McCain Gets Testy With Des Moines Register

On Monday, John McCain had a truly combative meeting with the editorial board of the Des Moines Register, discussing heatedly everything from Sarah Palin to health care to the shine of his maverick brand.

McCain got near anger when it was suggested that the Straight Talk Express had taken a detour, challenging the questioner to provide examples. Asked specifically about the kindergarten sex-ed ad, McCain defended it wholeheartedly.

"I have always had 100 percent absolute truth and that's been my life of putting my country first. And I'll match that record against anyone's. And I'm proud of it. And an assertion that I have ever done otherwise I take strong exception n to. And you will have to provide better proof than a bill that Sen. Obama supported that clearly calls for the teaching of sex education of young children."

McCain was equally as animated when asked about the qualifications of his running mate, Sarah Palin. At one point, he seemed to catch himself getting heated and deliberately backed off.

"So, with due respect, I strongly disagree with your premise that she doesn't have experience and knowledge and background," the Arizona Republican said. "And, by the way," McCain said before cutting himself off and saying, "I'll stop there. I fundamentally disagree and I'm proud of her record. But you and I just have a fundamental disagreement and I'm so happy that the American people seem to be siding with me," he said.

McCain dismissed Republicans who questioned Palin's experience as "Georgetown cocktail party" people who call themselves conservatives.

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McCain gave another sharp answer when the editorial board noted that -- having served in the military, then in Congress, and now being over the age of 65 -- McCain has always been covered by a taxpayer-financed health care plan.

"I was out of the military for a while before I went to Congress," McCain said. "But that is an interesting statement. And I have never been an astronaut, but I think I know the challenges of space," he said. "And I have never done a lot of things in my life that I think I am familiar with. I have always been a free enterprise person who thinks families make the best choices for themselves.

"I did go a period of time when the health care wasn't very good," he added, in reference to his time as a POW.

The Des Moines Register board leans left, but they endorsed McCain during the Republican primary.

Comments

[bigtroubletrin]

your mom's on the PTA...

[BlueZoo]

I've had to think about why McCain's dragging out that POW line so infuritates me. It occurs to me that Eisenhower didn't drag his military service out in evey speech when he ran, neither did other presidential candidates. I was taught that if you have to brag about your accomplishments, you don't have any worth consideration. McCain knows all about bailouts. After all, he crashed four planes and another of his was shot down. Why doesn't he brag about those? I honestly believe McCain dishonors all POWs of all wars when he trots his status out. Enough already!

[Herkybird]

BlueZoo you are correct in your assessments but I disagree when you say he dishonors all POW's. As a non POW Vietnam vet myself I get infuriated like you but not because he drags out his POW stories. He is entitled to talk about them if he wants. What infuriates me and should you and ALL Americans is that he has taken to voting 29 times over the past 4 years to DENY funding for the VA system while they are struggling to not only treat Viet Nam vets but vets from Gulf War I, Iraq and Afghanistan. He said at the close of the debate that he knows veterans...he loves them...he will support them. That is what you need to be infuriated over. And to be honest if you could take a poll (you can't they are not allowed to voice their political feelings) of all of the troops in the Middle East right now the majority would tell you they are voting for Obama. They want to come home. Not because they are afraid of dying but because they want to be with their families!

[damebee]

McCain put himself on the committee to resue the POW's left behind and refused to do so, maybe the 32 tapes he made and have been sealed had something to do with it or not! Does the name "Songbird" resonate with you?

[amiblueyoubet]

This man is wound way to tight for a Senator, let alone as President. As for Palin, I don't have a clue as to what she is supposed to add to this equation.

[ObamAtomic]

Her skirt and *box*

[amiblueyoubet]

One is outwardly angry and the other is seething anger in a passive agressive way. It's totally frightening.

[Honeypup]

Now I get why McCain insists it's dangerous for the President to negotiate with foreign heads of state without preconditions. He'd loose his cool and totally blow it! That WOULD be dangerous wouldn't it.

This man is totally unsuitable for the job of POTUS. It's the temperment, stupid!

[Indie2008]

In the business world (Where only peoples' money is at stake), a man in his 70's, of questionable temperament and erratic behavior would have been kicked out the door with his golden parachute long ago. We cant afford to give John McCain the Presidency . Now more than ever America needs a thoughtful, calm, energetic, forward-thinking leader who is up to the new challenges facing our nation, and who can project a steady image to the rest of the world.

[Phalanxman]

Thank you, thank you. But I'm really very happy in my current occupation, and want to spend as much time with my family as possible. I do recommend, however, Barack Obama. Thank you once again.

[jeplanet]

Maybe it's because I'm Canadian; but JohnMcCain's mean, testy, hostile tone in this interview kind of freaked me out. I can't believe that anyone would want this man leading their country. His poll numbers should be in the single digits by now.

[AndrewInToronto]

But look how we may be heading to Harper/Conservative majority, a man who is brutal towards Dion. Forty percent for the Conservatives; 21% each for the Liberals and the NDP....

[jeplanet]

I'm in Alberta; so believe me, you're preaching to the choir.
I don't trust Harper and would NEVER vote for him; but I don't remember him doing an interview looking like he wanted to punch the interviewer in the face, a la JohnMcCain.
Go Layton !!

[MarkInEugene]

What an angry, overbearing, smothering, pompous, megalomaniac. The man is smoldering and will bring that attitude to the White House. That is not a good thing people! How will he deal with serious pressure and crisis? They’re going have to install a padded room in the White House where McMad can throw tantrums without hurting himself.

We need a dignified, magnanimous President who isn’t so insecure and unsure of himself that he can’t take constructive criticism from the press and address them as a statesman. The man is self-destructing. Why doesn’t he just retire and live in the lap of luxury??

We are a nation of fools if we vote in such a pathetic insecure human being. This is not someone I want leading our country!

[Yatata]

wow, what a great question the last one was. brilliant. How amazing that McCain has always had his many health issues taken care of by the American tax payer, and yet he is against letting those taxpayers have the same security. So shocking to me as a Canadian. The American health system as it stands is a direct violation of human rights. Really disgusting.

There is an argument being made that if the United States had Universal health care, the financial crash we're seeing today may likely not have happened - since the greatest generator of bankruptcy and inability to pay mortgages are sky-high health care debts. What a loathsome hypocrite McCain is for taking your money for his own expensive health care, but not taking steps in his position of power to protect you.

[ChuckToddFacts]

What a smug SOB.

[Miss Lola]

He also is insisting that the rest of the country loves sarah too--

he apparently didn't hear today's poll numbers...51% say she's unqualified...

;-)

America's weaning itself from the Kool-Aid and joining the NON drinkers!

[2876]

apparently he's deaf, dumb, delusional, and illiterate. Maybe he should have palin check out the Huffington posts

[AmigoDelNorte]

Reporters need to learn to build a case bit by bit.

Here, they have McCain captive and ask him to respond to "some people who say" he wasn't 100% truthful in the ad about the Illinois sex ed bill. Missed opportunity.

How would anyone respond to people calling you a liar? Tell another lie.

How about:

Senator McCain, are you aware of the ad?
Do you recall who had the idea for the ad?
How did you respond to the idea for the ad?
When did you approve the message?
What is the message of the ad?
If you were to learn that 1 in 4 children are sexually abused would it change your opinion?
If you were to learn that the PTA endorsed the bill, would it change your opinion?
If you were to learn that law enforcement endorsed the bill, would it change your opinion?
If you were to learn that criminal prosecutors endorsed the bill, would it change your opinion?
Is it fair to say you generally oppose child abuse prevention? Is it fair to say you oppose child abuse prevention through education?
How do you propose we prevent child abuse?
Would it change your opinion if you were aware that 1 in 2 couples divorce when there children are young and that is when they become vulnerable to abuse?
How old were your children when you divorced?
How did your children learn of the danger of sexual abuse?
At what age?

[findingthetruth]

Now, now, now, McCain. You MUST be careful. Just recently, Republicans allowed WORDS to upset them and made a decision to vote AGAINST the bailout. Let's not criticize YOUR ........

[DeepBlueJr]

Watch MSNBC Countdown tonight, McCain starts off that same sitdown by saying he "always aspired to be dictator". He says it was a joke... no laughs!

We cannot let a 72 year veteran who's just itching to play war games with Russia and Iran into the White House.

[plunk]

that segment made me stand up... it looked more like he was loosing it... not telling a joke

[Cinnamonape]

Kind like this guys "jokes"

http://opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/092807khrushchev.jpg

[Miss Lola]

A few things:

1. Does he REALLY have to mention that he was a POW every single time he opens his mouth???
John, we KNOW already: we know that for five years, you didn't have a home; you didn't have a kitchen table, and you didn't have "good health care."

While we appreciate your service to your country, quite honestly, it doesn't qualify you for much.

2. Remember when he referred to the press as his "base," and even hosted a barbecue for them?

Maybe he doesn't remember that..he's got about 40 years on me, and I know my memory ain't what it should be...but mostly because I am up nights worrying about how I am going to pay for gas, IF i can find it here in Metro Atlanta!

[2876]

as if being a POW gives him carte blanche to lie, lie, and lie

[AmigoDelNorte]

Marin County hot tubbers