Joe Klein: McCain's ad "one of the sleaziest ads I've ever seen in presidential politics"

[RedEarth]

Posted by Joe Klein | Comments (48) | Permalink | Trackbacks (0) | Email This
Back in 2000, after John McCain lost his mostly honorable campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, he went about apologizing to journalists--including me--for his most obvious mis-step: his support for keeping the confederate flag on the state house.

Now he is responsible for one of the sleaziest ads I've ever seen in presidential politics, so sleazy that I won't abet its spread by linking to it, but here's the McClatchy fact check.

I just can't wait for the moment when John McCain--contrite and suddenly honorable again in victory or defeat--talks about how things got a little out of control in the passion of the moment. Talk about putting lipstick on a pig.

http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/09/apology_not_accepted.html

[jefferson_dem]

1. Josh Marshall agree. "The man is not morally fit to serve as president."

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/215327.php

[babylonsister]

2. Rec'd. You go, Joe, and I'm glad you're writing about it. nt

[msongs]

3. so has obama HIMSELF denounced this ad as scummy - using as few words as possible? nt

[faithfulcitizen]

4. I agree Joe, McCan't will do anything to get in office. absolutely nothing is beneath him apparently...

[City Lights]

5. Dishonorable John Sydney McCain III.

Will say or do anything to slake his thirst for power.

[stray cat]

6. McCain doesn't believe in protecting children from sexual predators?

Thats what is taught to children at this age - He is against explaining bad versus good touches and children knowing where to go for help?

[Meshuga]

7. Joe is pissed at McCain. I like that! :-) n/t

[nichomachus]

8. You would have to dig pretty deep in the archives

To find a ticket so bereft of any qualifications or moral standing as the GOP ticket this year -- and I remember Nixon/Agnew.

The fact that we are forced to deal with them as potential leaders of the country is an insult to us and to democracy.

[Douglas Carpenter]

9. I used to loath Joe Klein.. but lately he has gotten so fed up with right-wing nuts trying to bully

him...on this campaign and other issues as well. He's gotten pretty damn impressive! Or just plain fed up!

[Cha]

11. I know..it's always great to see former

tools come outta their coma.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. K&R

[Douglas Carpenter]

12. Kick and recommended

[progressivebydesign]

13. McCain will do ANYTHING to get elected. but WHY does he want to be president??

McCain is a nasty, filthy, and vindictive, anger addict, who does NOT belong anywhere near the Oval Office. He will do anything, and say anything, to get elected.

Why? Honestly, why is he willing to go scorched Earth in order to get elected. He sat by why the republicans (some of which he was employed) trashed Max Clelland. He sat by why Bush's people (some of which he hired) trashed his own wife and daughter. He is embroiled in the nastiest General Election I've seen in a long time, just because he's hellbent on winning.

For what fucker? You REALLY have a burning need to serve the American people? Or are you paying back your nasty PNAC friends? Or is it just ego, to try and show all those "Assholes" how great you are? Why are you willing to trash everyone in your way (including your own family) just to get the job? WHY are you willing to foist that disaster of a VP choice on us just to do ANYTHING to take the focus off of your lack of ideas, and your years of kissing Bush's ass and voting with him. WHY?

[mitchum]

14. He thinks that it will assuage his guilt over his "less than honorable" actions while prisoner

There's a reason many of his fellow POWs referred to him as "Songbird Johnny"

[Cha]

15. Kick!

:kick:

[PRETZEL]

16. Even Tweety was all over McCain's camp yesterday,

he called the Talking heads for really what they were yesterday, reciters of talking points.

What he did say should open up an even more interesting discussion. Tweenty and McCain do go a long way back and I think there is some degree of friendship and respect between the two which is why I think the question posed (or half posed),

Paraphrasing (or interpreting if you will)

This not the John McCain that I know, what happened?

What he left out what the rest of the quesion, Who's in charge? McCain or someone else?