Paul Begala Schools Meghan McCain (VIDEO)

Meghan McCain got taken to task by Paul Begala during her appearance on "Real Time with Bill Maher" Friday, leading her to tell Begala at one point "you clearly know everything and I'm just the blond sitting here."

It all got started during a discussion of George Bush, who McCain acknowledged was a less than perfect president. But McCain also pointed a finger at the Obama administration in Bush's defense, saying she felt that the Obama administration "has to stop completely blaming everything on its predecessor." When Maher asked McCain if she really thought this is what Obama is doing, McCain said "I do to a degree." A clearly annoyed Begala immediately shook his head and said "not to enough of a degree, I'm sorry not nearly enough." He then began to explain how President Reagan blamed Jimmy Carter for years, to which McCain responded blithely "you know I wasn't born yet so I wouldn't know." Going in for the kill, Begala fired back "I wasn't born during the French Revolution but I know about it."

And it only got more embarrassing for McCain from there.

Comments

[FourSordidRms]

09:59 PM on 07/15/2009

I am not a Paul Begala fan, typically, but that "I wasn't born during the French Revolution but I know about it" line is all win.

[escomments]

11:43 AM on 07/05/2009

I too blame Bush!

For leading the Republican party into the wilderness. For run away spending. For incompetence in prosecuting the war in Iraq. And mostly, for creating an environment where an anti Federalist, anti Constitutionalist, Banana Republic Socialist like Barak Obama could be elected President of the United States!

[Redweb1]

03:23 AM on 06/26/2009

Whaa, Whaaa,,,, Can any Republican deal with a truthful and intelligent discussion. Just like the party that Megan claimed was giving her " &%$" for appearing on Bill Maher's show, she fails to be able to handle anything said to her that is not in complete "awe" of her statements. What twit!,,, she is a sad representation of her age group. She completely embarrassed herself and then whined a retort a 9 year old would make. Sara Palin must have prepared her for the show! "Send in the clowns,, oh wait, there all ready here!"

[MaximMaximus]

10:08 PM on 06/25/2009

Some people say "she's not ready for prime time". Hmmm. I didn't know that stup idity goes away as one gets older! And what's the excuse for her lack of knowledge in pretty much anything despite having had the privilege to attend the best schools in the nation? She is indeed just a blond. And she should be thankful to Mr. Begala exerted for he exerted restraint and did not rip her a new one!

[pipp]

02:28 PM on 06/24/2009

Talk about exercise in restraint. Begala and Maher amazing!

[nervousexpat]

02:03 PM on 06/24/2009

Could she sound any MORE like a valley girl! Like Oh my god!

[Eli Bishop]

11:36 AM on 06/24/2009

Wow, I love how she goes on the show as an expert on what the Republicans think, but still doesn't know her stance on anything. Not ready for prime time.

[Gilberto71]

11:12 AM on 06/24/2009

Looking forward to the Palin-McCain (Meghan) ticket in 2012.

[Lavafalls]

11:34 AM on 06/24/2009

Megan isn't old enough to run for president, or even the senate

[amantell]

07:55 AM on 06/24/2009

I finally caught the episode last night. I agree with a lot of other posters who've said that McCain isn't ready for prime time. The problem doesn't seem to me to be so much a matter of age as of personality. She seems to purposefully be playing the role of a naif, which interferes with her ability to engage other pundits. Yes, there's no substitute for the first-hand experience of someone like Paul Begala, but time spent as a journalist or public figure doesn't necessarily translate to being a good contributor on a panel. I saw Christopher Hitchens and Mos Def on an episode of Realtime a few months ago, and the latter had a lot more compelling things to say than the alleged hotshot journalist, who was overly cynical and patronizing. McCain ought to drop the little girl act, which is just a silly defense mechanism, and embrace the gumption she's displayed so far to make herself a public figure. She has something worthwhile to contribute, so she should stop being so deferential.

[Gilberto71]

11:07 AM on 06/24/2009

Lost you at "she has something to contribute." She has zero intellect or experience to even sit at the table... next the Bush girls will be important voices of the right?

[Judyisacutie]

08:53 PM on 06/23/2009

Leave it to a reporter like Katty Kay to pick up on a detail and dig deeper. Smart reporters are dangerous in an interview. Articulate intellects are dangerous in a debate. You can't go on a show like that and sit in the middle of people of that caliber and not have your stuff together. Sorry Megan, but you're not ready for prime time.

[thundermummy]

08:50 PM on 06/23/2009

Just watched on Tivo. If Meghan McCain is the future of the GOP then there is a vacuum to be filled bu a third party.

[danonchalant1]

08:00 AM on 06/24/2009

There's one to be filled between her ears, too!

[jabreal00]

08:13 PM on 06/23/2009

She seems reasonable and fair minded. However, she is not the brightest. If she is trying to be the Republican's version of a Rachel Maddow she is failing. Maddow is brilliant, quick, witty, and fair minded. McCain has a lot of studying and polishing up to do. She comes off as an intellectual light weight. Look at how Maher was treating her with kid gloves.

[smarternu]

10:07 PM on 06/23/2009

She would need to repeat school all over to catch up.

[ElTiante]

11:37 PM on 06/23/2009

Perfect!

[neocon666]

10:26 AM on 06/24/2009

Rachael Maddow also has a PhD.

[Lavafalls]

11:33 AM on 06/24/2009

So the republican party should listen to someone with an education then, instead of pretty blonds with no knowledge.

Oh, thats right, they really don.t have educated spokesmen/women.

[LadyBeryl]

07:47 PM on 06/23/2009

How embarrassing! I really liked this woman but I've gotten turned off by the two things on which she hangs her hat:

1. Youthfulness - She consistently sends the "I'm the YOUNG Republican and we are different from the OLD folks in the party" message. Being younger doesn't mean being stupid. Take a good look at Rachel Maddow and catch a clue. Being older doesn't mean obsolescence. Take a look at most of the older Progressives and recognize.

2. Female Cutie - Just like Sarah Palin, Paris Hilton, and other airheads, she appeals to other shallow females and men. Beauty will not solve the complex problems we face. Pick up a dog-gone book and read more than fashion and celebrity magazines.

[Shammie2000]

06:34 PM on 06/23/2009

Move along folks, this young lady is doing nothing more than making excuses for the ReThug mess
they left for others to fix, if/when the ReThug's take control of the ship again she'll mail in her apology
to Boss Hogg just like the rest of them.

[WorldGoneWild]

05:23 PM on 06/23/2009

Bill Maher's show usually requires his guest to be witty, knowledgeable, smart or humorous. Unfortunately, all Meghan has is a good makeup job and a cute hairstyle. My nephews who are her age could run circles around her when discussing history, economics and politics but they are not heirs to a political dynasty. She's more suited for a conservative show where whatever she says is taken as fact. Meghan is nothing more than a cheerleader for the centrist and elite Republicans like her father.

[CanadianBeef]

07:26 PM on 06/23/2009

She's hot! But not bright!
I guess she has a message of sorts. Yes, Republicans are out of touch with youth, not to mention non-whites, health care and reality generally. What does she offer that's new or toughtful?

[Perspicackle]

09:23 PM on 06/23/2009

She reminds me of the cheerleader from 'Heroes' - bigger breasts though. Not a problem *g*

[Judyisacutie]

08:58 PM on 06/23/2009

Maybe she can get a job on TV handing out roses because handing out political analysis is not her strong suit.

[wayicit]

01:05 AM on 06/24/2009

Then Fox News is just right for her.