Why did the old fart not look at Obama?

[ColbertWatcher]

[ananda]

1. result of torture?

He can't turn his head?

[silverojo]

4. But he could turn it fast enough to face his wife

And call her a c*nt.... :evilgrin:

I voted that he's an asshole. Pretty self-evident, really.

[petronius]

52. Does McCain have a habit of hiding his surgery-scarred side from the audience/cameras?

I seem to recall reading before the election that he was cautious in how he positioned himself - I didn't see the debate so it may not be relevant, but perhaps he was just putting his 'best face forward.'

Or, perhaps he was just an intimidated, ill-prepared, and inaccurate debater...

[redqueen]

2. Eugene is spot on...

as he so often is. :)

[ColbertWatcher]

8. I thought that was a brilliant assessment by Robinson. n/t

[misanthrope]

25. What did he say?**nm

**

[redqueen]

28. That McCain turns opponents into enemies...

don't want to misquote him but... about how he has to work himself up for these battles and there is real animosity. Along those lines...

[misanthrope]

29. That explains his reputed temperment...

...It's also a hell of an Achilles heel.

[AndyA]

3. I think McSame couldn't look at Obama because he knows Obama

has the goods on him. He knows he hasn't shown up to vote in Congress this year. He knows he was wrong on the war, he knows his VP is a loser, etc., etc., etc.

And most of all, he knows he's a liar, and he knows Obama knows he's standing there lying to everyone.

[ColbertWatcher]

10. Well, then addition to being a liar, McCain is also a coward. n/t

[Jade Fox]

5. Not looking at someone sends a very powerful message....

I used to have a boss who never looked at me. He loathed me.

[bigtree]

6. He feels contempt for Obama

He thinks he's better than him

[eleny]

7. Obama is not "his friend"

He uses that phrase constantly but it was glaringly absent tonight.

[Muttocracy]

9. trying to keep concentrating on his talking points, no human interaction allowed. nt

[Believing Is Art]

11. Most people can't make eye contact when they lie

[tinrobot]

12. Habitual liar

A classic tell for lying is the inability to look people in the eye.

[ColbertWatcher]

14. Good point. n/t

[leftofthedial]

13. McCain was a prisoner of war

He once met with 426 soldiers who all had bought beer at the PX. And there was nothing prouder than these fine, brave defenders of freedom.

And one time he saw Old Glory and it just made his pecker stand up, which hadn't happened since the early 90's.

[ColbertWatcher]

19. LOL! Great answer! n/t

[jgraz]

15. Obama's ass isn't as nice as Sarah Palin's

[ColbertWatcher]

17. LOL! That's funny! n/t

[TahitiNut]

20. It's my impression that Johnny's a boobs fan. Think about it.

He hangs with boobs. Boobs vote for him. His running mate is a boob. Obama is NOT a boob.

[Trillo]

16. Mc Cain hates liberals.

he says something to that effect, and he believes Obama is a big liberal. I don't remember the precise words, but McCain said something about 'he's a liberal' during the debate.

But that probably was just a code word for something else, like deep personal divisions that cannot be resolved and that shall not be spoken of in the open.

(I actually believe that Obama is not a full-on leftie like many progressives, he seems more in the center to me, and if I'm correct, then Obama is being framed as a leftie by McCain and perhaps the greater 'right', and I believe/recall Obama even said he isn't 'left' at some point back.)

[csziggy]

43. National Journal rated Obama "the most liberal Senator" and they did the same to Kerry in 2004

National Journal's vote ratings became an issue in the 2004 general election, when Republicans used the magazine's ranking of John Kerry as the most liberal senator of 2003 to label the then-Democratic nominee as the "most liberal senator" -- even though that was his rating for just that one year, when (like Obama did) he missed quite a few Senate votes due to being on the presidential campaign trail.

As National Journal's editor wrote back then, "ur magazine -- or, more precisely, our annual congressional vote ratings edition -- has become a Republican talking point in the 2004 presidential campaign. And that's been a fascinating, and disconcerting, experience. Fascinating because we're more used to being cited in congressional hearings than on the Today show. Disconcerting because the shorthand used to describe our ratings of Kerry and Edwards is sometimes misleading -- or just plain wrong."

Indeed, while Obama ranks as the magazine's most liberal senator of 2007, his ranking was 16th in 2005 and 10th in 2006.
<snip>
As for McCain, the magazine says that he didn't vote frequently enough in 2007 to get an overall rating. Per National Journal, "He missed more than half of the votes in both the economic and foreign-policy categories. On social issues, which include immigration, McCain received a conservative score of 59."
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/31/625886.aspx

Analysis at: http://www.mostliberalsenator.blogspot.com/

[Stardust]

18. I vote for: Contempt, a Power-play, his POW conditioning, and oh yeah,

HE'S AN ASSHOLE.

[Supersedeas]

21. Mississippi code for this man does not desserve to be on the same stage

[bertman]

22. My friends, if you had spent 5 years of your life in a cage you wouldn't look at him either. You'd

be looking at Sarah Palin's ta ta's.

[MrSlayer]

23. A white man doesn't acknowlege a subhuman.

Going for the KKK vote.

[mrs_p]

24. typical liar and bully behavior

my repuke father does it all the time. can't trust a word from his mouth.

[proud patriot]

26. McCain's an asshole for $1000 Alex

B-)

[nadinbrzezinski]

27. Dog whistle to the racist in the country

[EFerrari]

30. Yep. What a hateful little troll he is.

Tweety called him a troll and he was right on.

[TahitiNut]

53. Interestingly enough, Mississippi is the McCain ancestral home ...

... when they were slave-owners and had a large cotton plantation.

I personally believe it's McCain's habit to withdraw love and approval by ignoring the person. It's patronizing and parental ... in a very dysfunctional way. It's clearly how he dealt with his children. Contempt. Disdain. "You do not exist!" It's a very self-aggrandizing and emotionally immature behavior.

Notice that it's consistent with his "no negotiations without preconditions" stance in international relations. He seems to think even interacting with a person portrays "approval" ... not even considering that he's NOT granted the authority to "approve" or "disapprove" at all.

[Bluebear]

31. Deep shame. Liars cannot look truth in the face.

[B Calm]

32. My dad always said to never trust a man that won't look you in the eye.

Damn, my dad so right!

[opihimoimoi]

33. He IS NOT TRUSTWORTHY...avoiding eye contact is a sign of an ALIEN

[Hubert Flottz]

34. He needs to set up a meeting with a good...

electro-shock therapist ASAP. The stress is too hard on his poor old brain.

[opihimoimoi]

40. I just happen to have those 7586762534 volt electrodes that would fit his ass

His ole brain would be tuned up for at least a week.

[olshak]

35. Because he is not Obama's equal n/t

[teamster633]

36. A, C, and D.

But I had to vote for A since his assholiness seems to be most prominent.

[marions ghost]

37. This behavior is VERY significant...

Tweety was right to make an immediate case about it. It was very obvious and very insulting.

In order to believe that he can win, McCain has had to make Obama "The Other"--ie. he has to believe that he is a far superior being. This justifies his bullying, lying, generally rude and crude behavior. That's how assholes like George Bush and John McCain do it. They make their opponents so inferior in their minds that they can do anything to them.

I would argue that this is how John McCain sees the American people also. He's only loyal to his
inside group. George Bush has the same disorder. These types flock together. They are very destructive to those they wish to take advantage of. DUers who have met up with these personalities in their own lives know exactly what this is about.

Here's the Mayo Clinic definition of NPD:

Narcissistic personality disorder symptoms may include:

* Believing that you're better than others
* Fantasizing about power, success and attractiveness
* Exaggerating your achievements or talents
* Expecting constant praise and admiration
* Believing that you're special
* Failing to recognize other people's emotions and feelings
* Expecting others to go along with your ideas and plans
* Taking advantage of others
* Expressing disdain for those you feel are inferior
* Being jealous of others
* Believing that others are jealous of you
* Trouble keeping healthy relationships
* Setting unrealistic goals
* Being easily hurt and rejected
* Having a fragile self-esteem
* Appearing as tough-minded or unemotional

Although some features of narcissistic personality disorder may seem like having confidence or strong self-esteem, it's not the same. Narcissistic personality disorder crosses the border of healthy confidence and self-esteem into thinking so highly of yourself that you put yourself on a pedestal. In contrast, people who have healthy confidence and self-esteem don't value themselves more than they value others.

When you have narcissistic personality disorder, you may come across as conceited, boastful or pretentious. You often monopolize conversations. You may belittle or look down on people you perceive as inferior. You may have a sense of entitlement. And when you don't receive the special treatment to which you feel entitled, you may become very impatient or angry. You may also seek out others you think have the same special talents, power and qualities — people you see as equals. You may insist on having "the best" of everything — the best car, athletic club, medical care or social circles, for instance.

But underneath all this grandiosity often lies a very fragile self-esteem. You have trouble handling anything that may be perceived as criticism. You may have a sense of secret shame and humiliation. And in order to make yourself feel better, you may react with rage or contempt and efforts to belittle the other person to make yourself appear better.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/narcissistic-personality-disorder/DS00652/DSECTION=symptoms

[ColbertWatcher]

41. It seems the GOP only has narcissists in their party! n/t

[marions ghost]

54. It's a type

and they support each other. Sometimes it works out OK, if extreme Narcissists function within a structure that keeps them in check. They can often climb high in society and become leaders. But when they are crossed, watch out, their delusions of grandeur and lack of empathy make them capable of extreme abuse of others. They make excellent predators and never feel better than when they're screwing over someone else. Yes, this personality type is well represented in the Rethuglican party. Heartless, ruthless, greedy, uncaring about others. These are our current leaders.

Democrats can be egotistical, imperious, self-aggrandizing of course, but most of them do not warrant the diagnosis of NPD because NPD is characterized by predation, jealousy, taking advantage of others, abusing, ie. wreaking havoc in relationships and business dealings. The Democratic politician's behavior is more motivated by generosity and willingness to be flexible (which defines them as more liberal). They may have big egos, but they are not so rigid and dangerous to others as a rule. No matter how high the stakes there is a line they will not cross in their zeal to succeed. Occasionally you find the Liebermans and other DINOs like him posing as Dems, but their motives are not so good.

Yes I see this as a big difference between the two parties and the types they attract as leaders.

[SmileyRose]

38. How dare you attack an American HERO !!!

The man was a POW. He's so disabled he can't even type. OBVIOUSLY, if you had a brain you moran, you'd realize his POW disabilities make it impossible for him to turn his body to the left. It's not McCain's fault they put him on that side of the stage. But who cares, you liberals just can't wait to attack disabled people.







:sarcasm:

(obviously)

[obamaforme]

48. His heroism - as campaign slogan

I am getting tired of listen to that. We all know he was a prisoner of war and suffered, but enough already! You can not ride that pity train forever. It also does not qualify him to be president. If you are old and disabled, then you should sit home and not run for the highest office in the land.

[geiger]

39. He doesn't want to identify with his self-identified aggressor.

Captives often do this, out of a natural self-preservation instinct.

Obama, I think, is a self-trained leader and problem-solver. He has the learned capacity to put life's events in perspective, and now I'm glad he wrote his books. He has self-inight that McCain has never had the chance to develop.

I remember several months ago my mother who is an officeholder in her local Republican party saying that she just couldn't come to terms with McCain being President because "that prisoner of war experience had to have left him odd in the head."

Her comment seared my soul. At that moment I thought, how can anyone have such disrespect and disregard for a war hero. Despite the fact that I had already become an Obama supporter. At the time, I was thinking, even though I know people who know people that think McCain is a hothead and egomaniac, that McCain's experiences as a prisoner of war had to have made him stronger as a person, not "damaged," as my mother implied.

McCain's reaction to the Wall Street situation and his own choice of running mate show that he is instinctively running for cover. In deference to his service and his attempt to be an honorable public servant, I wish for his sake and all of ours, that he would just send up the white flag.

He can't be President; he just can't. He might make an effective Vice-President or Cabinet member, but not President.

[ColbertWatcher]

42. I don't think he makes a good Senator.

There are some videos on The YouTube that show him blowing his top during some hearing.

Maybe if he was able to accept some therapy for his obvious mental illnesses he'd be able to get better.

[FVZA_Colonel]

44. He didn't want to acknowledge him as an equal.

[yodoobo]

45. Tactics of course

There's 3 reasons.

1) Not looking at your opponent is a method of intimidation and a way to throw your opponent off balance. Also, when you are looking at someone, a great deal of communication takes place without saying a word. How many times have you changed your next words based on visual feedback you are getting from someone, in both confrontational and non-confrontation settings? I know I do.

McCain, by denying Obama the visual feedback (and instead giving it to the audence), he deprives him of certain information (all at a nearly subconscious level) to respond, in an attempt to keep him off balance.

Pretty Machiavellian really. But effective for lesser speakers.

2) The debates are really not debates at all. They are a platform to deliver their message and persuade the audience. We tend to compare debates to arguments that we have in persona life. But in personal life, I'm trying to persuade my opponent. Make no mistake. Obama is not trying to persuade McCain, and McCain is not trying to persuade Obama. Both are trying to persuade you.

In that context, looking at the group you are trying to persuade is actually a good idea, so that you can better deliver the visual and non-verbal ques.

3) McCain is an asshole.

Where McCain really screwed up on this aspect, is that he over did it. It was really noticeable. Once a tactic becomes noticeable, its far less effective.

[DearAbby]

46. He was a Pee Oh Dubba You..........nuff said n/t

[IDemo]

47. Other -

The awareness that he is up against a better man than himself would have been fully evident in his eyes, and Obama and the cameras would not have missed it.

[Reader Rabbit]

49. He didn't want to reveal his massive crush on Obama.

McCain is so lacking in self control that, had he actually made eye contact, he would have lost it and pounced on the object of his secret man-lust.

[baldguy]

50. Fear.

[ColbertWatcher]

55. That says it all. n/t

[Toucano]

51. He was afraid their eyes would meet and he would SWOON

at the feet of handsome, intelligent Obama.

That's why I don't look at him! :)

[deacon]

56. He's running a crooked campaign and he knows obama knows it. Guilt. n/t

[Quantess]

57. He's feeling sorry for himself, maybe?

Here's this young upstart, getting bigger crowds and generating more enthusiasm. Not to mention his opponent is an uppity black man. Perhaps it's not the way he envisioned his twilight years, having to compete with a younger, blacker, man.

On second thought, fuck him if he feels cheated out of ANYTHING. McCain helped the financial industry and big oil cheat all of us out of our hard earned money! Thanks for going along with Bush, McCain!

[defendandprotect]

58. Power play --

[DearAbby]

59. Did I mention...

He was a Pee Oh Dubba You?