Delusional John McCain peddles "Alaska is close to Russia" nonsense
By SilentPatriot Wednesday Sep 03, 2008 12:30pm
Has it really come to this? A presidential nominee citing the geographic proximity of Alaska in relation to Russia in order to defend his VP choice and argue that she has relevant foreign policy experience? John and Cindy must be drinking the same kool-aid.
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GIBSON: Can you honestly say you feel confident having someone who hasn't traveled outside the United States until last year, dealing with an insurgent Russia, with an Iran with nuclear ambitions, with an unstable Pakistan, not to mention the war on terror?
MCCAIN: Sure. And one of the key elements of America's national security requirements are energy. She understands the energy issues better than anybody I know in Washington, D.C., and she understands. Alaska is right next to Russia. She understands that.
As it that weren't enough, John McCain offers one of the most deceptive lines of his entire campaign, stressing four times that Alaska is America's "largest state." Geographically speaking, yes, McCain is right. But in real terms -- such as population (683,478) and nominal GDP ($44 million) -- Alaska ranks near the very bottom, at 47th and 45th, respectively. These semantic games are laughable. I wonder if the campaign realizes how foolish he sounds.
Another amazing quote:
"So she is experienced. She's talented. She knows how to lead and she has been vetted by the people of the state of Alaska. But most importantly, people in America want change. They don't want somebody from inside the beltway."
If the American people want change -- which is the one thing in the entire interview John McCain actually gets right -- why the hell would they elect someone who has been part of the Washington establishment for 25 years?!?!!!? Does he even hear the words that are coming out of his mouth?
But wait, we're not done. Check out this one:
GIBSON: But you criticized, for a long time, Sen. Obama based on his lack of experience. [...] Jan. 6, I'm quoting you, "Sen. Obama does not have the national security experience and background to be president."
<!-- page --> MCCAIN: I said he didn't have the judgment.
GIBSON: Sarah Palin does?
MCCAIN: I said that he didn't have the judgment. He doesn't have the judgment. He didn't have the judgment on Iraq. He still refuses to acknowledge that the surge has succeeded. Gov. Palin knows the surge has succeeded. She's the commander of the Alaskan National Guard. He said that Iran was a tiny problem. He's never visited south of our border. He has no experience on these issues.
Leave aside for the moment the fact that John McCain is just spitting out nonsensical one-line lies, and focus on the two bits I highlighted. John McCain seems to believe that the history of our involvement in Iraq begins in January 2007, when the surge began. Because if we go back to the real start of the war in 2002, he would look like a fool saying Obama doesn't have the judgment on Iraq considering he predicted exactly what the consequences of an invasion would entail. Secondly, and this is a talking point that needs to be forcefully blown out the water, Sarah Palin has NOTHING/ZERO/ZILCH/NADA to do with "commanding the Alaskan National Guard." It's a nice-sounding talking point, but it is a bald-faced LIE.
Either John McCain is dumb, or he thinks we are. Either way, he and Sarah Palin are unfit to serve.
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Hahahahahahaha! McSame is McStupid! And Mrs. Palin is an aggressive hag.
It's also next to czechoslovakia
And your last line is absolutely true... neither McSame or Sarah is fit to serve. Shameful and absolutely arrogant, both of them.
Palin: I’m Qualfied to Burn Books Cause I Border a ‘Borders’
Nice peek into what the next four years could look like ...
Didn't Stewart say something about Alaska being close to the North Pole?
Something about Santa Claus?....
Geesh...
I guess this should come as a suprise, but it doesn't. If McCain wins, we Americans will be the laughing stock of the world. They didn't think highly of us after Bush won his second term.
I couldn't agree with SilentPatriot more. This argument that Alaska is right next to Russia so Palin somehow understands foreign policy (not just with Russia, mind you but with anywhere) is so downright inane and stupid that it is flat out discrediting to these jackasses.
I want someone to tell them how stupid they sound - but then again, maybe not...
Is the Coast Clear?--- @ 6:
He did and it was hilarious!
Seeing this exchange im beginning to wonder if he will see this nomination through. Some part of him must be absolutely disgusted with himself, saying these things. These talking points are simply childish.
Jeff Scahill interviewed some average RNC attendees on Dnow today, after hearing a taste of that intellect its easy to see how this BS goes over.
Very easy.
Mid-Dull Murka does NOT follow 'politics.'
Mid-dull Murka HATES 'politics,' cuz it cuts into their regular tee-vee schedule.
Therefore, Mid-Dull Murka will not notice--and if they notice, they will not give a runny shit about--the lies told by their (white/war hero) candidate, John S. McShitstain...
No, the campaign doesn't worry about how foolish you/we think it sounds. The troops hear what they are being told and they repeat it. I have a couple at work. First thing I heard yesterday morning was: 'Alaska is the biggest state in the union.'
These people are going to get all of the people that have always voted Republican in the past to vote Republican this time.
The question is going to be do the independents really think and decide for themselves? God I pray to thee so!
Somehow I still believe that a greater percentage of people are still going to vote for the Republican ticket and the rest of the world will still look on in wonder. I also believe for this to happen, the Republicans will have to do a good job of preventing the minority vote. Just like they did for the last 2 elections.
While it's tempting to start putting up signs in favor of Alaskan Secession (thus giving their governor the crucial foreign policy experience she needs...) I'm sticking with the simple word "Peace":
http://freewayblogger.blogspot.com/2008/09/john-lennon-quotes.html
Starting next week I'll be putting these up all the way from San Diego to Seattle.
Base @ 8:
Yup, and the GOP base just laps it up...
Talk about lowered expectations...
A gal with a two year degree at Idaho state having the gavitas to compare herself to Obama...
DAmn...
Proof again that old soldiers' should just "fade away" when their ideas don't match the challenge of our times...
it's good to know that palin is such an authority on russia . . . that's where osama bin laden is hiding, right?
Technically, if you re-read McCain's comment, he's stating literally that Sarah Palin is aware that Alaska is next to Russia.
Lowered expectations, indeed.
what a hockey puck
"Alaska is right next to Russia. She understands that." and that doesnt mean a thing about energy it means she has a cursory grasp on geography
And Murica swallows it.
It's now official...we are the DUMBEST NATION ON THE PLANET.
United Simpletons of Arrogance
SO Gibson quotes McCain saying Obama doesn't have the experience, McCain denies it, saying he said Obama doesn't have the judgment and Gibson lets it slide? That is some fine journalism Chucky.
innocent bystander @ 17:
Actually I'm wondering what the perspective from Russia is on that one...
I didn't know Palin was such a buddy of Putin, you know, being neighbors and all....
I don't know how many clips I have seen from political speeches and interviews in the past nine months, but this is the lamest of all. It is chock full of lies and misinformation and downright cuckoo ideas.
Jeez! It just keeps getting worse and worse.
What else he is ignoring is that out of the 683,478 people in Alaska a) some are not old enough to vote and b) many who can don't because they have no access. My SIL in Dillingham was instrumental in bringing the ability to participate in the primary process to people who have never had that opportunity.
Mr. McCain can you find Czechoslovakia on this globe please.
Either John McCain is dumb, or he thinks we are. Either way, he and Sarah Palin are unfit to serve.
Of course he thinks we are dumb. We know the party faithful who all went crazy for Palin last night are, and mcshame agrees with that too. He thinks we are ALL too dumb to figure out what Palin really said and didn't say. After all the speech of the century was written by his team and not by Palin. She only had to memorize it and recite it.
Mcshame is just patronizing us. He thinks we will all love Palin as much as the media does, even when she attacked them. How cute! Every, EVERY, show this AM, on MSNBC had all the repug talking heads on. Even Chuck Todd. Todd, Williams, Gregory, Scarborough, are all so taken in by Palin they can't do anything but giggle when they talk about her. They have swallowed her message; hook, line and sinker. They can't sort out the lies. The few Democrats who were on the morning shows are afraid to say anything that the repugs can construe as "feminist attacks." So they all praise Palin too. Except Norah O who tries to tell it like it really is.
Hey, I got an A on my map-reading skills in elementary school but I wouldn't in a million years suggest that it would qualify me as someone who should be negotiating foreign policy for the U.S.
Actually, Alaska borders on the Bering Straight. It's like saying Greece borders on Libya.
Well, WE aren't dumb, but the group of people McLame is talking to, duuuh repug base, ARE. And this is exactly the kind of shit they enjoy having stuffed in their ears. They don't want facts; they just want to feel good about their "team" ("Gotta support th' team" gruntgrunt).
It's really something to watch these people just lie, lie, lie, lie. They're like overgrown brats who just broke Mom's favorite vase, right in front of Mom, and are trying to lie their way out of it!
Unreal.
This gets more and more surreal every day.
Shameless, disgusting, worn out drivel from a lying sellout. Everyone starts every sentence praising this creep. Let's face it, McCain is the traitor. He'd sacrifice the nation, with lies and impulsive, irrational behavior, in order to win an election to gratify his sick demented ego. This guy is nothing more than a spoiled, angry stunted adolescent.
I got'cher "Community Organizer" right here:
http://www.bgladd.com/McSameStore/CommunityOrganizer.jpg
I liked Colbert’s take on this.
Alaska also had Mt McKinley – the tallest mountain in N America. That means she’s qualified to lead the space program as well…
As this story correctly notes, "If the American people want change ... why the hell would they elect someone who has been part of the Washington establishment for 25 years?" But certainly the same thing can and should be said about Obama's foreign policy advisers, such as Madeline Albright, Warren Christopher and Anthony Lake who go back at least as far as the Clinton administrations. How can Obama keep these people on his staff and claim to be an agent of change when these people, who have been around D.C. for many years, are whispering in Obama's ear to send more troops into Afghanistan, where they will make sure that more innocent civilians and children are slaughtered by 500 and 2000 lb. American bombs.
Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.
Honestly, I think Palin's ambition has far outstripped her judgment and abilities and she is gladly being used because of it. Her being an christo-fascist sympathizer is not to hot either.
Yeah well Texas is even closer to Mexico.
Doesn't mean Bush is respected in the international community.
Liberal AND Proud @ 21:
We are toast....
It's getting so bad that future GOP presidential hopefuls could conceivably be gleaned from the "Gary Springer" show....
Is the Coast Clear?--- @ 15:
Or having the gravitas to discuss complex issues with Putin, Ahmandinejad, Kim Jong Il, Al Malaki, Chavez, and the list goes on and on...but the answer is a resounding NO! She does not! She, like McPOW, would be an international disaster and a laughing stock. We've already had near 8 years of that disaster, thank you very much.
Wrap some ribbons around him and McCain looks like Boris Karloff's Mummy in that picture.
So what has she done about Russia?
She's been holding off invading forces? She's been holding bilateral talks? She's been facing them down with her AK47 from the same airplane she hunts wolves in?
Even though Alaska is our largest state it has a tiny populaltion -- does that mean the Russians have been invading us for years and we just didn't know i? - and Sarah Palin did and has been single-handedly saving America from being overrun?
The fact that he is also spouting this Alaska/Russian proximity nonsense is alarming.
The base must be the stupidest people in the world.
*
if proximity to russia is so important, why weren't more Alaskan governors vetted when we were in the cold war? you know when something like that would have maybe mattered?
also, has she ever had talks with diplomats from russia? if not, then her state's proximity to them means nothing.
Yes, Alaska is close to Russia. However, all of the cities that matter in Russia are 3,000 miles away-- you know, on the OTHER side of Russia.
I have a vision of McCain drunk as a skunk on the day after losing the election and projectile vomiting all over Cindy's vanity and getting yelled at. Please let this happen.
someguy @ 38:
Hey, I live in California....so does that make me a foreign diplomacy expert for Mexico?...
Maybe I can run for Prez too
At least I've been to Europe...
all the repug talking heads on... Even Chuck Todd. Todd, Williams, Gregory, Scarborough, are all so taken in by Palin they can’t do anything but giggle when they talk about her. They have swallowed her message; hook, line and sinker. They can’t sort out the lies.
that's not their job.
their job is to make the horse-race seem close so people keep watching their campaign coverage, and--not incidentally--keep it close to steal at need...
of course, they'll swallow the party line. it's good 'television,' a great 'Murkin Exceptionalism' piece, proving the Murkin Dream is still possible.
They are propagandists for the Corporate State, for the love of fucking christ...
what do you expect? truth?
Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...(gasp) Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
No doubt if Biden was the governor of Alaska they would be wondering if the close proximity made him a communist
I realize this is off topic, but last night during Giuliani's opening act he made a huge point about calling terrorists Islamic terrorists. That was blatant race baiting and would make a great post.
Residents of Oklahoma City would probably disagree with the notion that we only have to fear Islamic Terrorists.
Is the constitution that hard to understand?
Foreign policy and national security are Federal issues. End of story.
Liberal AND Proud @ 41:
You mean he's NOT?
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Have a little fun comparing the population of the STATE of Alaska to other cities here in the lower 48..
Something like Alaska's population is like being the mayor of Memphis Tennessee
or that the city of San antonio Texas is TWICE as big as the Alaska's population!!
lol... even though Mccain's buddies Liebermann and and the Graham boys ( Linsdey and the other old "whining one") will carry most of the weight in foreign and domestic policy a Mccain administration, I thought Mccain would still take his selection of VP more seriously than this!!
Guess not..
“Conservatives have found their Obama.”
Hilarious now Palin's Obama.
The Nut Case Party
Thing is, all those cute little xian ladies out there in "middle America" don't know any better. And, when their pastors start spouting this weekend about what a wonderful example Sarah is for their "community" they won't care (or know) how pitiful this woman is as a VP candidate.
They'll just be raising their hands and praising whoever for Johnny and Sarah for working so hard to "save" our country........
scarlet p. @ 14:
Yay!!! I love you and what you do!
Is the Coast Clear?--- @ 39:
It's fucking embarrassing.
Do you realize that most European grade school children would be offended by the condescension of the Republican Party.
Either John McCain is dumb, or he thinks we are. Either way, he and Sarah Palin are unfit to serve.
Fact: They think we are.
I think its funny you eco-democrats keep saying there is nobody in alaska but as usual, you ignore the animals. If you add up the moose, raccons, elk and bears Alaska is actually the 2cd most populous country in northern north america. Why do democrats feel that elk don't count? I think the elk know better than Barack Obama.
I can't believe that anyone is dumb enough to fall for this logic. While it is true that Russia is near Alaska, it is the most uninhabited part of the country. Northern Siberia is not really a major part of Russia, unless you are a nomadic herder. Generally, when speaking in terms of proximity, Moscow would be the more important factor, not East Dogpatchski, Russia.
To put this into perspective, Moscow is as close to Alaska as NYC is to Libya. All NYers therefore have foreign policy experience based on the proximity to Libya. NYers should immediately update their resumes to reflect their new-found skills.
THIS is the problem. There are morons out there who buy into this crap because they think that the REAL issues are gays, abortion, and all things religion. So these one-liners are perfect for them. This man will do ANYTHING to be President. That's all that matters to him.
"Country first" my ass.
Trittydi @ 50:
No. And I now have finally decided on a name...no...not American Hero...from now on..I will be referring to him as the American Cadaver.
Mr. Anon @ 48:
Moreso, it's Islamist terrorists. Not 'Islamic'. the latter referring to anything having to do with Islam, wheras the former term refers to a fundamentalist political ideology.
My daughter went to school in the middle of a cornfield. She told me she's qualified to be McSame's secretary of agriculture - I think she's right.
My son lives near a busy highway - he sent me an e-mail last night - he wants to be McSame's secretary of transportation.
All theree of my children are qualified to be the secretary of education since they all went to school.
*
Can't wait for the VP debate:
Biden: I've been to Russia, I've negotiated with the Russians, I'm quite familiar with the way foreign policy must be dictated towards Russia...
Palin: I'm aware that Alaska is next to Russia.
Jeremy Scahill has done a very funny report from the floor of the RNC.
http://www.democracynow.org/
It's a riot!
bubba @ 56:
Maybe that's where Palin got her 80 percent approval rating...
Giving the wildlife an option of getting shot or voting for her...
I honestly thought we couldn't do worse than Bush/Cheney. I'm so wrong.....McCain/Palin, what a nightmare. This is just too much. The woman hasn't had two minutes of thought on any of our countries major issues and now she's being "briefed" (spoon fed) the views she will have to sell to the voters.
Face it folks, all this crap about Obama doesn't have this, or that, or whatever, is simply offering yet another item that this racist bunch can grab hold to as an excuse not to vote for a 'n****r'. In their hearts that's their motivation, and in our hearts we know it to be true.
Is the Coast Clear?--- @ 15:
You are so so right. The thing is that the Repugs seem to revel in the stupidity of their politicians. It is like the dumber the better. "We love George W Bush because he is just like we are - dumb as shit."
It so reminds me of this great clip from Bill Maher. So damn funny and so so true.
LegallyBlonde @ 62:
Don't be so harsh....
Maybe she drinks vodka....
Trittydi @ 61:
I mowed lawns as a kid!! I want to be Secretary of the Interior!!!
Oooh...ohhh...I balanced my checkbook!! Can I be Secretary of the Treasury!!!
I started a recycling program in my office! I want to head the EPA!!!
I can take my own temperature! Can I be Surgeon General!!!
L.A. Confidential @ 52:
Wishful thinking. How many stadiums do you think she could fill up unless she promised to take her clothes off? And THEN it's not a sure thing.
*
Sarah steals the show,now onto finish up stealing the rest of America for the neocons.
j swift @ 37:
And so is McSame's ambition outstripping his judgement and abilities... he's sold his soul to the devil to become the president. That's it; that's all.
Strange. I'd never heard the term "bald-faced lie." I thought it was a typo. It was my understanding that the phrase is "bold-faced" as in "bold." Apparently both are acceptable though the original phrase comes from the printing world. "Bald-faced" doesn't really make much sense to me.
That said, isn't there like thousands of miles of frozen tundra between inhabitable Alaska and inhabitable Russia? Bush having foreign policy experience as Governor because "Texas is close to Mexico" actually makes some kind of sense considering Texas actually shares a physical border with Mexico and illegal immigration is of great concern to Texans near the border. I wonder how many illegal immigrant are using the less convenient route of crossing the Bering Strait into Alaska?
Trittydi @ 70:
The only thing conservatives go to stadiums for is football and baseball.
Totally agree with comment #13. The Republicans will keep repeating this same crap, the news pundits will then repeat it, and the majority of the MSM will go along. Try not to be so surprised.
Also, comment #42 made a great point, "So what has she done about Russia?"... too bad no one will really ask this question on air or to McCain.
In the outtakes from the interview McCain actually thought that Alaska was right next to Iraq. Joe Lieberman stepped in to straighten him out.
Obama should show McCain saying this with a graphic overlay of "John McCain has been in the beltway for 25 years"
Simon White-Thatch Potentloins @ 44:
Let's all hold this vision!! and the vision that has us seeing Barak and Michelle Obama, and their daughters, moving into the White House... bringing back some sense of dignity to the place.
On "experience" vs "judgment" -
A favorite line is "experience is that which you get immediately after you really needed it."
But, seriously, while empirical "experience" accrues in everyones' cognitive databases, it not does axiomatically follow that everyone will effectively use the data to make informed, rational judgments. Some people -- such as John McCain (Bush is the poster child here) -- seem to never learn, immune from the weight of their experiences. Others have the cerebral chops with which to connect the deductive and inductive dots and arrive at cogent judgments.
On the aggregate evidence of "judgment" to date, I have to go with Obama, imperfect as he may be.
AnotherJohn @ 75:
She MAINTAINED THE BORDER!
Leave Sarah Alooooooone!
If there was an "Alaska's Got Talent!" Palin would have been kicked off already. The Republicans have succeeded in making a total mockery of the political process. Hopefully, most Americans will see through it.
Hey America,
FYI, if this guy gets elected, we are officially fucked. Don't know if I can be any more blunt.
Let everyone you know.
No. 44 @ 80:
Yup, and she did without a fence too
hehehehe...
When I heard the "next to Russia" quip the other day, I rolled my eyes and just laughed. Now, to hear Sen. McCain say it, as a reporter, my first question would be, "Mr. Senator, tell us about one piece of legislation, one compromise, one round of negotiations or anything else that Mrs. Palin has engaged in with her neighbor to the West."
Well, Senator, we're waitiing.
Sarah (the pit bull wearing lipstick) talks to the salmon that swim between Russia and Alaska. That is her foreign policy esperience
If Palin is such an expert on Russia, could she not have tipped us off on the whole Georgia invasion? She is such a dick head.
There. I wasn't sexist.
He is frighteningly desperate. His mind is set on "win" at any cost. I don't know if he is suffering some sort of dementia or what, but if he is believing the things he says, he's dangerous.
If he knows these foolish things he's saying are just that, foolish, then something has happened to him and he's fearful. Maybe he's under so much pressure from the vultures running his campaign that he's about to crack. Perhaps he has been told by Rove that if he loses this election he's toast with the party.
do you think Canada would allow millions of American immigrants into their country?
Wow. Lucky for McCain that the media is a bunch of spineless bought lapdogs and corporate apologists, or somebody might, I dunno, challenge him on some of this b.s. he's spewing. Fortunately for him he's just talking to Charlie Gibson.
Helen Thomas will drink his milkshake.
P.D. @ 7:
After Pres. Caligula I'm certain that we are already world's laughing stock. If we elect this angry old, pandering, gigolo fool and his evil, gun loving, secessionist, nasty bitch helper into the White House, people all over the world will arm themselves.
So the previous successionist is now an uber-patriot commie blocker because of alaska's proximity to russia?
Anyone who so much as entertains this idea as anything more than the laughable joke it is needs to have their mental health checked.
mcstain, I'm looking at you.