The Big Whisper: What's Up With John McCain?

John McCain has been all over the map recently, especially when it comes to the economic crisis that's been hammering Wall Street. He also managed to make some interesting - or rather, bizarre - remarks about Spain on Wednesday. See more articles below on McCain's actions over the last few weeks.

McCain Remarks Appear To Reject Spain As Ally:

Late Wednesday night, news made its way from the other side of the Atlantic that John McCain, in an interview with a Spanish outlet, had made a series of bizarre responses to a question regarding that country's prime minister.

"Would you be willing to meet with the head of our government, Mr. Zapatero?" the questioner asked, in an exchange now being reported by several Spanish outlets.

McCain proceeded to launch into what appeared to be a boilerplate declaration about Mexico and Latin America -- but not Spain -- pressing the need to stand up to world leaders who want to harm America.

McCain Flip-Flops On AIG Bailout: Rejects It Tuesday, Says It's Okay Wednesday:

Republican presidential candidate John McCain, a day after flatly rejecting the idea of a taxpayer bailout for American International Group Inc., said Wednesday that the government had been "forced" into proposing an $85 billion loan to the nation's largest insurer.

McCain appeared to soften his opposition to the bailout proposed by the Federal Reserve, treating the plan as a necessary evil to protect ordinary Americans with finanical ties to AIG and asserting that such a financial collapse should not be allowed to happen again. He also called for an investigation to uncover any wrongdoing.

NY Times: McCain All Over The Place On The Economy:

On Monday morning, as the financial system absorbed one of its biggest shocks in generations, Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."

Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers, whom he described as the backbone of the economy, were productive and resilient. By Tuesday he was calling the economic situation "a total crisis" and denouncing "greed" on Wall Street and in Washington.

McCain Slams Wall Street "Fat Cats" Who Are His Biggest Donors:

John McCain struck a tough, quasi-populist pose this morning during his morning sweep of the television news shows. Speaking to NBC's Matt Lauer about the current crisis on Wall Street, the Republican nominee said executives have "treated it like a casino and need to be held accountable and stop walking away with these fat-cat packages."

Leave aside for the moment the fact that one of McCain's top economic advisers, former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, walked away with a $42 million "golden parachute" after being fired. Overall, the generic Wall Street "fat cat" is a tough character for McCain to cast as his nemesis, given his success in fundraising among their ranks. As Bloomberg reported Monday night, securities and investment companies have collectively donated millions to both McCain and Barack Obama.

Time's Joe Klein: "Increasing Numbers Of Otherwise Sober Observers... Are Calling John McCain A Liar":

Politics has always been lousy with blather and chicanery. But there are rules and traditions too. In the early weeks of the general-election campaign, a consensus has grown in the political community -- a consensus that ranges from practitioners like Karl Rove to commentators like, well, me -- that John McCain has allowed his campaign to slip the normal bounds of political propriety. The situation has gotten so intense that we in the media have slipped our normal rules as well. Usually when a candidate tells something less than the truth, we mince words. We use euphemisms like mendacity and inaccuracy ... or, as the Associated Press put it, "McCain's claims skirt facts." But increasing numbers of otherwise sober observers, even such august institutions as the New York Times editorial board, are calling John McCain a liar. You might well ask, What has McCain done to deserve this? What unwritten rules did he break? Are his transgressions of degree or of kind?

Comments

[wordvarc]

Poor Ronnie was in second stage Alzhheimers in his second term. When deposed about "Iran-Contra," and replying "I don't remember," he really did not remember. Then there is w. The RNC discovered a new strategy. They play dumb like Gonzales and get empty headed folks to run for office. The RNC/GOP neocons love having demented politicians who know only fear and greed and have lost all common sense.

A Palin presidency is a perfect strategy to promote their "ideals."

[EyeballKid]

You don't know for sure whether he remembered. It kind of depends on whether he could have processed occurrences into long term memory at the time when Iran-Contra was on the table. It's possible that his long term memory was functioning at the time that the question was asked. With dementia patients of nearly all stripes, memory can sometimes make a remarkable short-time recovery before vanishing once again.

[hucklecat]

Yes, the memory problems often wax and wane. It's not a steady decline. But when it begins to happen the individual is in fear that others will notice -- thus the covering it up with anger and defensive stances. Of course emotional changes are part of it as well.

I'm a psychologist, not a neuropsychologist. And while I feel free to point out my observations and a call for further inquiry I'm not sure if anyone would go on television and diagnose based on videotape. It's Bill Frist and Terry Schiavo all over again.

I we can infer this problem based on what we read and see in the media, you know that those around him are acutely aware of the situation. But what do you do when you realize your candidate may be incompetent? (I ask this philosophically -- I'd like to think we would address the issue head on for the good of the individual and for the good of our country -- but then again, there is W. So I guess I have my answer.)

[wordvarc]

Sure, I was trying to be kind...the point is, his cognitive decline was played upon by his handlers...who fine tuned 'I don't recall," and stonewalling into a part of the GOP platform...

[hucklecat]

John McCain is experiencing cognitive difficulties and I think he is showing the beginnings of dementia -- won't someone investigate further, please? First, he is angry, irritable during a friendly Time magazine interview, http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1836909,00.html refusing to answer the most benign questions. Then he delivers a speech at the RNC that is stiff, robotic and he smiles at inopportune times, the content of the speech and his grin are at odds. He travels with Palin and puts her front and center as he melds into the background. Cindy is always present at his events, just like Nancy Reagan was when Ronnie started to falter. And now a Newsweek article points http://www.newsweek.com/id/159146 out that he has little spontaneous interaction with voters. Then he makes the gaffe confusing Spain’s Zapatero with a Latin American dictator. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-goldstein/john-mccains-seor-moment_b_127601.html

His age and history (heavy drinking, boxing thus blows to the head) make this quite plausible. This is seriously worth investigating.

[wordvarc]

A neuropsychologist can infer his cognitive status by watching his gait, mannerisms, and speech. The Bushies hated linguist Chomsky because he sounded an alarm and accurately predicted w's legacy as president during the 2000 campaign.

[gentlewomanfarmer]

I couldn't agree more. I have on this blog and elsewhere characterized McCain as becoming more and more Grandpa Simpson-esque, but I now must temper my own remarks because I think he has a serious mental health problem associated with his age and history. Has he released his medical records? If not, this is why. In other words, it's NOT the melanoma, stupid (so to speak).

And the choice of Palin must now be placed in this context, which is scary, then, for any number of reasons.

[Naithom]

Don't forget the years as a POW (As though he would allow anyone to during the campaign.)

I'd love to see a neuropsychologist on say Olbermann or Maddows talk about McCain's behavior.

[EyeballKid]

The Republican leadership has to be in a dither. They all now know what they bought in backing McCain, perhaps not knowing the extent to which he has dementia. But now they all know that he can't handle the job any more, if he ever could. So they have to pretend that McCain has full capacity now because any admission coming from the campaign will toast them in the general. So they have to fake the notion that they're satisfied or they won't be able to keep it close.

The bigger thinkers also know that Palin was a long shot who would have complemented a stable, mentally acute McCain. But now, with the current state of affairs, the smart Republican money has to be hoping that Obama gets in because Palin will be eaten alive by corporate lobbyists, will focus on peripheral issues rather than the essential ones, will incite widespread civil unrest, and will likely get us into a suicidal war.

[kroses98]

It could also be a spread of his melanoma skin cancer to his brain, turning it to MUSH!!!

[noblereno]

When the stack of lies pile up to such soaring heights they can no longer be ignored, overlooked or mitigated in any way. John McCain and his "campaign" have stooped below the already lowest levels of propriety I have even seen. If he is not intelligent enough to feel shame let me help him! I AM ASHAMED FOR YOU JOHN MCCAIN. You are a poor excuse and can no longer wave the flag of change. You ARE the epitome of GOP business as usual.

[kace]

On the economy crisis and Obama...he didn't say much of anything...seems he is keeping his mouth shut...oh, until he looks into it a little more. He has no plan, no solutions.

[tsat]

So the choice is a THINKER or a LIAR? Hmm.......

[vietnamvetforobama]

I hope that the typical voter can read understands political issues better than you kace. The question here is not economics but mental fitness and the temperament to lead a nation. McCain unquestionably seems unstable and angry. His mental capacity to lead is something every American should be concerned about. McCain's speech and actions remind the American people daily that he is unfit to lead. When are you and the blind faithful going to realize that we cannot afford another 4 years of the "Village Idiot" runnnig the country.

[cagney57]

I would sooner have a president with a cool head and leadership, then one who jumps ship and says follow me, you will be ok.

Obama/Biden '08

[skooby]

THE MOST DAMAGING ANTI-MCCAIN AD OUT THERE. SPREAD THE TRUTH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJThPjvscFs

[sciphy]

Maverick = irresponsible

[arthur2008]

While John McCain's age is an appropriate subject for inquiry, it seems likely that what we are witnessing has far more to do with the fact that -- like everyone else -- he no longer has any idea who he is. While it is not entirely clear that he was ever the principled man he poses as (Keating Five, abandoning a disabled wife, tax handouts to the wealthy, Palin's slippery embrace of earmarks, a reckless passion for deregulation that too often enriches his cronies), there were still identifiable "principles" he could be counted on to espouse. He now will say and do anything in his late life lust for power.

[repugnicansfearme]

His own form of FINANCIAL MELTDOWN.

[Tommygun264]

I'm not whispering:

THE MAN IS A NUT BAG!!!

[alabaman]

You're right, he is. Now Obama has to make the same case, and he can do it the way Bush did it to McCain in the 2000 primary. He can use 527 ads, he can pushpoll, he can just get get the rumor mill going. Hell, we can do the same thing by talking to others about McCain's mental instabililty. If nothing else, it may just push him over the edge to where he really loses control. I hate Repubs, but I do respect their hardball, ruthless tactics of their master strategists. They'll do whatever it takes to win. You can be sure McCain has turned the hounds loose on Obama. In the coming days, we will see racist attack ads that will play on white fears. First they'll be suble, like the one with him and Franklin Raines. But later, as McCain becomes desperate, they will become flat out racist. McCain knows he's lost the black vote, so he has nothing to lose by going racist. McCain has to be dealt with as ruthlessly as he deals with Obama.

[UnderdogSRD]

John McCain will say anything to get elected. He will lie, cheat, and steal to win. Sad and disgusting.

John McCain has lost his honor.
John McCain has no honor.

[Kwaayesnama]

I’m an Arizona Republican and I am not supporting John McCain. Why? With out question it is his lack of support for our state in Washington. McCain’s call to fame is that he is the only representative in Washington never to request any earmarks for his home state. What does that prove besides the fact that he is lazy? To me it shows that in McCain’s mind Arizona is so wealthy that we do not need any assistance from Washington. It seems he is happy to see all the tax dollars that we send to DC go to other states. Will someone please wake up John McCain! Arizona has Indian Reservations with unemployment over 60%. We have beautiful rural areas that would greatly benefit from an increase in tourism. McCain’s lack of concern for Arizona shows that when John and Cindy fly over our state in their private plane that they do not pay attention to the people that live outside of Scottsdale. Lets see if in November the citizens of Arizona will send him a message and not vote for him.

[opinion123]

Then why do you Arizonans keep electing him? As long as he and Cindy can fly around Arizona in their private plane and live like king and queen, he doesn't give a damn about the rest of you. There are many people in this country who like to be around people who have a dime when the have a thousand dollars. It makes them feel BIG! Don't forget, he never had to earn a living. He simply found a young rich woman and cashed in. The tax payers have always taken care of him while he has always stuck to them. He won't change! Now is your chance to get rid of him forever. Vote for Obama!

[shelsay]

McSame. No Maverick. A McHeadache. Just sticking to the Lobbyist's talking points. Just sounding ridiculous. Just making cooky decisions. Just lying comfortably. Just not who should be the next President of the United States.

[AJ55]

McCain's age is beginning to show ,the continual gaffes he's made over the past week are proof of this. His campaign repeating "what he meant" is once agin proof of this. How old is to old to run for President.....I think it's 72.

[ron071]

THE TIME HAS COME for a Republican reality check and a change of candidates while there is still time. Failing this, disaster lies ahead , and they must know it.

[johnnydajogger]

Why is it that the media seldom call pols on these kind of things. Why doesnt the media followup on stupidity when it happens. I rarely see this. I cant think of one reporter who does a decent job of "cross examination".

[ron071]

THE UGLY TRUTH IS THAT THE PALIN/McSAME CAMPAIGN LIES REGULARLY.

Let's call it for what it is. Multiple lies each day come forth from this campaign and it's become pathetic , disgusting, and unbelievable. It's now a contest between McSame and Palin as to who lies more frequently. Palin seems to lie naturally while McCain lies out of his regular frustration with a campaign which he never should have run. Even the low information voter now realizes that this duo represents serial lying. A very sad commentary but a truthful one.