I hadn't seen an interview with John McCain in quite some time before this. Actually, the last time I remember hearing him speak in more that a quick sound bite was at my college commencement ceremony. I didn't like him then, and I don't like him now, but I still assumed he would be properly prepared for his presidential campaign. I guess not. Is this guy serious? How is he ever going to make it through the debates (or any actual media attention) with answers like the ones he gave to Letterman?
Did he really say the economy is fine because everyone can just sell stuff on ebay?
Did he really say that people who are struggling to pay their mortgage will just have to dip into their savings?
Did he say that the war in Iraq is to protect Israel from Iran?
Saturday, April 05, 2008
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I assume you watch Countdown, so you might well have heard Rachael Maddow talking about this last night, but for some reason, in spite of 81% of Americans thinking we're on the wrong path, McCain is still polling at around 46% vs Obama or Clinton (both around 49%). For some reason people have this positive image of McCain and don't seem to actually know anything about him (other than "he's a maverick and a moderate", although a maverick moderate with something like an 82% American Conservatives Union score) or have the slightest clue how *terrible* his policy positions are, if he even has any on a particular topic. (c.f. when asked about birth control policy a few months ago he said something like "I don't know. I guess I agree with the president.")
Ok, I was going to write a whole long comment but then Andrew had to go and beat me to it. Curses!
But yeah, every time I hear him lately, he sounds like a confused, half-senile, cranky old man. The debates are going to be PAINFUL.
Andrew, I actually saw a different clip of his Letterman appearance that day on Countdown. I missed Maddow's comments though because I immediately went to my computer to see the rest of his appearance. Did you see him during his other segment? He would tell a joke, turn to the audience and grin like an idiot, turn back and tell another joke. This went on for five or so jokes. He's a train wreck...
No, I didn't see his whole segment; just the bit they showed on Countdown. He's pretty damn bad though. He doesn't seem to realize how far off his positions are from the majority of Americans. I have my fingers crossed that when he has to compete on substance people will realize how off base he is and only the dead-enders will vote for him. I'd love to see an electoral map like 1984's, but with only one state voting Republican.
As for his terrible delivery, I'm actually not surprised. Unlike Reagan, he's not an actor. And I've never gotten the impression that's naturally funny. (In fact, I've heard he's naturally angry.)
This all assumes that the majority of the electorate actually watches the debates or puts forth the effort to learn his positions. This is the same electorate where at least 1 in 3 people still think the Iraq "war" is a good idea. This is the same electorate that thinks Obama is a muslim terrorist. This is the same electorate that re-elected Bush in 2004. I'm hopeful, but not too hopeful.
Well, 1/3 is down from 2/3 on the war. And Bush is down to sub 30%. The Republican brand is kind of in the toilet. Party identification for Dems is higher than Repubs for the first time in quite a while. There's been record turnout for the Democratic primaries. If that translates into more D leaning people coming out for the general, it'll help substantially.
I could just be a masochist who enjoys being burned every four Novembers though.
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