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.

Story continues below

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

[Ozarks]

Sparky123 See Profile I'm a Fan of Sparky123 I'm a fan of this user permalink

Latest is that McCain still leads in Pennsylvania. What more will it take for these people to see the light?
________--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gee Sparky, you are another one of those Rethugs who is math Challenged. Read this and weep:
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/
: In the event you can't read Sparky, Obama is leading by 15 points in PA

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This post was brought to you by Blackberry, invented by John (POW) McCain

[flummoxed]

Poor old thing - he is so tired. Can't say that I could do much better, but then again, I am not running for President! He really could use a nap.

[LAyogamom]

I seems McCain likes to take things one foot in the mouth at a time.

[Grunty1]

He is the only politician I've seen that prefers to have BOTH feet in his mouth at all times.

[CostaDelBarto]

Indeed with both feet in his mouth it's a wonder he cans still get his head so far up his own arse.

[Ozarks]

He can only put one foot at a time in mouth because the other foot is where the "sun don't shine"

[BluePride]

This is a 1965 Voting Rights Act national radio commercial: Things ARE Changing

http://current.com/items/89434265_obama_2008_things_are_changing?xid=136

[metivo]

He can flub=up all he wants and there will be still TOO MANY PEOPLE who will vote for him. I'm very afraid that McCain/Palin will win . . . . Please, everyone get out the vote. Make it your priority to 'convert' someone to vote Democratic and/or take someone to the polls who will cast their vote for Obama and who otherwise may not go. We must do more than simply vote. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Remember Truman holding the paper reading "Dewey Wins" . . .

[BrickSykes]

Ma'am, I appreciate your passion. But, if John McCain WINS on November 4th it won't be a matter of individual votes! That 'Win' would be clearly indicative of enormous Election Fraud !! That is the reason for the glum faces standing behind John McCain at every rally....Their own People KNOW they've LOST!!

Their only chance at 'Victory' is successfully 'counting' the Votes, and/or, Reporting the Results!! Somewhere between the Government offices where the votes are tallied, and the TV and Cable Network Centers, there is a 'Clearing House' type device, and it is 'run' by real people. This is where many millions of votes could be either "LOST" or "FOUND"!!

Brick

[Jmaan33]

talk about a "senior" moment

[jimme]

Open mouth, take out foot.

[shelobo]

I wonder if that's what happened to Palin In Colorado yesterday she made a MAJOR msitake when she said , told channel 9 News she OPPOSES Amendment 51 on Colorados Ballot would,which provide services to SPECIAL NEEDS children through a one cent sales tax increase on every $10 spent for the next two years....Amendment 51 provides thousands of children and adults with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Mental Retardation with critically needed care, through a modest, phased-in sales tax of 2/10 of 1%.

Amendment 51 provides new funding for much-needed services that people with developmental disabilities and their families need now and in the future, such as constant supervision, help with daily tasks, a place to live, job training or nursing services. When fully implemented, it will raise $186 million.NOW ,heres text from her speech" At the Republican National Convention, Palin told delegates: "To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters.

"I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House," she said.NOW heres the problem,how can she be FOR supporting Special Needs Children and turn around and OPPOSE an Amendment that HELPS Special needs children http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/10/21/19513/3433

[Grunty1]

The only mistake was that she spoke the truth of her position.

[mairs]

Reminds me of McCain when he votes down any help for the vets while saying he supports them. Thanks for bringing this up.

[cactusgal]

Has anybody checked to see if Cindy's arm is in a sling today?

[payos]

her arm is in a sling so that she won't have to shake hands with the hoi-polloi

[Jmaan33]

OH MY GOD...I CANNOT STOP LAUGHING!!!!! THIS IS F'ING CLASSIC

[Bariis]

And they're saying that McCain is healthy enough to become our president. He's having a hard time getting his point across. How on earth is this man going to lead us?

[BluePride]

We DON'T Need Anther HERO:

http://current.com/items/89381069_obama_2008_we_don_t_need_another_hero

[Jamess113]

Cindy's face says it all.

[rockyb26]

BREAKING NEWS:

We have another Michelle Bachmann situation here in Texas. Please head over to the new thread to find out about it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/22/race-boating-swift-boat-b_n_136867.html#postComment

Thanks.

[boing007]

No doubt he is ready to lead this country------------------------------------------ up San Juan Hill!

[Ozarks]

Well he was there with Teddy once before