Faced with the near-certainty that John McCain heard the questions — and Senator Obama’s answers — during the Obama Section of Pastor Rick Warren’s Candidate Extravaganza and Seat Sale Fundraiser at his Saddleback Church/Store, McCain campaign Rovian Spokesbot Extraordinaire Nicolle Wallace reached for top-shelf defense immediately:
"The insinuation from the Obama campaign that John McCain, a former prisoner of war, cheated is outrageous,” Ms. Wallace said.
Must be true, then. Especially since Pastor Rick felt the need to joke about it as McCain took the stage, and the Original Maverick mocked him for his foolish faith in McCain’s own honor:
Mr. Warren started by asking Mr. McCain, “Now, my first question: Was the cone of silence comfortable that you were in just now?”
Mr. McCain deadpanned, “I was trying to hear through the wall.”
Interviewed Sunday on CNN, Mr. Warren seemed surprised to learn that Mr. McCain was not in the building during the Obama interview.
I certainly hope that Mrs Greenspan (who called foul on the McCain campaign’s spin of Obama’s cancelled visit to the troops in Germany as having been due to not being able to bring along the media) won’t let this one go either. Andrea Mitchell hosted the Special Saturday edition of Hardball, where Pastor Rick dealt her the clever lines about the Cone of Silence, and his plan to ask exactly the same questions of both candidates.
Accepting the Word of the Bible on faith is one thing, Pastor Rick. Accepting the word of John McCain, a known philanderer, is quite another.
Trust, but verify.
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zed
TeddyBear in the house!
That’s right, smack Andrea about the neck and shoulders! Keep them honest.
Although it is a taboo subject, I think it is very important to note that John McCain will say anything under duress. In fact, I think he would even denounce his US Citizenship if enough pressure were dispensed.
Oh no, did I just denigrate a renouned war whore/hero?
John McCain, he’s limping to defeat!
Crikey, that pic itself disqualifies the guy
McCheater.
Andrea is getting peeved…they’ve gone after her twice now.
Cone of Silence…what a crock.
Thou shall not kill– checkThou shall not commit adultery– checkThou shall not lie– checkThou shall not covet– checkThou shall not use God’s name in vain- checkBut…but…but he’s a Prisoner of Wealth, Teddy. Us common folk have no idea how hard it is for the elite – we should just trust them in everything they do, as a stable, well-adjusted pop star once opined.
;>)
Oh no, did I just denigrate a renouned war whore/hero?
penalty flag on the field. Five yards for Off-Side *and* Off-Color.
This Nam vet is willing to bet you would too. Guaranteed.
Also, plagiarizer and all-round pathological liar, although that last might simply be an inextricable component of the Republican brand.
I think you’ve hit on something. Perhaps it should be called the “Crock of silence.”
Hardball has 2 ex-Repubs for Obama on…ex-Congressman Jim Leach and some lady….saying McCain is a Neocon, is BushIII, and that Republicans are nervous about that, and that he is anti-choice for women..saying there is a very large segment of the Republican party that is pro-choice.
Slow Night, but I am going to “Open with a Left”;
As I shouted from the SkyLift at the Iowa State Fair during McCain’s hay bale speech; John McCain is a F-up and why is anyone trying to reward a F-up?
He was CAPTURED!!!! at war. He failed in his first marriage. In fact, Nancy Reagan hated him for this defect. He crashed his naval planes an astonishing 6 times!!!! He was formally admonished by his peers in his first term in the Senate. He is a consumate screw up. Now, why is he even hanging around in the polls?
Have the American people’s self image denigrated to the point that we have essentially; “embraced failure”?
John McCain- “Come embrace your failures”.
lol
OMG! OMG! OMMMGGGG!!!11!!!
I just got this from my facebook notices:
Subject: IT HAPPENED, FOLKS!
MaddowFans is thrilled to announce that Rachel will be hosting her own show on MSNBC starting Sept. 8 at 9pm!
(Thud!)
Linky 1
Linky 2
I hope you all know you have TEDDY to thank for this! He wrote to mgmt every single day of the year – sometimes 2x – asking when they were going to give THE GODDESS her own show!
Nice work, kid.
aw, shit, another concern troll.
Of course McCain would say anything under duress. Anyone would. Everyone would. Which is why it’s so disgraceful that McCain, of all people, endorses Bush’s torture authorizations.
No..but the polls are mostly BS to get sensationalism and ratings, and we have rigged voting machines too.
The best argument is McCain’s complete lack of intelligence and bottom of the heap during his education vs. Obama’s record as Magna Cum Laude from Harvard, constitutional professor, and organizational skills.
No one in their right mind would hire McCheater over Obama…for any job.
Obama has a brain.
Granted, but I am not campaigning to be the leader of the Free World, either. :-) I also try to be fully cognizant of my limitations. Something I have seen completely lacking in McCain.
His solution to the energy crisis was to bend over further to the Oil Industry. Not my idea of a “Maverick”.
this is as good a thread as any to mention I now doubt the I-was-offered-early-release story
Southern Dragon and others are free to disabuse me of this if there is “proof”, not the Salter kind that this ever happened
I understand how the North Vietnamese could have used it as a form of torture with the remaining POW’s, but knowing all I know now about this craven opportunist I truly doubt it
McCain is incapable of independent thought. He’s actually the “anti-Maverick”..all he can do is read cue cards (not very well at that either) and spew out Rove’s talkers…
Every time I see that photo of McCain I think that he needs more fiber in his diet. Might improve his disposition as well.
ack!
Southern Dragon - my 19 wasn’t supposed to be a response to you. I mentioned you in the comment because of your vet-on-the-thread status :D
I guess Warren’s Cone of Silence works about as well as the original on Get Smart.
While watching the telecast in real time, it quickly became obvious to me that McCain had heard (or read) the questions in advance, to the extent that I commented to my girlfriend at the time: “no surprise that McCain gets the advantage of going second, it’s obvious he already knows the questions in advance.”
This belief was reiterated when the Pastor had to admonish McCain to slow down with his answers to let him “finish the question” before McCain began to answer. I mean, COME ON!
Is there really ANY doubt that McCain had the questions in advance, regardless of how he got them?
I’d take this guy’s word for it:
http://www.military.com/opinio….._1,00.html
Hearing the phrase “cone of silence” so often prompted me to search for a picture of McCain wearing a dunce cap. Apparently nobody has created one yet.
Agreed. I think if you look at the electoral makeup of the race you will find that Obama has a comfortable margin. There is no question the Obama has exceptional and extra-ordinary organization skills.
We all know that MSM has to spin this like it is a razor-edge contest.
based on this post at Down With Tyranny from a fellow P.O.W. and Naval Academy classmate of McCain’s, the offer of early release is most likely true. It’s just that it was an offer made to most ALL P.O.W.s.
Highly recommended for reading.
The main point about his POW experience is that it is not something that is a “qualification” for being a president. No one knows for sure what happened during those years…but one thing for sure is that because he was a POW…he missed crucial “events” in America that defined the future of America, and his remark that he was locked up during Woodstock, was an ignorant take on what this country was going through…people who wanted to end the stinking war and bring home people like McCain. He missed RFK’s assassination, and the assassination of MLK.
He doesn’t know what the so-called “left” is about. He is anti-peace and pro-war and pro-corporate and personal greed.
He’s an ignorant moron.
Face palm.
Doubts aren’t proof but spoken often enough assume a life of their own.
OT: Big Katrina story…how timely. To remind us of total govt failure and Zip from W. (PBS)
In fairness I am still pretty new. I was surprised to learn we had a common place of origin and a mutual acquaintance. Small world and all that.
Sorry to hear he misrepresented your comment. I imagine you called him on it at the time if you were aware of it.
Absolutely…and he could not shut up. He couldn’t even “act” like he was listening and answering.
Looks like I owe you a beverage of your choice since it looks like we got the same article (though it appears you have the direct source).
I got status? *puffing chest out* *g*
Philip Butler on military.com Why I will not vote for John McCain.
Must reading.
My 33 was a reply to cleanth @ 28. Don’t know what happened with the @1.
In case nobody’s mentioned before. Rita Houser–helluva spokesperson.
He got moderated it would appear.
Well, darkblack was just here – hey, darkblack, got this covered?
that for for ratfood at 38
hey db – long time no see
see ratfood’s 26
go
create
;~P
Thanks for the explanation.
Beer?
It’s all I got.
thank you for that Margot, had read it several months back before I began to doubt the story –
but look right here:
3) John was offered, and refused, “early release.” Many of us were given this offer. It meant speaking out against your country and lying about your treatment to the press. You had to “admit” that the U.S. was criminal and that our treatment was “lenient and humane.”
McLiar tells the story of Charlie offering it to him because he was an Admiral’s son (ooh and I see dakine has picked up on it as well :D)and never bothers with the ‘offers were made to others as well’ part
firedogs – have spent a lot of time researching this person and this embellish/lie to get ahead M.O. runs all through his life
and war-monger, hothead, loose cannon.
And did I mention he’s OLD?
IOKIYAPOW
I hope you do not think I was being disrespectful about his service – note the absence of snarky comments from me about his service, capture, or treatment.
just so happens had it been false it would fit perfectly within his behavioral norm like the damn cross in the dirt story
were your ears buzzin’ with all that Florida talk last thread ?
good to see ya !
New Lindsay
Andrew Sullivan has a good story on McCain today….basically saying that the things that were done to McCain isn’t torture, according to the Bush administration and McCains own votes. The post was “Does Bush believe McCain was tortured?”
You’re welcome, fellow Freddie Fender fan;)
I can’t remember which commenter posted that link but it was this afternoon I think.
Dakine owes me a Coke with lime.
What, and mess up his stylish mohawk?
;>)
The interesting thing is that he’s getting thumbs down from some that knew him and served with him…it’s not about his service, it’s about who he is. If he was so “swell” they’d all be behind him, but they aren’t.
I am getting slammed right now. The metal trim on my house just flew off and I have rain coming in my bedroom and about half an hour ago my son killed a SCORPIAN that I found crawling up my sliding doors. Other than that, things are well here.
His age doesn’t concern me, I’ve often gotten along better with old folks than my own contemporaries, although those groups are increasingly close to a state of convergence.
Overstating the obvious (to us), McCain is completely unfit to be president. The fact that it isn’t yet apparent to everybody is incredibly frustrating.
And wrinkly. h/t Paris Hilton.
I bow to the master.
Nice to see you bangin’ around
Things coming together for you?
Ewww….I find them here sometimes too…I catch them in a glass and throw them outside (shhhh…I figure if I let them go they won’t sting me…riiiight…) They are funny creatures and they run pretty slow.
I’ll take one!
(Damn – DrBong and all you got is beer???)
Hahahahaha…
Could you make one with a Cone on his head or with him in the cone of silence thingy…? Or, like someone said…a dunce hat.
We tried to catch it at first but as it was heading under my bed my son drew a line and hit it with a shovel.
McDunce
had no idea you were in the path.
hang on dahlin!
I get “comments closed” on the Biden thread.
‘Good times, bad times, you know I’ve had my share’, amigo.
At least my internet works, and there’s a chicken roasting in the oven.
;>)
hey there, everyone! out of the dentist’s chair and with you all!
how about our sister Rachel Maddow?
have you ever seen the MSNBC lads more giddy during Countdown? it’s as if they got the prom date they have always wanted.
lol….sorry…lol…I know the feeling! They play dead too.
As well there should be
Ahhhh… the good old days
Your woman didn’t leave home with a brown-eyed man, perchance?
;~P
If you refresh the comments should be open.
i caught two at my house last week. the first one lived under glass for a while before i realized i could do the catch and release thing in the greenbelt by my house.
Huff says she’s replacing Abrams immediately.
I’m hungry. I just stuffed some green peppers with sausage and cheese, and I’m gonna bake ‘em and eat them with grilled chicken.
Ah thot the jinx required a beverage.
Here… try somma this
Yeah, but her official start is September 8th.
Oops
‘ere!
And here I thot you were bogartin’… *g*
OMG. did you just invoke the image of RACHEL MADDOW in a.. TUX?
(thud, again)
Me?
Never.
Aks innywunz!
No, I didn’t think that. It wouldn’t surprise me for some of the virulent anti-McSFB sites to raise the same questions and try to turn them into truthiness, however.
Only took five months from Rachel’s first paid appearance on MSNBC until they announced they would give her a show. There is a record that still stands, of course: Keith Olbermann, 39 days.
That’s cuz they did…
In his post at Kos, KO said the start date is Sept 9.
Tomorrow is supposed to be the last day for the Abrams Show then it will be convention coverage for two weeks.
If she did, I don’t seem to care.
;>)
I’d best unleash the Photoshop, since there seems to be a duncecap in someone’s future.
in case none y’all heard this before – this anecdote was the Cracking the McCode moment for me -
McCain was released less than a month and was visited by some family friends, one of whom had been contracted by the Pentagon Papers Prosecution team – McCain offered to testify against Ellsberg and Russo. No, he didn’t have a material thing to offer and it was clear to the storyteller it was fairly naked opportunism
the idea that this young man who could still barely move was all about self aggrandizement was simply eye opening
Photoshop v999.darkblack?
gotcha . . .or Lima Charlie as our friend would say :D
you aren’t in the path of this mess as well are ya ?
Margot, thanks for that link.
Let us hope that Doctor Phillip Butlers words are widely read …
As a former POW, with McCain, whom he personally knows and has known since the early sixties, and as a much decorated combat vet, what he has to say needs to be heard by ALL who would ‘choose’ a President this November.
Perspective is NOT ‘nuance’, it is a basic necessity, required of all who would pretend to democracy.
Fits him good, for ‘off the rack’.
;>)
or off the rocker
Hey! C’mon!
Mc$ame still has both oars in the water.
They just happen to both be on the same side of the boat …
;~D
Actually there’s little, if any, difference.
I guess everyone has seen this website.
http://www.vietnamveteransagai…../index.htm
Another website to pass along to friends, just in case they might have missed it??
A POW acting less than honorably in all aspects of life, before, during and for decades after his imprisonment? Heavens. Who could imagine that life might be so complicated that a prison (or torture) experience might break down inhibitions or create a mental framework that allowed the survivor to rationalize anything to get what he wanted or needed or had to have? Like the Presidency.
Prisoner survival tales are abundant, whether about the Gulags or their czarist predecessors, German concentration camps, or Japanese internment camps. Soon, we will have them about Gitmo. Or, for those who prefer prisons of the mind, there’s always Conrad or Kafka. I suggest that St. John start with an easy one: James Clavell’s, King Rat; it’s available in a read aloud format for the busy or reading impaired. Or Solzhenitsyn’s, A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich; it’s a third as long.
The fantasy that good and evil are polar opposites rather than opposite strands of the DNA helix makes for satisfying drama, but not a realistic portrayal of what a prisoner of the mind or body endures. Not that anything Mr. Obama has done qualifies as attacking Mr. McSame’s POW experience. Attacking his limited skills as making him suitable to work in the Oval Office? That’s fair game and Obama’s not doing enough of it.