Not a Gaffe? McCain Campaign Willing to Destroy Relationship with Spain, Europe to Conceal Confusion

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Worse than Bush. There can be no doubt about it now.

In McCain's bizarre interview with Spanish Owned Union Radio he refused to say whether he would meet with Spain's Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Listening to the interview repeatedly, it simply seemed that McCain had no idea who Zapatero actually was. McCain seemed to think he was a Latin American autocrat - despite the reporter repeatedly saying "I am talking about Spain." This gaffe would seem to have very significant implications. Not knowing who the leader of Spain was or thinking Spain was in Latin America would not really be shocking coming from his running mate, but McCain has run on his foreign policy expertise and such confusion completely undercuts his credibility. Furthermore this gaffe would bring up real questions about his age. Is McCain really prepared to deal with a crisis at 3AM, when he can't even remember who the leader of Spain is during a late evening interview?

But was it a gaffe? While it definitely seemed so, now Randy Sheunemann, McCain's foreign policy adviser is shockingly saying that this is not a gaffe but an intentional expression of policy toward Spain. Instead of just admitting that it was small gaffe late in the day, the McCain campaign has decided that they care so little about governing that they are willing to potentially nuke the U.S.-Spain relationship just to get elected. Sheunemann emailed the Washington Post, saying:

The questioner asked several times about Senator McCain's willingness to meet Zapatero (and id'd him in the question so there is no doubt Senator McCain knew exactly to whom the question referred). Senator McCain refused to commit to a White House meeting with President Zapatero in this interview," he said in an e-mail.

This is beyond extreme. This is beyond reckless. This is insane.

McCain won't meet with a NATO ally, that has nearly 1,000 troops in Afghanistan, that has lost more than 20 soldiers there, has been brutally attacked by Al Qaeda, is incredibly influential in Latin America, has the seventh largest economy in the world, is a DEMOCRACY, and is a large and influential country in the EU. Won't meet with them?

The only plausible explanation for McCain not wanting to meet with Zapatero, is that, like Bush, he is still angry about Spain pulling its troops out of Iraq in 2004. If McCain carries that much of a grudge then how in the world will he rebuild our relationship with Europe, as he has said he would do. In a big foreign policy speech to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council in March, McCain expressed a desire to strengthen the transatlantic relationship.

We cannot build an enduring peace based on freedom by ourselves, and we do not want to.  We have to strengthen our global alliances as the core of a new global compact...The bonds we share with Europe in terms of history, values, and interests are unique.  Americans should welcome the rise of a strong, confident European Union as we continue to support a strong NATO.

McCain even told El Pais, Spain's major newspaper, in April that he would bring Prime Minister Zapatero to the White House. (translation via America Blog)

Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, is ready to change the policy of estrangement with the Spanish government that was put in place for four years now by George Bush. He declared that he was ready to fully normalize bilateral relations and that Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was invited to the White House.

And does McCain not know that his campaign has already met with a representative of Zapatero's office? From the BBC in April:

Recently, Bernardino Leon, who is currently heading the General Secretariat of the Prime Minister's Office to attempt to foster Zapatero's interest in international issues, travelled to Washington to meet the foreign policy advisers to Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and to Republican candidate John McCain. [BBC Monitoring 4/22/08]

But Sheunemann's statement now makes it clear that there will be no rebuilding of the transatlantic relationship. Instead, McCain will continue the ruinous approach of the Bush administration and continue to alienate our allies and further isolate America. This should not come as a surprise. McCain has after all shown in the past a reckless eagerness to attack America's allies.

See below for some of his more prominent attacks:

 

McCain attacked our allies as "vacuous and posturing" for opposing war in Iraq. "Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said that "Iraq is the test" of both the U.N. and NATO. He charged that the alliance is failing the test because of the "flawed calculations" and "vacuous posturing" of Germany and France. McCain and Rumsfeld both said that recent French and German foot-dragging over even discussing the possible deployment of NATO assets, such as Patriot anti-missile batteries, to Turkey also threatened to damage the alliance." [Washington Post, 2/9/03]

John McCain engaged in the anti-French bashing of the far right because they opposed the invasion of the war. "The Lord said the poor will always be with us, and the French will be with us, too," said McCain, a member of the Armed Services Committee. "This is part of a continuing French practice of throwing sand in the gears of the Atlantic alliance. But now they're playing a dangerous game, and coming close to rendering themselves irrelevant." A few days later he even said that, "Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) likened France to an aging '40s starlet "still trying to dine out on her looks but doesn't have the face for it." [NY Times, 2/14/03. NY Daily News, 2/17/03]

McCain attacked Germany for opposing the war - saying they lacked "political courage." McCain said that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder "looks little like the ally that anchored our presence in Europe throughout the Cold War...A German Rip Van Winkle from the 1960s would not understand the lack of political courage and cooperation with its allies on the question of Iraq exhibited in Berlin today." [Washington Times, 2/14/03]

On the war path, McCain said didn't care if invading Iraq damaged UN, thought Iraq would prove UN to be irrelevant. "If war is necessary, the United States will not 'be going it alone,' he said, but will wage war in Iraq with a coalition of allies - with or without the blessing of the United Nations. 'The problem here is not whether we do damage to the United Nations if we have to take military action,' he said. 'The question is, will the United Nations follow the League of Nations and risk irrelevancy.'" [Washington Times, 2/14/03]

McCain dismissed interests of French and Russians over invasion, said they were just based on commercial concerns. McCain said that "The French and Russians are putting their "commercial interests above international law, world peace and the political ideals of Western civilization." [Washington Times, 2/14/03]

At German security conference in the run up to the war McCain echoed Rumsfeld's notorious attacks on our European allies. "Rumsfeld has made headlines across Europe in recent weeks for a series of barbs at those who oppose U.S. policy." McCain clearly echoed Rumsfeld's statements, "McCain accused the Germans and French of "calculated self-interest" and "vacuous posturing" that left NATO with a "terrible injury." German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said Germany would support its ally Turkey, but the question was one of timing. Both German and French officials have said that such a vote is tantamount to admitting war's inevitability. The conference's most emotional moment came from Fischer...he told how three times he had led the charge for German troops to be deployed: in Kosovo, Macedonia and Afghanistan...His voice rising, and beginning to speak in English, he addressed Rumsfeld directly: 'My generation learned you must make a case and, excuse me, I am not convinced.' Rumsfeld sat against the wall, sipping water and watching without expression. Much was said at the meeting about the strident tone of U.S.-European discussions." [Philadelphia Inquirer, 2/9/03]

McCain rejected calls to get more international troops on the ground in Iraq. McCain said, "I think that the only military presence required right now would be American and British." [MSNBC Hardball, 4/23/03]

Comments

[Artos]

Given all of the negative remarks that Republicans have made to Europeans just because they wouldn't support all of our Governments escapades, I would have to wonder why they would want to help us during this economic crisis. When our Republican World Conquerors were sitting on top of it acting like jackasses they had no problem being arrogant, but now that they need the help of the world community they are going begging. Thank God the Republicans aren't America, merely a segment, the worst segment. Were I a European, I would let the Republicans rot.

[bluevillage]

I'm glad someone finally put this point in a headline. It's what I've been saying in comments elsewhere on the net. McCain is willing to alienate an ALLY to conceal what could have been mere confusion at the reporter's question. Formulating foreign policy to conceal one's mistakes = the same as Bush or worse.

[jadedat51]

Remember Condi Rice's comment earlier this week re Russia becoming isolated and irreievant?

Do you think she may have been talking about us?

A new trend in political campaigning: insult other countries even before being elected.

The McCain/Palin sideshow might be laughable, if the current economical/political stakes weren't so high. Today's bombing in Islamabad is very sobering. So is this week's Wall Street/economic/(insert word here) crisis. America needs an administration that is respected on the global stage.

Pleasae, someone donate a current National Geographic World Atlas (or, better yet, 2) to the GOP?

[iLogos]

This is why Sen. Obama is so popular amongst our allies, they know he will act like an ally. He will respect them. He may disagree with them, but he will respect them.

[NevadaDem]

I agree. John McCain had *no* clue who the radio commentator was talking about. To be honest...John McCain sounded like he had just rolled out of bed...from the sound of his voice.

I mean...I did not know it was the Prime Minister of Spain...but shouldn't John McCain?? since Spain is a member of NATO....the same NATO from Sarah Palin's interview with Charlie Gibson.

[Pricen]

I agree with sushi27. McCain reminds me of my mother who is suffering from dementia. I've been noticing these little things about him for months.

[sushi27]

These are no longer gaffes - this is exactly what my father did as he started to decline into dementia. McCain is about where Reagan was when he was leaving office!! I cannot believe people would actually consider voting for someone who is already showing strong signs of dementia - this means all the republican insiders would be running Washington from behind the scenes again!!!!

Didn't anyone notice that his wife is ALWAYS standing behind him when he's speaking!! They cannot leave him alone for a minute.

[mrsbee]

I absolutely agree with this comment, sushi, ...my mother died from Alzheimers, back before they even had a name for the disease...the doctor told us that the brain physically shrinks ...it's a really long progress, but generally starts in the 70's ...(of course, in rare cases it can go faster)...when we began to think back in my mother's case there were signs we should have seen (if we knew what to look for) ,...one of the biggies was the confusion about time, people, and places. All the things we see with him...especially this week...stress will amplify the systems....it seems as plain forgetfulnesss at first, but when it takes over, it is devastating....I believe Reagan was afflicted with this in his last years and it was covered up by his wife and the administration. Remeber the Iran-Contra affair? One of the other things I remember about my mom was that she never wanted me too far away from her, especially in public...I've been saying this about McCain since the primaries...and I feel he is already getting worse....if he gets elected....God help us.

[Willow712]

Well, let's see. MCCain has completely isolated Iran and most of the Islamic countries (no getting them back on a friendly basis anytime soon) by his and Bush's policies. The Russians, the Georgians (think we offered to help, then when they started bugling like a bull elk, we didn't back them up), lots of latin American countries, and now Spain. Don't you think the powers that be would have figured something out when nobody in the whole world was willing to help the US go to war in Iraq? Oh sure, England sent some, Australia sent some, but not enough to matter. We did it alone, because it was an unwinnable, stupid idea for a war. And now that McBush has decided to insult Spain? We need a President with some intelligence, character and common sense. We don't need a President that will ruin every good relationship in the world. Obama 08

[Artos]

Willow712,

The Republican controlled government would never have done anything to help the Georgians, It's one thing to talk big about defending the rule of law and all that , but you have to look at history. The Republicans are good at starting conflicts and beating up on tiny nations or countries like Irag which in reality couldn't do much to fight back. By the time we went in to fight Iraq they were militarily at their lowest. During the Cold War the Republicans would never have thought to attack the Soviet Union and now Russia either because they have Nukes still. Talk is all the Republicans are good for. Like a schoolyard bully they like easy targets. Don't believe me then look at history, especially the Reagan, Bush Sr and Jr. years.

[Lefty08]

No, it was a "gaffe". If you read the entire interview, it is obvious McCain had absolutely no idea in which hemisphere Spain existed, or who Zapateria is....... I'm sure McCain's handler's think it is better to be perceived as hard-line hawk than someone experiencing early-symptom, age-related dementia. Doesn't anyone remember how Reagan had to be "explained" by his handlers when he started developing Alzheimers? This seems really similar.

[opinion123]

Look! Let's all back up a few steps and really check out where we are. First of all, the legislative body has just taken us for a ride that the majority of us won't survive. From today through Dec.31, 2008, you will see companies that are unknown to the very people who are likely to vote for McCain and his VP being bailed out . This bail out thing is really another tax on the middle class. Who is going to pay for it? Certainly not the top 10% who have been benefiting from lower taxes. Oh no! They get to keep what they have already conned us out of, now they pass a law that makes us liable for what they have stolen. This is sort of like "heads, I win, tails you lose.! Why MSN allows McCain to get away with this preview of the full scenario if he's elected, is a clear indication that MSM is subliminally attempting to help McCain get elected.

[arise]

I believe the person who does not understand European politics is Mr. Bergmann. Zapatero got in as a result of the Madrid bombings. His election was seen as the most blatant act of appeasement by any electorate in memory. He is a beacon to the Chavez school in South America. The Spain of Zapatero is considered a chancre in Europe through which Islamists are able to attack the EU body. Zapatero's Spain in the EU is isolated and foundering. He is not an ally but an enemy.

[Artos]

arise,

You Republicans are always good for that aren't you. Whenever someone, whether it be a country, a leader, it's people or even other American citizens don't jump when you want them to, they are stupid, ill- informed, Communists, liberals, the enemy , fools , whatever. Just so long as we all understand that you are the good guys and always right. The Nazis also went by that Philosophy. Should we consider you Nazis. Don't like that do you. It's easy to malign everyone else, just not you, eh?

[vassyuta]

seriously, while it's true that Zapatero rose on the shock of the bombings and was in fact seen by some as an act of appeasement in 2005, Spain is by no means a "chancre", nor is it floundering, "my friend". nor have islamists attacked the EU "body" through this infectious wound that you make Spain out to be.
btw body-nation metaphors are somewhat passe, but were like really cool in the early 20th century,

[BoshSpong]

Arise, the scope of your ignorance of foreign affairs is only matched by your "do not confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!" attitude. It was Zapatero who confronted Chaves' egocentric and disrespectful remarks about Mr. Aznar, the previous (conservative) elected leader of Spain. Spain is isolated and floundering? Where do you get your European news? Newsmax? The Limbaugh report? Michael Savage's psychotic rantings on his radio program?
If you are ever to become an educated and effective citizen, you will have to throw away blind devotion to the extreme ideology that apparently consumes your intelligence and clouds your judgment.

[andrushka]

I am afraid that what you are talking about is b.s. Zapatero was elected BECAUSE Aznar was lying through the teeth as his master GWB does all the time. And Spain and Europe has not regretted for one minute the departure of GWB's poodle nr2. Furthermore the Spaniards have reelected Mr. Zapatero already and Spain and Zapatero are NOT isolated in Europe. On the contrary. But maybe
the neo-cons and other republicans regret the growing dislike Latin American governments have for Big Brother. Too bad, you'll have to get use to it.

[tssent]

It's almost impossible to believe that in a country of nearly 300 million people, Bush and Cheney -- and now McCain and Palin -- are the best this country can provide as candidates for president, a position which virtually is the most important in the world.

To suggest -- as McCain is doing in the Zapatero scenario -- that we are prepared to snub anyone at all in the world who abandoned us over the Iraq invasion, occupation and oil grab -- right or wrong -- because we are the U.S., the final authority, the final might, the final wealth, the final step just before attaining Godliness -- is as horrifying as it is , well, yes -- insane. You cannot have put it more succinctly. Sadly, to the embarrassment and horror of Americans everywhere, there is no other word to describe it.

[PapaB]

Oh, come on, McCain just thinks Zapatero is a Latin American rock star, and McCain did not want to discuss "Spanish" music, about which he would gladly admit he is no expert. He kept repeating himself because he says what he means and he figured the interview was over. Besides, nobody spoke Spanish in Vietnam.

[wilhelmR]

Spain is "stupidly" anti-USA. I say "stupidly" because most people 95% side, on most issues, against anything USA but love to send their kids to US Universities. For example, Javier Bardem and his entire family have been avid Pro-Communists up until he got the Oscars. Most people in Spain REFUSED to see the contradictions inherent in the American System due to the USA being more of a Continent than a Country, people living in suburbs rather than apartments and therefore don't have the social skills Spaniards have, etc. However, Spain has a social ILLNESS called ENVY, which is not to be confused with the word envy used by Bush nor Spaniards are envious of the USA. Envy is an obsessive-compulsive illness that turns into an UNCONSIOUS love-hate relationship. This social illness is what mostly stops Spain from moving forward rather than the other European countries' or USA's Policies. Having said all that McCain and many politicians and Americans do NOT KNOW that Spain HAS the LARGEST and MOST IMPORTANT USA NUCLEAR SUBMARINE BASE in the entire world, which is based in ROTA, in the South near Gibraltar a geopolitical point.

[Artos]

wilhelmR,

You mean the Navy base that used to be in Rota as of the end of 2009. Because if McCain gets elected that is exactly what will happen.

[joanrimart]

Where is Rota, sir? Is it on the Atlantic or on the Mediterranean? You probably do not know, as you probably never been to Spain. I can tell you the quality of life in Spain is enviable. They have one of the best health care systems in Europe (NOT health insurance, mind you, health CARE) which relieves citizens of the infinite load we here in the US carry along every day: becoming destitute for not having enough to pay a medical bill. Fearful that our retirement moneys have been gambled off by a deregulated, greedy, monstrous capitalism. in fear of losing our jobs, in fear of enemies real or imagined, despite the fact that we outspend all countries of the world combined in defense spending. We are living the darkest period in our short existence and have too early and too fast adopted torture as a way of living. So, What is there to envy? You are the stupid sir, you suffer of the very same stupidity that has made this country descend from being the shiny beacon on the hill to being the laughing stock of the world. Mr/Ms wilhemR, do yourself a favor, travel to Spain, you'll get a kick out of it, and you will sense how happy Spaniards are of their culture, their country and even their government...and taste a quality of life that is the envy of Europe, a quality of life you've obviously never known.

[Moralfiberseeker]

You personify the term "ugly American". That term for rude world travelers coined in mid-20th Century after we "saved the world" in World War II. That feeling gave these folks the bravado to rudely berate foreign waiters for common mistakes. They may also compare anything foreign as not as good as American counterparts. Most foreigners loved America anyway.

Being patriotic or proud of your country or hometown is a natural and positive aspiration. As an ex-USAF officer and Vietnam vet, I felt proud to be American most of my life. However, during the last eight years, I have felt nothing but shame for the worst American president and most divisive political atmosphere in the history of our nation. Having heard numerous acquaintances state that "we should just drop the bomb on Iraq and let God sort out the bad guys", that shame went to the highest level. Sure, there are Spaniards that hate us because of the Bush bullies.

However, saying 95% of Spaniards are hating the USA tells me that you, sir, are the one with the social illness. Until Americans of all political and religious affiliations recognize that the world community loved us when we represented ourselves as the world peacemakers, our image will continue to decline. Only the MIC and neocon fat cats are winning as long as we are seen as belligerent warmongers willing to renew the Cold War and to rattle sabers rather than negotiate with perceived enemies.

[elduende]

ummm, guess you never read the book, "the ugly american" - from which the term was "mis-coined" - the so-called "ugly ame