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

[politicalgenius]

For all the feminists who voted for HRC and now say that they will vote for Johnny Mc, here's what you're gonna get. A man who doesn't know what he voted for, can't actually say the words "birth control" and essentially doesn't care about a woman's right to choose. I think it's laughable. If it were BHO who said "I don't know" or tried to side step the issue he would be plastered by the media, but because Johnny Mc is a war vet and a POW he doesn't have to answer questions about Americn Women and the issues that they might have.

Also, I fail to see how he can't remember because since 2000 he's had more absences than anyone else in the Senate

[SaulGood]

^^Also, I fail to see how he can't remember because since 2000 he's had more absences than anyone else in the Senate

sounds a lot like bush's presidency....

[SaulGood]

^^Also, I fail to see how he can't remember because since 2000 he's had more absences than anyone else in the S enate

sounds a lot like b ush's presidency....

[RealityBaseCamp]

SaulGood reacted to:

"^^Also, I fail to see how he can't remember because since 2000 he's had more absences than anyone else in the S enate"

"sounds a lot like b ush's presidency...."

Well, McCain does = Bush...

Hey! Really, officer, I was just leaving, put away that taser!

**ZAP**
Ow!

[bola47]

my friends, women's rights have no place in america. gheesh!

[RobertaInCT]

The "G-reat A-merican W-ar H-ero" crash and burn again, and again, and again...........

[ErnestineBass]

Seriously. If he'd been sitting in an ejection seat during that interview, he would have bailed.

[gopindrag]

Welcome to the mushmouth express.

[PumaAnn]

I don't understand Obama's abortion stance, either. What's up with the qualifications? The government is now going to decide abortion is not available unless the woman's reasons meet the test? Why did he say that a woman's distress is not reason enough?

I think his faith-based statements and morality issues are off-base. In this regard, I agree with Jesse Jackson's "private" (now aired everywhere) opinion.

McCain I understand. He's always been pro-life. He's also a solid states rights guy. His opinions are consistent in this regard. I personally think he might be a bit safer than Obama when it comes to judicial nominations. Obama's faith-based initiatives make me wonder how he will vet candidates and if he'll be looking for people into using their power to drive morality issues.

THAT I don't want to see.

[Scalawag]

So you are saying that you are more comfortable with someone you know does not support choice over someone who you doubt supports it totally?

[PumaAnn]

I suppose it's a toss-up. Obama seems to switch positions so it's hard to really pay too much attention to his statements. McCain, I know, but I'm guessing that this won't be a top issue for him ever. He wouldn't push pro-life or make much of a fuss if a Dem congress passed a healthcare plan that was women-friendly.

[HowietheScreamer]

Of course... Puma is a REPUBE troll.

[camipco]

"Voting Record:
Sen. Obama received the following scores on NARAL Pro-Choice America's Congressional Record on Choice.
2007: 100 percent
2006: 100 percent
2005: 100 percent"

http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/statements/obama.html

"Voting Record:
Sen. McCain has an anti-choice record. He received the following scores on NARAL Pro-Choice America's Congressional Record on Choice.
2007: 0 percent
2006: 0 percent
2005: 0 percent
2004: 0 percent
2003: 0 percent
2002: 0 percent"

http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/statements/mccain.html

[loria]

I am pro choice and have a difficult time with late term abortions. They are rare, as they should be. I agree that the health of the mother and the fetus should be taken into consideration, but that is about the only reason I can see for a late term abortion. Because that is my position it doesn't mean I am not pro choice. Nor does it mean my stance is anywhere near McCain's who would prefer there be no abortions or birth control.

[HHarvey]

He was talking about late term abortions and the reasons that you can have a late term abortion and whether a woman's mental illness should be a consideration for that. Some states will not even allow late term abortions others will allow them with circumstances. This is one of the circumstances he was talking about.

[MsLiz]

When Obama is talking about emotional distress of a pregnant woman not being sufficient grounds for an abortion, he is talking about third trimester abortions. This is consistent with Roe v. Wade. The state has no interest in first trimester abortions, limited interest in second trimester abortions and a strong interest in the third trimester.

There are, of course, degrees of emotional distress. Some people are in emotional distress all of the time. I think if a woman who is seven months pregnant suddenly realizes, OMG, I just figured out what it will mean to be pregnant for two more months and give birth, that counseling is in order, not an abortion. If that isn't sufficient, lets try some Rx which will not harm the fetus. That's better than a late term abortion.

If we are talking about emotional distress because the fetus is grossly malformed and will die soon after birth, that's another situation which I am more sympathetic to.

Pay attention, PumaAnn. McCain is the pits. Are you also AnninCa, the vociferous HRC supporter?

[dlbdpb]

That's all we need is an old codger that can't remember what he has or has not voted for or against.

[ChiGuy]

"I'll try to get back to you."
__________________________________

Translation:
"Like my Republican mentor 43, I'll wait to be told what I'm supposed to think, and then I'll let you know what I think."

[U4IA]

If this is Presidential material I nominate my Karelian Bear Dog for the POTUS! She'll give you a straighter answer than that.

[ErnestineBass]

If she howls whenever McCrackers is on the teevee, I'll run as her Veep! 8-o

[sisterdebmac]

Had to look up Karelian Bear Dog. Never heard of that breed. Nice looking dog. :-)

[shel3364]

Just because he's the nominee does not mean he's qualified to be president. The leader of the free world is going to have to be able to address these, and many more difficult questions with a calm demeanor and intelligence. If birth control upsets him and makes him forget his voting record, what are we to expect when a much more serious and uncomfortable question comes up while he's visiting a volatile country?

He's not qualified. He's got to be able to handle just about anything from all sides. This is pathetic.

[CuriousPerson]

McBush

[CuriousPerson]

McSame

[pitneo]

McCain makes me squirm! You can see him trying to think of a good lie. He refuses to say what he really feels because he knows it will turn off millions of people. His whole being indicates that he don't care one iota about women or women issues.

From noticing him every chance I get, he shows no intimacy at all with his wife but does show respect for his mother. That's it. He gives the illusion that he could care less what a woman thinks, says, or does. That's my opinion and I don't know if other women have noticed it also. But if they have, he will be hard pressed to get the female vote that's for sure.

[loria]

I think you are right. There doesn't seem to be any warmth between him and Cindy. Nothing like the relationship you see between Obama and Michelle or even Laura and President Bush.

[CtJean]

That could be frightening - remember Pyscho? Hmmm ...

[CuriousPerson]

OK...

M c S a m e is now a filtered word as well.

[SaulGood]

lol, and this surprises you because......?

[CuriousPerson]

On this site, I guess nothing should surprise me.

[CuriousPerson]

Seems to me M c C a i n is the poster 'child' for the reason birth control should be allowed.

[Truthfighter1]

yet another McCain moment that will not be covered, oh but let Obama have a moment like this here comes the MSM brigade..

We need Timmy Russert back, we miss a reporter who actually covered both sides of stories equally.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

1. He does not want to talk about birth control

2. He does not remember how he voted on the issue either

With every passing second this geezer makes B u s h look almost intelligent.

[pitneo]

I must say I agree with that conclusion.