McClatchy, WaPo and Romney Warn About McCain's Out of Control Temper
By Jon Perr Saturday Sep 06, 2008 6:00pm
In a disturbing expose Sunday, the McClatchy papers joined the growing list of press, pundits and politicians raising a red flag about John McCain's out-of-control temper. Following on the heels of the devastating revelations from the Washington Post in April, McClatchy documents many of the tantrums, outbursts and eruptions that continue to call McCain's presidential temperament into question. And as Mitt Romney's campaign revealed in January, those McCain tirades are directed at friend and foe alike.
Starting with an f-bomb hurled at GOP colleague John Cornyn, McClatchy details McCain's long history of explosions, a record which led Mississippi Republican Thad Cochran to conclude "the thought of (McCain) being president sends a cold chill down my spine":
There's a lengthy list of similar outbursts through the years: McCain pushing a woman in a wheelchair, trying to get an Arizona Republican aide fired from three different jobs, berating a young GOP activist on the night of his own 1986 Senate election and many more.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to John McCain's white hot temper.
Among the most shocking incidents are those involving POW/MIA activists. As this video shows, McCain's "prosecutor-like questioning" of Dolores Alfond, chairwoman of the National Alliance of Families for the Return of America's Missing Servicemen and Women, left her in tears during a 1992 Senate hearing. In 1996, McCain lost his cool again when 25 of the group's members came to see him at the Senate:
Six people present have written statements describing what they saw. According to the accounts, McCain waved his hand to shoo away Jeannette Jenkins, whose cousin was last seen in South Vietnam in 1970, causing her to hit a wall.
As McCain continued walking, Jane Duke Gaylor, the mother of another missing serviceman, approached the senator. Gaylor, in a wheelchair equipped with portable oxygen, stretched her arms toward McCain.
"McCain stopped, glared at her, raised his left arm ready to strike her, composed himself and pushed the wheelchair away from him," according to Eleanor Apodaca, the sister of an Air Force captain missing since 1967.
McCain's staff wouldn't respond to requests for comment about specific incidents.
McCain's rage is hardly limited to political opponents or messengers of inconvenient truths. Just ask Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn. As Perrspectives recalled in March:
While Cornyn ultimately endorsed McCain for the White House, in March 2007 he was on the receiving end of a McCain tantrum. Clashing over immigration policy, McCain dropped the F-bomb, saying to Cornyn, " F**k you! I know more about this than anyone else in the room."
Cornyn was far from alone among Senate Republicans in feeling the wrath of McCain. In 1999, McCain told the Finance Committee Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM), "Only an a****** would put together a budget like this." On another occasion, he blasted the mild mannered Chuck Grassley (R-IA), " I'm calling you a f****** jerk."
McCain's fury also extended to his GOP allies in the House of Representatives. As the Washington Post and Real McCain author Cliff Schecter each reported, McCain nearly came to blows with his Arizona colleague, Rep. Rick Renzi.
In recent weeks, Democrats including Harry Reid, Dick Durbin and Barbara Boxer have all sounded the alarm about John McCain's decidedly unpresidential temperament. But it was Mitt Romney, the man who almost became the Republican vice presidential nominee, who offered the most ominous warnings to Americans that John McCain's dangerously out-of-control temper made him unfit for command.
As his make-or-break Florida primary contest against John McCain approached in January, Mitt Romney abandoned his pledge that "I'm not going to talk about the character of the people I'm running against." Instead, the Romney campaign produced a memo titled, "The McCain Way: Attack Republicans - A Top 10 List."
Romney's top 10 includes some of McCain's greatest hits - literally. In addition to the Cornyn, Grassley and Domenici episodes, the Romney list features some comparatively minor McCain blow-ups towards Dick Cheney, Mitch McConnell and other leading lights of the GOP. Amazingly, the Romney camp claimed that in 1995, John McCain "had a scuffle" with then 92-year old Strom Thurmond. (The complete "McCain Way" memo is available at the Boston Herald.)
During his first president run back in 1999, John McCain tried to defuse the growing concerns over his hot temper, insisting, "Do I insult anybody or fly off the handle or anything like that? No, I don't." And when the Washington Post detailed John McCain's legendary temper in April, his spokesman Mark Salter called its account "99% fiction." On Sunday, Salter defended his man again:
"McCain gets intense, and intent on his argument." His blowups with senators often result from colleagues being accustomed to deference, he said. "A lot of these guys aren't used to that," Salter said, so they get annoyed when a peer gets emotional.
Mitt Romney isn't the only Republican who's fretting about John McCain's finger being on the nuclear button. As Jon Hinz, the Arizona Republican Party executive director during McCain's 1986 Senate run, put it:
"It seems the only way to deal with John McCain is to think the way he does. If he gets more power, what's going to make him suddenly become a fuzzy, nice guy?"
With friends like that, who needs enemies? And thanks to Mitt Romney, we know how John McCain treats his friends.
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The debates with Obama are going to be fun.
The Palin nomination was a coup d'etat inside the Republican establishment.
McCain did not choose her anymore than he chooses what psychotropic drugs he is fed daily.
These people want to get Puppet Palin in the VP spot and then watch McCain pull an Ariel Sharon (that is to say get a debilitating illness).
With a Puppet in the White House the Fundies and Neocons will plunge the world into a massive conflict that will usher in a New Dark Age.
Scared yet?
WHAT'S
Glad McCains finger wasn't on the buttons the morning of Sept 11.
Thad Cochran is actually a Mississippi Senator.
wonder if video exists?
Temper, temper.
BTW...Thad Cochran is from Mississippi not Missouri.
Now let's hope MSM will do their job and report this. I'm thinking they won't.
Within hours, Mr. McCain, the Vietnam War hero and famed straight talker of the 2000 Republican primary, had taken on a new role: the leading advocate of taking the American retaliation against Al Qaeda far beyond Afghanistan. In a marathon of television and radio appearances, Mr. McCain recited a short list of other countries said to support terrorism, invariably including Iraq, Iran and Syria. [NYT]
Palin/McCain 1808, a ticket completely unfit for office. Mittens should have brought this up in his RNC speech.
Whats McCain intend to do about price gouging. Especially Utilities.
Utilities, like any other business, should be required as in the past, to absorb the cost of their plants and upgrades as part of their business - not pass along costs for everything they do so they can continue to give fatter compensation packages and dividends.
Not surprising about his temper, since virulent racists and sexists tend to have short fuses.
Code Red
PTSD
Obama should go back to big crowds. That's waht
pisses the GOP the most.
Glib, she is.
Biden, he isn't
McCrazy @ 12:
They require real delicate handling that's for sure.
I'd just love to know precisely what the Obama campaign could say next week that would cause McCain to put on public display this out of control temper. The sooner, the better, don't you think?
I think its going to take more than a few f-bombs to derail McCain. The rash judgment angle is much more productive. He isn't nice. So what. He picks unqualified people on a whim and under pressure--that's a deal breaker.
Boy are we lucky that there are forces in play the freaks in the neocreep camp have no control over. They may believe in the end times but the VAST MAJORITY of people and governments on the planet don't. As our global dominance wanes so does our ability to convince countries to join our pilgrimage of insanity. Add the vision of an Obama presidency in Nov and we've got a lot of help from outside the country getting these whackjobs out of office.
Stand firm, don't give into despair, do your part and keep your attitude positive.
"Ordinary people doing extraordinary things" Obama/Biden '08
The only command assignment McCain was given was a flight retraining squadron. It is significant that he was not given another, nor given an admiral's star. His website touts his assignment as Congressional Liaison, but that is not a command assignment. It was a place to stick him until retirement.
Whether it was temper, rashness or partying, the military was not enthused about McCain.
Regarding debates, if Obama can take control of the debate and not let the moderator keep the discussion in areas McCain is prepared for, America will see the blank look. Obama should not be afraid to break the rules of the debate; Vladimir and Osama don't follow our rules. The Commander-in- Chief has to remain calm and centered when facing unexpected circumstance. If Obama can push McCain to an explosion, it's over.
Wasn't he tortured or something like that? Maybe he has permanent PTSD. He wasn't a commander before or after his capture, should he be Commander of ALL USA Forces?
lis @ 13:
I agree. Obama attracts crowds while the McCain campaign composes captured audiences.
L.A. Confidential @ 9:
Of course, he left out the one that supports the group that has actually attacked us (on 9/11,) Saudi Arabia.
the G.O.P.:
these are the many surprises we get
when we're too lazy, too stupid, too frightened
to vett...or is it vet?
Richard Peterson @ 18:
I'm pretty sure McCain will be pushed, but I don't think he'll explode. He'll resort to being smirky, sarcastic, condescending and, at worst, glancingly mean.
In short, he'll react exactly the same as Bush.
Apparently, you haven't watched the two candidates in action. Obama is a lousy debater. McCain will package his answers as short, black and white certainties, largely nonsense, but appealing to the typical American voter. Given the formats of most debates, I would definitely give McCain the advantage. Of course, by the time the debates are staged, everyone will have decided that the brilliant orator (Obama...from prepared texts) will crush McCain. That means the expectations for McCain will be low and he will easily exceed them. Result? A huge win for McCain.
I seriously doubt that the temper(ament) issue will work for the Democrats. Every time McCain appears in public and doesn't explode, he "disproves" the claim. There also seems to be an utter lack of significant incidents in the last ten years. This sounds like just another imaginary issue favoring Democrats.
Add to that the incredibly stupid insistence of Obama and Biden to spare no effort in telling the American people what a great guy McCain is and you have a fairly typical losing campaign shaping up for the Democrats.
It's possible that Democrats are simply too stupid to win unless Republicans nominate a Bob Dole type candidate -- nasty disposition, no charisma, lousy speaker, and no compelling life story. Amazingly, Dole was not unlike McCain in these qualities, but he was totally unable to translate any of his advantages (good sense of humor, war record, etc.) into a useful campaign narrative.
Ruth, wake up. Obama has shown zero ability to perform well in debates. I still can't believe that people are confusing Obama's speechmaking ability (superb) with his debating ability (mediocre to poor).
John McCain. Commander in Chief Preview
He dumped a jet aircraft in the drink during pilot training (should have been a warning alarm to the navy that an idiot who couldn't pass his classes and almost got booted out several times for personality disorders didn't merit a coveted seat in the U.S. free jet aircraft training school for Republican trogs ... oh, yeah, daddy's and granddaddy's intervention again); John McCain bailed out of and destroyed a pristine multi-million dollar jet aircraft while on a Christmas holiday junket flying from his base to his hometown? (all the other military saps had to use their personal funds to buy a commercial ticket home for the holidays, but not Little Johnny McCain); and, of course, his plane burnt up on the U.S.S. Arizona (not necessarily his fault, but still ... the leader sets the tone of the ship) and then, of course, he was too stupid and slow-motioned to use proper evasive techniques and opted instead to try and race a SAM missile.
I feel a small amount of pity for old man mcsame. Lots of people have a hot temper but the abusiveness and bullying is learned.
But he's an adult and should have put some time and effort into dealing with this personal problem a long time ago. Instead he just continued to use it to bulldoze his way through life.
Now he wants to pretend that a lifetime of being an over aggressive loudmouth jerk is actually just an incident or two taken 'out of context'.
Another steaming pile brought to you by the mcinsane campaign.
He'd approve this message but he's too busy chewing the scenery.
...won't be easy to tell him when he's wrooooooong-which will be damned near every daaaaaaaay!
oh really @ 24:
He sure let O'Reilly punk him on "the Surge". And that was just an interview.
http://bgladd.blogspot.com/2008/09/surge.html
Other People who have reported Anger Issues with John McCain:
Renzi
Grassley
Cornyn
Cochran R-Miss
Senator Bob Smith
John McCain is also drugged up with some of the most powerful drugs on the market today. Ambien for one.
Americans love pissed off politicians. Ever heard of Dick "go f*&k yerself" Cheney?
McCain's "Nation first" meme is bogus. It should be "McCain first". As evidenced by the selling of his very soul to the Conservative Religious right Side of his party ( a side that he can barely stand), and of late, his un-vetted and rather rash choice in a running mate. His only objective is to win the presidency... and then what? He is so beholden to the special interests that got him there if he does win, then what?
Senator McCain stands in direct contrast to Campaign 2008 McCain ( not to mention Campaign 2000 McCain) that he has proved himself untrustworthy. I can't trust what he says. His positions change from day to day based on the group that he is talking to and whom he is trying to impress. And I can't trust what his running mate says either, for she has proven herself to be a resume inflater and a liar of the highest Republican degree.
I have heard this before. The worse was when he called his wife a c*nt. You know all these republicans that work with him know about his temper. You would think they would put the country first before a hot head. Lets pray they secretly vote for Obama. Am sick of hearing the McCain is suppose to be a patriot. All I can say is like hell he is.
MCCAIN-PALIN=BRIDGE TO NOWHERE
Gretchen the aspiring elitist @ 23:
I'm not sure I agree, here's why. I believe that McCain has had a core of decency during his life in contrast to Bush who has been a sociopath since a very early age. I think this is significant in how these two freaks handle stress. Bush has no conflicts and is able to ignore anything that is said about him. McCain, on the other hand, is conflicted and at some level realizes that he has sold his soul for power. Being on the same stage as someone with the presence and composure of an Obama may just prove to be too much for him to handle in a rational manner. If he hits that breaking point, literally anything may happen.
Additionally Bush could be medicated and still function. McCain is already carrying a full load, if they put anything more in his system he'll be reduced to a gibbering idiot. His handlers and supporters are rapidly finding their situation untenable. When they realize just how hopeless their situation is, that will be when the world will be at the greatest risk. Keep your spirits up, your attitude positive, be part of what can get us through this coming crisis.
Peace and respect to all of you.
With all the corporate bailouts like with Fannie May and Freddi Mac, I think we should update the story of McCain and his role in the Keating 5 conundrum. Many Americans know to little about this blemish on history. I'd wait for the Main Stream Media to do that, but that won't happen.
Orangutan. @ 34:
So, a GOP administration is now nationalizing everything in sight, but Obama is the “Socialist”?
Phil Gramm, btw, is nothing but a financial rapist. McCain will elevate him to Treasury Secretary.
Chicken "Hussein" Little - Not! @ 33:
I do hope you're right and I'm wrong. I've seen the rumors that McCain is fairly heavily medicated, but is there anything substantial to back that up? When I've seen him in close-ups it looks like he has pupils the size of quarters but I'd like to know the real story.
McCain Is Unstable Says New Report | "Fuck you," McCain told Cornyn, in front of about 40 witnesses.
http://www.adn.com/uspolitics/story/518455.html
He's already as old as the hills. When has an old person changed anything other than a pair of depends?
This guy is way out of his element. He has personalized the war and feels like he has to "win" it because he never got a chance to do it in Vietnam. He's drunk on power.
He lost to Bush in 2000, that should say something about him. Kick this guy to the curb. He needs to be on a rocking chair in the country, not in the oval office.
McCain's history of hot temper raises concerns
http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/3035300
Yes, I am scared. It feels like all of us are crammed into one tiny little car on the slow upward climb of the rollercoaster from hell. Who knows what horrors await us once we go over the top and down the other side.
The thought of a President McWar, Vice-President McFertile and all of the lunatics who support them terrifies me. I hate to say this, but sometimes I wonder if there will even be an election in the US. Nothing would surprise me now.
King of Kings @ 2:
This may sound crazy, but this has been in the back of my mind. It's not just that he's 72; it's not just that he's had bouts with melanoma; it's also the fact that Presidents age noticeably during their time in the White House. Look at any "before and after" pictures of Presidents and see what the job does to their physical appearance.
Serious question: How many meds does he take per day?
My understanding is that the U.S Navy works on the principal of up or out. If you fail to make promotion after two kicks at the can out you go. Given his family background I've wondered why he didn't screen for flag rank. It sure would be interesting to read his commanders performance evaluations. If they haven't been thoroughly tidied up that is.
you know he was known as Songbird in the P.O.W. camp. any real questioning of the period is going to get the blood pressure pumping as he tries to maintain the lie.
An Average Joe @ 43:
For his dementia, alzheimer's prevention?, viagra?, blood pressure, sleeping aids, etc etc. I'd imagine a lot. I don't think we'll ever know, because I don't think its public information. But you can pretty well assume he is over-medicated and under qualified.
He admitted being broken as a pow.
Long term isolation in solitary confinement drove him insane.
This guy should not be anywhere close to the button and probably wants war with China for Vietnam.
Sometimes I see him walk the baby steps with his hands clenched together in front of his crotch and his eyes cast downward. I know he suffered in the Hanoi Hilton, and he deserves sympathy and gratitude for his suffering in service of our country. But, is he still in the Hanoi Hilton in his head?
Missouri Republican Thad Cochran
Correction, Thad Cochran is from Mississippi, not Missouri.
Where/when was that angry photo taken? It's not Photoshoped is it? If elected McCaint would continue the tradition of medicated GOP presidents.
General Jack D. Ripper @ 42:
Great minds. I was saying that to about 5 people yesterday -- Nixon, Reagan, Clinton, real standouts in the aging game.
And someone here mentioned McGramps had aged noticeably in the last year...
The only time one should age noticeably in such a short amount of time is childhood. Anything else is a symptom of illness.
Lis is right. Obama can draw bigger crowds than McPain.
He should play to his strength. (So what if they call him
"The One")
ABC has a story about McCain's Ambien use, a prescription sedative and sleep aid drug. Ambien has some rare but bizarre side effects including sleep walking, binge eating, and driving while asleep.
ABC article from May 23: McCain's Ambien Use: a Security Threat?
"The unusual side effects of the drug....made headlines a few months later, when Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy smashed his Ford Mustang into a barrier near Capitol Hill. He later released a statement saying that he had been disoriented by two prescription medications he had taken, one of which was Ambien."
I agree with oh really at 24...
Obama is NOT a great debater. He should be working FULL TIME at sharp, SHORT, catchy answsers to policy and personality questions... because THAT is what McSame is practicing and delivering every day.
Obama has to remove himself from those l-o-n-g c-o-n-s-i-d-e-r-e-d responses that got him in so much trouble at that religious retreat fiasco three weeks ago.
It's an unfair comparison to put his temper up side-by-side to former Presidents. He's not POTUS and won't be, but what if he were? Add the stress, responsibilities, criticism, both stateside and worldwide, and the temptation to touch Palin's butt everyday to the formula and then make the comparison. He'd be a time bomb waiting to go off. The GOP played the biggest fear card they had without even knowing it.
Gretchen the aspiring elitist @ 36:
Gretchen, my heart goes out to McCain, he's an old, frail man who has given into a mindless, soulless lust for power. A weakeness that is being exploited. A group of totally unscrupulous beings have decided that McCain can be used to maintain their grip on power and control, he truly is a pathetic pawn in this game.
That said, I can assure you, based on some personal aspects of my life, that no one who has paid the physical and emotional price that McCain paid during his captivity could be doing what he's doing right now without chemical intervention. He should be living a life of active, quiet contemplation right now, not being fed into the meat grinder that is an American presidential campaign.
I will do whatever I can to keep McCain/Palin out of the WH but I can not find it in my soul to hate him, all I can feel towards him is a combination of compassion and sadness.
Believe it or not I truly feel he is descending into his own personal hell on earth. Just look at his face during unguarded moments, this is not the face of a happy man. More prove of the old adage; "Be careful what you wish for, you may just get it."
In that list of temper tantrums I think they forgot that time he screamed at a waiter because his iced tea was slow in coming. It was his favorite brand too, Motherrucking's or something like that.
Here's a leaked tape:
http://assets.236.com//mp3/McCainPalinCall.mp3
Listening to the Republican Convention night after night on a battery powered radio because the electricity was out for four days due to the latest hurricane made one thing crystal clear: Those speechifiers were all using some heavy mind-game psy-ops claptrap on the sheeple.
Is anyone afraid they will wire Palin for the debate, like they did with Bush in 2004? I think we need to be ready for that. I hope the Obama camp has thought of that and has a plan for it.
Just read a blurb on Drudge..."The New York Times to do expose on Gov. Palin's baby...developing..."
What the heck could THAT be? Maybe they're getting tired of being scooped by The National Enquirer? Maybe the baby belongs to the business partner she supposedly had an affair with???
At any rate, something is cooking on Palin at the NYT.
Re: McCain's temper..... I just completed a song that has one line about this....
Call him a hot head, what do you know?
Sometimes when a nation comes smirkin' at you....
Bombin' is the way, bombin' is the way, bombin' is the only way to go.
If you want to hear the song, it's here:
www.stickyinfo.com
If you haven't learned any self-control by the age of 72, you don't deserve to be in charge of a taco stand, much less the U.S. of A. He sure sounds like a guy who beats his wife. Wonder what Cindy's hiding under that expensive makeup?
lis @ 13:
Speaking of code reds, I really wish Obama would be more careful about the words he chooses. Apparently on "This Week" he mentioned something about his "Muslim faith". Obviously a slip of the tongue, but we all know the way this will be twisted:
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/sep/07/obama-verbal-slip-fuels-his-...
CNN is running a special on him showing his temper and his wife's opiate addiction.
14All @ 63:
He may have learned something from his captivity then. You don't mark up someone's head if you want to use them in propaganda films.
If you really want to set him off, call him a communist collaborator for making over 32 propaganda tapes while he was a [sob] POW. That is the reason he didn't want the POW/MIA records declassified and tore Dolores Alfond a new one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFM1xqqTX_g
Chicken "Hussein" Little - Not! @ 56:
I agree. I respect what he has been through with his captivity and hate that it is trotted out again and again. It cheapens everything and I think he is so intent on getting elected that he can't possibly see it.
I can't hate him either - so far I have no reason to. I don't believe in his words or his ability to lead, but I can't hate him for that. Now Bush, on the other hand, has given me reason in plenty.
getalife "whiners" @ 65:
Can you slip us a link so I can shoot it off to friends, family and customers. I sure don't want anyone to miss that special.
King of Kings @ 2:
YOU BET YOUR BUTT IM SCARED!!
No wonder he sees Sister Soulmate in Sarah Palin
McSame also publicly called his wife the C-bomb back in the 1990s.
Prairie Sunshine @ 71:
LOLz! Good catch.
going back and reviewing some of the "old" stuff can sometimes give one hope.
my hope is that the people who booed clinton in the instance cited above are representative of voters in general and react with similar disfavor to palin's just-plain-nasty language with respect to mccain's opponent.
Sarah Speaks!
Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, has agreed to a television interview, with ABC News.
yah disney!
The Manchurian candidate should no be the leader of our nation.
Fuh King @ 67:
Holy smokes, that's a freakin' bombshell, I had no idea a tape like that existed and it appears there's lots more like it. There are boat loads of republican senators on these tapes. How in the world have the repukes allowed him to become the candidate? You know Obama's camp is aware of this information and must have licked their chops when they confirmed McCain as the repuke nominee. This whole thing is getting spookier by the moment.
What's the problem. McCain merely fits the "angry white male" demographic of entitlement gone sour by diversity and technology that have passed them by. Their lot has been stolen away by unpatriotic, elitist upstarts. But rather than spending his declining years on the lazyboy watching Fox and listening to Rush, McCain decided he is due the Presidency. Let those uppity minorities and intellectual techno-nerds responsible for the country's prosperity stand aside. Family name and wealth deserve the reins of powers. Then all will be well with the world.
When will she interview with a news channel and real journalists.
To Chuck at post 72,
Yea, he also called her a Trollup.
I'm not sure what a Trollup is (probably not as bad as the C-bomb!), I think it would make an excellent Daily Show or Colbert Report item.
Blast his age for his using vocabulary from a lost time, would that be "keen".
Peace.
EconProf @ 78:
* groan *
This wouldn't be so ridiculous of McSame were a white trash redneck but he's as far as you can get from that. He's a rich boy with a bloated ego from decades of telling himself that he deserves to be president.
Typo: This wouldn’t be so ridiculous if McSame were