Arizona Senator John McCain (official)

[The KSB]

Originally Posted by tibor75

...Iran is a predominantly Shiite Muslim country and has been at pains to close its borders to al-Qaida fighters of the rival Sunni sect...

read that in the newspaper did you. Yep, Iran has in no way been actively involved in using al_Quida, taqfiri, and J.A.M. fighters to destabilize Iraq. You want to know how I know? They said so, that's how I know. They said so and it was published in a newspaper, web site, magazine, or it was written in a book. That's how I know. Of course the fact that Camp Bucca is filled with over 10,000 Iranian trained fighters, including al-Quida(that's not counting the 20,000 plus that are homegrown), sort of gets in the way of that belief, but whatever, I heard it from the liberal media that Iran is my partner in Iraq, so that makes it true.

[BuckeyeMike80]

Originally Posted by The KSB

read that in the newspaper did you. Yep, Iran has in no way been actively involved in using al_Quida, taqfiri, and J.A.M. fighters to destabilize Iraq. You want to know how I know? They said so, that's how I know. They said so and it was published in a newspaper, web site, magazine, or it was written in a book. That's how I know. Of course the fact that Camp Bucca is filled with over 10,000 Iranian trained fighters, including al-Quida(that's not counting the 20,000 plus that are homegrown), sort of gets in the way of that belief, but whatever, I heard it from the liberal media that Iran is my partner in Iraq, so that makes it true.

I couldn't have stated it any better.

[CookyPuss]

John McCain "stumped" as to whether condoms help prevent HIV/AIDS:

Q: "So no contraception, no counseling on contraception. Just abstinence. Do you think contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV?"

Mr. McCain: (Long pause) "You've stumped me."

Q: "I mean, I think you'd probably agree it probably does help stop it?"

Mr. McCain: (Laughs) "Are we on the Straight Talk express? I'm not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I'm sure I've taken a position on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was. Brian, would you find out what my position is on contraception - I'm sure I'm opposed to government spending on it, I'm sure I support the president's policies on it."

Q: "But you would agree that condoms do stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Would you say: 'No, we're not going to distribute them,' knowing that?"

Mr. McCain: (Twelve-second pause) "Get me Coburn's thing, ask Weaver to get me Coburn's paper that he just gave me in the last couple of days. I've never gotten into these issues before."

This went on for a few more moments until a reporter from the Chicago Tribune broke in and asked Mr. McCain about the weight of a pig that he saw at the Iowa State Fair last year.

McCain Stumbles on H.I.V. Prevention - The Caucus - Politics - New York Times Blog

Not that I think this is all that relevant to the Presidential election, but it is funny as hell.

[t_BuckeyeScott]

I think he's trying to figure out what the conservatives want him to say.

[ORD_Buckeye]

Originally Posted by MuckFich06

Not that I think this is all that relevant to the Presidential election, but it is funny as hell.

Since when is utter stupified clueless rambling not relevant to a Presidential candidate's qualifications--regardless of the issue at hand. Has junior lowered the bar that dramatically?

I'm not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I'm sure I've taken a position on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was. Brian, would you find out what my position is on contraception - I'm sure I'm opposed to government spending on it, I'm sure I support the president's policies on it."

[CookyPuss]

Originally Posted by ORD_Buckeye

Since when is utter stupified clueless rambling not relevant to a Presidential candidate's qualifications--regardless of the issue at hand. Has junior lowered the bar that dramatically?

Well, I don't think his stupified rambling was because he couldn't answer the question. I think it was because he didn't want to [censored] off the right and didn't want to contradict anything he had said in the past.

I would agree that it demonstrates a lack of preparedness on his part and also is apparently representative of the things McCain gets away with because of his relationship with his traveling press.

I think if incidents like this and his statements on Al Queda-Iran keep trickling out, his "senior moments" will start to have an impact on his public perception. He'll start looking more like the Ronald "I don't recall" Regan from the Contra hearings than the Ronald "I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience" Reagan that got elected.

Speaking of McCain's age, remember when Bush picked Cheney and people said it was a good move because he'd be too old and wouldn't want the presidency after Bush? McCain is 5 years older than Cheney.

[shetuck]

Reuters: McCain working on list of VP candidates

McCain working on list of VP candidates

By Steve Holland
2 hours, 3 minutes ago

U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain said on Wednesday he has begun compiling a list of potential vice presidential running mates as his nostalgia tour took him to the U.S. Naval Academy.

McCain, 71, talking by telephone to radio talk show host Don Imus, joked that his vice presidential decision was of added importance. "I'm aware of the enhanced importance of this issue given my age," he quipped.

The Arizona senator said he and his campaign staff had just started putting together a list of names and having them vetted. He gave no clue as to who might be on the list but there has been speculation about a number of Republican politicians, such as Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

cont'd...

['BusNative]

James Dobson (Wiki link) says that McCain has not brought the GOP together...

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Dobson: McCain ?fracturing? party ? - Blogs from CNN.com

April 2, 2008
Dobson: McCain 'fracturing' party

(CNN) - James Dobson said Wednesday that presumptive Republican nominee John McCain had not been successful in uniting conservatives since capturing the nomination - and that recent moves by the senator instead "appear to be fracturing an increasingly divided constituency."

"I have seen no evidence that Sen. McCain is successfully unifying the Republican Party or drawing conservatives into his fold. To the contrary, he seems intent on driving them away,? said the Focus on the Family founder, in a statement to the Wall Street Journal.

He cited recent McCain remarks on global warming and torture, a speech in front of the influential conservative Council on National Policy that "thoroughly disappointed and irritated" many in attendance, and recent comments from a McCain adviser that the Arizona senator can win based his on his support from moderates and independents.

?That seems to be the strategy. These are not the policies and pronouncements of a man who is seeking to 'unify the party.' Indeed, they appear to be fracturing an increasingly divided constituency," wrote the evangelical leader.

The statements were some of Dobson?s most critical to date, though he stopped short of saying his followers should not vote for McCain.
The conservative Christian icon has long been cool to McCain. During the primary season, he spoke warmly of Republican rival Mitt Romney, and backed Mike Huckabee?s presidential bid.

UPDATE: McCain himself - who said he had not had a conversation with Dobson that could recall, but that he would be happy to speak with him - said Wednesday he respected him, but disputed his campaign assessment, adding that poll data showed he had greater support from his party than either of the Democratic candidates had from their own. (Watch McCain's comments)

"We continue to work with our conservative base, and I'm very proud - as I say - of the empirical data that shows we have very strong support amongst all elements of our party. And that's what we need to do to win,? he told CNN's Dana Bash on board the Straight Talk Express.

[BuckeyeMike80]

Actually having the right wing of the GOP "locked in" won't be nearly as big a deal as how many hard-core Hillary supporters either don't vote, won't vote for Obama or vote for McCain outright.

That's going to be the telling part of this election. It won't be about getting the religious right motivated (e.g. like what Rove did in 2000 and 2004), but it will be about how many centrist Democrats end up voting for the Centrist Republican vs. the more liberal (perception or otherwise) Democrat.

['BusNative]

More from Gallup:

Presidential Candidates’ Weaknesses in Depth

McCain: Iraq, Bush, and the GOP
Those who least want to see McCain elected president are most likely to cite his position on the Iraq war (27%), his similarity with President Bush (25%), or the fact that he is a Republican (23%). In line with these policy-oriented reasons for opposing him, an additional 8% say they "disagree with his views on most issues."

Although McCain's advanced age has been raised as a possible liability for his candidacy, only 7% of those most opposed to him say they think he's too old. Only 2% mention McCain's well-known temper management issues.

['BusNative]

SWAMPLAND EXCLUSIVE!! McCain Reacts to Heidi Montag Endorsement! - Swampland - TIME

April 2, 2008 2:34
SWAMPLAND EXCLUSIVE!! McCain Reacts to Heidi Montag Endorsement!

PENSACOLA, FL. Asked for a reaction to the news that he'd been endorsed by reality-soap bad girl Heidi Montag of "The Hills," John McCain told Swampland: "I'm honored to have Heidi's support and I want to assure her that I never miss an episode of 'The Hills,' especially since the new season started."

Anorak News ? Blog Archive | It?s 10pm, The Phone Is Ringing And John McCain Is Watching The Hills

It's 10pm, The Phone Is Ringing And John McCain Is Watching The Hills


REALITY-soap bad girl Heidi Montag of US show The Hills has endorsed John McCain.




And John McCain has responded:

"I'm honored to have Heidi?s support and I want to assure her that I never miss an episode of ?The Hills,? especially since the new season started."

As one commentor on Time's website notes: "McCain can't remember if condoms prevent AIDS or who the players are in Iraq, but he knows who the actresses are on The Hills? Incredible."

Says another: "Has she been trained in Iran? Have you watched her show? It's entirely possible that she has been sent by terrorists to punish us."
But the pick has to be: "It's 10pm and your children are safe and asleep. There's a phone in the White House and it's ringing. Something's happening in the world. But the president is watching The Hills. He never misses an episode. The world can wait, Heidi and Spencer are breaking up again."

Hmmmm... if ekeen is right, McCain is in bed with Heidi Montag.

[Gatorubet]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMike80

Actually having the right wing of the GOP "locked in" won't be nearly as big a deal as how many hard-core Hillary supporters either don't vote, won't vote for Obama or vote for McCain outright.

That's going to be the telling part of this election. It won't be about getting the religious right motivated (e.g. like what Rove did in 2000 and 2004), but it will be about how many centrist Democrats end up voting for the Centrist Republican vs. the more liberal (perception or otherwise) Democrat.

This is the exact same thing as the Sista Soulja Clinton deal. There is no way that their base will vote of the other side even if you diss them. They will not let the evil Clinton or loony left Obama (their words) be President over McCain, not matter how they are dissed by their own candidate.

As evangelicals Republicans are high percentatge voters anyway, they will be in the booth for the local elections, and vote for McCain no matter what he does, save flip flop and support abortion rights.

['BusNative]

So does McCain actually the difference between Al Qaeda and Iran, or have his comments just been "senior moments"

Al Qaeda #2: We'll Attack Iran | Danger Room from Wired.com

Al Qaeda #2: We'll Attack Iran

By Noah Shachtman

Recently, Senator John McCain has repeatedly indicated that Iran and al-Qaeda are in cahoots. The terror group's number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri, would beg to differ. In a long-promised online Q&A session, Zawahiri says it would be "in the interest" of Al-Qaeda to see Iran "sap[ped]" by a fight with the United States. Moreover, he seems to promise that the extremist collective will "battle" whoever wins that U.S.-Iran struggle.

This isn't the first time Zawahiri has criticized Iran, either. In a videotape released in December, he said that "Iran has stabbed the Muslim Ummah [nation] in the back" during the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.

On other points, however, Zawahiri seems to be reinforcing some of McCain's warnings about al-Qaeda. The Republican Presidential candidate recently said that, "if we withdraw prematurely from Iraq, al Qaeda in Iraq will survive, proclaim victory and continue to provoke sectarian tensions... could easily descend into genocide, and destabilize the entire region."
Damn straight, Zawahiri replies. He "expect[s] the Jihadi influence to spread after the Americans' exit from Iraq, and to move towards Jerusalem."

[BuckeyeMike80]

Originally Posted by 'BusNative

So does McCain actually the difference between Al Qaeda and Iran, or have his comments just been "senior moments"

Al Qaeda #2: We'll Attack Iran | Danger Room from Wired.com

Of course Zawahiri also said that AQ never attacks "innocents" which is utter bull[censored] and we all know it.

[MaxBuck]

Originally Posted by 'BusNative

James Dobson (Wiki link) says that McCain has not brought the GOP together...

If that isn't irony, I don't know what is ...