McCain: 'Excellent question'
We knew it would happen, but maybe not this early in the presidential campaign. As her front-runner status becomes firm, as we head into 2008, the attacks on Hilary Clinton won't really be about her politics, her view of the Iraq War, or her husband, it will be about the fact that she's a woman. It's pretty clear that her biggest enemy will be misogyny. It's interesting that the person who posed the question to John McCain happened to be a woman herself. Woman-hating cuts across gender lines. "How do we beat the bitch?" was the question, and McCain's response was to laugh, and come back with: "That's an excellent question."
Unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman, but what can you do? These are desperate times for the Republicans, the party of God, decency and family values.
"That was an excellent question" was McCain's way of saying he agreed with the characterization of Clinton. He can't get around it. The moment has been captured on video. But it doesn't sound like he or his campaign is about to apologize for McCain's chuckling acceptance of the vulgar name calling.
It will be interesting to see how this serves the senator. My bet is that it will give his campaign treasury a shot.
Here's a comment from Random Rodricks reader Robert Doyle: "A woman at a McCain event calls Hillary the “B” word, the room applauds, McCain laughs and answers her question without commenting on the slur. Just like back in 2004, when Cheney used the Senate floor to tell an opponent to go f--- himself, the party that drapes itself in the Bible, the party that says it represents God and decency, can’t resist being foul-mouthed. And to think we have an entire year of God and decency in front of us. If God is listening, may he or she save us from Republicans."
Comments
It's not the first time McCain has made an inappropriate remark about one of the Clintons. He told a joke about Chelsea Clinton (while she was a teenager) that was so crude and mean-spirited that he was forced to personally apologize to the Chelsea. Many newspapers refused to even publish the joke while still running stories about McCain apologizing.
Posted by: MCG | November 14, 2007 10:36 PM
the b-word is not worse then saying the president is pure evil, which is said much more? feel free to get off that high horse at any time.
Posted by: dan's nemesis | November 14, 2007 11:03 PM
A couple of thoughts jump to mind:
John McCain is a Republican and a candidate. That does not make him THE Republican. He is a man with often displayed weaknesses.
I expect that we can thank God that none of the Democrat candidates has ever made an ill advised, rude, or socially unacceptable comment about a Republican in a public forum.
McCain wasn't there to offend the people who were. By chastising the questioner he could have accomplished one thing - the alienation of some who might vote for him. By his action he did not lose one possible vote, not even yours, Dan.
Posted by: Bruce Robinson | November 15, 2007 4:55 PM
John McCain's reaction certainly shows a lack of statemanship. I know bad words get tossed around a lot, and that politics is a very dirty business. At the same time, I expect a man who wants to lead the country to act like a gentleman when a lady is demeaned. McCain was chortling like some goofy teenager on the playground. It's not something that inspires confidence.
Posted by: Pandra | November 16, 2007 1:28 PM