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

[Puller58]

McCain is frustrated as he has no clue how to make his handlers' plans work. The conventional wisdom is that McCain was discouraged by his loss in 2000, and he wanted to avoid what he saw as mistakes in that campaign. Regardless of how he ran, I think the result of a win would be a much more aggressive and irrational foreign policy. He needs to defeat his own demons before he tries starting more wars.

[Tommygun264]

I just hope that the next time McSame pops his cork it's in public with plenty of cameras around. The man is unstable, but there are so many lemmings out there who can't see it because they are too worried about getting taxed for capital gains they haven't even made yet to think clearly.

[Miss Lola]

I truly hope he retreats...and we don't have to see him again for a VERY LONG TIME.

[Whinger]

John McCain had that tortured look about him, resenting the discomfort yet powerless to stop it.

His body language betrayed his true colors!

[mamacat]

Gergen dares to say what others fear to.

The elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about is, why is this Republican campaign, like the ones in 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006, based entirely on smearing one's opponent with lies?

Mac gave over the running of his campaign to the Rovians, and we are seeing the results. The moderator led off by asking about the charges that each camp is lying, but Obama refused to talk about it. Mac and Palin have sold their souls to the devil, and are happy to repeat the lies and smears that the Rovians put out there and tell them to keep on repeating.

America has been diminished by the neo-con movement and their abandonment of principle, and none of the pundits wants to touch that subject. David Brooks alluded to it when he said that Mac gave over the running of his campaign a year ago to the Bush people, who are the Rove people.

[partyofone]

David Gergen would tell McCain ""See if you can leave this with your honor in tact."?

Any honor John McCain had left, after a career of trading on it for political gain, he has lost with this needlessly mean-spirited, dishonest, angy, divisive and dangerous campaig. What McCain has done with the "politics of distortion and distruction" campaign model makes even iKarl Rove and the Clintons blush.

John McCain should be banned from using the terms "honor"and "country first"forthe rest of his life.

[PuddyKatz]

Unfair to Bob Dole. In essence Dole was a decent person and conservative but not an extremist.

[longislandlol]

What he said about the mothers health is the most dishonorable statement every made in a presidential debate....

[MRb1000]

John Mccain is worst than Bob Dole.

[Roschelle]

What he should be angry about is the idea of Palin residing in the oval office. Check out this interactive look into what a Palin presidency might be like. Make sure to click on the different objects in the room as you mouseover the page!! It's interesting

http://roschellenelson.blogspot.com/2008/10/palin-as-president.html

[richmc]

I can't wait till this is over. I am soo o looking forward to having a president with a brain and the ability to put five words together without stammering. Obama is the man.

[realpolitic]

"Gergen remarked on McCain's visible contempt for Obama!" It is a shame that McCain feels such contempt for Obama when Obama is so superior in almost every way including thoughtfulness, dignity, and command of the issues.

As Gergen then stated McCain's best strategy at this point is to "See if you can leave this with your honor in tact." Even this small hurdle will be difficult for McCain now.

[Squirtapotamus]

John McCain never had any honor. He's been a priveleged navy brat his entire life.

[Biffmeister]

At one time I would have disagreed with you (even though I want Obama to win). But they say people don't really change, they just eventually reveal their true self. I think you are probably correct.

[realpolitic]

Yes, and he can not remember how many homes he has. So much for Republican appeals to the "ordinary Joe."

[partyofone]

What McCain feels and is muchless able to control is the anger that Bill and Hillary felt, and it flows from a deep sense of entitlement. "How dare this upstart even presume to challenge me when I am ready to collect the prize if have worked hard for and deserve so much."

[realpolitic]

Yes, there is a feeling of entitlement there and much hostility.

[Za786]

Wonder how McCain is gonna respond on David Letterman Show tonight ?!?

[partyofone]

What are the odds he cancels again? McCain will be in serious jeopardy of losing it on national TV if he gones on and lets Letterman needle him.

[pjburns11]

Whoo boy, is the Mav going to be mad tomorrow morning.

McCain is going to kick Tucker Bounds' "You know what"!

http://thetruthburns.wordpress.com/2008/10/11/we%e2%80%99ve-gone-from-silly-season-to-hate-week-what%e2%80%99s-next-kristallnacht/

[pjburns11]

I am not President Bush.

Methinks the Maverick doth protest too much.

http://thetruthburns.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/the-tragedy-of-maccain/

[Squirtapotamus]

He's right, you know. He's worse than Bush.

[siney]

obama should have said that..."you're right, john. you're not george bush. you're worse than george bush. if in the face of our current economic mega-crisis, 2 wars, astronomical deficits and national debt, energy crisis, health care crisis, education crisis, and unprecedented decline in american prestige and power -- if all you have to offer is more of the same failed policies of the past and vicious and spurious attacks against me while the american people are hurting, then that makes you worse than george bush."

[tonynguyen]

I Watch Mc Cain on Hi Def TV tonight, it is really scarry..

[Squirtapotamus]

What did you think of those nails? Pretty long, weren't they? Cindy needs to trim them back.

[WestCoastWoman]

McCain's anger along with Palin's ignorance and hate is VERY dangerous for this country! Obama and Biden we can see you from our houses in the White House! I can't wait for Bushie's last day 1/20/09! We can see John retire to one of his 10 homes and Sarah....... go get on a plane to nowhere and stay there! Obama/Biden!

[partyofone]

Sarah will go back to a mess of corruption charges, that should keep her busy for a while.

[highballhitter]

watch the face of rick davis when he talks. now you know why johnny mc is turning into one angy little boy. they both can't hide their bitterness. smoke a fatty rick and relax you sourpuss. mccane, just forget it.

[brenner21]

What "honor" are we talking about? Visit: http://vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/