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

[watchingthings]

I couldn't agree with you and I couldn't disagree with you my friends so rest assured, as your President, I will do nothing for you.

[ProfessionalGun]

One big difference between McCain and Obama:

When McCain supporters boo Obama, McCain BEAMS. When Obama supporters boo McCain - Obama says, "Hey - we don't need any of that."

It's in the details, people.

[SatinPanties]

Yep, in McCan't's rallies when the crowd boos we are exposed to the horizontal sticks of butter McCan't confused with his dentures.

[NU81]

What about the brave firemen/women and policemen/women in New York CITY would were the first responders the morning of 9/11? Who are they McCain? UN-patriotic?

First reaction: Huge laugh.

Second reaction: What's with all the divisive, ironically UN-patriotic speech coming from the McCain camp?

Third reaction: Oh, I did that already. Voted for Obama early ballot.

[AHydel]

I am not so sure this was a mistake. I really think he was trying to excite the base by embracing their love of racism. This man is a political genious.

[tgram]

McCain is political genius? Are you kidding?

[j0em0mma]

A genius? That's settin' the bar pretty low on genius...

[cb high]

Wasn't it McCain and his senior advisors that said that "those little moments when you say something you 'didn't mean to', those moments are how you really feel." So in that case, maybe McCain really does feel that those people are racists.

It's bad when your own accusations comeback to bite you in the a$$.

[MPeter]

McCain is a sad, tired old man. He needs to retire and swing in the chair for the rest of his remaining days. He has squandered his honor.

[WasteNJ]

Too true and too sad.

[blustate135]

So to summarize... the pro-American parts of the country are western PA, Greensboro, NC, and all of VA except the northern part. Oh, and Wasilla. And liberals are anti-Americans. Way to go in uniting the country John. Keep up the good work.

[StevenBolstad]

This is such smarmy pandering by a pseudo-populist who is trying to cash in on his running mates fervid
"fan" base. And by base, I mean base.
The good part that is left of John McCain (very little left) still fights his tongue when he begins crap like this. That is why he can't say it straight.
He knows he is being a creep.

Freud or Tourettes he stumble along.
The old lion's teeth are loose and dull.

[Gmoney1]

Who wants this guy representing us in other countries -

[FollowTheLeader]

McCain on Obama's plan in 2000 how ironic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2JPbQOHEkY

[Fran1972]

Hmmm...He was for spreadin' the weath around before he wasn't.

That kid sure was pi$$ed her dad has to pay more taxes under a McCain administration.

Nice find!!

[bascombe]

barack is nice when he says mcPalin is out of touch. Way too nice!!!

[midwestgal STL]

IF YOU THINK YOU'VE HEARD RACISM IN THIS CAMPAIGN; YOU HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING YET!!!!!

Please Americans get this to Keith Olberman, Larry King, Anderson Cooper, Rachel Maddow, Chris Matthews, Maureen Dowd, Don Lemon, Rick Sanchez, and any other journalist that will get the story into the mainstream.

I promise you, you won't be able to listen to the entire racist rants that are on this audio voicemail about Barack Obama.

LISTEN: WARNING=VULGAR, EXTREMELY RACIST AND FOUL LANGUAGE. MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR WORK......­..........­..

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/m.s.-bellows/anti-acorn-messages-threa_b_136222.html

[Coinyer101]

he just fergot where he was fer a minute.

[someone please get him some paper shoes]

[KeithMayass]

ding dong , no clue about what s going on

[Passenger57]

I'm John McCain, and I just destroyed this message.

[McCraniac]

Why is Cindy McCain standing behind John Syndey every stinking stump speech? She just stands there and nods and claps. i tire of her. Almost as bad as having to look at Todd when ImPalin speeks.

[ballerina]

easy..she's a stepford wife

[Grunty1]

If it isn't Cindy, it's Sarah.

They don't trust the old man to campaign alone.

[Diogenis]

Cindy was thinkin.....oh John you screwed that one up!! Oh wait....you saved your a s s! Phew. How does she endure him?

[k1k2lee]

I knew at the start of this that the youth and vitality of Biden and Obama would run the Senator from Arizona ragged and that by the end of October he would be walking into walls. Every time I look at McCain he looks so darn tired. He clearly just wants to rest, rest, rest. Let's all work real hard to make sure he gets some down time after November 4th!

[dollphingurl]

"Mr. Puddles? Mr. Puddles? Ah, there you are, Mr. Snuffy-Wuffy, Bitty Witty Puddles...."

[Jackie728]

I've got snausages!! LOL! ROFLMAO.

The only thing older and more tired than McCain himself are his ideas. He had better be glad that young, vigorous and good looking Obama didn't take him up on his idea for 10 town halls...or he'd be down by 15 or more points.

Poor Cindy. I know she wants a vodka martini, a xanax and to just disappear.