McCain Accidentally Agrees: Western Pennsylvania Is Racist

Sen. John McCain offered, on Tuesday, what may go down as one of the more awkward moments of this campaign cycle, in which -- speaking in Western Pennsylvania -- he declared he 'couldn't agree more' with the sentiment that some of the people from that region were openly racist.

"You know, I think you may have noticed that Senator Obama's supporters have been saying some pretty nasty things about Western Pennsylvania lately," McCain told the audience in the town of Moon Township. "And you know, I couldn't agree with them more."

Oops. It was, in many ways, a reflection of how tired these candidates have become as this nearly two-year-long campaign hits its final strides. And, to be fair, the crowd eventually got the point; booing at the reference to John Murtha, who said last week that some of his Western Pennsylvania constituents were racist. But there was a stunned silence after the gaffe.

For political humorists it is gold, made even more potent by McCain's botched attempt at a recovery. "I couldn't disagree with you," he declared (referencing what, no one knows). "I couldn't agree with you more than the fact that Western Pennsylvania is the most patriotic, most god-loving, most, most patriotic part of America, and this is a great part of the country."

The line was reminiscent of Sarah Palin touting the pro-America parts of the country. And actually could be just as politically dicey than the inadvertent labeling of Western Pennsylvanians as racists.

Either way, the video is worth a watch... or three.

ABC News catches McCain flubbing another attack line, this time on Joe Biden:

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., this week has been flubbing not just parts of his speeches, but the pivotal attack lines his campaign prepares reporters to film and record.

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In Belton, Missouri, Monday, McCain was supposed to say, "Just last night, Senator Biden guaranteed that if Senator Obama is elected, we will have an international crisis to test America's new President. We don't want a President who invites testing from the world at a time when our economy is in crisis and Americans are already fighting in two wars."

What he actually said, per ABC News' Bret Hovell: "Just last night, Senator Obama (sic) guaranteed that if Senator Obama is elected, Senator Biden said, we will have an international crisis to test America's new President," etc. etc.

He flubbed it again in the extended version of the attack.

"What's more troubling is that Senator Obama (sic) told their campaign donors that when that crisis hits, they would have to stand with them because it wouldn't be apparent Senator Obama would have the right response."

And this is from a Teleprompter!

Comments

[Snagsby]

Ooowwwww! that is a real cringer! The deafening silence after the punch line is the best bit. He's waiting for applause and thinking Ohhh, er, shouldn't they be hollerin' right now... what did I just say? Then he tries to bailout with a... "I couldn't disagree with... you". Wait, who's the you I was referring to? That doesn't sound right either... I'll just drop some patriotism, god-fearin' bombs and be done with it. When's Matlock on?

[L3ftofC3nter]

I'm having Bush flashbacks. It's time for him to retire to Jackson Hole, WY. FAST!!!

[DingoDave]

What's the deal with John McCain stumbling and bumbling in front of an international audience, with two skeletal women standing either side of him, and a fat guy wearing a t-shirt and a baseball cap standing behind him?
What's the message?
Don't fall for it America.

[ulanda65]

What a goof!!

[DingoDave]

The most patriotic, most God-forsaken place in the known world.
Welcome to Western Pennsylvania.
I'm almost certain that he doesn't really believe that.

[DingoDave]

Surely this is the last nail in the coffin?
Please put him out of my misery!

[ThePublicRecord]

http://www.pubrecord.org/commentary/414-mccain-obama-and-the-psychology-of-decisions.html

McCain, Obama and the Psychology of Decisions

By John P. Briggs and J.P. Briggs
The Public Record

The Candidates: They're Ambivalent and They Can't Help It. No One Can

The bailout crisis at the beginning of October dramatically illustrated the decision-making psychologies of the two presidential candidates - that is, their ability to deal with ambivalence.

With the financial debacle coming to a head, John McCain abruptly called for a "suspension" of the campaigns and rushed down the corridors of the Capitol in an effort to clinch the bailout deal. Instead, he threw a hand grenade into the negotiations, giving cover for a majority of House Republicans to humiliate their own party leaders and vote against the bill. He announced to his Republican Senate colleagues that he was prepared to act the maverick: "I appreciate what you've done here, but I'm not going to sign on to a deal just to sign a deal. Just like Iraq, I'm not afraid to go it alone if I need to." For a moment, one of his fellow Republicans said, "You could hear a pin drop. It was just unbelievab­le."

Instead of taking the lead in the discussions with the president - discussions McCain had urged as a way to force Obama off the campaign trail - McCain sat silently. For friend and foe alike, the turnabouts by McCain were puzzling.

[DingoDave]

And the moral of the story is;
"When you spit out the window of your car, don't be surprised if the wind blows it back in your face"

[norkas]

Many other Republicans that are smart and have no race issues will be voting for Obama. Please understand some of them will not admit it because of family and frinds but once they get in the booth they will smile and say CYA NUT CASE and vote for Obama Biden.

Many Republicas are little others no they are voting for Obama and are not hiding there fear and anger over a Mc Cain Palin ticket.

Obama is very mature and will embrace those republicans that are supportong Obama. There are many items that good Republicans and Democrats agree to and Obama will unite the country for seeing this is not pay back time like Republicans and Democrats have done is the past.

[zenaby56]

McCain is jsut sad. It will a good thing for him to go home to Arizona after this election. For good!

[ThePublicRecord]

http://www.pubrecord.org/sarah-palin/413-alaska-rep-calls-for-probe-into-troopergate-witness-tampering.html

New Front in Palin's 'Troopergate' Mess

In a new front for Gov. Sarah Palin’s “Troopergate” troubles, a top Alaska Democratic lawmaker has called on the state’s attorney general to appoint an independent investigator to probe whether operatives in Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign broke Alaska’s criminal witness-tampering laws.

[fearandloathing1]

Field Dressed: Inside Sarah Palin's Excellent Shopping Adventure:
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/10/field-dressed.html

[inluvwkeitholbermann]

can't wait to see this when i get home (no access at work).....­.these comments are funny!!

[demninja]

That's a real maverick for ya. McCain has gone against the teleprompter and his own good sense time and time again. So Mavericky it stings.

[MCTSilverlakeCA]

Maybe it's early stage Alzheimer'­s... recent memory is the first to go...

[Inthematrix]

This was so funny! This is the man that the Republicans want in office? We've had 8 years of Bushisms, we don't need another 4 years of McCainisms and Palinisms! Enough already!
http://inthematrix.wordpress.com/

[Oonagh]

And we think Palin is a problem...­. now he is showing a side of him that is scary too. He is not up to the job..... too old...

[Tommygun264]

Old man yells at cloud...ag­ain.