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

[MrJoyboy]

Birth control for c*nts? No way!

[DAVESEAN]

LOL.........SECONDED

[marinemomof3]

You Mr.Joyboy have made my day:)
I have never ever laughed so hard!
Thank you!!!!!!!

[luvobama]

Naughty.

[confuseddemocrat]

- Wants to dismantle Social security, Medicare
-Against abortion and voted against bills that promote womens health issues: mammographies, birth control
-Leaves wife #1 for younger richer model, but women are actually thinking on voting for him
-Doesn't pay taxes on time
-Opposed the GI bill because it was "too generous", then didn't even show up to vote for the bill because he was fundraising
-He tells everyone he is #1 in supporting VET benefits but his acutal voting record is dismal
-Supports FISA because he is patriotic and supports national security yet but didn't even show up to vote for the Bill (more campaigning and fundraising)
-Major advisor says we the public are so dumb and that we have tricked into believing that we are experiencing economic hardship

Yet Obama is portrayed as the elitist who puts self-interests above the nation and is a world class flip flopper who must prove that he isn't the "Manchurian Muslim" out to destroy America

I am convinced, we are living in the Twilight Zone

[sarahaw]

I second that... cue Twilight Zone music.

Never underestimate people's ability to let what other people tell them (including buzzwords like "elitist") become their own "firmly-held" beliefs.

[JSharbrough]

I'm for Obama but McCain's reaction in this instance does not offend me. He did the prudent thing; he will wait and talk to his advisors before spouting an opinion.

[theMightyT]

He HAS an opinion, as evidenced by his votes. He just can't face admitting that he's against women's rights.

Kind of cowardly, for a war hero...

oops forgot we're not supposed to mention that McCain was a POW. Except to admire him from afar when he reminds us every other day or so.

[Ratel]

It was definetly prudent for him...its always prudent to avoid answering a question when you don't know what your stance is, or what it should be given the latest polls and expectations from various voting blocks you are trying to court. Not exactly straight talking. When Americans are faced with a choice between someone who has clear beliefs and sticks to them and someone like McCain who is now willing to throw out even his most cherished issues (Vets) it would seems like an easy choice.

But given his recent track record of speaking off the cuff it was definetly prudent. I'm not sure it will convince voters though when they can't even figure out what he really believes.

[renoir]

What? He's not checking with his advisors, he's checking with the insurance lobbyists! He's in their back-pockets and is more concerned about what they think than what women need and you're okay with that? Insurance does not cover birth control and other women's heath issues but covers Viagra... and you think that he needs time to think about it?

[pfc1369]

When someone asks your opinion of something (if they ever do) how often have you replied:

"I'll have to ask Charlie, and he'll tell me what I think, and then I'll get back to you,"?

[danimal99]

He already voted his opinion though -- twice. If he's consulting with his advisers just in case, it would only be to flip-flop, and we all know he would never do that.

[olderdem]

I'm sure McCain is the man for all those Clinton supporters interested in a President that cares about women issues.

[drumz]

That was a repuklican talking point that has no basis in reality, just like their candidates.

[Midnightrain]

Hah!

[rudiy]

I thought it a simple question. Unless you have a religious belief against contraception, how can you equate being anti Abortion but against contraception, which will most probably mean you wil not ever have to consider an abortion.

[Vasudeva]

HE is courting the catholic vote. They are against birth control. That is why the priest picked on young boys, kind or a natural birth control method. Just think that has been going on for about 2000 or so years, until now.

[mcole]

you know something, yeah, i'm catholic. i understand why the church, because they  have to umm, encourage abstinence according to the letter of the law in the bible, but just people in general. why would you be anti abortion AND anti birth control? what about people that dont want to abstain? you know what i mean? people should have available to them a range of choices from which they can then choose what they would or wouldnt do according to whatevr they believe or whatever works for them, you know?i cant expect on catholics or even other catholics to be beholden to my personal religios beliefs and neither should the government.

[drumz]

A repuke can never answer a simple question because they have too many whack jobs they are trying to appease.
He's a follower and not a leader.

[theMightyT]

I hope that still-Clinton supporters who want to vote for this guy in November take a long hard look at his positions. He can't get anything right...

Just today on HP we see that his economic advisors think the majority of the country are whiners imagining there's a long slow slide into recession happening; he lies to veterans when confronted with his voting record on veteran's issues; he is clueless when it comes to Iraq and dismisses the wishes of that country's leaders RE getting the hell out of their country; and now he weasels out of any sort of position when confronted with something like birth control??

How can anyone advocate voting for this guy?

[kawreader]

Hilarious! Send this to all the Hilary-turned-McCain supporters, I'm sure they'll love it! He has no clue.

It's really sad that things like this and the Iran-cigarettes joke aren't played on the janky media outlets, yet I've seen "I want to cut off his nuts" crap all over.

[ethearch]

...and to all of you Hillary supporters out there who have vowed to vote for this guy McCain instead of Obama, it's time for a reality check.

[mamajama]

McCain's political outreach strategy, advised by Karl Rove and his aides, is simply to lie about the facts, and gamble that his audience, including the press, is too intimidated and too lazy to do the research and confront him on it.

That strategy is working pretty well for him so far. The press, and his audiences, with a couple of exceptions, are too cowardly and too lazy to hold him accountable to his own voting record.

[sarahaw]

Okay, let me see if I can get this straight.

McCain can't handle a simple discussion of birth control and his own voting record. It makes him squirm and stammer.

And yet he puts himself out as the only one who can deal with the tough issues, including "terrorism" and foreign affairs, where much, much, tougher questions and issues will arise?

Uh... I don't think so. Even dyed-in-the-red-wool Republicans have to be made uncomfortable by McCain... right?? Isn't it obvious he is the weakest candidate running (even including the independents)?? Or have I just lost my mind completely...?

This is no time for stammering and avoidance of issues, especially the important ones. McCain has no business in MY Oval Office.

[TXfemmom]

Another bumbling Republican fool being hoisted upon America. This is a vital issue, and he acts like someone with a maturity level of eleven and a mental level below that.

[pfc1369]

Foisted.

[solen]

Yes, it's kind of Reaganesque, actually: memory problems at key moments. But unfortunately, as with his predecessor, this just adds to his "charm."

[southafrica4obama]

Pat and Joe live on viagra too

[loria]

Another image that I don't need! Yuk!

[NotFooledByDistractions]

What a shame - he doesn't even know his own voting record. which means he has no personal convictions. He's a shell of the "maverick" - now he's just a bad joke.

[shystar]

This is a serious issue with regards to reproductive health and the difference between men's health care coverage and women.

This question should be asked of McCain.

[Blurp]

That mug of his is birth control enough.