is about to start. Most Americans (even democrats) will be terrified to have a commander in chief who does not have an extensive Military background. Look at this article (and click on the dark blue letters throughout the article to go to other related links ) : http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/june2008/120608_a_bases.htm
I think 5 years of torture at the Hanoi Hilton messed with his mind.
I'm just hoping that come November the electorate isn't as confused as McSame is...
His age is an issue.
He is too old. Old brains wind down. I got relatives I won't let hold a remote control, let alone launch codes. That is reality. Of course Republitards dislike and deny reality with a passion and Demopussies let them get away with it.
Steve
Barleymash @ 5:
You mean that he's a moron that would hump a doorknob?
(my apologies to the writers of "Dodgeball")
Oh shit....this is off topic...but damn...it's important!
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/06/11/iran-war-iraq-sofa/
"Maybe McCain and the media can draw up a list of acceptable adjectives that McCain critics can use?"
Do we get a list from Obama?
"McCain's confusion has nothing to do with his age".... Of course it doesn't. My seventy year old uncle James will go to his grave drunk and stupid. McCain is old, angry and stupid.
I believe we could put this whole "attacking McCain’s age by calling him 'confused'" thing to rest by holding a debate between McCain and Granny D. At 98, Granny should be able to clarify for us whether it's age or prevarication that's behind all the confusion McCain is exhibiting.
I'm goin with "thick as a brick".
ThunderMonkey @ 20:
But as we've learned, Americans don't want a prez with a brain. That's too elitist. Much better to have some dumb shit in power who doesn't use all those big words.
This country is getting exactly what it deserves. You continue to appeal to the lower common denominator and this is what you get. Enjoy.
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 2:
It doesn't even have to be a military crisis.
It could just as easily happen during say a hurricane or a flood.
McSame's too old to be confused, he knows everything.
The Truth Hurts @ 26:
Like Bush, only dumber
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 21:
So if the Shrub can't railroad the US congress to strike Iran, the he tries it over there.
We need to force Pelosi to act NOW!. Man Bush is really desperate to nuke Iran!
IMPEACH the bastard NOW!
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 21:
Cheney's working OT is gonna give him heart troubles if he's not careful. Don't let up now, Dick!!
CD @ 27:
When McShame puts on his underwear he says quietly to himself "yellow to the front...brown to the rear".
I think, at his age, he's got every right to be confused! Stop pickin on the old guy just because he's confused.
ThunderMonkey @ 20:
Got it in one!
McCain is confused. He also doesn't seem to care about the troops.
celcus @ 4:
exactly what i was thinking. they're basically carrying obama's water for him, by accident. which is awesome, i encourage them to bring up mccain's age every chance they get.
I think so, too. Especially since it accepts the basic supposition: McCain is confused.
Why is he confused?
1) His age!
2) He's dumb!
Both are acceptable, either way the guy is confused. Either it's because he became confused or he was always that way.
Maybe instead of "confused" we should refer to McCain as what he really is and always has been: a stupid, howling-mad pr*ck who revels in ignorance and itches for perpetual war.
Maybe that will help frame the MSM's story for them.
OK, I got it, the mainstream media strategy for defending McCain. If you question anything he says, you are attacking his age, which thereby discredits anything you say. Clever.
CD @ 1:
Or, worse yet, cranky.
The White House would be wise to keep stocked up on apple sauce in the event of a McCain win in November. They would also be wise not to stop him from yelling at people to get off of the South Lawn.
bobsf @ 39:
Just like no one can question his current military positions because he's a POW.
Underground Pirate @ 32:
I guess that's better than Bush who mumbles "trapdoor in back" but not by much.
Maybe they are trying to force everyone to add a new phrase to the pre-emptive appology that is required before you say ANYTHING about McCain.
"I have great respect for McCain's service to our country in Viet Nam, and his age certainly doesn't factor in to this. Having said that ___finally getting to relevant point _____." With all his flaws, and at this rate there will soon be a 5 minute preamble for every sentence uttered about the confused old fart.
No story here folks...sorry. Grasping at straws and trying to create controversy. At least he's not trying to be president of the 57 States of Amerika.
Acceptable adjectives: Ignorant, incompetent, extremist, dishonest, opportunist, disloyal, unprincipled, hypocritical, intellectually limited, uncharismatic, phony, boring, and completel full of shit.
Oh yeah. He's kind of old.
NEPAConservative @ 44:
HA! Is that all ya got...fekkin weak!
This is exactly what I was writing about this morning re: McCain's age....http://www.tagg-theangrygayguy.com
NEPAConservative @ 44:
HAhaha hahaaa hA!
Thanks for the gut buster NEPA!!
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 21:
But, but, but...Warpig says he DOESN'T want permanent bases in Iraq!
Maybe age is a factor and maybe it isn't. It doesn't matter WHY he's confused. He is.
Pillow Pants @ 40:
McLame is rapidly moving to that place that my great uncle ended up. Mom used to say, "When he starts talking that way, just smile and nod your head. And for God's sake, don't argue with him!"
Underground Pirate @ 30:
Something has to be done....
if he fucking nukes Iran...then America will immediately become the enemy of the entire world. Granted, we're very close now...but that would just be too much.
"Goofy" works for me.
Blue Lensman @ 51:
DEAR GAWD!!! That's exactly why we can't have him in power!
Unable to pour piss out of a boot with instructions written on the heel?
The Truth Hurts @ 41:
Right -- like he's a "hero" because he dropped bombs from a jet and spent 5 years as a POW.
TAGG @ 47:
Cool site dude...
Sure, even young guys like bush was eight years back when he didn't know the difference between Sunni or Shia, and could NEVER figure out how to pronounce Nuclear. Not to mention his flub when asked about the Indian nation being a Sovereign Nation by not understanding what that even meant. Any yet .. and Yet ......he's the decider.
Here's the response to the ageism charge:
"I don't know if his age has anything to do with it. Maybe he's always been confused."
Blue Lensman @ 51:
I had a family member like that.
I loved him dearly but for the last couple of years I just let him be right when it came to politics.
I just thank God for the last two months of his life inwhich politics weren't important to him anymore.
Call him 'child-like.'
Child-like and bratty.
you listen to mr.mccain and he is clearly having a debate with himself.
100 years...no casualities
no timeline or get out 2013
difference between shia and sunni
were at pre surge level and were not
the guy is being labeled the clear foreign policy/war expert because of his past military experience in vietnam i think it's mistake...he is being briefed constantly...what he wants to tell people and the truth are two different things.
The bottom line is that John McCain is simply not a very bright man and is prone to gaffes like his recent string of idiocy. Obama's gonna beat him by 20% so long as someone doesn't full Barack over in a car and find a dead body in the trunk.
OMG, I'm getting so sick of all these conservative playing the friggen ageism card everytime someone points out the McCain doesn't know what the hell he's talking about. He's running for president and flip flops on every campaign issue and seems totally unaware that he does it. Taking that into consideration, it be nice to know now if John McCain is senile and not when he's president and starts appointing fictional characters to the supreme court. America doesn't need to be the country who had a president resign after they appointed The Pink Panther to Homeland Secuity.
Ageism would be if people said that McCain would be a bad president because all important briefings and memos would have to be published in large print Readers Digest cause that's the only thing old people read. Or that John McCain's economic policy is just to bury some mason jars with change in the Rose Garden. Or now all the terrorists have to do is attack after 6 pm since he'll be in bed by then.
Bill B. @ 15:
Joementum @ 59:
I was talking to someone when I mentioned that McSame's military service gave him limited command experience. McSame has some tactical experience and knows how to fly over a target and drop bombs but he lacks strategic experience wich requires a broader knowledge and requires an intimate knowlede of the enemy. Understand also, that technology has change the way we now make war. Ships, aircraft, and ground equipment have changed as have the weapons we use today. It's scary to think that John admitted to being computer illiterare...
The guy then accuses me of trying to say that McSame was too old.
I looked at him with a surprised look and said, "I hadn't thought of that, is that what you think his problem is?"
McCainiacs getting their panties all in a wad over the term, 'confused'..... ehh... OK, try this one on for size instead...
Not confused... Just freaking out and out incompetent....a moron, an early stage alzheimer addled idiot..... Hows that?
Better??? JD
Maybe he isn't "confused". Maybe he in not interested in learning anything. After all, he thinks he's "owed" the presidency. Make that presiduncy.
"Confused" doesn't work, eh? How 'bout:
Incompetent?
Dishonest?
Corrupt?
And of those work for the McCain camp?
Confused? We are talking about someone who finished 894th out of 899 from the Naval Academy. Maybe he's just stupid.
Barleymash @ 5:
Who the hell remembers Quayle? Better Obama's people merely point out
that Ron Paul is a year older than McCain. Nothing says it better!
Plus, it would probably get Obama some of Paul's votes.
McShame has the experience to be president, Obama does not.
And just when did McShame accumulate all that experience?
a. Demolishing 5 Fighter jets?
b. Maybe not causing, but at least being involved in an aircraft carrier explosion that killed 134 sailors?
c. In the Hanoi Hilton from the N. Vietnamese where he talked past 'Name, Rank and Serial Number'?
d. In the House?
e. In the Senate?
I don't know what he did in the House, but in the Senate all he did is do what the repugs told him to do.
Can someone explain?
"Back in the good ole days, we wore turnip on chain from our belt buckles, and all the ladies thought we were the cat's pajamas. At Thanksgiving, we cranked up the Jolson records on the Victorola, and a turkey was called a walking bird."
John S. McCain III was an carrier pilot who spent about 15min in combat, two or three times a week. How does that make him knowledgeable about ground combat?
McGrampa is a senile, fragile, shell-of-a-man who clearly is not physically or mentally fit to hold any political office.
CD @ 60:
I remember a joke Dennis Miller would tell back when he was actually funny that went something like, "Ronald Reagan is 70 and has access to The Button.
My father is 70 and we won't let him near the TV remote!"
What are the alternatives to confused? Mentally challenged? Compulsive liar? Unprepared for accountability?
Mr McCain is not equipped to campaign in the age of youtube.
Is "wrinkled up old bastard" an acceptable criticism?
moondancer @ 12:
The truth is in the advertising to come, and the debates will kill him. His own words will sink his boat, regardless of how much spin is applied. The insincere grimace that passes for a grin won't help either, my friends.
One word: Alzheimer's
Actually, I think McCain is confused, is progressing into age related demntia. I also think that he is beginning to fail physically. My bet is that if elected, he will die of a stoke, heart attack or some other age related disease before his first term is over.
I also think we are witnessing the early stages of dementia. However, the one thing most of us agree on is that he is confused. I could care less as to why he is confused.
mr.ed @ 80:
I would love to think that the debates would do McCain in, but I have my doubts. Could there ever have been a worse debate performance that GWB in'04? Right down to the suspicious back bulge. And that didn't hardly cause a ripple.
Better adjective: "wrong."
We need to seperate his ignorance and his age. Old people vote and trashing old people is not a good idea. And it really doesn't make a lot of sense - my mother-in-law will be 90 this year and my neighbor is 94 and both are sharp as tacks and know their politics and have a real understanding of the world we live in.
McCrazy has just skated through life and been on the government payroll since he was born. He didn't need to work hard and he didn't. He's been irresponsible his entire life whether it was as a student, a military pilot or a husband and father. He adopts any position and kisses any ass that he thinks will get him ahead.
Here's a two-word proof that a Republican candidate's "confusion" has nothing to do with old age: Dan Quayle.
How about , " McCain is clueless." or " More dumb then a bag full of hammers."
It is impossible for McCrazy to be 71 years old because nobody can get as stupid as he is in only 71 years!
Just one question about McBush's health. As I was watching him talk to his "friends" last night I noticed his left eye.Was it me or did it look like something wasn't right about his eye?
Login or Register to post comments.