Quit Simply, McCain Is an Idiot

McCain appeared on "This Week" this morning, interviewed by George Stephanopoulos. At one point, George brings up McCain's response to Obama's response in the first debate about Pakistan, saying if the U.S. needed to go into Pakistan to get at terrorists, then it should. McCain called it immature or some such to say out loud that we would attack another country. Of course, as Obama rebutted during the debate, he said nothing about attacking the country, but going in after terrorists that Pakistan has failed to bring under control.

McCain defended his position. George showed a clip of Sarah Palin saying in some more informal questioning by a reporter exactly what Obama said, that if we have to go into Pakistan for terrorists, that we absolutely should. George asks if that basically backs up Obama's position.

McCain, unbelievably, says a few things in reaction. First, he defends what Palin says, agreeing that the U.S. has to do what it has to do to get terrorists. Then he says that because Palin said it in some informal setting, that's it's not the same as what Obama did, saying out load that the U.S. might need to go into Pakistan. Also, because of this informal setting, it cannot be taken as a policy statement.

Ok, so why the F* was she saying it? And, sorry McCain, but the comment has now been nationally televised, so it doesn't matter where it's said, it matters who hears it. If Palin says it, she has to mean it. If they don't want her to be agreeing with Obama and admitting these things out loud, then, clue-in, she shouldn't be saying it anywhere to anyone. If she is saying things she shouldn't, then perhaps it's because she's a laughable choice for vice-president.

McCain goes on to say how pleased he is with Palin, the crowds she draws, and, remarkably, her ability to communicate clearly and answer questions. All you need to do is watch her interview with Katie Couric to realize how ridiculous that confidence is. Palin continues, beyond all belief, reason, or intelligence, to claim that because Russia is close to Alaska, she has foreign policy/relations experience. She hasn't answered one question straight yet, if she even answers the question.

Here's Palin's comments on Couric's question of how living in Alaska gives her foreign-policy experience:

Palin: "It's very important when you consider even national-security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America. Where—where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to—to our state."

What IS she talking about?? As far as I know, Russia is not running missions over Alaska, and as far as I know, we haven't been sending any of "those" who keep an eye on Russia out from Alaska. One can only ask that one amazed question: What is she talking about??

On the economy? Palin's answer is gibberish.

Couric: "Why isn't it better, Governor Palin, to spend $700 billion helping middle-class families who are struggling with health care, housing, gas and groceries; allow them to spend more and put more money into the economy instead of helping these big financial institutions that played a role in creating this mess?"

Palin: "That's why I say I, like every American I'm speaking with, were ill about this position that we have been put in where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health-care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy, helping the—oh! It's got to be all about job creation, too, shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So health-care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans. And trade, we've got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive, scary thing. But one in five jobs being created in the trade sector today, we've got to look at that as more opportunity. All those things under the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is a part of that."

Err, what? And this is answering questions clearly? Make sure to get in all those keywords--that have nothing to do with the question--because she has no idea what she's talking about.

That McCain thinks this is clear communication, and that Palin is doing great, shows how out-of-touch with reality he is. She's doing so bad that McCain's best argument is to figure out why what she says doesn't count, which is what he did with George's question. "Oh, it doesn't count because she was in an informal setting." Rubbish.

One has to wonder, does truth have any influence on what comes out of McCain's mouth?