McCain Debate Questioner: "I Actually Did" Know Fannie

MSNBC:

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: MSNBC

Comments

[wazzucoug]

It's been said that "when you assume you, make an A$$ out of you and me." Just further proof that Senator McCain has no modicum of decency or respect towards others. This gentleman who asked the question is probably more qualified to be McCain's running mate than Palin. No disrespect to you sir, but stated as a matter of fact!

[Eoin45]

Thank you so much for that Mr. Clark. McCain was condescending and probably racist but, being a Republican, that's just the norm.

[voter42]

McCain wishes nobody had heard of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, then he might have a chance of winning.

[JiminNC]

Oh, I see Oliver ... you just went from a typical "colored" person to uppity! ;))) Poor John, give him a microphone and some time.

[rcpmac]

And a long enough mic cord...

[mfournier]

I think it safe to say that although McCain didn't mean anything by the remark, it somewhat proves that he has innate prejudices, perhaps not because the fellow was African American, but because McCain just thinks those in the "masses" most not be intelligent or aware of current events in the political arena. I find it more likely that with McCain it's not so much due to racial prejudice as much as it is just his being out of touch with the public after having been cloistered in the Senate all these years. We all have our prejudices, but you'd have to know that anyone who goes to the trouble and effort to attend a Town Hall meeting/Debate is at least interested in what is going on!

[ZimboChick]

Why do people find themselves defending McCain's 'innate prejudices' ? What else does he have to do for you to believe they are neither innate nor subtle.

[mfournier]

Trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, I guess! Don't worry, I'd never vote for him!

[robXdion]

Because they actually identify with those "innate prejudices" and they're afraid what it says about them. That's why they defend him.

[grata2ude]

McCain is such a pompous pandering nit. He clap the vet on the back and shook his hand then turns to the black questioner and insinuates he isn't intelligent or aware enough to have heard about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

[scotia626]

the remark was totally patronizing just like all of his "my friends' remarks!!!

[atila]

yeah,mccain is old but is a ra.cist too(it doesn't matter if his wife adopt a girl from India or Bangladesh)...

[JiminNC]

His wife bought that one for a prop. "Look, see, we like everyone! We just never show up in public with her."

[AZterritory]

Wow! Mr. Clark is more than qualified to be McCain's VP. Nah . . . . TOO smart.

[tel8034]

McCain looked at Oliver Clark, saw he was a young black guy, and immediately brought all of the black stereotypes to the forefront of his thoughts.

Nowhere in McCain's mind did he even imagine Clark having a college degree, much less a post-graduate degree...................

As far as McCain was concerned Clark never even finished high school.

If Oliver Clark was the only one McCain treated with disdain, we might have overlooked this slight, but McCain was equally as rude to the young black lady who posed a question to him............... McCain failed to call her by name like he did to the others and he turned his back on her when he began his diatribe of lies and distortions.

McCain was RUDE AND CONDESENDING.

[Indieguy]

I don't believe that McCain has much, if any, respect for women, white or black.

[Daly]

true that!

[ammagirl]

http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html

PBS poll...Is Sarah palin qualified to be president. Go Vote!!!

[Grundoono]

Good god. 49 percent of the respondents think imPalin is qualified!!!!

[viewfromuphere]

well it is an unscientific poll

[scared-as-hell]

once again (sadly) we are seeing how an old, white guy prejudges a young, black guy as being probably undereducated and not up-tp-speed on current affairs....oh wait, hasn't he done the same thing to obama?

shamful......mcshamful, to be exact.

[Slapmewhenitsover]

Watch out Oliver! You will be labeled as an elitist for having an education.

This brings up an interesting point that I used to make in my instruction at various universities:

Why is it considered elitist for liberals to have an education and not for conservatives?

Answer:

The conservatives were the ones always politicking you for grades, turning in work late, filing grade challenges at the end of the semester, dropping classes and taking a W in the eleventh or twelfth week or attacking you in class because they thought discrediting you as a teacher would force you to give them a good grade.

Thus, they went to school but never actually gained any knowledge from the experience.

Know anyone like this?

[Kimberella]

To add insult to injury...I recall McCain didn't address Mr. Clark by name as he did everyone else that night. I was outraged by McCain's behavior in general.

[Womanvoter4Obama]

Ok...I thought anyone who has been to college has heard for Freddie and Fannie. I tried to give McCain the benefit of the doubt but he makes it hard..

But you must also assume McCain and wife who travel from state to state via small plane think nothing of US traveling across state lines to get our healthcare needs fulfilled. I don't know about you, but I like nothing more than to get in my Cessna and jet on over to PA or NY to get healthcare I can get around the corner from my house..some health care plan genius! Oh and that Cessna? It's a Honda Accord and gas prices are mighty high to be traveling from state to state for healthcare, not to mention tolls and parking fees if I have to go into NYC...McCain's plan blows!

[Octoberluna]

Good for you Oliver! You know, I am sure that I heard Mr. McCain begin his answer by calling you Oliver and end it by calling you Albert (or something similar), then I noticed Mr. Obama make a point of saying Oliver within his first sentence as if to make sure you knew he'd been paying attention. I don't think McCain even noticed...I'll have to review the transcripts...I just remember my head swinging up when I hear him use an incorrect name...but oddly enough I wasn't surprised. Anybody else catch this?