Earlier this year, in a nationally televised debate, Tim Russert confronted John McCain with some of his inconvenient admissions about the economy: “You have said repeatedly, ‘I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues.’” McCain was incredulous and dismissive, “Actually, I don’t know where you got that quote from.”
Soon after, McCain appeared on “Meet the Press,” and Russert returned to the subject and responded to McCain’s slight (”I got [the quote] from John McCain”), highlighting McCain’s record of admissions about economic ignorance. “OK,” McCain said, no longer able to deny reality, “Let me tell you what I was trying to say and what I meant.”
Wednesday morning, in a disconcerting example of dishonesty, McCain went back to pretending his quote collection doesn’t exist.
I know it’s best to be cautious about throwing around words like “lie,” but McCain has been confronted with his own remarks on multiple occasions. He knows what he has admitted, and has been asked to explain his comments. What Robin Roberts said was obviously and demonstrably true — McCain has admitted that he’s “not exactly an expert when it comes to the economy.”
Why would McCain appear on national television and say something he knows to be false? Given his emphasis, especially lately, on honesty in the campaign, why take the risk by lying like this?
Not only does it bring McCain’s character into question when he makes obviously false claims, but it merely serves as another opportunity to remind folks about McCain’s own admissions:
* Seeking to explain his shift to the left on economic issues, McCain claimed: “I didn’t pay nearly the attention to those issues in the past. I was probably a ’supply-sider’ based on the fact that I really didn’t jump into the issue.” (January 2000)
* “I’m going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated.” (November 2005)
* “The issue of economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should,” but “I’ve got Greenspan’s book.” (December 2007)
Even one of his top campaign advisors has admitted that McCain has made these comments. Why deny what is plainly true?
What’s more, in addition to the lie about his rhetorical record, it’s worth noting that McCain’s admissions happen to be accurate. He has demonstrated over and over again that when it comes to economics, McCain is painfully confused.
I realize this must be embarrassing for McCain. He admitted to not understanding economics, and then went about proving how right he is. But that’s no reason for McCain to go on “Good Morning America” and lie about what he has said.
It’s all right for a candidate to spin his or her record, but bogus denials are likely to cause a campaign trouble.
No Trackbacks To “McCain plays dumb on economics ignorance“
John McCain ‘Covers’ Sam Cooke: “Don’t know much about the economy”
http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=1918
Why be cautious? He’s a liar. The Repubs don’t seem to have a problem calling Obama a liar.
And anything’s better than trying to hang ‘flip-flopper’ on McCain, which fails for a number of reasons.
Call a spade a spade. McCain is a desperate man, willing to do or say anything to anybody to get into the White House. What’s so wrong about saying that?
I have four horrifying words for you”
Treasury Secretary Phil Gramm.
That would cement the economic ruination of the U.S.
First?
McCain’t might actually be of the belief that any of Tim Russert’s arguments passed away, too…
Age of Hubris
Because of how well insulated he is from the people who would try and take him to task over it.
This guy has no integrity. He should apologize to Obama for smearing him.
why automatically go with ‘he’s lying’ when the most logical assumption is that he cannot remember what he did this morning!
Sounds like McCain knew less about the economy before he knew more about it.
McCain is a bullshitter - just like GW Bush, but not half as slick.
He’s lived in a bubble, just like GW, protected by Daddy, Daddy’s friends, and Daddy’s reputation.
Now he’s out on his own in turbulent waters .. but he never learned to swim.
Why indeed, because he’s reptile. It is simple really.
this is the NEOCON way …..deception
hey moveon.org put together an ad using this piece and his home tax fiasco on the airwaves.
You’re confronting McCain with his own statements?
How dare you insult his military service?!?!
/Andrea Mitchell
He lies because he knows that when he’s confronted with his lies, he can lie again and the MSM, et al. just lay down and take it. No mystery here.
No, he never made that statement, and Crooks and Lars never posted this clip!!
I don’t think he really understands just how easy it is to pull past appearances on TV and speeches off the internet. Sure he has seen the internet and knows what it is, but how long has he ever spent using the internet?
What justification does the MSM have for not running that youtube clip in its entirety? Oh, right, I forgot, it shows McCain to be a fu*king liar, that’s why.
McCain’s campaign has now reached the meta-ignorance stage.
He fails to remember the existence of the internet and especially Youtube. That’s a big, BIG problem.
Oh come on, we have a president that lied to get us into war, in addition to lying about damn near everything under the sun. Do you think the Media is going to care too much about a Republican candidate lying about what he said about his own experience when they don’t care about far worse lies?
McCain knows he can get away with lying about just about anything his little heart desires and he’ll continue to push the envelope because the Media just doesn’t care enough to call him out on it, lest they be seen as Left Wingers and Liberals.
Why? Hmmmm. Because he’s a Republican? Because he’s a Republican Manchurian Candidate? Because military brats grow up having to lie to their asshole fathers?
Fact is he has nothing new to offer. Trying to present oneself as an agent of change while supporting the status quo seems a bit redundant and creates a necessity for half truths.
7 1/2 years of a liar is enough.
If this totally unqualified lying old turd wins the Presidency it will be a world wide embarrassment for our country. I was tortured and I am not black is all McShit is running on.
Maybe he just doesn’t remember what he said before. His short term and long term memory are shot. Drugs can do that to people. Oh, wait, it was Cindy who was hooked on drugs so bad that she stole drugs. Never mind. Never speak ill of the dead.
calendar age 71-72
biological age 77-79
What the hell are we afraid of? McCain IS a liar! He’s done an about face on at least thirty positions in the last year… so he can’t keep claiming that he doesn’t remember. Let’s call him out on it: at least 50% of the time, he lied!
Why? Because
1) He IS a liar
2) He knows the corporate media won’t call him on it
3) He simply can’t remember what he said from day to day- that’s what early onset dementia does
Call him what he is- a pandering liar that has no real convictions, other than to force.
Stop it! McCain’s right! He was a POW. His best buddy, Bud Day, sports The Congressional Medal of Honor(TM)! Bud’s Medal of Honor was awarded WITHOUT any eyewitness accounts, as are usually required, so he must have earned it!He’s an expert on economics because he was a fighter pilot who was shot down and captured!
The MSM will NEVER let this Presidential race be a 1st round knockout…which is what it clearly should be. They will lie and help Grandpa at every turn to make sure that this fight goes the full fifteen rounds. Right or wrong, what’s best for the Nation, the truth(lol) doesn’t mean a fucking thing to these media whores. Olberman, Mike Malloy, Rachel Maddow, Moyers are the only regular members of the MSM I have any faith in.
As the whole world can plainly see, McCain is just another idiot Republican.
Phil Gramm will save us. Subprime was just speed bump. Blue skies ahead.
They have learned it doesn’t matter what you say.
And, they’re right.
Are these self-incriminations being made into mass media ads? I’m sure the ads would be spun into “no, what I meant to say was….”, but it would force him squint, and show his endearing grin one more time.
just like bush
someone has their hand shoved well up mcfuckhead’s ass.
we have had 8 yrs of lies…….i don’t want anymore
reichwingneocon fascist lies….
on jan 20, 2009, the world court will be waiting to
try and CONVICT bush, cheney and c*nti rice for their
too numerous crimes against humanity.
“Why would McCain appear on national television and say something he knows to be false? Given his emphasis, especially lately, on honesty in the campaign, why take the risk by lying like this?”
mccain doesn’t actually want to be honest, he just wants to be known as honest.
it’s the best of both worlds…a snake oil salesman posng as a man of the cloth..
steve b @ 8:
oh, please and and the sun doesn’t come up each day.
Temper, Temper: Republican Senator Recounts McCain Throttling Nicaraguan. “The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine,” Cochran told the Globe. “He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me.”
He’s either a liar or he’s senile. Either way, he’s unfit to be our president.
In the words of my Jewish grandparents, “Oy!” Maybe McCain is in the early stages of dementia and just can’t remember what he’s said in the last year or two.
It seems pretty clear that he said these things about being ignorant about the economy when it still seemed that the war in Iraq and terrorism were going to be the main issues. Now that the economy is starting to really become a major issue, he’s in trouble and has to try and pretend he never said the things that he did because they can now very much come back to haunt him.
McFumbDuck is pathetic and boring, roll on September when he is retired at the RNC convention.
I just cant believe the RNC and the Repugs chose McC*nt as their candidate, are they that F%#$ing stoopid !
Then we will see the real GOP candidate arise or the VP slot for McC*nt and his planned successor for when they reagan him if he ever won.
Anne @ 39:
McCain is “not fit to shovel shit from one place to another”
Keith @ 41:
wont trouble him one iota, do goldfish care with their six second memory span !
Maybe he still thinks he’s a POW and still has to lie to the enemy…?
Left&Left @ 30:
The Corporate Media will push the horse race meme because it’s the way they make crap loads of cash from their main audience, lazy political junkies who depend on the vast shitland that is tvee for their fixes.
He is either lying or he doesn’t remember what he says. I have a feeling it might be the latter.
ferrofluid (Obama 08) @ 43:
you mean he can’t get around on his own?
McBush strikes again!!
republican = insanity!
“McCain plays dumb on economics ignorance”
Plays dumb?
Just another lying sack of Neo Con shit. Saw a headline at Buzzflash yesterday. Something to the tune of Bush saying ” elect MC Cain or we bomb Iran”. Probably not that far from the truth. Cant wait to hear it right from President Petulant Fucktards mouth.
But he’s a maverick…?
Pick your poison Senator.
Either you are lying or entering an advanced stage of alzheimers.
why take the risk by lying like this?
Ahh…………………..BECAUSE HE’S A FUCKING IDIOT!
‘I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues.’
Yet, he didn’t know the difference between a Shiite and a Sunni until a few months ago; meanwhile he has been championing the Iraq war for several years. Yet, he wants to orchestrate foreign policy. That mean, he’ll delegate the foreign policy to the neocons, which has Lieberman slobbering over McCain.
So, with economics, he knows less? That means, that he’ll delegate fiscal policy to whom? Well, he wants to cement the Bush tax cuts for the rich, which means he wants to balloon the deficits further, given his nation building endeavor called “rouge state rollback”. Like that inflation tax being caused by “borrow and spend” economics? McCain promises more of the same. Apparently, he’ll delegate his fiscal policy to adherents of Bush fiscal policies.
There is a clear difference between Obama and McCain, and for purposes of this election, it is a choice between bad and worse. McCain is clearly worse, by a country mile. Don’t wait for the las