Preview of Tomorrow's Time Magazine 'GOP' Issue--and 'Prickly' McCain Interview

As it did last week with the Democrats, Time magazine turns over much of its new issue -- arriving tomorrow -- to the Republican and their convention. It includes an amazing interview with a reluctant McCain, who Time brands right in its headline as "Prickly."

In a separate piece (not yet online), Time's Jay Carney and Michael Grunwald assert that McCain continues to consider himself a true man of "honor" but he and his aides "have convinced themselves that Obama is not honorable, that he does not love his country as much as himself. That makes it easier to justify doing whatever is necessary to defeat him -- especially if it's done in the pursuit of honor."

In fact, in the Q & A, McCain can't think of a single criticism of his campaign so far and refuses to answer when pressed. He also refuses to define what he means by "honor" when asked and refers to interviewers Carney and Michael Scherer to his books. He claims some of his past quotes have been ripped "out of context." They introduce the interview this way: "McCain at first seemed happy enough to do the interview. But his mood quickly soured. The McCain on display in the 24-minute interview was prickly, at times abrasive, and determined not to stray off message."

Former top GOP operative Michael Murphy, meanwhile, writes (not yet online), "GOP conclaves work like the docile old horse at the petting zoo... This year everything is different ... To attract votes beyond the base, McCain's convention must trumpet his peerless credentials as a reformer. He must engage passionately on middle-class economic issues. McCain's comfort zone may be world affairs, but if he cannot hold his own in a kitchen-table debate with Obama on jobs, schools and health care, he'll visit ticket-splitting kitchens once more on Election Day, but this time as toast. Finally, he must give the convention speech of a lifetime."

And Time columnist Peter Beinart predicts a nation lurching left no matter who wins: "Of all the disasters that have befallen the Republican Party in recent years, the most cataclysmic may be about to unfold: John McCain might win ... The bald reality is this: the public is more eager for activist government than it has been in years. American politics is moving left no matter who wins in 2008. The real question is whether Obama becomes the face of that leftward shift -- which will remind Republicans why they loathe Democrats -- or McCain does, in which case Republicans will increasingly loathe themselves."

Comments

[jukesgrrl]

I remember one other guy who couldn't think of a single mistake he's made.

[Julietta]

I wish I didn't (remember, that is)! :-)

[William1950]

talk about hell on earth, a McCain presidency?... he can not win, not and still have an America that we can be proud of.

[jones]

Hell on earth for Johnny Mac too if he wins....

[BraveWarrior]

Won't anyone ever ask him about his Georgian adventure. His discussions with the Georgian president while Georgia attacked S. OSSETIA! How long and how many so-called journalists are going to perpetuate this coverup.

[blessinggirl]

Thank you, Brave Warrior. No one wants to examine how convenient the Georgian dustup was timed.

[schatsie]

Look McCain was Born to Privilege and Married to Money....

What else could you expect from one of the Entitled Ones than a hissy fit when he doesn't get his own way????

A vote for McCain is a Tax Cut for Paris Hilton!!!

[beatlejohn]

lol

[NWGuy]

I suspect that McCain's handlers have put the word down for him not to say anything that isn't a rehearsed talking point and he doesn't have the skills to BS his way through such an interview.

So, how is he going to deal with a Putin, a Kim Jong-il or an Ahmadinejad? Start swearing at them if they don't do as he wants? Or screw the talk, just start shooting!?

He can get away with this sort of crap in Congress (in spite of showing lack of respect for the other Senators and for the institution) but it won't work at the UN or in any type of high-level talks with other powerful leaders. This is key as America has to rebuild allies after Bush et al chased all of them away.

[ThePeacemakers]

Quite possibly, NWGuy, if McCain is elected Dick Cheney will have a cabinet post.
That might be how he's going to deal with some of the issues you mentioned.

[altohone]

His temper is bad but his judgement is worse.

The McCain incident at the Army Navy Country Club hasn't even been aired yet... Time reporters dropped the ball there.

[JaneEyrez]

I Googled it, couldn't find it. Maybe you would help point us to it.

[InofTouch]

thought CNN already did.

[Insearchoftruth]

We expect the POTUS to be a stable force, internally peaceful/calming presence. It is difficult to imagine someone "prickly" being reassuring in that way. It creates an uneasiness because of the awesome power of the Presidency. He does not have the temprament, intelligence, or tolerance for dissent that would allow him to understand competing views of the world. His guidance is the last voice he hears. McCain is not fit to lead. He is not fit for command. He does not have what it takes. PERIOD!

[akhajawall]

Dear American Citizens and the mass media of U.S.A.



PS: Why Media and Democrates talk about Senator McCain's Temper. Just google McCain and Temper you will get the extensive results.