Another Gaffe: McCain Unsure Whether Condoms Prevent STDs

With many observers amazed that John McCain doesn't know where he stands on the issue of health plans covering birth control as they do Viagra (he doesn't support it, despite advisor Carly Fiorina saying otherwise), it raises a question of just how well does McCain know where he stands on other important issues.

Last spring, when McCain was pretty much ignored as a serious Republican primary candidate, he offered this remarkable response on whether condoms prevent the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases, during questioning about his position on public funding for contraception to help stop the spread of AIDS in Africa:

The bus had been rolling for a half-hour and McCain was holding court on everything from Iraq to college basketball. ("Who woulda thought? VCU," he exclaimed upon boarding.) And then someone asked about public funding for contraception in Africa to prevent the spread of AIDS.

"I'm sure I've taken a position on it in the past," he stammered as he looked to his communications director. "I'm sure I'm opposed to government funding."

Sensing a vulnerable moment, reporters kept the questions coming. What about sex education in the schools? Should it mention contraceptives? Or only abstinence, like President Bush wants?

"I think I support the president's present policy," he said, tentatively.

More questions: Do condoms stop sexually transmitted disease?

A long pause.

A stern look.

"I've never gotten into these issues or thought much about them," he said, almost crying uncle. (emphasis added)

If the media, which remains ga-ga over McCain would do some research (God forbid), they'd find other very disturbing examples of McCain not having a clue where he stands on similar issues. During his last run for president, McCain was asked what he would do if his then 15-year-old daughter got pregnant:

"Obviously I would encourage her to bring, to know that baby would be brought up in a warm and loving family, but the final decision would be made by Meghan with our advice and counsel."

Funny thing is that Mr. Pro-Life offered the Pro-Choice answer.

Within hours, his campaign went into high-gear to modify his comment, only to anger both the left and right.

Sadly, the media seems to care little about pressing what the Maverick knows about his own positions when he apparently doesn't know it. I suppose we should be understanding that such slips happen to someone of his unquestioned stature, despite the near-frenzy we see when Barack Obama, or a surrogate, offers the slightest hint of a gaffe.

But back to McCain and his own record.

With less than four months from the general election, we know that McCain is unsure whether health plans should offer birth control (he doesn't). He's also not sure about whether condoms prevent STDs (they do) or whether we should spend federal funds to provide contraception in Africa to prevent AIDS (of course). He's not sure whether he supports President Bush's abstinence-only education policy (he does). He thinks he's pro-life but then says a 15-year-old should have the final decision on whether to have an abortion (until his staff tells him he doesn't).

And this man thinks women who support Hillary Clinton will find a nice home in his campaign?

Comments

[haydude]

Look, the GOP found itself a dupe to run in this unwinnable election, of course these answers fall out of his
mouth when they're crowded out by his foot. At this rate, he won't even remember he's running for president come election day.

[Grunty1]

"I'm sure I've taken a position on it in the past," he stammered as he looked to his communications director. "I'm sure I'm opposed to government funding."

So Mc'Cain's terrible memory (or transparent lying) existed during the primaries also. The best thing that could have happened to this guy was running out of money, so no one cared enough to look into this.

[LillianB]

His Meghan-answer seems to be the only honest of the bunch. The rest of it screams of "I don't wanna talk about this, I don't wanna be held responsible for this, I am too embarrassed by talking about this". Actually, he is so embarrassed he chooses to neglect both his own voting record AND established medical facts:
Correct use of condoms prevents STDs as well as AIDS (which can be mortal!). Teens who don't know how to use contraception (or where/how to get hold of it) get pregnant a lot more often than they should have to, and that leads to abortions.

Education kids on birth control should be something anyone defining themselves as "pro-life" should firmly want, had they actually cared more about life than about other people's sexual morals.

Pro-life is and has always been a ridiculous word. As if those of us pro-choice are anti-life. We all want the number of abortions to be as low as possible. But having that option must be a right. In countries where it isn't, women die because of illegal abortions performed by non-professionals. Obviously, when these women die, their fetuses do too. That's not humane. That's not pro-life. But then of course, being pro-life sounds a lot more positive than being anti-choice, which it in reality is.

My question is: Do the United States want yet another President choosing to be irresponsible and ignorant because reality embarrasses him???

[IowaKid]

Does McSame have a clue on anything he is running on???? I think the birth control question just about summed up what he thinks about women and there rights.

[nomobull]

no

[booksnmore4you]

The Uganda model is wonderful. Google it.

[Davwbaird]

yuck disgustung.

[demfriend]

Until MSM seperates the POW which deserves respect and the hero status from the senator who has done so many negatives they will continue to get him the teflon treatment he does not deserve. The senator mccain has voted AGAINEST women and the VET'S. He has voted so many times againest giving the vets anything they need then he steps up like he just did with the new GI Bill like he fought it all the way through to be signed by bush. Lies and he says many. His jokes about killing Iranians could put us in a war againest Iran and yet he continues to do the take and call it jokes. Now he lied about the very team he said he named while a POW. No end to it but the MSM owned by the republicans continue to "laugh" at his jokes and give him the teflon treatment he so does not deserve. As a female he sickens me for the lack oof respecrt he holds for my gender and he angers me about his votes againest the vets who deserve every damn thing we can give them!!!!

[jollyelle]

He is so out of touch, he is actually in reverse.

[tkondaks]

McCain's alleged "gaffe" is matched only by Mark Nicolas's very real gaffe.
Nicolas writes with absolute certainty that "...condoms prevent STDs (they do)..."
No doctor, scientist, or responsible journalist would ever make a blanket statement such as that.
First of all, not all condoms are equal. Latex condoms work better than others. So Nicolas should have made that distinction, which he didn't.
Secondly, latex condoms "greatly reduce a person"s risk" at acquiring STDs; however, they have never been proven to prevent STDs in 100% of all cases and for Nicolas to state that is totally and completely irresponsible.

[indypete]

Dude, are you a lawyer? You're parsing that to death.... we all know what the writer meant.

[GoGreen]

I'm thinking more like condom salesperson...just kidding tkondaks. By the way tkondaks, the statement "condoms prevent STDs (they do)" is not the same as "condoms prevent STDs in 100% of all cases." In other words, if condoms serve to prevent any STDs, the statement that "condoms prevent STDs" is technically accurate. It's like saying "Lysol kills germs" - it does but not 100% of all germs. By the way, what is so irresponsible about the assertion that condoms prevent STDs? Are you afraid people are going to rush out and have safer sex as a result of the author's statement?

[TroubleNYC]

I noticed that also and was going to comment on it but, alas, I'm not as uptight as you are.

[RedKnuckles]

oh dude, you are so obviously a republican! If Mark made a statement like "rain has been shown to get things wet" you would say, "how totally and completely irresponsible....I drove out of the driveway this morning after the rain and there was a dry spot there...and that's why I support McCain!"

[justmeinAz]

he didn't say 100% effective, he said they prevent STD's, which even if they only worked 5 out of 10 times, they would have prevented 5 STD's, so besides being totally irrelevant, your hair-splitting is factually wrong as well. He's responsible for what he wrote, not what you assume for no reason that he meant.

[jvarga]

He didn't say they prevent 100% of diseases. Do seat belts and air bags prevent fatalities? Well people still sometimes die while while wearing seat belts or when air bags go off, so is it wrong to say that they save lives?

I'm a scientist and I'm stating for the record that you're being dumb.

[booker52]

Dumb, dumb, dumb... need we say anymore. McCain is just plain clueless on any topic.

[PuppaX]

I think I'm starting to suffer from one of those media-induced hysterias. I realize that there are some loonys out there, but I'm still amazed every time a poll is released putting McCain anywhere near Obama.

God forbid we elect someone or any substance.

[Crake]

A true Renaissance Man to carry America into a bright and prosperous 21st century out of the ashes of two failed wars.
/crazy

[theguruofreason]

What failed wars? Afghan/Iraq? I hate to sound calloused but those are not wars.

Merriam-Webster's #1 definition of war: "a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations"

Are we at war with Iraq? Hell no we need their oil.
Were we at war with Afghanistan? Not with the government that I can remember... I think we bombed some hills with caves in them... for about 3 months.

I don't mean to down you on your opinion, because I completely support the idea that McCain should consider checking into a mental institution or at least therapy. Why do we think that a POW who supports torture is more sane than a 1/2 black man who can't bowl? (BTW, blacks weren't even allowed in most bowling alleys until the late 60s)

We need to get this straight though, war was never declared, we have no official enemy. Why are our troops still dieing?

[Crake]

Did you notice the /crazy at the end? It was meant to express I was writing satire.
Yes, they were illegal wars and yes, our brave troops have been fighting and dieing for Halliburton and Israeli interests in the region.

[ObserverinVancouver]

Whether they are wars or not, they sure are failed.