McCain: I 'Didn't Love America' Until Held Prisoner (VIDEO)

Republicans have hammered Michelle Obama for her remarks in February that she was proud of America "for the first time in my adult life." Tonight, however, Dan Abrams showed footage he uncovered of a Fox News interview with John McCain on March 13, 2008, in which McCain said, "I didn't really love America until I was deprived of her company."

Abrams thinks McCain's comments could undermine the "right wing's steady attacks against Michelle Obama."

[WATCH]

Comments

[gbht12]

Arrogance is BLISS....

I hope this shuts the right wing neo-con's up about Michelle Obama. What a hyprocrite.

24/7 coverage is not going to be pretty for McSane.

[hip dibler]

this is a dumb issue.

i'm not feelin a whole lot of love for the usa today either. fisa bill anyone?

with friends like the democrats, who needs a proctologist?

[Bobzmcishl]

Although I have no beef with McCain's comments, I find them strange since he comes from a family with a long tradition of military service. Normally that would mean a high degree of patriotism and love of country. We know what he meant though just as we really know what Michelle Obama meant, which is why "gotcha politics" is so reprehensible. On MSNBC last night, one commentator finally had enough of a Republican still trying to spin Michelle Obama's comments, and basically called the guy a rascist. For some reason the Republican's seem to have a large number of particularly obnoxious, mean people working for them.

[CeeCee34]

If John McCain were a democrat, the republicans would be raving:

"John McCain hated his country until he was 35 years old! For 35 years, he could find nothing to love about America!!! He flew fighter jets for thrills, not for patriotism. He was a reckless risk-taker who crashed more than he contributed. After all, he hated his country, so what did he care ."

[dezzertguy]

What a stretch. I just lost all respect for Dan Abrams. How many times have we said we do not know what we have until we lose it. Saying he did not love his country until he was unable to return is nothing like Mrs. Obama snide remark. He was in service to his country and taken prisoner by an enemy of his country. He felt the loss of his freedom and his inability to come home. Her remarks were selfish in that until her husband and she were able to lead the country, she was not proud of the country. These are such different situations. Nothing in common.

[LinusBern]

Intentional ignorance is so sad.

Are you so uninformed about the history of black people in your country that you can't imagine any reason that a black woman would be less than 100% proud of America? I guess the reason that there have been no black presidential candidates before this is that there just wasn't one who was qualified before.

[ladyfractal]

You know, this sickens me (and I excoriate both parties on this matter). To the Republicans, how *dare* you accuse someone who differs with you of not loving their country. Yours is not the only way to love one's nation. You do do not have a lock on patriotism. I am a Democrat ,a liberal and a veteran and I will not have my patriotism questioned. What's more, I am the daughter of a man who is a WWII vet, awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star who loved his country even when his country had nothing but contempt for him (we are black, my father didn't vote for President until 23 years *after* WWII ended).

To the Democrats, stop being such cowards! The next time some GOP tool jumps up and accuses you of not loving your country because you're a Democrat, tell that person you will not dignify their comments. Get *angry* because they ARE out of line. For too long we've sat silently or shuffled our feet when Republicans accuse of us not loving our country. And why do they make that accusation? What is the sign that we don't love our country? Questioning (Republican) administrations and pushing America to live up to its ideals.

I love America. I love her enough that I want her to live up to what we say she is. THAT is patriotism.

Cheers
LF

[macintoshsauce]

"I love America. I love her enough that I want her to live up to what we say she is. THAT is patriotism­."

I could not have said it better. :)

[MaybeMilo]

Great post!

[Fremon]

Ditto! We demos need some backbone.

[demfriend]

No the attacks on Michelle will not stop as shown on Dan Abrams show last night. There are way too many ignorant people as were shown by example on the same show, that will beat the words too death no matter how out of context they make the words to be. Dan showed Laura Bush supporting Michelle and the guys still went ugly all oer Michelle. These same guys then said it was McCain's words that were taken out of context? If you watch the video and hear Mac say the words as he meant them the out of context is a joke. The guys on the show represent the people who will not see past the color to who the person is not matter what. Cindy going out and tossing the words around just makes her fair game for those of us who will call her what she is, a status hungry former (?) addict who will stay will a very verbally abusive man just for the opportunity to be the first lady. She has no problem living with a man who will not be faithful to her.

[GiveUsFree]

Wow, I'm really interested in the fact he said, "I was born into America's service. I really didn't love America until I was deprived of her company." What does he mean by that? Does he mean that he wouldn't have chosen to serve if his father or his grandfather hadn't served? Basically, he was born into service and had no choice. Is this why he graduated almost last in his Naval Academy class? He often rebelled against authority. This guy is a phony. He admitted to not loving his country. Basically, my daddy made me do it. I'm an African American, I was in ROTC in High school and I served in the US Army. I have always loved America, even when I was in Germany, Alaska, South Korea, Bahrain, Riyadh. Even when I was discriminated against by the very Army, I served in., even when some of my fellow soldiers placed nooses in my vehicle, I never questioned my America. I always knew that I was lucky to be born in the greatest country in the world. It didn't take Vietnam and being a POW for me to realize I loved America. It didn't take South Korea, however sucky it was to reveal my love for this country that I defended with honor. Did he hate America before? WTF? This guy is a phony. John McCain is a phony!

[macintoshsauce]

What a traitor IMO...

I have loved America since I first visited her as a child. Originally, I come from Canada, and I am now (since 2003) a US Permanent Resident. I still love America because she is a beautiful country. Most of the people are nice as well. ;)

Soon I am filing for my US Citizenship and I will still love America. I love American history so much, I decided to become a secondary Social Science teacher so I can teach US History, etc.

I love America! :)

[joselopez]

Would it hurt too much for these Cable News networks to play her entire quote (an extra three four seconds). Because if they do, any American that has a half a brain and is not an idealogue will plainly see she was referrencing how she felt about the campaign and the success of their campaign.

[TootsieII]

Don't forget to include the African American's participation in the history of the United States that you want to teach. One of the biggest problems in this country is the absence of the role that African Americans played in making this country what it is today. I am a 67 year old African American great grandmother and I am learning more today about AA history (or should I say United States history that includes people of color) than I did in all of my years of education in this country. And be sure and let them know about the Reconstruction era and how African Americans were once able to vote and had all that taken away from them for many many years. That is why I can relate to Michelle Obama's statement about being REALLY proud of her country to know that people would come about and support her husband.

[christieZ]

Don't forget to include the history of Native Americans, Asian Americans and Latino Americans in that history, either. The US history curriculum in this country is a complete joke. There is so much left out, so much left unsaid, no much that is purposefully ignored. I didn't learn ANYTHING worthwhile in high school history class. Sadly, I only learned about the true history of America when I got to college and then graduate school. Our school system needs a major re-working. If we were a better educated society, none of these scumbag right-wingers would last a day on the air.

[qdog112]

OT - Wexler just called for IMPEACHMENT. CSAPN3

[rh654]

1) No - nothing will end the Right Wing attacks on the Obama's.

2) The Obama Campaign and the 527's need to fight fire with fire - and make an ad ASAP and get this Video of John McCain on the TV, on the Web, in Emails, get the audio the Radio, get it reprinted on billboards, newspapers and everywhere else it can be plastered and posted.

I am concerned that Obama doesn't truly understand yet that this is a fight - not an intellectual discussion of the issues and topics.

Sure it would be great if we could have this type of election but it ain't here yet.

In a fight you do whatever it takes to win - period.

[christieZ]

But that runs counter to Obama's message of change and an intellectualized discourse. Even though half of this country seems to be incapable of such a discussion, the other 51% or so seems willing and capable. If we resort to their tactics, we will turn people off. There are independents out there who still don't seem to know who they are voting for and we want to appeal to their better natures. Obama should could come out with another one of those eloquent, well-written and effective speeches, this time on the topic of patriotism.

[AbrakadaBarak]

Gotcha! What goes around, comes around. Is the smear, closed now? I hope so.
But let me have the last word: "For the first time in my adult life, I'm proud to be an American, I didn't love America until I was held captive in Vietnam", period

[papla]

i knew it..this man is really crabby

[RaraAvis17]

For the first time in my adult life I'm proud of Dan Abrams for giving Lars Larsen so much crap!! I loved it and seeing him sit there with that goofy look on his face when he was called on the carpet for being a total ass was priceless. I hate that Lars is even in my state.

I wonder if Lars would like it if people told him to go back to where he was born (Taipei, Taiwan).

[DFL]

TO THE RIGHT-WING MEATHEADS: YOU ARE NOW GETTING A TASTE OF YOUR OWN MEDICINE.