Birth Control, Viagra Question Makes McCain Squirm (VIDEO)

McCain's Straight Talk Express hit an uncomfortable road block yesterday, the Wall Street Journal reports:

While John McCain often embodies an anything-goes attitude when talking to reporters, it doesn't mean some subjects can't make him sweat--say, birth control.

A female Los Angeles Times reporter inquired today about comments made earlier this week by McCain campaign adviser Carly Fiorina, the former head of Hewlett Packard.

At a breakfast with reporters, Fiorina suggested that individuals-and women in particular-be given more flexibility to determine what their health insurance plans should cover. "There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won't cover birth-control medication. Those women would like a choice," she observed.

When McCain was asked for his position on the issue, he said--with a nervous laugh-"I certainly do not want to discuss that issue."

The reporter pressed. "But apparently you've voted against--"

"I don't know what I voted," McCain said.

The reporter explained that McCain voted against a bill in 2003 that would have required health insurance companies to cover prescription birth control. "Is that still your position?" she persisted.

During the awkward exchange, with several lengthy pauses, McCain said he had no immediate knowledge of the vote. "I've cast thousands of votes in the Senate," McCain said, then continued: "I will respond to--it's a, it's a..."

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"Delicate issue," the reporter offered, to a relieved laugh from McCain.

"I don't usually duck an issue, but I'm--I'll try to get back to you," he explained.

[WATCH]

If McCain's still having memory problems, NARAL Pro-Choice American can tell him that he actually voted against birth control coverage twice.

Comments

[WFV]

L O S E R.

Why are we even having an election?



Go O.

[zull2]

"I don't know what I voted."

He misses more votes than...wel­l, everyone in the Senate who isn't in a coma or dead.

What is it about McCain that apparently qualifies him to be President? As a politician, he's a career failure who managed to stay alive by turning to his one and only redeeming characteristic:

"I was a prisoner of war in Vietnam".

That's all? Is that all that qualifies this guy to be President? That he got caught? I mean, it's very sad and difficult when one of our soldiers gets caught and tortured..­.but how does this equate to running the free world? Especially if you've been tortured, then years later for purely political reasons, come out in favor of torture? It's like the one thing he could have learned that could have made him slightly redeemable as a President apparently wasn't as important as sucking up to George W. Bush, the most unpopular US president in modern history.

[ProgressiveThought]

Old Sidney has lost his bearings again. God help us all if this dumb old coot inhabits the oval office.

[NoahVail]

You cannot really expect a guy his age to remember very much, can you?

[Texocratic]

What does this have to do with abortion??

[NoahVail]

It has to do with his discomfort level with abortion.

[Dave01]

But the article in its entirety doesn't even mention abortion. It simply discusses prescription birth control. Yet he still doesn't know how he voted. hmmmmmmmmmmm dementia? Alzheimers?

[TXOBAMAGIRL73]

Why is he uncomfortable ...He's running for President not Prom King

[DRaymond]

In the broad sense it has to do with allowing women to control their reproduction. But more narrowly every single significant anti-abortion group is also anti-birth control. To say that he is in favor of birth control would irritate his new anti-abortion friends.

[Daly]

actually nothing to do with abortion Cannie has also voted against a women's right to receive any form of birth control

John McCain has, in fact, voted at least 22 times against women's access to family-planning services, including birth control.

http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/election-pr/06062008_mccainbc.html

[TroubleNYC]

Wow! A reporter pressing McCain on an issue important to female voters?? Someone give this woman a Pulitzer!

And what kind of response was that? "I certainly do not want to discuss that issue." Who else can get away with that?

[mcole]

well, i dont want to give the reporter too much credit because she helped him out (delicate matter) and then she and her colleague let him cop out of answering.­"can i ask you about russia" my behind!

[TheRebel82]

He says "I dont know what I voted".

SENIOR MOMENT! This man's candidacy is a complete joke.

[NoahVail]

"You kids stay off my yard! This is the last time I'm gonna tell you!"

[brijit]

Old Man Yells At Cloud

[Crake]

Well PUMA, you've made your irrational, hypocritical bed not sleep in it you hateful racists.
There is not one single reason why a woman would vote for McCain. He's AGAINST equal pay for men and women for Christs sake!

[Daly]

ALSO

Cain has, in fact, voted at least 22 times against women's access to family-planning services, including birth control.

[Daly]

Sidney explained his opposition to the bill by saying that instead of equal pay protection, women simply needed “education and training.“

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/07/mccain-equal-pay-girl/

[jerryfromcalifornia]

HE SQUIRMS A LOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[plainsman]

It's just the Depends. Sorry, I shouldn't have.