Three Questions that Bob Schieffer Probably Won't Ask John McCain, But He Should

"Senator McCain, you used to say that the main thing you were looking for in a running mate was the ability to take over as president, if necessary, on Day One. Given how many people there are in government that clearly meet that criterion, how do you justify picking someone who so many of the most intelligent and respected members of your own party believe clearly does not? Your campaign slogan is Country First, sir. Can you tell the American people exactly how you were putting Country First when you chose a congenitally dishonest, proudly ignorant, cold-blooded demagogue with no presidential qualifications whatsoever to sit just one of your 72-year-old cancer-ridden heartbeats away from running the country in these spectacularly perilous times of almost unprecedented economic and international crises?"

"Senator McCain, your campaign has spent the last ten days impugning your opponent's character. We've seen Sarah Palin doing it, we've seen your wife Cindy doing it, and we've even seen you doing it yourself. Well, there he is right across the table from you. Is there anything you want to say to Senator Obama about Bill Ayers or Reverend Wright or Tony Rezko? Because it would be nice if he could respond to these allegations and insinuations and put this utter bullshit behind us so you could spend the next twenty days explaining to the American people why they should vote for you instead of scaring them about why they shouldn't vote for him."

"Senator McCain, your campaign rallies lately have become forums for foaming-at-the-mouth cretins who are so certain that your opponent is a terrorist that some have actually shouted out, "Kill him!" and "Off with his head!" Given the nation's history of intolerance against those perceived to be somehow different - be it by virtue of sexual orientation, religion, or race - can you tell the American people how you're putting Country First by fanning the fires of hatred and why they shouldn't hold you and your rabid running mate personally responsible if those fires explode into violence?"

Okay, I know Bob Schieffer's not going to say any of the above, but I urge anyone who knows him to press him to find some less prosecutorial way to ask these questions, because John McCain's efforts to make Barack Obama's character the deciding factor in the election have served only to shine a spotlight on his own galaxies-beyond-shame cravenness, and he deserves to be called out on it to his face. I'd be more than happy to do it but no one's going to let me near him, so I'm dependent on Bob.

Oh, and here's a campaign haiku:

Was that a dust mote?
No, merely the remains of
John McCain's "honor."

Comments

[philosopherkingtomas]

Isn't McCain receiving SOCIAL SECURITY checks?????

[hortonhearsawho]

Why, there is nothing, absolutely nothing social about him. He offers no security at all.

[eneff]

Indeed he is, in addition to his salary as a Senator, and all the taxpayer funded benefits that go along with that position. But for me, the real kicker is the guy is also collection a 100% disabled veterans pension. How the heck can you be 100% disabled and be POTUS?

[steamboat]

Does that mean FDR shouldn't have been president? He was in a wheelchair you know, unable to walk. Does that mean JFK couldn't be president? He had an 80% disability rating you know from WW2.

[hyla9]

Would you consider these comments by the AIP's founding father Joe Vogler (and which are proudly displayed on the AIP website), "I'm an Alaskan, not an American."
"I've got no use for America or her damned institutions."
"The fires of hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American government."
to be rabidly violent anti-American, and perhaps the words of a domestic terrorist?
How do you explain your running mate's association with AIP and her husband's direct involvement with them, as adults and within the last 12 years and as recently as this year?

(unrelated: how do I edit a previous post? Thanks!)

[hyla9]

• Given that your running mate's spouse has worked for many years for the oil industry, how will you develop policies regarding energy and climate change and global warming that will be seen to be fair and objective, will look at all sides of this critical issue, and will avoid appearances of being beholden to the very strong oil lobby? (and please do not use the word 'maverick' in your response!)

• Senator McCain, what do you know about the Alaska Independence Party? How do you explain your campaign slogan 'Country First' when your running mate's spouse was a member for 7 years, from 1996 to 2002, of this party that advocates secession from the United States? How do you explain your running mate's keynote address at the AIP's 2006 convention and her video greeting to the Alaska Independence Party's 2008 convention -- in other words, as recently as this year, when she tells them
"Your party plays an important part in our state politics... I share your party's vision of upholding the constitution of our great State... Good luck on a successful and inspiring convention. Keep up the good work."
Do these words not indicate (at the very least) acceptance of, support for and even her advocacy of this dangerous and militant organization?

[jp5472]

Great questions.

[hortonhearsawho]

do you want to sue your barber?

[HurryUp1212009]

Better yet, why not have him ask McCain to explain his relationship with Gordon Liddy, Pastor Hagee, Charles Keating, Rod Parsley and the con man who impersonated a Vatican financier, on whose yacht McCain celebrated his 70th birthday. And ask him about his running mate's witch doctor pastor and her speech to the Alaska Independent Party.

Frankly, I am tired of Obama turning the other cheek, when he could euthanize McCain's campaign RIGHT NOW by returning the vitriol on McCain and Palin.

[Timekeeper10]

Why would anyone care, they obviously don't care about Obamas life coaches and mentors.

[bluguy8]

1-why do you and Palin continue to lie about everything ? whats the strategy behind this ?

2-why does your campaign change its message everyday ? They say a fish stinks starting from the head-- so are you that scattered ?

3-What happen to honest John ? you seem to have lost all your dignity

[HurryUp1212009]

I
THINK
OBAMA
OUGHT
TO
HAVE
WILLIAM
AYERS
SITTING
IN
THE
FRONT
ROW
THEN
CALL
MC CAIN
ON
HIS
INABILITY
TO
IDENTIFY
AYERS
THEN OF COURSE GO INTO MCCAIN'S RELATIONSHIP WITH G. GORDON LIDDY,
WHO WAS CONVICTED AND IMPRISONED, UNLIKE AYERS WHO WAS NEVER
CONVICTED OF ANYTHING.

[MsBeale]

If the moderator says ANYTHING about Ayers, he'd better follow up with a question about Liddy. Liddy is a CONVICTED domestic terrorist.

Wouldn't it be funny if Liddy was a part of both Nixon's resignation and McCain's loss in November!

[NYCSocialWork]

That would be perfect- since he's always seen himself as such a great person who "helps" the Republicans whenever and however he can...

[justoverit333]

LOL!!! THAT WOULD BE JUST TOO PERFECT.

[Timekeeper10]

McCain does't ayers personaly, Obama does. Ayers admitted to the acts he was accused of. and he stated that he did not go far enough. Big difference. Liddy paid his debt.

[AlphaDoc]

I'd prefer to see the Annenbergs sitting in the front row. Since they are Republicans and McCain supporters, it might be fun to see someone ask them why they chose Ayers to sit on the board of their charitable foundation along with Senator Obama.

[GHendricks]

Remarkably insightful and very funny, a much appreciated combination right now.

[topkatnc]

I have another good question. What do you think of the recorded speech that ms palin sent to THE ALASKAN INDEPENDENCE PARTY in sept of this year??????­??????????­??????????­???

[steamboat]

Paul, one question I'd like to see Bob ask Barack and I know he won't:

"Mr. Obama, as many of your liberal friends would want, do you plan to lift the boycott on Cuba?"

[steamboat]

PS: Another question:

"Will Fitzgerald stay as District Atty. in Northern Illinois?" Or will he be removed because he's putting too many corrupt politicians and pals (Rezko) in jail.

[scrzbill]

McCain-Do you plan to charge any of the bushes for abuse of power and crimes against the country? 2nd When will you charge Gonzales? 3rd. When will you charge Cheney? 4th. When will you charge all of the bushes for crimes against humanity? Will you charge your wife for the Keating holdings that were covered up? Will you continue to follow up with the proceedings against Pyglin. I would be a steamboat too if I was as upset as you about all the criminal activity of the past eight years. And I am!

[Timekeeper10]

That would be a better question for Obama. but in typical Obama style, he would refuse to answer. Instead he would launch his oratory prowess giving absolutely no clue as to what his intentions to be.

[boing007]

Gwen Ifill should have ruled Governor Sarah Palin out of order as soon she declared that she probably wouldn't answer her debate questions, preferring to stick to her talking points instead. The debate should have been suspended and Governor Palin should have been admonished for her arrogance.

[jules815]

I absolutely agree here. Gwen Ifill has said that "Sarah Palin dissed her", however, she's the one who let it happen.

[Timekeeper10]

She is a wanna be moderator not a Supreme court judge.

[RickO]

Questio for both candidates:

How has running your campaign prepared you for running the country?

[justoverit333]

Oh that's an excellent question RickO.

[AlphaDoc]

I hold very little hope of Schieffer being anywhere close to impartial during this debate, never mind pressing McCain with any questions that might put him in a bad light or stopping him from repeating the same tired lies about his opponent. Instead, I envision Senator Obama getting double-teamed by these two "good old boys." Sure, he can handle it, but it certainly won't be fair.

[lucite]

Life is not fair. Obama knows that and has reacting to unfairness with dignity.

[imfedup]

Obama could whup them both with his hands tied behind his back. I'm not skeered.

[Academic]

But he won't! Were it Barack Obama or his campaign doing what John McCain, Sarah Palin and theirs are obviously doing, there would be no hesitation, I can assure you, of him happily obliging by directing these or similar relevant questions to Senator Obama.

Professor Dr. Stanley Collymore.

[nanners0808]

i am watching ted koppel's program "the last lynching" on the discovery channel. people, the last lynching didn't occur too long ago - 1981. we need to be careful and speak out against any hate speech or actions.

i believe that bob scheiffer has an obligation to ask mccain directly about what some of the people at his rally have said.

[lwilkerson50]

Okay how do we do it?

[Timekeeper10]

McCain does not control what other people say. Obama does not control the hate spewed by celebrities. Only the left consitantly tries to shut people up when they are opposed.