It seems that some pundits aren’t willing to discuss McCain’s disorientation and confusion on issues from the war to the economy for fear of being perceived as “ageist”. Ageism was a topic on Morning Joe yesterday and today. Nevermind that Democrats have consistently called George Bush confused on practically everything even though he’s ten years younger than McCain. All that matters is that McCain can’t be called confused because it might highlight the fact that he is a doddering old man who moves around with shuffling baby steps while he rails against the price of gas and coffee.
But he is in fact confused. About Sunni and Shi’a. About Al-Qaeda and Iran. About how many soldiers are in Iraq. About Christianity and the Constitution (also about the Constitution and guns). About how gas prices are determined. Even about his own positions. And we won’t even toss in his infamous hair-trigger temper.
For debate is whether we can entrust leadership of the world’s most powerful country to an angry old fool at a time when a grasp of diplomatic nuances is of critical importance? Do we need a leader who actually sings about bombing Iran? Is America going to be safer with such an unsteady hand at its helm?
I say no. If we were in a time of peace and prosperity in which we could all afford another clown in our highest office, it might be okay if for no other reason than to give the world an opportunity to have another four years of belly laughs at our expense. But this is not the time. This is the time for measured judgment, for a person with an even temperament and a handle on the fundamental issues facing our country.
No, we shouldn’t. As for “ageism”; it’s not “ageism” when you are talking about real problems that happen to be due to age. That’s like yelling “racism” when someone recommends stronger sunscreen for the pale skinned.
Everyone misspeaks from time to time. ISTM that McCain misspeaks fairly frequently. The question is whether there is a pattern that indicates he’s actually ‘confused and disoriented’, or whether his misstatements fall within the normal range for people who are not mentally failing.
Apparently, you’re the one confused. You even quoted Obama saying that it was a projected surplus, and in fact it was projected by the Congressional Budget Office in its 2001 report.
“Here’s our budget and economic outlook that we just issued this past January 31 that projects that the surpluses for the next ten years will be $5.6 trillion.”
Barry Anderson, then CBO Deputy Director, March 2, 2001Next?
Now does this reflect upon his fitness in any way? Probably not - and it probably doesn’t even if he does this more than once. And Obama has made some other gaffes.
I don’t know why it should automatically for McCain either.
If you think the man isn’t your guy, then you can find lots of reasons to explain this besides these kinds of things.
Then in response to the OP, Mr. Moto, are you saying that we can entrust leadership of the world’s most powerful country to an angry old fool at this time? And are you also comparing the alleged gaffes of Obama to the fundamental confusion from McCain that requires people standing beside him to yell corrections into his ear?
I’m saying you have plenty of reasons to vote against McCain without implying that he is senile. Frankly, I think this is a dishonest argument coming from you at this particular point.
And let’s be clear about something else - I have in the past criticized McCain for lots of things - for everything from his asinine approach to CFR that disregarded legitimate First Amendment principles, to that temper that you referenced. He was pretty far down on my list for Republican nominees, and I’ve referred to that as well.
Nothing I have seen tells me the man is senile or close to it - and if we were to include misspeaking in public as an indication of Alzheimer’s, then we really ought to convert Capitol Hill into assisted living right now.
Just about all of those men and women flub their lines - they do it a lot, and we notice it more now that everything ends up on video cameras, YouTube and blogs. It is indicative of nothing regarding their mental state.
George Allen might be a jerk and certainly lost his shot at a political future, but is he senile or impaired in any way? Or did he just make a remark he shouldn’t have? How about Obama in that clip I linked - spacing out is just about the best description of what happened. Means nothing.
I have my problems with McCain too, but the man isn’t an idiot, and he isn’t senile.
If he’s running for President, supports attacking Middle East countries on specious pretexts, sings little songs about bombing others while not knowing the difference between Sunni and Shia then he’s either stupid or senile.
I don’t see this as an age issue. I think it’s an indication that McCain has the common belief that as long as he follows his principles the actual facts are trivial. It’s a good thing to have principles and to follow them. But you always have to make sure you’re keeping an eye on the real world in order to make sure abstract principles aren’t leading you astray.
In my OP, I specifically objected to the notion that McCain’s confusion is caused by age and pointed out that Bush, a much younger man, is equally confused. If at some point you wish to read the OP and respond to it, please do. Like John Mace, I am open to arguments from the other side and am eager to hear them. Once again, in case you missed it in this post, I’m talking about McCain’s mental fitness regardless of his age.
Didn’t McCain actually go on the floor of the senate and argue against a bill he was actually co-sponsoring? My quick Google fails me for a cite but almost sure I saw this referenced somewhere. If so that seems more than your average stumble of the mouth (which as noted everyone does from time-to-time).
FYI, Liberal, there was already a thread of this subject that got moved to the pit. You might as well contribute there.
And in case anybody else is wondering, the gist of it is this: For Obama supporters, any position McCain might hold can be called ‘confusion’, ‘gaff’, ‘incompetent’, ‘out of touch’, etc.
What does that have to do with McCain. Why don’t you demonstrate that he is a fool first? Old is irrelevant unless your ageist. And angry isn’t a trait solely belonged to McCain. Do you want a president who never gets angry? No passion? Doesn’t care?
I would rather have a leader that hates Iran than a leader that hates America. (dons flame suit)
Again, this is irrelevant until you can show that McCain has an unsteady hand. (I’m picturing the gun slinger in Blazing Saddles.
I wish he’d at least learn the difference between Sunni and Shia. That wasn’t a misspeak, it’s been a repeated mistake. He does not have a grasp of who the factions are in Iraq. I do not want another President who knows less about Iraq than I do sitting in the White House.
