McCain Pressed On Past Marital Infidelities During Town Hall (VIDEO)

During a town hall meeting on Monday, Sen. John McCain was asked, very subtlety, to address how his own marital infidelities - a taboo subject of sorts on the campaign trail - comport with his pledge to protecting the sanctity of marriage by opposing such unions among same-sex couples.

The Senator avoided the question, not, it seemed, out of political deftness, but simply because the topic was not directly put forward. But it will be curious to see whether this chapter in McCain's background does in fact become a topic of discussion.

Upon returning from Vietnam, McCain received news that his wife had been in a terrible car accident, which, in subsequent surgery, had led to the loss of inches in height and crippling injuries. The marriage gradually fell apart. After a bit of philandering, he met his second and current wife, Cindy. As the New York Times reported,

As John McCain puzzled over his career, he also found himself sorting out his marriage.

In the Navy, many considered it appropriate for a swashbuckling pilot to pick up a girlfriend here or there, and stories began to spread about Mr. McCain and young women. But Mr. McCain was discreet in his indiscretions: he did not carouse with young women on Capitol Hill or take dates to the Monocle, a bar near the Senate that he often went to, and he did not drink himself silly.

''Some people in politics need a drink to loosen up,'' said Mr. Hart, noting that he had never seen Mr. McCain even close to drunk. ''John's loose all the time. He never needed it.''

Mr. McCain has acknowledged running around with women and accepted responsibility for the breakup of the marriage, without going into details. But his supporters and his biographer, Robert Timberg, all suggest that the marriage had already effectively ended and that the couple had separated by the time he met Cindy, his present wife.

During his stop in Nashville on Wednesday, McCain was asked if he was "going to talk about" his "own situation," in the context of how infidelity is as serious a threat to the sanctity of marriage as is gay unions.

"There is nothing," the questioner asked, "you see long-term couples splitting up, it's, it's just crazy...I know that you, your own situation, you're going to have to address that in the campaign. Infidelity is just a terrible cancer on this country....and I think if we're going to talk about...gay marriage, it has to be in the context of the preservation of marriage."

McCain drifted around the personal implication by reiterating his opposition to the marriage of same-sex couples. "I just believe in the sanctity and the unique status of marriage between a man and a woman.," he said to cheers in the crowd.

Comments

[janex]

McCain's personal conduct becomes and issue because he is saying he is the person to keep marriage safe from the likes of Ellen Degeneres and Portia deRossi so that the sanctity of the institution is preserved for the Newt Gingriches, Rudy Giulianis, Rush Limbaughs, and Pamela Lee Andersons of the world. Gosh, imagine how terrible it would have been if Pamela's marriage to Kid Rock had been marred by gay people.

Obviously if we want marriage to be so sacred, we're going to have to bar a lot of heterosexuals from getting married as well.

[shawnaNaustin]

I am an O b ama supporter and I don't agree with this kind of personal digging into a person's life. It does become an issue, however, if McCain starts touting himself as the "family values" candidate. And it may give pause to the older, bitter women who are threatening to vote McCain since Hillary lost. Someone who leaves a long-suffering, handicapped wife for a MUCH younger, pretty, rich girl isn't exactly the pillar of feminist causes. I guess it becomes an issue to the extent that Republicans make O b am a' s personal life and associations an issue.

[Fotios]

You are right, and I'm just as guilty as anyone about looking for these "skeletons in the closet." I do this in order to have ammunition for when the GOP, the news or McCain sling mud. I almost feel forced into their game. I have a whole list of great McCain dirt. Worse than anything they have on Obama, but some of it is shaky (but still dirt that the GOP wouldn't hesitate to use against a Dem).

I used to wish that Obama attacked back when people tossed around his negative associations. Clinton and McCain have been in politics, law and the military long enough to have acted "friendly" with more than a fair share of corrupt, radical, extremist politicians, activists, fundraisers, businessmen and lobbiests.

But this is why I admire Obama. He seems to be able to ignore the personal attacks and focus on the issues (http://www.barackobama.com/issues), his message and his goals. He works very hard to not play their game, but sometimes it is necessary to point out the blatent hypocracy or lack of valid logic in some attacks.

In case you missed it, Barack has spread his pledge to ban lobbyist and PAC contributions to the entire DNC. Question the man's associations and experience or not, this is why I fully support him. Corporate money has controled our politicans since I was born and I will use every bit of support I can muster to ensure we TAKE OUR GOVERNMENT BACK!

[helonias]

But what abouts gods rules?

[gbht12]

He didn't even address the question. He talked about CLINTON.

What about you MCBUSH???? You are the biggest hyprocrite EVER.

How much younger is CINDY? Over 20+ years.

[Fotios]

Like cheating on his crippled wife doesn't damage to the sanctity of marriage?

Adultery is on the 10 commandments, being gay isn't.

[JJeff88]

The only reason marital infidelity should be considered fair game should be as an indicator of how that person would govern - i.e. it would be fair to ask whether someone like that would more readily betray his core principles or close friends or political allies.

Otherwise all it does is add to the one-dimensional phony characteur of the candidate or become a distraction - a political sideshow.

Ironically, this principle should also apply to more positive things as well. What Sen. McCain's 5 years experience as a prisoner in the Hanoi Hilton suggests he'd bring tenacity and love of country to the White House. (Important traits to consider - but not an end all). It doesn't mean McCain is any kind of military strategy genius or, for that matter totally up to speed on assymetric modern warfare.

That's the problem with "gotcha" or E-Channel politics - it's likely to divert our attention from the things that really matter.

[demigod]

NO NO NO - it's the Republicans who make personal ethics and private lives such a big deal, they are the Puritan Party with all the preachers front and center telling everyone what God wants and how they must live their lives - then they run off and do whatever the heck they want to ? I don't think so.

[JerryTheAngel]

I have an idea. Allow gay marriage on a 10 year trial basis. If same sex couples stay together at a higher rate then heterosexual couples, then go ahead and make it legal. If gay couples stay together at a much higher rate then heterosexual couples, pass another law. The law would require heterosexual couples to receive counseling from gay couples who have had a successful marriage before they could get divorced.

Problem solved.

[Benthead]

I love the counseling idea.

[DanoS]

McCain should replace the awful green monster billboard with a yellow one to symbolize the two tennis balls of front legs of his walker.

[pupbayer]

I have an idea, too. How about everyone be treated equally because they are Americans and this is the United States of America? I know it sounds insane but, hey, let's give it a try!

[Redrover666]

I agree. I never really have gotten a straight answer from my fellow conservatives, that are against gay marriage, as to why they insist on denying what logically is simply a basic human right. When I have asked several of my friends and a couple family members "why are you against gay marriage?", I always get a half mumbled thing about sanctity and all that. It's kind of funny and an uncomfortable moment all at the same time.

[Pdubya]

how about we get the federal government the fuck out of a religious doctrine?...and anything tied to it (healthcare, benefits, property rights, etc). we're all individuals and have the same rights. those rights do not include healthcare, insurances, etc. the tax code and other federally imposed entitlments shouldn't even entire into the "marriage" debate.

it's all for everyone or none for all. i'm for the latter.

[exPatPatti]

A wise sheep farmer said to me during the Clinton impeachment something I will never forget: "A marriage contract is the most important contract you will ever make in your life. If you can break that contract made with your heart, how can you be trusted to honor any contract made with your brain?"

[nanoscare]

Because matters of the heart are different from the affairs of the brain. We are complex creatures. Not sheep.

[Redrover666]

Well said.

[jawobama]

"Let he who has no sin cast the first stone"

We live in a world where marital infidelity is now the norm and not the exception.I was not concern when I
found out about Bill's infidelities and quite frankly I could care less about McCain's.
We have so many problems in our country, foreclosures, Iraq, inflation, education, corruption in an elected government, national debt, global warming, fuel prices, nuclear proliferation that I would forgive him ( McCain) if we had to overlook his infidelity in a trade off for him solving 2 or more of our real issues.
What really concerns me is that McCain is basically going to continue the same policies that has been partially responsible for the mess that we are now in.
We need a major shift in Washington and McCain can't deliver on that.

[rmreddicks]

Agreed, but. Seems odd that folks like McCain and Gingrich opt out of marriages that have become somehow or somewhat inconvenient for them (I can understand - if not condone - a little fooling around but fooling around on a spouse who can't fool around too seems a touch callous, eh?). That might go to the character test. Ready from day one to ditch you when you don't fit my idea of what marriage should be like. McCain may well divorce us all should we ever elect him.

[Nonamnesiac]

Ken Starr has empaneled a grand jury to investigate McCain.

[deb233]

huff post did a nice job covering the conviction of Rezko - stealing from the government and not helping the poor - here we go

[Mithrall]

And once again, was Obama indicted or have even the slightest implication in what Rezko was tried and/or convicted on? No? Move along let the adults talk now.

[kappock750]

This is an appropiate question, not just in the context of his moral and ethical position on same sex marriage; but in relation to how he's been able to justify having a long term relationship (12 years) with the friend of the woman the New York Times revealed in their article 3 months ago - who also happens to be a lobbyist living in Texas - while being married to Cindy. This is a question of judgement not morality. Who cares who anyone sleeps with - but when it's a long term relationship with a women who has business with the Senate - then it becomes an ethical question and a reason for us to doubt his ability to discern between right and wrong.

[abby4ever]

I don't agree, I think it was a stretch to ask the question in the context of McCain opposing same-sex marriages. The one really has little to do with the other. I agree with jawo, that there are far more important issues. Naturally, you don't want someone in office who is so promiscuous that it interferes with his duties. Don't get me wrong, I'm against infidelity. But these kinds of questions are often asked just to embarrass someone.

[SSF]

Your poor wife stays loyal to you while you're locked up in the Hanoi Hilton, ends up in a car wreck and winds up disfigured and crippled. You get released, come back to the States, take one look at her and start screwing around. You eventually meet one woman who is 21 years younger and 100 million dollars richer than Disabled Wife # 1! You divorce the injured wife, hook up with Cindy (Malibu Barbie) McCain and the rest is sordid history! Good Luck explaining this family history come November!

[afgail]

As a catholic McCain did more than just blow off his wife he blew off his faith as well. So much for the sanctity of marriage and the sacredness of religious conviction. The guy doesn't know the meaning of the fidelity. But then he is a lifelong Republican and lying is the Republicans only true article of faith.

[dagnew]

His bio says he's Episcopalian, but other than that your post is right on.

[Poststep]

The sanctity of marriage between man and woman and next woman and next woman and next woman and...

[Josefina]

Not so evangelical!!! How about McCains crippled wife swapped for billionairess Cindy, 25 years his junior. Hypocrite.

[nonofyabusiness]

Lol, In touch....with an Out of Touch audiance!