Mark Sanford Draws A Blank On McCain/Bush Economics

The most painful clip from the Sunday morning shows: top McCain VP prospect Mark Sanford "drawing a blank" (in his own words) on live TV when asked to name a major economic policy that President Bush and John McCain disagree on.

The transcript:

BLITZER: Are there any significant economic differences between what the Bush administration has put forward over these many years as opposed to now what John McCain supports?

SANFORD: Um, yeah. For instance, take, you know, take, for instance, the issue of -- I'm drawing a blank, and I hate it when I do that, particularly on television. Take, for instance the contrast on NAFTA. I mean, I think that the bigger issue is credibility in where one is coming from, are they consistent where they come from.

Sanford finally came up with an answer -- McCain has opposed earmarks while President Bush hasn't -- but Blitzer twisted the knife a bit further, following up on Sanford's initial mention of NAFTA. "He's a huge supporter of free trade, John McCain, the Bush administration supports free trade. I don't see a big difference."

Sanford said he was going to make a separate point about consistency.

Here's the vid:

Comments

[Stretchumall]

Unlike Bush, McSame does not want someone smarter than him to be VP. Which could be a challange.

Stretchumall

[freakbrother]

Well. Where's Joe Lieberman when you need him.

[JonW]

Does this guy with the blank face have his own Lieberman?

[IQ]

I am an unabashed, Long-Time Obama supporter. I am also a native South Carolinian. I am a graduate of SC PUBLIC Schools. This is another 'Sweet-Bitter' television moment that will go down in the annals of Palmetto State Shame. You all do remember Lauren Caitlin Upton? Of course you do. She is the former Miss Teen SC 2007 best known for her garbled, nonsensical, bordering on retarded response to a question that was asked of her during the Miss Teen USA 2007 pageant, the video of which has become a YouTube classic. Now the 'leader' of my home state, who is, uh WAS on McCain's short list for Vice President pulls a public 'Caitlin' just one year later. This has caused me to reevaluate my view on school choice. Our tax-paying citizens should have the right to attend the Public School of their choice because obviously the wealthy, white, privately schooled children of SC are being left behind......IN DROVES!!!

[mawrm]

This is what this video reminded me of - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTjaYaORCKo

A lot of work needs to be done on the South Carolina education system.

[PAposter]

That was hilarious.

[panchovilla]

Brain farts are no laughing matter. LOL.

[Yola]

You can't make these things up - is he for real?

[andvoodoo2]

Could it be that their electorate actually PREFERS them dumb?! Is this the old, "I'd like to have a beer with THAT guy because he ain't no smarter than me!"

[luckyoldson]

This guy is a VP possibility?

Did he room with Quayle?

[syrupcore]

"Did he room with Quayle?"

haha! Huffpick, c'mon. Give it up.

[GolfingDevil05]

I was wondering if Gov. Sanford spells NAFTA with an "E".

[Davwbaird]

WOW deep doo0 doo

[olivia]

He needs to go back to the Richard Bruce Cheney School of Talking Pompously Without Saying Anything and the Karl Rove School of Lying Off the Cuff.

Dickie would have blathered on and let people going oh, yeah, right. But he would not have said a thing.

[Zanti]

Yup. And, luckily, most voters watch Wolf Blitzer.

Yes, I'm being VERY sarcastic. Please, folks--the average voter doesn't pay attention to, or care about, this kind of thing. So it's not going to sway most voters one way or the other. We need to work on making Obama look good in the eyes of people who don't share our views. Focusing on the ineptitude of the McCain operation will ultimately get us nowhere. The contrast game isn't going to work so long as so many people perceive B.O. as less than the proverbial Real Guy.

Another scary fact to consider--namely, if GWB could get in, anyone can. We, who have suffered through two Bushs (and one Bush twice) are in no position to get cocky.

Disclosure: I'm a Hillary fan resigned to voting for B.O. as the far lesser of two evils.

[pfc1369]

With all these snide comments, what is this? Insult Eastern Europe Week?

I have a grandparent from Belarus and another from Lithuania.

The never thought of those places as Siberia for dunderhead Republicans to be ambassadors.

Not to mention the ambassadors themselves, who must really love McMummy now!

[CuriousPerson]

M e t a m u c i l is a moderated word now?

[dwillisno1]

You bet, must uphold the moral fiber of the nation, don't you know.

[CuriousPerson]

Isn't consistent the same as being regular?

I'm thinking M e t a m u c i l .

[nightslider]

there was nothing solid about this performance, perhaps he should change to something with a little more umph to it.

[08POL]

ok ...no suprise here. My guess is, McCain wouldn't have an answer either

[lornejl]

30 seconds, name the differences between W and Mac . I will play the Jeopardy theme on my midi player while you struggle to come up with something.....

[Zanti]

McCain--war vet. Bush--not.

Born in different places.

Different accents.

Different ages and heights.

McCain has made his fairly liberal *personal* politics known (though he's never had the guts to stick to it); Bush has always played the neocon, far as I can see, in spite of his similarly liberal private leanings.

McCain's face shape is different, and not just as a result of age, health, etc.

McCain, when confused, stares into space. Bush goes "Uhhhhh..." and/or adds syllables to words.

McCain, when confused, gets a weird smile or looks pained. Bush assumes a lost-dog look.

Both have macho senses of humor, but Bush says genuinely funny things on occasion.

[CuriousPerson]

Hi

[lornejl]

Hi, do you like my hat ?