McCain Debate Questioner: "I Actually Did" Know Fannie

I tried to get in touch via Facebook with Oliver Clark, the man who McCain said probably didn't know what Fannie Mae was before the financial crisis (at Tuesday's debate). Apparently others have done the same. He just posted the following on his Facebook page:

How did I feel about Sen. McCain stating "You probably never heard of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac before this."
Well Senator, I actually did. I like to think of myself as a fairly intelligent person. I have a bachelor degree in Political Science from Tennessee State, so I try to keep myself up to date with current affairs. I have a Master degree in Legal Studies from Southern Illinois University, a few years in law school, and I am currently pursuing a Master in Public Administration from the University of Memphis. In defense of the Senator from Arizona I would say he is an older guy, and may have made an underestimation of my age. Honest mistake. However, it could be because I am a young African-American male. Whatever the case may be it was somewhat condescending regardless of my age to make an assumption regarding whether I was knowledgeable about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[hazmaq]

The follow up has become the more important and responsible duty of good journalism - thank you Michael.

My particular question about that debate: was the placement of the Naval Officer next to McCain rigged??

Or will someone try and tell me it was it totally a coincidence that he was placed in McCains corner, first row - just within 'patting' and camera range of McCain throughout the debate??

[Kishadawn]

I personally support BO for this campaign. However, I think it is pretty racist to assume that all minorities support Obama simply because he is a minority as well. Are minorities incapable of voting on issues? I know who Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are too and all I have is an undergrad degree.

Its perfectly okay to be undecided on this race so far, even with an masters degree in your background. Everyone has policies that they think are important. If BO or McCain haven't shown them their strength in that area, then they have the right to choose in November.

[LHoney]

Well.... I'm sure Ms Palin had to be told...

[Ironquill]

If you go back and watch the tape you will see McCain talk about houses, and then inexplicably point across the room and say, "AMERICANS LIKE ALAN". What, Oliver couldn't possibly own his own home?

[2351]

Oh, I think that Obama needs to contact this guy and do an ad, showing McCains remarks to this guy during the debate and this guys statement now. I would title it, "The Elitess Comment".

[Df7702]

Well apparently all that education is worthless . Political science really ?

[JJ30]

I'm glad this young man actually addressed how he felt about it. McCain's answer was very condescending and he really didn't address the question. Instead he went on the attack as usual becuase he probably didn't know how the bailout would help the American people. Out of touch and out of his mind!

[CammyV]

Oh snap. McCain's such a clown. Who's the elitist now?

[westreal]

Very interesting read

[grantlingel]

I don't even know if he was a hero? Yeah.. what he survived was incredible... He is still here... went through a lot... but he was caught.... heroes in my mind are the ones who save their platoons and save children from crumbling buildings.. McCain has a great story.. but aside from that I could care less.
http://grantlingel.blogspot.com

[Jellyfisheater]

I would imagine that Oliver also knows that Spain is in Europe and not a Latin American country, unlike John McCain.
Does John McCain know that Spain have sent troops to both Iraq and Afghanistan to support the American invasions there?
Does John McCain know that 200 people were killed on a train in Madrid at the hands of Al Qaeda (due to their support of US foreign policy?)

I'd like somebody to put this question to John McCain. The only response I've heard from McCain on this issue so far was "horse sh*it", when Obama brought it up at the first debate.

What a presidential reply that was!

[BluePride]

We DON'T need another HERO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKVBq4VbC6w

[STalvacchia]

An educated (political science major at that) African American that is still undecided, that doesn't make sense to me. I didn't think what McCain said was condescending, though I believe his campaign towards Barrack Obama has been extremely condescending and disrespectful. From Palin putting down community organizers, to McCain saying "that one", to Cindy McCain saying Obama's vote no for funding for the troops sent chills down her spine (though McCain would vote similarly a few months before or after... I can't remember). How dishonest can this campaign get, and how smart do you have to be to see through it.

[heavencent]

Oliver,you are too kind.McCain is more than condescending.He made assumptions about you,because of his deep-seated racism.He felt so little of you-that he couldn't even get your name straight.Stop making excuses for him-----he doesn't deserve it-------or your VOTE!!!!

[xmw]

A black , educated person can still be "undecided". McCain's slime tactics should be enough to turn anyone's stomach. All black don't support Obama. He is probably leaning McCain (although I don't know what the hell for) but a poliSci major undecided at this point of any color is questionable??? MCCain was probably trying to say that because Fannie/ Freddie were always behind the scenes not many were aware of them (even his VP pick said they were "tax payer funded") That should have been this guys first clue about this ticket. In the racial climate of the election McCain as usual didn't apply good judgement and it came off wrong. I'm black and would have responded "sorry, you must be confusing me with Sarah Palin".

[wndrwrthg]

mccain only said that because he had just found out what they were.

[Manx]

Let's not make excuses for McCain. He's an arrogant, pompous, condescending elitist.

[Avembe]

"i know how to catch ben Laden"
"I know how to fix the economy"
"I know how to win wars"
I"t's not that difficult to fix social security"
"But Obama doesn't understand, What Obama fails to understand, What Obama needs to understand, I'm afraid Obama doesn't understand"
Again Senator obama doesn't understand"
You don't say to people that you are going to attack their country, you don't say it that loud BUT
I can sing bombombombobmbIRANI!!!!"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Wow Mc CAIN...It reminds me how condescendent some old guyz can be hammering to young people , you don't know you don't get it , you don't you don't etc...

[vippy]

With 26 years in the senate and what does McCain have to show for it? Nothing for the middle class, nothing for the soldiers, nothing for the workers and job seekers.
Remember the min. wage was put off and off. McCain claims the American Workers
are the best yet they are nothing without a job and he did not create any. In fact, he gave
Airbus the business rather than Boeing. He did not catch Bin Laden, how much more
time does he need, the economy went into the crapper under his watch and pay attention to Medicare and Social Security, for he needs to protect his friends.

[xmw]

we know Mac has eye trouble. Mainly looking down.