Gergen: McCain's Performance "An Exercise In Anger Management" (VIDEO)

David Gergen, veteran of Republican and Democratic administrations, put it succinctly just now on CNN: McCain "looked angry. It was an exercise in anger management up there."

Later, Gergen remarked on McCain's visible contempt for Obama, saying "There were times he brought back memories of Bob Dole in 1996" and "The looks and the disdain and the contempt and the anger that he felt was palpable."

Later in CNN's broadcast, after Campbell Brown ran down CNN's poll results (an overall Obama win, a win for Obama among independents, Obama wins on questions about healthcare, and even taxes), Anderson Cooper asked Gergen what he would say to McCain about what the message should be going forward, in light of these results. Gergen replied, "Beats the hell out of me," adding later, "See if you can leave this with your honor in tact."

Comments

[rudyacuna]

The three issues that McCain flubbed that will cost him is 1) health care, 2) his extreme position on abortion. He minimized the "health" of the mother; and 3) NAFTA. A lot of workers in Ohio and Pennsylvania are hurting. Moreover, the unions object to the trade treaties because they are not monitored for human rights violations. Columbia which McCain cited as a model is one of the worse violators. Lastly, a point that was not explored because of Obama excessively cautios position is that Congressman Lewis never called McCain a racist. He merely expressed fears about his and Palin's inciting racism and violence. There is a difference. Palin does not live in an urban city, and did not experience the tensions of the MLK assassination.

[PeepingTom]

Palin probably does not even know who MLK is. She is so anti-Black.

And McCain voted against recognizing MLK as important enough to have a holiday.
Together, these two will take the country back to the days of segregation.

[gretcheno]

So why would ne one want them in the WH I don't!!

[Pattycakes90]

As an Independent voter, I've tried to be objective about each debate. Last night I felt so uneasy and downright uncomfortable watching McCain. I thought any minute he would reach across the table and grab Obama's lapels. But even before last night, I sensed a real anger in McCain...l­ike "how dare this guy take this election away from me...it is MINE.' But it has been the little things that have been most striking to me. The fact that McCain seems not to have respect for anybody...­including his own wife and certainly Sarah Palin. I remember when it was Obama's anniversary and the press caught him at the florist getting Michelle some roses. He didn't have to do that ...someone else would have done it for him...but he thought it was important. It's also the way he treats Michelle when they are together..­..hugging her, kissing her, holding hands. To me, it's the little things that show character.

[PeepingTom]

spot on!

[athenasword]

Wonderful description of both men!

[PoliJunkie]

Yep! Obama is not fake!

[lawahine]

Beautifully put. I was lucky enough to meet Obama shortly before his presidential run. The encounter was short, but he connected with me. He didn't just shake my hand, he looked me in the eyes and heard what I was saying. I knew right then he was genuine.

[gretcheno]

And BO seems to carry his own bags off the airplane in the different cities that he travels too!!

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

Anderson Cooper asked Gergen what he would say to McCain about what the message should be going forward...­.Gergen replied, "Beats the hell out of me," adding later, "See if you can leave this with your honor in tact."


ROTF......­LMAO with the tears and stomach hurt kind of laugh. And, the fact it's coming from Gergen's mouth mkes it makes it even more hilarious. Woooo, that was too funny.

And it is going to be funnier repeating Gergen's response to my family and friends all day today...LO­L

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

Huffpo, you should have posted the video of this Gergen's response instead. Too funny.

[wrylass]

Great advice from Gergen, but coming a bit too late ... his honor done gone.

[MissKaren]

David Gergen is what they refer to as a utility player. He's so good at what he does, so evenhanded, that Bill Clinton called on this old Nixon hand for advice when he needed someone he can trust. I used to love listening to him and Mark Shields go back and forth on the NewsHour. David is a mensch.

[fishgirl26]

Gergen is awesome...­I laughed out loud. Nice to hear total honesty out of a commentator.

[markusmarkus]

John McCain's PTSD: "Palin Totally Scuttled my Destiny."

[TandalynNeff]

I respect Mr. Gergen and his commentary is usually right on. Last night when asked "what should McCain do now" Mr. Gergen had a bewildered look on face and then said "how do hell do I know". I nearly fell off my chair laughing. This was a truly honest remark considering MCain's campaign and yes McCains erratic behavior as he has tried every strategy in the book and nothing is successful. Mr. Gergan later in the show came back with some advice relating to how Mccain should proceed. It was a good moment for all and completely honest. On the subject of Mccain's obvious anger it further reinforces and gives strength to the fact that McCain should not be President.

[DebbieinPhx]

Roger Simon's story about George Wallace's vile attempts to vilify the media was dead on perfect. When asked why he was creating a hateful mob mentality towards members of the press corps, he said "I'm just laying down the hay where the GOATS can get it." That's exactly the reprehensible mindset of the Palin's team/handlers actions at Rallies. Problem is that they are stoking RACIAL hatred, bigotry and violence in a country with the deplorable history that this one has... THAT is beyond irresponsible, it's incitment to cause violence and is complicit at its core.

McCain is finished after this race, that much is obvious to him and everyone else. What may not be obvious, especially to the dimwit at the heart of this, is that Sara Palin's career in public life is over as well.

[cobraxus]

I'm not so sure about Palin.She'­s the new shining star of the conservative movement and now more than ever they need something to hang the hopes(or ropes)on.

[Scottart]

Serenity vs. senility

[Truthosaurus]

It is quite amazing the amount of attention given the "looks" of a candidate. How could a rather odd looking guy like Abraham Lincoln ever be elected in today's climate? His looks would be picked apart and dissected without end. Although it wasn't too long ago that some people would not vote for a person with dark skin. At least finally, that may end with this election. But it's a shame people still seem so influenced by how a candidate looks - particularly on a television. Maybe we should forget about debates, and have some kind of "America's Top Model" contest instead? Afterwards the TV personalities can critique skin imperfections to determine who has the best economic strategy.

[deliriousgod]

It is not McCain's 'looks' which are in question here: it is his demeanour and composure. Lincoln would do fine in a debate; in fact Obama exhibits many Lincolnesque traits of character and even something of his eccentric appearance. McCain is having a Tom Cruise moment on Oprah's couch every time we see him. A scientific analysis has been done which rates McCain as more 'handsome' than Obama on the basis of facial proportions and feature placements. Frankly, McCain was always 'good-looking' enough to be a Hollywood actor but he is not 'looking' too good as Presidenti­al-materia­l

[Truthosaurus]

Lincoln would likely not do fine in a televised debate. People would be talking incessantly about his appearance. People who wanted to tarnish Lincoln would speculate about his health. TV would amp it all up, since by most accounts he was quite unattractive and odd looking. Also my understanding of the Lincoln/Douglas debates is that they were quite rough and tumble. So maybe Lincoln would constantly get accused of negative campaigning. On radio he might do well. After one of the fabled Kennedy/Nixon debates, radio listeners called it for Nixon. But the opposite was true of the television audience. Like it or not - people are influenced to a high degree over little appearance items, and will jump to far ranging conclusions based on how a candidate smiles, shakes hands, or the color of the candidates skin.

[DiBaskin]

It is not his looks it is his anger. McCain was mean, nasty, rude and angry. That made his look old and ugly. I admit I am an Obama supporter but I will say McCain's anger and explosive behavior scares me. I was thinking I hope they checked McCain for weapons because he looks dangerous. I can' t imagine he sitting down and talking to any world leaders that disagree with him on anything.

[Invox]

During the Republican convention, McCain said this contest was going to be about personalities and not issues. I think the issues are No. 1. He seriously underestimated their importance to us. However, for the undecided voters, it may very well come down to personalities as a deciding factor. McCain is ill-tempered, condescending and rude. More than anything, our country needs to soften within our strength. The hatred and vile of the last few years has done great damage. We don't need more of McSame.

[Truthosaurus]

There is a problem with your analysis. By most accounts, even given Bush's ineptitude, he has been an easy going guy in public and with foreign leaders. What do people say - he is the guy many people would like to have a beer with? Now you appear to be advocating that the public vote for someone who appears like Bush - not "ill-tempered" like McCain. Look what that got us. Here is a better suggestion. Leave the appearances to the television personalities to obsesses about - along with the armchair psychoanalysis. And instead vote on the substance of the issues and the candidates stand, credibility and history on the issues. We can't afford another election on appearances.

[gentlernation]

Yeah but the hottest VP from the coldest state is not helping McSame. McCain just plainly looks our of touch and quite angry, In fact I thought he was plain rude.

[Vendeen]

But this isn't about cosmetic looks. Its about how McCain looked that reflected his character -- angry, condescending, arrogant, contemptuous. I don't think anyone ever used those words to describe Abraham Lincoln.

[Truthosaurus]

Huh? You say it was not about looks. Then in the next sentence you say it was about looks, that how McCain looked reflected his character. That's looks. Then you jump to the conclusion based on how he looked - that McCain was an "angry, condescending, arrogant, contemptuous" person. Again, this is an example of how people are overly influenced by appearances - in particular how a person is perceived to appear on a television. There is little substance in your critique - it's personal based on what you are reading into some visual cues you think you noticed on the TV screen. It's a fact that people are influenced by appearances, often times far out of proportion to what is really important. Probably some evolutionary thing - our ancestors trying to survive by picking up on facial cues and mannerisms. But it doesn't tell me about the candidates economic policy.

[hyjanks]

Anyone can become angry--that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way--that is not within everybody's power and it is not easy.
--Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics

[deliriousgod]

I generally expect more anger from a younger man. An older man I expect to have developed much more sophisticated instruments for enacting his will than resort to his fists. What exactly has the maverick been doing with his life? Not reading Aristotle.

[JT16682]

Mastering others requires force. Mastering oneself requires strength. (Chuang Tze).

[KathyIndiana]

"...leave this with your honor intact." It's much too late for that. Honor went out of McCain a long time ago, along with integrity and judgment. McCain would make a horrible president; thank God people seem to be seeing that. In addition to anger management and ego problems (do you know who I am?), McCain definitely has health problems we aren't being told about. Gergen is right, but that anger definitely wasn't managed too well last night.

[omalley313]

it is time to put the maverick out to pasture

[jamesivory3]

I watched the debate last night and it is obvious that John McCain is not fit to be President. If he cant keep his cool in a formal debate, how in the hell can he represent the American people in foreign policy? He's an angry old man and that's all he is. McCain's demeanor, attitude, and personality are all unattractive traits that make him look bad. His supporters are very shallow people if they cant see through his rehearsed attempts to connect with the American people.

His judgement is also highly questionable. He chose a running mate the country knew little about. Her track record is suspect as the Governor of a sparsely populated state. Out of all the truely qualified republicans in America, he chose the hockey mom with no experience in Washington. Our country is not in any position to train Vice Presidents as we go. We are in the middle of a War that really has not proven to be successful at any point. Our economy is collapsing everyday, How can she assist in any of the current troubles our Government is facing? Fact: She cant. She has her hand in the energy business. It only about business for the Republican ticket, not the PEOPLE!

[JaniceL]

I don't see how he can be a good representative for our country either. He reminds me of a cranky grandpa set in his ways. The man is way too old and intractable to be president, especially in a time when we are in crisis and need leadership that will be able to talk to people civilly and be open to a myriad of ideas for solving our problems. Anyone objectively looking at the two side by side can see Obama will be a far better advocate for our country's needs than McCain. McCain's time of relevancy has passed him by and I think he can't contain his anger about that fact.

[deliriousgod]

positing 'Arab' and 'decent' as mutually-exclusive concepts is really not helpful either. And that's when the golem is being Shmiegel.

[jojojo]

RE: the economy, check the facts...

For 70 years, the stock market has done better under Dems than Repubs, according to the Wall Street Journal's magazine, Smart Money. They also point out that about 70% of our national debt has been run up under just 3 presidents, Reagan, Bush and Bush. 70% of our debt in 20 years, of our history of over 200 years! Supply-side, trickle-down clearly does not work, but McCain promises more of it. Bush Sr was right about 2 things, though. He didn't invade Iraq and, before he embraced Reaganomics, he rightly referred to it as "Voodoo Economics.­"

[ICANSEERUSSIA]

Listen people, McBush AKA Mc L i a r and his trusty side kick and VP choice Sarah McBlunder and his gang of thugs are gonna hit us with everything they have this month! We need to flood Obama's campaign through the home stretch with as much money as we can give through October. We all started very strong and now we all have to pick up even more steam and finish what we started, our families and our soldiers are counting on us to fight the good fight to the end! Let's continue making this about the Economy, Health Care, Equal Pay, Education, Etc and we will win this Election! My family and I are struggling like many other American Families, we have donated a $150 dollars every month even though we really cant afford it but if we lose this election to McCain, the loss will be much bigger. Even my thirteen year old daughter and my seven year old daughter are engaged in this Election and have took money out of their piggy banks to help invest into a better future for not just them but for everyone that believes in Fairness, Justice, Equality and Hope in America. I've always told my children, that the rule is in everything they do in life, you always start strong and you always end strong. Obama/Biden/08

VOLUNTEER AND GET OUT THE VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!

CLICK ON THIS LINK

https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/main

[miamia]

Okay. We got it already. Stop posting this.

[DiBaskin]

Is this you McCain? Wow, this is my first time reading it . Also it bears repeating.

[ICANSEERUSSIA]

miamia : ( Sorry my post is bothering you so much but I am a committed Obama supporter here in Fremont Ohio about 30 min from Joe the Plumber in Toledo Oh, who has and still is walking many neighborhoods with my wife and two daughters after work and school to continue to get Obamas message out and to inform people about the issues and to get out and vote. By posting the message that you are complaining about, I am only using another outlet to get the word out and remind people that anything and everything they can do to help to get the vote out is gonna be the reason why we all will succeed at putting Sen. Obama in the White House. I'm only interested in making sure people dont get complacent and remember what as at stake. Sorry the message I've posted is the same message over and over but I'm simply trying to remind people that this is our campaign as much as it is Obama's. We are all invested in one out come and that is a victory for a better future for not just you but for everyone that believes in Fairness, Justice, Equality and Hope in America.

VOLUNTEER AND GET OUT THE VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!

CLICK ON THIS LINK

https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/main

[whatfreshhellisthis]

McCain does indeed seem to be angry all the time, but I have a slightly different take on his anger. I think it is directed at (1) George W. Bush, who who spread scurrilous lies about him in 2000 and thus won the nomination, and (2) voters, who bought into those lies and denied McCain the nomination. It must be very galling for him to be compared to Bush, not just by Obama but by so many people. I bet that in his own mind, McCain is thinking, "If I had been elected president 8 years ago, as I should have been, I'd have been a better president and we wouldn't be in such a mess." And it must have been difficult for him to swallow his pride all these years and hug George Bush. But he did it, and every Obama campaign ad should include the picture of McCain hugging Bush.

Whatever the reasons for his anger, we don't need it. After belligerent, bellicose Bush, we need a president who is capable of reasoned, measured responses to events----a person like Obama.

[miamia]

McCain stuck his finger in the wind and decided to snuggle up to GWB. I do not believe he has "true" principles. A person with true principles does simply abandon them. They are usually criticized in life and only appreciated in death.

[miamia]

I meant, only appreciated after death.

[mamala4]

I respectfully disagree..­.I think he is mad at himself...­he is thinking, "I have been in the Senate for umpteen years and I am losing this election to this _________ kid." Yes you are losing, and deservedly so....

[Archivist1000]

If that is how McCain feels, imagine how Hillary feels when she sees a nitwit like Palin closer to the WH than she is ...

But, Hillary is more Presidential than McCain in the way she is presenting herself. If anyone DESERVES to be in the WH .. it's Hillary not McCain.

Palin is so lucky she is running against a 'gentleman' .... she might have been running against someone who EARNED the opportunity on brains/work/talent.