NEWSWEEK: McCain Is An 'Immature Politician-Erratic, Impulsive & Lame'

[kpete]

BETWEEN THE LINES
Jonathan Alter
Where Have You Gone, John?
His zesty attacks on corporate greed and inspiring plans for national service are no more.

Published Aug 2, 2008
From the magazine issue dated Aug 11, 2008

In the middle of John McCain's dopey Britney & Paris attack ad, the announcer gravely asks of Barack Obama: "Is He Ready to Lead?" An equally good question is whether McCain is ready to lead. For a man who will turn 72 this month, he's a surprisingly immature politician—erratic, impulsive and subject to peer pressure from the last knucklehead who offers him advice. The youthful insouciance that for many years has helped McCain charm reporters like me is now channeled into an ad that one GOP strategist labeled "juvenile," another termed "childish" and McCain's own mother called "stupid." The Obama campaign's new mantra is that McCain is "an honorable man running a dishonorable campaign." Lame is more like it. And out of sync with the real guy.

Of course, it might work. Maybe depicting Obama as a presumptuous and vaguely foreign presence will resonate. (Why else would one of McCain's slogans be "An American president for America"?) Maybe voters will agree with McCain campaign manager Rick Davis, who played the fussy card last week by arguing the central importance to the future of the republic of Obama's taste for "MET-Rx chocolate roasted peanut protein bars and bottles of a hard-to-find organic brew called Black Forest Berry Honest Tea." (Davis somehow forgot to mention McCain's own preference for $520 Ferragamo shoes.) Maybe convincing nervous white voters that Obama is another Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson in his use of racial grievance politics will carry McCain to the White House.

.........................

I misread McCain. On the night of the 2000 South Carolina primary, I was in his hotel suite and watched Cindy weeping over what Rove and his goons did. Her husband was plenty mad, too. Now he's got Rove's protégé, Steve Schmidt, running his campaign. Eight years ago, McCain profusely apologized for playing racial politics in South Carolina by backing efforts to fly the Confederate flag at the state capital. Now he's content to see race crowd out the economy in the battle for precious media oxygen. McCain argues that Obama opened himself up to attack by saying, "They're gonna say he doesn't look like those other presidents on the dollar bills." But if his campaign hadn't leaped on that Obama comment, it would have been another. Accusing the other guy of playing the race card is a not terribly subtle form of, well, playing the race card—and the victim.

The real question is what all of this might mean for a McCain presidency. The list of troubling portents is growing long: repeated campaign staff upheavals reflecting poor management skills; abrupt reversals on big issues like tax cuts and relations with Russia (where he was superhawk one day and superdove the next); shameless pandering on a gas-tax holiday that even his own economic advisers think is a joke; confused handling of Social Security that annoys all sides of the debate; bogus charges (e.g., Obama is causing high gas prices, Obama didn't visit wounded soldiers because he couldn't take the press) that undermine his integrity; and an angry, bunker mentality among aides that one GOP operative, fearing excommunication from Team McCain if identified, describes as "lacking only a Luger and a cyanide pill."

....................

more at:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/150477/page/1

[speedoo]

1. Thank you, Mr. Alter.

You are worthy of much praise for that truthful article.

[speedoo]

2. "Error: You've already recommended that thread." nt

[Mabus]

62. Since you couldn't do it again

I did. Proud to be #100.

Now I'll go read the rest of the article.

[speedoo]

73. Excellent, #100!

I believe I was #1. Enjoy the article.

[BlooInBloo]

3. Wow - When Newsweek calls you "lame", you really fucking suck.

[FrenchieCat]

5. Totally.

That's a corporate sucking sound you hear.

[Phredicles]

11. Think of it as a testimonial from an expert in the field.

:P:evilgrin:

[BlooInBloo]

12. Hah!

[AtomicKitten]

4. Ouch.

:thumbsup:

[truthisfreedom]

6. That's our McErratic, McImpulsive, and McLame!

Excellent, hard-hitting article that gets McCrazy right where it hurts...

[beac]

45. I can hear his McTemperTantrum now:

"No McFair, NO McFAIR! I'm a McWarHero! Why doesn't the press McLove me anymore???? Wahhhhhhhhh......"

[glarius]

7. McCain is showing who he REALLY IS, finally.

I read somewhere that he once said he would "do anything it takes to win" and now that he's desperate he is doing just that. You don't suddenly change from an honourable, decent honest person (as he has been portraying himself)to what he has been showing lately. This is the real John McCain!

[polichick]

23. Agreed - I just posted something similar below, before seeing yours...

I wish people ~ including Obama ~ would stop calling McShame honorable.

[IntravenousDemilo]

51. Reminds you of a certain politician up on this side of the border, doesn't it? n/m

[glarius]

76. Agreed......it looks like everyone up here doesn't see through Harper

either. He's managed to portray himself as a moderate and get things changed by stealth.

[IntravenousDemilo]

87. I'm also thinking of those repulsive anti-Dion ads that say he's "not a leader".

Compare that with "Is he ready to lead?" in the McCain ads about Obama. Apparently the neocons smugly believe that they're the only ones fit to run things, and they are operating from the same playbook and using exactly the same tactics. I do think, however, that in both countries these folks are about to have the self-satisfied smirks wiped off their faces. It's rude-awakening time.

[glarius]

88. The way Dion was mocked and vilified was disgusting.

Before Harper was elected P.M. in 2006, I saw Ralph Reed of the Christian Coalition in the U.S.A., on the religious network CTS, (I just happened upon it while channel surfing). He was saying that he would give the Canadian conservatives the formula for how to get elected. I later read that he had been a consultant of Harper pre election, so it is easy to see the same tactics being used by Harper as the American right wingnuts. I sure hope you're right about the public in both countries waking up. If that wacko McCain from the Double Talk Express gets elected we're all in big trouble.

[IntravenousDemilo]

89. Expect more of the same.

Unfortunately for the Conservatives, though, I think Canadians are now wise to their tactics and they sure won't work again.

I want an election as soon as possible. I realize that whoever wins is not going to get a majority, but then I've always far preferred minority governments. If it happens that it's Harper who forms the next minority government, he's not going to try to pull the same crap as he did in the previous parliament and make everything a matter of confidence, because if Canada is plunged into an election six months after the previous one because of that tactic, the population will not be impressed with the Conservatives and they will be routed. "Oh look," the Liberals will say, "you see who is really not trying to make Parliament work?"

[Major Hogwash]

8. Lame is right!! Where's his brave new economic plan? How is McLame going to solve that problem?

Can't just make stupid ads about Obama and solve that crisis, ya old wheezer!!

[bleever]

9. Alter is a sober, clear-eyed observer at this point

and this article may not leave a mark, but it will take a toll.

I thank him for his forthrightness.

[hisownpetard]

58. To which I add, "It's about time."

[bleever]

80. .

:toast: What you said.

[TlalocW]

10. How are Met-Rx chocolate protein bars elitist?

They're sold in Walmarts and Quiktrips (convenience store primarily where I am - Oklahoma/Kansas). They do sell for $2.50 or so, but they're friggin' huge.

TlalocW

[beachmom]

13. Holy crap! If McCain has lost his mother, then he's in trouble!

The youthful insouciance that for many years has helped McCain charm reporters like me is now channeled into an ad that one GOP strategist labeled "juvenile," another termed "childish" and McCain's own mother called "stupid."

[nc4bo]

14. That last line, lacking a luger and a cyanide pill. damn. K&R nt

[crimsonblue]

15. Wouldn't EVERY President be an "American President"

I know that the right wing hates the Constitution, but it has this little requirement of natural born citizenship (which, incidentally, McCain may or may not have). Portraying himself as American and Obama as foreign is fucking RACIST, as it continues the well-worn stereotype of black men as foreign, creepy, and sub-human. Fuck, I'd not lose a minute of sleep were McCain to have a stroke this week.

[csziggy]

18. They will be "American Presidents" until the GOPers pass an amendment

so they can vote Arnold in - as if they could get that done in our lifetimes.

[crimsonblue]

19. if that happens

then the machines will have won, and not even John Connor could save us at that point.

[Barack_America]

33. They're trying to push that though Obama is *technically* an American...

"He's no American" and all that BS.

[beac]

46. And I think McCain would be hesitant to possibly remind people that he was

born in Panama and there is a LITTLE grayness about whether he's technically an American citizen at all!

[iamahaingttta]

54. A relative if mine is an immigration lawyer...

...and we were discussing it this weekend. She said that technically, McCain is NOT considered a "natural born citizen" and technically, he is NOT eligible to be president. Nobody is going to seriously challenge it, however, and it's convoluted enough that he would probably squeak by in court.

[beac]

64. Yup. That's what I've always heard too.

He's not really a citizen, but being a "war hero" and all.... :puke:

Once again, the rules do not apply for rich Republicans.

[Patriot Abroad]

69. I'd lose some sleep . . .

It'd give the Republic Party a second chance to find someone electable . . .

[DeepModem Mom]

16. K&R

[GoesTo11]

17. The magazines seem to be the only press that's stayed legit

Wonder why that is. TV and newspapers are all just propaganda now. Seems like Newsweek comes close to reporting.

[yardwork]

36. TV, newspapers, and radio are owned by the same set of corporations.

Newsweek is still independently owned. It has to stay corporate-friendly to maintain advertising revenues, but at least its not owned by the corporations.

[Hawaii Hiker]

20. Alter is on "Countdown" frequently & I hope KO & him talk

about this piece for a couple segments...

[Kaleko]

21. Love the headline. Should be repeated to make it stick to the shameless opportunist. K & R

NEWSWEEK: McCain Is An 'Immature Politician - Erratic, Impulsive & Lame'

Yessir! :patriot:

[polichick]

22. People keep saying the campaign doesn't reflect the real guy...

Maybe they're just finally seeing the real guy ~ and that other guy was a fake.

[speedoo]

24. mid-morning kick.

I can't believe this does not have 100 recs yet. Too many people away for the weekend?

[yellerpup]

25. Kick & Recommend.

Tough analysis and exactly on target. :kick:

[uponit7771]

26. K&R; McSame's maturity level is slightly higher than Bush's

[Highway61]

27. "McCain Is An 'Immature Politician-Erratic, Impulsive & Lame"

Well, that about wraps it up. So, how CLOSE are those polls again?

[ErinBerin84]

28. my favorite part is

"I misread McCain", because I have heard Alter say in the past that while he likes McCain as a person, his policies suck. Yup, that's right Jonathan. He's a politically expedient hypocrite. One day Bridget will know who her dad employed in his greed for the white house.

[Hope And Change]

29. K & R!Thanks for posting!

[kmac3]

30. Super article . . . K & R

"I read somewhere that he once said he would "do anything it takes to win" and now that he's desperate he is doing just that. You don't suddenly change from an Honourable, decent honest person (as he has been portraying himself)to what he has been showing lately. This is the real John McCain!"

Great article :thumbsup:. . . do hope it gets lot of hits. Today the truth is very hard to come by since most all media (TV, radio & newspapers) are bought up by a few single companies . . . it's called a monopoly.

[Coexist]

31. no comment needed - this says it all.

[Skidmore]

32. Now how about some anti-McCain ads based on that article?

Let's get busy someone. Any Obama central campaign staff reading this? Anyone who knows anyone on the central team who can pass it on?

[Barack_America]

34. *gulp* The MSM has spoken for me?

I clearly woke up in bizarro land this morning.

[NoodleyAppendage]

35. Good, good, good. This is what I'm talking about. McCain = Loose Cannon. n/t

J

[MadrasT]

37. Thanks for this

This article has provided me with considerable good cheer on a lousy-ass Monday. "Confused handling of Social Security that annoys all sides..." :rofl:

[A-Long-Little-Doggie]

38. k &r

:kick:

[CitizenPatriot]

39. make it work

now for anyone who is in the position to do so, this would be a great time to order as subscription to Newsweek.
Let them know how hungry Americans are for REAL news.

This is kinda new, because us liberals usually STOP watching or CANCEL subscriptions. Let's be Rovian and start to show our power collectively as the MAJORITY of this country;-)

I'm ordering Newsweek right now.

Great article -- and I fear, the truth. McCain has always struck me as a child, much like Bush. We simply can't afford anymore popularity contests such as the ones Bush is always using the pressure and power of America to win. We need a leader who can think about issues, not self. Who is not a needy, simpering, begging ego but a self-contained and self-assured person of inner integrity.

GO OBAMA

a note -- I live in a RED state now (just moved from bluest ever state) and I talked with many different people this weekend told me out of the blue that if McCain wins, they are moving to Canada. Hmmm...

[grantcart]

40. The thing is once the media starts on a feedking like this they will all join in

it will build to a pirahanna attack ala Dole

[blondeatlast]

41. ZING. "...subject to peer pressure from the last knucklehead who offers him advice. "

That's why he's unaware of anything he's ever done.

Superb; I've always thought Alter was one of the smartest pilitical journalists out there. He never disappoints, even when he goes aftyer one of ours, he's usually on-target.

[NBachers]

42. Yeah, but - here's the problem- It's working

[blondeatlast]

47. What's working and how? It's fun to post one-liners on a message board,

but we discuss things here.

What is McSame doing that's working?

[vkkv]

43. McCain would RATHER WIN AN ELECTION THAN FIX THE NATIONS PROBLEMS.

McCain would RATHER WIN AN ELECTION THAN FIX THE NATIONS PROBLEMS.

[ProgressiveFool]

44. wow, I've never seen a self-Godwinning

Among the list of things going wrong is this:

an angry, bunker mentality among aides that one GOP operative, fearing excommunication from Team McCain if identified, describes as "lacking only a Luger and a cyanide pill."

[Juan_de_la_Dem]

48. Zinger

[LuckyLib]

49. "subject to peer pressure from the last knucklehead who offers him advice." Sound familiar?

[DirtyDawg]

50. The problem is that News Weeklies...

...have become as relevant as 'tits on a boar'. Nobody's gonna be paying attention to this. Oh, it might make it to a question next Sunday but it'll be blown off as just another left-wing media rant. God how I hate these bastards - Repugnicans that is.

[Wetzelbill]

52. Wow, you have to suck if your mom calls an ad "stupid"

hahahaha

[wordpix]

53. bwahahaa, McFlipFlop's own mother called his ad childish! Thank you, Jonathan Alter!

[Maestro]

55. Nice article, but I still find it incredible

that the polls are still so close. :shrug: McInsane is horrible yet plenty are still willing to vote for him. :eyes:

[Wetzelbill]

56. I've only seen one that was all that close

And that was the Gallup "likely voters" poll. And that amounted to taking out new voters and younger people, who are overwhelmingly for Obama. So polls are close when you take out some of O's support, you know? :) He's up steadily by about 6-8 points, even then we'll get a better idea after the conventions if McCain can make a go of this, then the polls after the debates will really tell the story. Really nothing means much until October. Polls I mean.

[Maestro]

60. I'm sure you are correct.

I just woke up this morning to the headline that in the latest Gallup it was a tie at 47%. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. McInsane is such a joke!

[Wetzelbill]

61. yes that's the "likely voters" poll

Their editor Frank Newport said to not even pay attention to that one, to look at the "registered voters" poll. They take the "likely voters" one to get a look at McCain's base when it's galvanized or some shit. Really though, they do it because they need a horse race and right now, there isn't one.

[Maestro]

68. Cool. Thanks for explaining that one.

I feel better now. :)

[Wetzelbill]

72. Rock on

:)

[Lugnut]

57. Thank you, Mr Alter.

There was no beating around that bush in that piece. K&R for truth and clarity.

[AlbertCat]

59. "An American president for America"?

Uh....John....Um....is that instead of an Afro-American president for America?....you race baiting asshat from Panama!


I hope one of Obama's surrogates (because he can't do it himself) brings up McCain's slogan and what it means. It either is an implied racial slur, or just nonsense.

If they can turn this into a campaign about McCain, and how he is just more of the same we've had for 8 lousy years, then Obama is in.

[progressivebydesign]

86. That slogan just infuriated me! And it's really stupid, too!

McCrankly and his minions are the sleaziest thing I've seen in decades. McCain will do anything... to get elected. He's a power hungry anger-addict. His slogan writers are scum.

[LuckyLib]

63. It's also important to remember that most Americans think of one individual when they hear the term

"race card" -- OJ Simpson. The term was used so extensively that it is burned in to the American psyche as associated with the OJ trial.

This handiwork is clearly the work of Rove. Alter puts it well:
"Accusing the other guy of playing the race card is a not terribly subtle form of, well, playing the race card—and the victim."

[ihavenobias]

65. K & R

[me b zola]

66. Devastating!

:thumbsup:

[spiritual_gunfighter]

67. K&R

Everyone needs to read this!

[Overseas]

70. Great article! Good to see a media pal admit the big changes in JSM III. /nt

[DemocracyInaction]

71. Alter, a coupl weeks ago

I think it was on Dan Abrams, he just about came out of his chair and just exploded all over some fuckhead repuke. Scared the repuke. I thought maybe Jonathan might have had a drink before because of all the shit the repukes were throwing about something at that point and he was not about to let it go.

[sellitman]

74. It gets boring recommending your posts yanno?

But this one was a must do.

[kpete]

82. thanks

appreciate it, kp

[pleah]

75. K&R! McLame McSame McBush!

lol Love it!

[Cha]

77. This is priceless and I hope it gets a lot of n00ze generated

on the m$m!

"...he's a surprisingly immature politician—erratic, impulsive and subject to peer pressure from the last knucklehead who offers him advice.

Lots of republican strategists thought the Britney-Paris ad spoke well to Obama and, of course, the Hiltons were majorily Pissed for their own reasons.

[rndmprsn]

78. K&R...not to mention super sensitive and hysterical

[NewJeffCT]

79. I can already see the McCain spin, "more librul media claptrap"

They honestly think that anybody that doesn't toe the Republican party line is part of the liberal media...

we need to start having more and more magazines and newspapers calling McCain on his BS act, and hopefully it will trickle up to the evening news outside of Olbermann & Abrams.

[Imagevision]

81. No wonder Cheney wants to bomb Iran before the election...

[HEyHEY]

83. But what about the media conspiracy?

[hasssan1]

84. FUCK MCLAME

FUCK HIM. OBAMA CAMP IS TOO SOFT ON HIM AND I DON'T LIKE IT. THEY HAVE TO HIT HIM HARD EVERY DAY AND SHOW WHATE PIECE OF SHIT HE IS.

[Major Hogwash]

85. And McCain is not a "war hero" either.

He was a POW, not a hero.

Just setting the record straight!

[RNdaSilva]

90. A message that needs to be repeated again and again...

until November 4th.

Need to make a dent in the Ovis orientalis aries demographic, in other words...



cannot be completely hopeless.