John McCain1 and John McCain2: Why We Can't Afford Either As President

John McCain is not a bad person, but he makes rash, bad decisions under stress. The fact that far too many Americans didn't realize this earlier is a sad commentary on the press - one largely unwilling to consider the past relevant to the present or just too lazy to do research.

McCain has demonstrated his inability to deal with stress and disagreement for many years. It is a serious detriment to his ability to lead effectively and consistently. And it has very little, if anything, to do with age.

Some of the sharpest people most of us know are over seventy. We diminish the severity of the problem and misjudge the reasons for John McCain's erratic nature by blaming his advancing years. Youth has its down sides too. John McCain's problem is the struggle he has with a very angry, reckless side of himself.

His choice of Sarah Palin may have seemed humorous at first, but it has put this country in jeopardy. Comedic renditions of her may amuse, but Sarah Palin as vice president simply is not funny. McCain's decision to make her his running mate was impulsive - one made without consideration by what we might call John McCain2. His sudden lashing out at Secretary Cox - blaming him for the current economic fiasco was reckless too. His abrupt decision to go to Washington just before the initial vote by Congress on the bailout bill might have been fine. But why days before the first presidential debate announce you might not be there? Why not be patient -- take things a day at a time even hour by hour - to let circumstances play out a little?

John McCain2 angrily berated and walked out on POW-MIA families instead of reasoning calmly as his better side is capable of doing. You can see why Joe Biden considers McCain a friend. When doing his regular senatorial job he can be calm, charming, collaborative, and perceptive.

But which John McCain would we get as president? Even if it were John McCain1 for a while, he's simply too close to the irascible John McCain2. The risk is too high. The next president is going to be under inordinate stress. And that is when the John McCain we saw in last night's debate and in the two before will find his way to the fore. That is the impatient John McCain capable of disdain and hatred for people who disagree with him - to borrow from David Gergen - the man who loses track of his better self.

None of us is the same all of the time. But the presidency does require a "steady hand at the tiller" and John McCain doesn't possess that capacity. Disdain for him because of this is misplaced. But voting for him despite it is misguided.

I have no doubt that John McCain cares about America and the world. He cares about his family and even about our families. He has proven himself brave and a dedicated public servant, but he is scary right now. And it's not because he is over seventy, but because high-level stress brings out his lesser side.

If you've watched John McCain over the years, this is not news. But I guess we had to be completely convinced in the present. Last night's study in "anger management" should have closed the door on any and all doubts that John McCain can calmly, confidently, consistently and compassionately lead this country out of turmoil.

Professor Reardon also blogs at bardscove.

Read more reactions to the Obama-McCain Hofstra Presidential Debate from HuffPost bloggers

Comments

[rabprevent]

HE ONLY THING THAT IS DRIVING HIM AT THIS POINT IS HIS LEGACY, HENCE WHY HE IS MORE THAN WILLING TO TEAR THIS COUNTRY APART BY CREATING THESE RACIST ANTICS TO GET ELECTED. I AM PRAYING EVERY DAY THAT THIS IS ESSENTIALLY THE END OF THE CONSERVATIVE MORONS AND THE ENTIRE REPUBLICAN PARTY ALTOGETHER!

I AM TOTALLY ASHAME TO HAVE VOTED FOR ANY REPUBLICANS AND WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN, THEY STINK AND THEY ARE SPREADING HATE!!

join me, vote no to mccain and all his cronies, the stinking republican party!

[Petey131]

"I have no doubt that John McCain cares about America and the world. He cares about his family and even about our families"

Ms. Reardon: WRONG! He does not care about this country, he does not care about my family. He is a despicable monster without any respect and dignity.

[pags]

Yes, it does indeed seem like the press (mostly) has dropped the ball on John McCain's decision making abilities.
But-if the press actually questioned the personality or make-up of individuals like say.... McCain, Palin, or Bush, the press would be in trouble. They would really have to do some work and give the public stories that have depth.
They would have to move beyond trying to figure out how the American people will react to the stories of the day.
Researching the truth seems too difficult when it's just so easy to say McCain came out swinging or that Palin is poised.

[MathIsTruth]

The "good person/bad decision" argument falls flat with me.

When a person is young, there may be a discrepancy between behavior and the true nature of the person, and you can say "there's still a good person inside".

But at some point in life, a person can be evaluated by their behavior. If a 72 year old man behaves badly, he is a bad person.

That's not to say he might not make mistakes. But we should expect some kind of "oops" to follow the mistake in short order. So the Palin choice was an impetuous decision? Fine. He's still a good man if he admits it, better still if he undoes it.

But if he defends the decision with every ounce of his being? Nope, not a good man.

[cobraxus]

unfortunately there are many Americans who perceive such behavior as strength.they view him as a father figure who commands respect through loss of temper and threats of violence.at the heart of the authoritarian mentality is an almost pathological sense of infintilism and John McCain is an excellent example of just that.

[NationalTreasure]

I was deeply troubled by Sen. McCain's behavor. McCain's behavior seems to be that of a person who is inflexible and far from grounded in reality.

[sociocanuck]

More like McCain 1.0 and McCain 1.5 Beta. There really isn't that much difference; and it's clearly not ready to be released in full, as there are some serious compatibility issues with the President 44.0 Operating System.

[DoTheMath]

Great post. Whatever Senator McCain's strengths may be, calmness is not one of them. That's why it surprised me a great deal to hear him emphasize in the second debate the need for a "steady hand at the tiller" and at the end of the third debate the need for a "careful steward." Careful? That is the last word in the dictionary that anyone who knows anything about McCain would apply to him. I know he was referring to his efforts to save money, but careful? Attacking earmarks with such a vengeance he strives to publicly humiliate his colleagues and denigrate worthwhile projects he doesn't even try to understand? Pledging to freeze all spending, which he agrees is a "hatchet" approach but still defends as a good idea?

Even when he talks about "reaching across the aisle," it starts out sounding like he wants to be seen as cooperative and concilatory, but he always ends up boasting about making enemies in his own party as well as the opposition party. I don't get a picture of him carefully persuading colleagues who disagree with him or working to facilitate bipartisan cooperation. From his own description of his "maverick" disagreements with his party, I get the impression that he's an equal opportunity nose-thumber who acts according to his impulses, and if you don't like it, to heck with you.

[vnique]

John McCain touts his military career but does he do it to excess as allowed by DOD for retired military officers. DOD Directive #1344.10, dated Feb 19,2008 applies to retired commissioned officers. As follows, "4.3. Additional Limitations on Nomination or Candidacy and Campaigning
4.3.1. Members not on active duty who are nominees or candidates for the offices described in subparagraph 4.2.1. may, in their campaign literature (including Web sites, videos, television, and conventional print advertisements):

I have seem GOP buttons with McCain in uniform, does the regulation apply to everyone but him? None of the GOP advertisements give the required disclaimer. Senator McCain has done nothing to correct the misrepresentation of being a "fighter pilot". Senator McCain was a "ground attack pilot".
There is a great deal of difference! The biggest problem I have with this situation is the fact that he is running for the highest office in the land with a duty to uphold the laws of the land! He took a oath as a commissioned officer to behave in a certain manner and promptly proceeded to break every rule.

[arbobekol]

If there is any consistency between McCain1 and McCain2 it is;
1) feeling of entitlement since they come from a "long line of McCain's" who served this country. Relevant or not, this one topic will always be raised by McCain! I wonder if anyone will need a better personification of carpet bagger?
2) both put "country first" and its sole mean to accomplish that; no one but McCain should be its leader. Their ambition to be the president is supposed to be the REASON why they put country first.
Age has everything to do with McCain's politics and behavior; he is running out of time, cheated by GWB, he can't afford to loose yet again let alone by an African-American. He is a has-been politician who benefited greatly from his military service already, much more than he has been willing to accommodate his fellow veterans. His legislative accomplishment, are rather insignificant for a man who has spent twenty six years in the congress, marred by the many congressional scandals he has been a party to. His sense of entitlement will not work for the millions of young Americans who are excited by the prospect of a descent, articulate, passionate advocate of their causes running in this election.
McCain will serve his legacy by ratcheting back his transparent attacks and exercising a little modesty. Unfortunately this is not a part of his make-up and we are witnessing yet another high profile Republican being flushed out deservedly.

[LetMeUnderstandThis]

Excellent!