McCain's Economic "Fundamentals" Definition Ripped By Obama Campaign

John McCain quickly got hammered by Barack Obama on Monday when he declared that the "fundamentals of our economy are still strong" at an event in Jacksonville, Florida. John McCain subsequently attempted to walk back the comment in a later speech, saying:

"The economic crisis is not the fault of the American people. Our workers are the most innovative, hardest working, best skilled, most competitive in the world. That is the American worker. My opponent may disagree, but those fundamentals of the American worker and their innovation and entrepreneurship, those are the fundamentals of America and I think they're strong. But they are being threatened today, those fundamentals are being threatened because of the greed and corruption that some have engaged in on Wall Street; we have got to fix it."

As the Politico noted, that's an awfully vague (and idiosyncratic) way to define economic fundamentals -- which are actually statistical indicators like unemployment, inflation, and consumer confidence.

Now, Barack Obama's campaign is hitting back at McCain's attempt to redefine his earlier remarks. In a statement to the Huffington Post, spokesman Ben LaBolt said: "John McCain must think the American people are stupid. His campaign's pathetic attempt to clean up their candidate's disturbingly out-of-touch statement that the 'fundamentals of our economy are still strong' is about as believable as the dishonest, dishonorable campaign they've been running."

Comments

[ThePeacemakers]

I hate to break it to everybody, but Obama needs as many white people as possible saying these things. And they need to be covered saying these things: The Clintons, Biden, all the Dems in Congress need to step up.

Just for the fact that anybody left that he's trying to convince is not trying to hear anything from a "brother".

He's been campaigning nearly two years now.

[gladtobebaldwin]

Really, Obama doesn't like McCain's policies? P'Shaw.

Try to remain a tad non-biased buys, you are showing your colors a tad too brilliantly.

[AnnieinOR]

Why don't you mosey on over to townhall or faux news, maybe drudge. Oh, I'm sorry, a newbie paid tr011. daddy carl is getting desperate, they are coming out of the tubes everywhere.

[djelimon]

The whole world doesn't like them, including wall street.

[elizabethc]

John McCain would make Herbert Hoover blush! Get in touch with reality, John! You are not offering the American public anything new. The same old failed Bush policies that led us into this mess. I don't know what worries me more: McCain actually believes that are economy is fundamentally strong or he can actually be elected President and the problem will only worsen.

[nhplanner]

For all of you history buffs, John McCain's reaction to the crisis... um, er... sound economy is very reminiscent of Herbert Hoover. Another ostrich with his head in the sand.

[Ozarks]

or where the sun don't shine

[CharlesJ]

All I can say is Say what? What did you say Willis? Mr McCain, I have a news flash for you, You can not rewrite the dictionary or economic 101 fundamentals just because it makes what your saying sound better or to explain away your being out of touch. Good gracious man, do you really think Americans as a whole is that STupid or ignorant?

"The economic crisis is not the fault of the American people. (YOUR RIGHT, IT IS NOT OUR FAULT, IT IS MOSTLY YOURS AND THE REPUBLICANS). Our workers are the most innovative, hardest working, best skilled, most competitive in the world. ( WOW THAT IS A STRETCH OF THE IMMIGINATION) That is the American worker. My opponent may disagree, but those fundamentals of the American worker and their innovation and entrepreneurship, those are the fundamentals of America and I think they're strong. (ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, OR ARE YOU TALKING ECONOMICS). But they are being threatened today, those fundamentals are being threatened because of the greed and corruption that some having caved in on Wall Street; we have got to fix it." (HOW DO YOU PLAN TO FIX SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE PART OF.. GRAMM IS PART OF THE COLLAPS THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON, THOSE LOBBIEST ON YOUR STAFF ARE ALSO PART OF IT... IN FACT i DO NOT KNOW OF ONE PERSON ON YOUR STAFF THAT IS NOT A LOBBIEST, OR SPECIAL INTEREST CONNECTED

[zizyphus]

McCain's grasp of economic fundamentals is about as sure as Palin's grasp of the Bush Doctrine.

If those two get in the White House, expect Martial Law. After the market crashes, all the banks are broke, people will march on the cities and centers of power. The Blackwaters will put them in detainment camps, as they will be considered a security risk. The transfer of power to the elite will be complete. The jobless, homeless ones will be sent off to fight wars for oil in the Middle East, South America, and then closer to home.

[shelobo]

IF these two get back into the White House WE WILL BE FUNDAMENTALY SCREWED "My Friends"

[realpolitic]

McCain does not know the economy is in a crisis. He does not even seem to know what the fundamentals of the economy are. We are in for another rough ride if he and Palin are elected.

[Ozarks]

He tried to back track his blatantly stup..id remark about "fundamentals are strong" and call people fundamentals. The guy is really starting to wobble. That back track is as bad as his Big Cheese aisle "surge" recant.

[hopefulinpa]

McCain is trying to redefine what he said about the economy. He said the economy was fundamentaly strong. That is exactly what he said and meant. He has no clue about what the average person faces every day,, and I don't believe he cares. He has voted against everything that would have helped the average person over the last 8 years. It is just more of the same hypocritical crap from him over and over and over again. If you think you are better off than you were 8 years ago then vote McCain. If not vote Obama and help this country move forward and regain our position in the world both economically and interantionally.

[sleek]

The POW/MIA ticket is the WORST IN MODERN US HISTORY.

They have nothing to say because EVERYTHING that REPUBLICANS touch turns to S H * T.

[chiefeditor]

Well, COME ON! http://www.entertonement.com/clips/25923/John-McCain/John-McCain-On-Economy/McCain-Say-Economy-Is-All-Good/Fundamentals-are-still-strong

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

So McKeating is attempting to backtrack and sprinkle sugar on his shet.

[Phil123]

That's the bridge that YOU voted for Senator Obama.

And the one that Palin decided not to build.

[LeawoodKansas]

But she kept the money and now has asked for the earmarks again. It could be the bridge that was paid for twice and never built.

Sounds like a Republican.

[johnu1974]

you mean the bridge sarah palin was for before she was against? you mean the bridge that was never built, but she took the earmarked money and built the road to nowhere? you better come harder than this. you gave me a meatball, and i crushed it out of the park!

[realpolitic]

The bridge that she did not build, but kept the money that was allocated to it anyway. It still cost the taxpayers.

[thepoliticalcat]

So Obama, not Palin, is to blame for the bridge. Was she a POW too?

[nhplanner]

McCain/Palin...Thanks, but no thanks.

[FORLOMC]

McDumb and Dumber '08' to rescue, Doncha know.

[Zito]

TO MISCALSOFT-
The Democrats took control of congress in 2006. They have a 51 to 49 majority in the Senate.
Bush still controls the Whitehouse. The Republican Minority has blocked and fillibustered every major piece of reform the Democrats have tried to pass. SO please get a clue.

The only way the Democrats are going to be able to change this country is to win significant seats in the upcoming elections and change the President otherwise nothing will be accomplished.

[YunekFlava]

They really need to link this old crony to the Savings and Loan scandal back in the 80's. If there are any McBush/Cheneypal obsturctionists looking or commenting, tell then to watch out, 'cause it's coming.

[ErnestineBass]

"The fundamentals of our economy are strong." -John McCain, September 15, 2008-

"The fundamentals of our economy remains strong." -George Booosh, September 15, 2008-

"McChange?" LMAO!!!

[Ozarks]

Bush called Lehman going under , Merrill selling out for 50cents on a dollar and AIG screaming for a $40 Billion bailout as "adjustments". Bushie's "Adjustments" description of Wall Street going into the toilet is akin to Bush's "Time Horizon for Iraq withdrawal" which sounds like a Si-Fi movie title.