# Article claims McCain is infatuated with Palin - It would explain a lot **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 24, 2008, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372 "2008-10-24T16:10:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/1 "2008-10-24T16:10:12Z")
I’m not a Palin fan by any means, but there’s no denying that she’s an attractive woman to many men. She’s well put together with a nice shape, fearless, with a nuthless edge. Is McCain infatuated with her [as this article claims?](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/23/AR2008102302489.html?hpid=opinionsbox1) I think it’s quite possible. It would explain a lot. > [@](#): > > That men are at a disadvantage when attractive women are present is a fact upon which women have banked for centuries. Ignoring it now profits only fools. McCain spokesmen have said that he was attracted to Palin’s maverickness, that she reminded him of himself. > > Recognizing oneself in a member of the opposite sex (or the same sex, as the case may be) is a powerful invitation to bonding. Narcissus fell in love with his own image reflected in the river, imagining it to be his deceased and beloved sister’s. In McCain’s case, it doesn’t hurt that his reflection is spiked with feminine approval. > > As my husband observed early on, McCain the mortal couldn’t mind having an attractive woman all but singing arias to his greatness. Cameras frequently capture McCain beaming like a gold-starred schoolboy while Palin tells crowds that he is “exactly the kind of man I want as commander in chief.” This, notes Draper, “seemed to confer not only valor but virility on a 72-year-old politician who only weeks ago barely registered with the party faithful.” ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/2 "2008-10-24T16:26:33Z")
> [@](#): > > “seemed to confer not only valor but virility on a 72-year-old politician who only weeks ago barely registered with the party faithful.” Virility? That is close to the last thing I think about when I see McCain. Truly when I look at McCain I picture shuffleboard or Bacce Ball not virility. However, it’s no surprise that McCain would find Palin attractive, but I don’t know if it can get translated into his campaign. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/3 "2008-10-24T16:27:26Z")
Well, this throws into doubt everything I always believed about Narcissus. I thought it was himself he loved. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/4 "2008-10-24T16:49:59Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Well, this throws into doubt everything I always believed about Narcissus. I thought it was himself he loved. [Interesting. It’s a lot more involved than I had thought.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ameinias) ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/5 "2008-10-24T17:00:30Z")
I think that’s at least as likely as the theory that he picked her because she was shorter than he was. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/6 "2008-10-24T17:50:53Z")
I read the article. _That_ is the evidence that the author uses to conclude that McCain is infatuated with Palin? I could fill a thimble with that evidence and still have room left over for a fingertip. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/7 "2008-10-24T17:55:28Z")
I’ve always gotten the impression that she disgusts him. A few times, particularly early in the campaign, he would get this expression on his face at the mere mention of her name that I can only describe as terror and revulsion. He would try to veil it with a smile and enthusiastic pro-Palin talk, but I think he’s lying through his teeth. The fact that their campaigns and policy-positions have been so wildly divergent lately only further confirms my theory. They probably can’t stand each other. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/8 "2008-10-24T18:12:45Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I think that’s at least as likely as the theory that he picked her because she was shorter than he was. Which points to the fact that McCain is very much shorter than Obama. Now, since we all know that the taller candidate ALWAYS wins, this election is a foregone collusion and I don’t see what all the whining, arguing and knashing of teeth is all about. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/9 "2008-10-24T18:15:23Z")
So many threads to choose from, but I thought I’d post [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03fcGelz8Hw) here. It’s priceless. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/10 "2008-10-24T18:24:44Z")
I think she was primarily chosen to get Hillary voters. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/11 "2008-10-24T18:26:54Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > Which points to the fact that McCain is very much shorter than Obama. Now, since we all know that the taller candidate ALWAYS wins, this election is a foregone collusion and I don’t see what all the whining, arguing and knashing of teeth is all about. Not so much that the taller one always wins, but that it looks better on TV if the candidate is taller than the VP candidate. Gore was noticeably taller than Clinton, and they had to use some clever forced-perspective and camera placement to limit the impact of that. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/12 "2008-10-24T18:48:17Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > A few times, particularly early in the campaign, he would get this expression on his face . . . That could be gas. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/13 "2008-10-24T19:01:08Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > So many threads to choose from, but I thought I’d post [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03fcGelz8Hw) here. It’s priceless. Pro click. ---
**Author:** ![constantine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@constantine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constantine)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/14 "2008-10-24T19:14:03Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Not so much that the taller one always wins, but that it looks better on TV if the candidate is taller than the VP candidate. Gore was noticeably taller than Clinton, and they had to use some clever forced-perspective and camera placement to limit the impact of that. according to [Celebheights.com](http://Celebheights.com), Clinton is [Six Foot Two](http://www.celebheights.com/s/Bill-Clinton-1033.html) and Gore is [Six Foot One](http://www.celebheights.com/s/Al-Gore-2816.html). ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/15 "2008-10-24T19:16:39Z")
> [@constantine](#): > > according to [Celebheights.com](http://Celebheights.com), Clinton is [Six Foot Two](http://www.celebheights.com/s/Bill-Clinton-1033.html) and Gore is [Six Foot One](http://www.celebheights.com/s/Al-Gore-2816.html). … see? It’s working even better than they planned. Sorry, I got nuthin’. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/16 "2008-10-24T23:18:40Z")
Since we’re talking about height: Obama, at 6’1.5," is _6 1/2_ inches taller than McCain (5’7"). That’s the biggest disparity between candidates since at least 1896. Since the 1896 McKinley-Bryan election, the bigest height deficit any winner has overcome is the 4 inches Kerry had over Bush. So McCain would be bucking a trend as far as that goes. [Cite here.](http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/10/06/opinion/06opchart.html?scp=13&sq=obama%20mccain%20height&st=cse) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/17 "2008-10-24T23:19:48Z")
Oh right, the thread topic. I was so happy to have an excuse to bring up that height chart that I forgot to say that I think this thread showed up the same day as [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=489352). ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/18 "2008-10-24T23:58:08Z")
I guess I’m still the only one who thinks Cindy MCcain is hot as well. I think she would make an outstanding Dominatrix. Also I can picture Sarah and Cindy going at it. I need help, I know. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/19 "2008-10-25T05:53:09Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Not so much that the taller one always wins, but that it looks better on TV if the candidate is taller than the VP candidate. Gore was noticeably taller than Clinton, and they had to use some clever forced-perspective and camera placement to limit the impact of that. Really? I don’t thiink so. Clinton was approx 6.25 - 6.3 and Gore were pretty much the same or a bit shorter, ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372/20 "2008-10-25T14:51:36Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > Virility? That is close to the last thing I think about when I see McCain. Ah, so you admit that you DO think about it? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-claims-mccain-is-infatuated-with-palin-it-would-explain-a-lot/469372.md?page=2)