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..."

Story continues below

"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

[thepeoplechoose]

It's hard not to miss the gender bias in the coverages of health care regarding the two products.

That McCain didn't immediately recognize this and respond accordingly tells us a lot.

He knew he was standing at the edge of a cliff. Overcome with fear, he froze and didn't know what to do. Not very good reaction time for a naval aviator.

[Liberal2]

Unfortunately, Liebermann wasn't standing next to him to give him the approved reichwing answer.

[XME]

Not a very good reaction at all...for a president!

[ajeanne]

He can't remember how he voted - that is the real story.

[gwhizz]

He knows his viagra prescription is covered.

[Temsi]

Right.
It goes to show that a typical politician will vote against his conscience if it benefits his political ambitions.
An honest representative will vote his conviction and conscience every time.

I think it's time we start electing honest politicians.

[CindyM2008]

Straight Talk Express sorta derailed there...

[pithy]

He voted on the matter, yet doesn't know enough about the issue to have an opinion?

The headline MSNBC had under the clip was funny ' "McCain answers a HARD question..." except, of course, he didn't answer it.

[imalonghorn]

Maverick my butt....this is another example of a sexist John McCain. Conservatives can't have it both ways. They are anti-choice and anti birth control. McCain has already voted against a bill that would require insurance companies to cover birth control. I hope all women are watching.

[TheBlackCat]

The Republican stance confuses me. They care about unborn babies, but then don't want life saving free health insurance for those impoverished children when they are born. They want to prevent abortion, but fight against sex ed and birth control. I am against abortion, but I also believe that it is just plain common sense that widely accessable birth control is absolutely paramount in the prevention of unwanted pregancy and abortion. I support sex ed and free health insurance for poor children. I am against abortion, but also against the death penalty and against the war. I guess I would categorize myself as a pacifist. I know that many do not agree with my anti-abortion stance, but I at least feel that this position is consistant with my other ideologies. I don't know how ANYONE can be against abortion and pro war, and yet so many Republicans are just that.

[Liberal2]

Umm, one point. Being against THE war is not equivalent to being against WAR.

However, being against all war is moronic. 12/7/41! Cuz if you're REALLY a pacifist...kin I help myself to, ohhh, I don't know...your bank account?

Maybe you just need help with the concept of "context."

Oh, and look up "anacephalic".

[MACS]

.
Obviously McFourthChoice like many neocon fundamentalist evangelicals is PRO FETUS and not pro choice. They could care less for the welfare of a child once the birth has been completed.
a

[RaraAvis17]

Why would you want to know something you care nothing about? That man says, 'I'll have to get back to you,' more than anyone I know. Either he doesn't know, doesn't remember, or doesn't care enough to know or remember.

[Tulka2]

Sisters take note. Presented with this question, why would anyone hesitate for a moment?
Of course it is crazy Viagra is covered by insurence programs and birth control is not. It's even crazy from an economic pov for the insurence program. McCain is pathetic. It doesn't make me happy to say so either. Someone take the poor man's hand and lead him off the stage. This is sad. They only reason McCain remains in the running is because the media has a conflict of interest. The media wants that 90 plus million McCain has in his war chest. If the truth is told, the capaign is over and the GOP does not spend money on advertising. So poor John McCain is trotted out like an old war horse to march in a parade he hardly understands.

[Philippa]

I guess, Viagra is covered because it promotes life and birth control doesn't. lol...

[theMightyT]

i almost missed the lol on the end of that... i picked my jaw up off the floor and read it again. Now i'm laughing WITH you... I am going to steal that line!!

[poco767b]

Where is Joe Lieberman when he needed him?

[zookeeper]

Old Joey was out stocking up on viagra for him, And some memoriargra for old Johnnie boy.

[LAR1969]

I'm sure if he could just figure out how to use a cell phone, he'd be buzzing Lieberman frequentl.y.

[MikePS65]

To me, this is another example of McCain being unwilling to answer a question because he hasn't yet been told how to answer it. The hemming and hawing seems to demonstrate that he has no feelings on the subject, and that his votes are cast either randomly, or are driven by a fleeting momentary opinion that lasts as long as it takes to say yea or nay, pack up his briefcase and shuffle on home.

How about, Senator, answering why you voted the way you voted? Is that too much to ask? Is it too much to ask for you to come firmly down on an issue, instead of holding your finger in the air to determine which way the wind is blowing in the room before you open your mouth?

What people seem to be regarding as a kind of folksy charm in McCain comes across to me as confusion and awkwardness. I'd sooner vote for Floyd the Barber.

[zonafan51]

I'd vote for Deputy Barney Fife before I'd vote for McCain.

The man is beyond pathetic . . . he is a dinosaur who needs to be put out to pasture!! Straight Talk Express my butt . . . Total Bullsh-t Express is more like it!! If he can't handle answering a question about birth control how is he ever going to handle the REALLY tough questions?? Of course . . . even if he does answer them . . . his answer will change from day to day!!

Go back to Arizona . . . they may want you . . . we don't!!

Obama '08

[BhunduBoy]

McCain was not thinking how to say what he honestly believes. He was trying to remember what the polls said to give an answer, but didn't remember the results of the polls on that particular issue. So he preferred to give a more "informed answer" later on after consulting the polls.

[Richard Luckette]

McCain is turning out to be a terrible candidate for the Republicans. He looks old, stiff and out of touch. I can't imagine him holding up against Obama in the fall debates.

[LeftLeanWing]

But beware.... Remember how bad Bush looked next to Kerry in the debates.. That didn't change the outcome much if at all..

[renoir]

yeah, but kerry is not obama.

[luvobama]

Did you say 'stiff'? lol

[lovethesinner]

It will be interesting to see if CNN gets the story right, or if they are going to cover up the fact that McCain voted against birth control like MSNBC is doing.

This is the second time in a day that MSNBC has covered up the important part of a story.

When they reported the Phil Graham story, it was about his comments, not about his connection to the ENRON LOOPHOLE and that he's being dumped because he "misspoke" not because Graham, as McCain's top economic advisor, is about to get pasted with being one of the most CORRUPT LOBBYISTS in American history.

INFOTAINMENT isn't just bad journalism, it's PROPAGANDA.

[kellygrrrl]

darn that "Liberal Media Bias"

[kellygrrrl]

a woman voting for Senator Mkkkain
is like
a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders

[confuseddemocrat]

hahahahaha

[poco767b]

McCain :: I do not know what the GOP wants me to say about that issue, i will phone an HMO and get back to you.

[kellygrrrl]

I'm sure he has plenty of the lobbyists on staff

just look next to you MkKain, and ask the blonde lady

[kellygrrrl]

he doesn't "get" economy

he doesn't "get" health care issues

he's confused about ME "players"

he can fly a plane though, right? ... oh, wait. never mind