From The Road
August 18, 2008 8:28 AM

EXCLUSIVE: McCain's Olive Garden Dinner

(CBS)
From CBS News' Ryan Corsaro:

(ORLANDO, FLA.) - When Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., gets hungry, he goes to his "favorite" restaurant. And last night, he dragged along his pal, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, John McCain...to an Olive Garden.

While members of the press were not allowed to be inside, CBS News bumped into McCain's server later on.

According to our source, McCain had spaghetti with meatballs and sausage.

Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., had fried tilapia.

And Cindy McCain had portabella ravioli.

The campaign treated Secret Service, and the bill came out to approximately $450.00.

They gave a $90 tip -- twenty percent.

As for what Graham, who spearheaded the trip, had to eat, the waiter said he could not remember.

"When I saw them come in, I was like wow -- John McCain is at Olive Garden," he said.
Tags:
McCain ,
Olive Garden
Topics:
John McCain
Add a Comment See all 52 Comments
by omega39-2009 August 18, 2008 9:15 AM PDT
Just that McCain is hanging around with Lieberman and Lindsey Graham is enough of a reason not to vote for him.
Reply to this comment
by jenny1233-2009 August 18, 2008 9:15 AM PDT
When George Bush was absent during Katrina, he was celebrating John Mc Cain''s birthday. They were together and there is footage of the film.

To See the footage just Google..."John Mc Cain''s Youtube problem just became a nightmare." and click the choice with John Mc Cain''s picture.

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by gop_forever August 18, 2008 9:16 AM PDT
The Olive Garden is a good wholesome restaurant where christians need not be afraid to bring the family.
Reply to this comment
by jenny1233-2009 August 18, 2008 9:19 AM PDT





Whoever said Obama was getting unfair press coverage should see this Olive Garden story.

The Obama complaint came out when Obama managed to attract 200,000 people in Germany

and Mc Cain had to say something

so Mc Cain said the press likes Obama better than me.









Reply to this comment
by jenny1233-2009 August 18, 2008 9:20 AM PDT




When George Bush was absent during Katrina, he was celebrating John Mc Cain''s birthday. They were together and there is footage of the film.

To See the footage just Google..."John Mc Cain''s Youtube problem just became a nightmare." and click the choice with John Mc Cain''s picture.

Reply to this comment
by xlib August 18, 2008 9:28 AM PDT
Fnny how this sarcastic non story is printed yet the edwards story is no longer covered. Please realize poeple, that your media, your biased media all decided not to tell the edwards affair story. Before any of you start with the "it''s a perseonal issue" please don''t. If it were a Repbulican the story would have been all over the place.
We will probably have our next president elected by the media and I believe we are in big trouble.
Reply to this comment
by xlib August 18, 2008 9:31 AM PDT
Hey jenny, so Bush, who is not running, should have been in NO when Katrina hit?? Umm, so the fact that school bus, amtrack nagin who his out in the uppermost floor of a hotel, did nothing to ready his city. Listen, sweetie, the very fact that that state has elected the first Republican in over forty years for governor says all about the dems.
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by dnsallday August 18, 2008 9:36 AM PDT
I wonder how different it was from when Johnny M. and Cindy McCain are at home eating with a houseful of servants to wait on them hand and foot?
Reply to this comment
by dnsallday August 18, 2008 9:38 AM PDT
Does anybody else wonder why John McCain needs to be constantly surrounded by his 2 nursemaids, Lieberman and Graham?
How creepy was it when Lieberman said he had personally inspected McCain''s bearings???
Reply to this comment
by dnsallday August 18, 2008 9:40 AM PDT
There are hurricane warnings for Florida. That always scares the bejeezus out of Republicans. They will hightail it out of there and go into hiding like they always do with bad weather.
Reply to this comment
by dnsallday August 18, 2008 9:45 AM PDT
Listen, sweetie, the very fact that that state has elected the first Republican in over forty years for governor says all about the dems.

Posted by Xlib at
******************************************
No actually it says much more about the Republicans. That the Republican administration sat on their hands and watched half the residents drown. Then they somehow just couldn''t figure out how to put their promises to work and rebuild most of the city. Imagine all those Democratic leaning voters are still scattered all over the country and still being purged from the voter rolls.
Reply to this comment
by shingles1 August 18, 2008 9:48 AM PDT
Xlib, you''re whining that the Edwards story has dropped off the front pages?

First, the Edwards story dominated the news before being knocked out of the headlines by the Russia/Georgia conflict. Was the Edwards matter more important than the conflict in the Caucasus? If you think so, then your priorities are completely screwed up. Anyhow, as I said, it dominated the headlines and it''s still an ongoing story, so your complaint that it''s been undercovered is absurd.

Second, Edwards isn''t the Democratic nominee - so this story doesn''t have a lot of continuing relevance. His political career is pretty much over, since he lied to his supporters, the public, and then had his subordinates pay off the woman to buy her silence.

All of this I learned from reading the mainstream press... So much for an ''undercovered'' story.
Reply to this comment
by barbaraf4 August 18, 2008 9:48 AM PDT
"We will probably have our next president elected by the media and I believe we are in big trouble."
Posted by Xlib
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ever since the televised JFK/Nixon debates, the media has decided who the next President will be. Why should this time be different?

Also, if you think the Edwards'' affair was not covered, I beg to differ. You could not get away from it whether on cable, online or newspaper. Much, much more wall to wall coverage than McCain''s affair which came to light a few months ago.
Reply to this comment
by nolalou August 18, 2008 9:54 AM PDT
Ever since the televised JFK/Nixon debates, the media has decided who the next President will be. Why should this time be different?
Posted by barbaraf4

Here we go again with these off-base theories about the media choosing our leaders! All media has some bias in one way or another, but they DO NOT CHOOSE who our next president will be! Did the media cause the ballot situation in Florida in 2000? Did the media decide Bush should get re-elected! Get real!
Reply to this comment
by credibility2 August 18, 2008 9:56 AM PDT
There''s nothing wrong with dining at the Olive Garden. And, contrary to what one poster asserts that the Edwards'' affair wasn''t covered, they''re sadly mistaken and out of touch. This was a news item first disclosed by tabloid National Enquier and for months regular broadcast and cable news totally ignored it. The media is biased when it comes to especially covering-up the Edwards affair and anything involving their love child, Obama. It does take real intelligence to recognize this, however.
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by estabwary August 18, 2008 10:23 AM PDT
I think mushrooms & ravioli is unpatriotic...

that sounds like what french people would pick...

not fit to lead.
Reply to this comment
by barbaraf4 August 18, 2008 10:35 AM PDT
If we think McCain is being treated unfairly by the media and that Obama is getting what he has comming because we have an Olive Garden (terrible restaurant) moment, then I think we need to remember that Obama has been on vacation with his family for the past week or so, and I don''t remember any intrusion into their private time. So for example, we don''t know if Obama & Michelle stopped for drinks at the Monkey Bar in the Pearl City Tavern accompanied by the current VP hopeful.

The Republican Party has put McCain on a very short leash. He has Lieberman and Graham feeding him information and quotes and he has that forever in evidence cellphone glued to his head. I''m sure at one time he was on top of his game, but that was at least 8 years ago.

It just disappoints me that out of the vast field of potential candidates that showed up at that first debate we have eliminated all but McCain and Obama. I am not sure either is a viable choice. McCain will be another Republican puppet and Obama will be a loose canon.

Reply to this comment
by credibility2 August 18, 2008 10:36 AM PDT
Portabello mushrooms are Italian. Maybe she''s a vegetarian or limiting her calorie and cholesterol intake by dining the veggie way. The great Obama presumably shops regularly at Whole Foods; very elitist and snobby; very expensive, too. At least the Olive Garden is mainstream and regular type folk dine their.
Reply to this comment
by credibility2 August 18, 2008 10:37 AM PDT
Portobella mushrooms are Italian, as is ravioli and not French. Maybe she''s a vegetarian or limiting her calorie and cholesterol intake by dining the veggie way. The great Obama presumably shops regularly at Whole Foods; very elitist and snobby; very expensive, too. At least the Olive Garden is mainstream and regular type folk dine their.
Reply to this comment
by barbaraf4 August 18, 2008 10:39 AM PDT
"Portabello mushrooms are Italian. Maybe she''s a vegetarian or limiting her calorie and cholesterol intake by dining the veggie way." Posted by Credibility2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cindy McCain had a stoke a couple of years ago. I imagine she does have to watch her diet. As for me, I would leave John and give my blood pressure a rest.
Reply to this comment
by credibility2 August 18, 2008 10:39 AM PDT
Portobella mushrooms are Italian, as is ravioli and not French. Maybe she''s a vegetarian or limiting her calorie and cholesterol intake by dining the veggie way. The great Obama presumably shops regularly at Whole Foods; very elitist and snobby; very expensive, too. At least the Olive Garden is mainstream and regular type folk dine their.
Reply to this comment
by barbaraf4 August 18, 2008 10:40 AM PDT
Posted by Credibility2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We got it the first three times. Give it a rest.
Reply to this comment
by omega39-2009 August 18, 2008 10:45 AM PDT
I am not sure either is a viable choice. McCain will be another Republican puppet and Obama will be a loose canon.

Posted by barbaraf4

How could the middle class possibly lose with McCain''s economic dream team? Lets see, there is Carly (I wrecked HP) Fiorina and Phil (you''re all a bunch of whiners) Gramm. Yep, I see nothing but good times ahead.
Reply to this comment
by redbds August 18, 2008 10:58 AM PDT
I think mushrooms & ravioli is unpatriotic...that sounds like what french people would pick...not fit to lead.

Posted by estabwary at 10:23 AM : Aug 18, 2008

I guess it is a good thing she isn''t running. I doubt she would get your vote anyway.
Reply to this comment
by ioweign August 18, 2008 11:09 AM PDT
The Olive Garden is a good wholesome restaurant where christians need not be afraid to bring the family.

Posted by GOP_forever at 09:16 AM : Aug 18, 2008

It is a bit pricey for this Christian family. Old Country Buffet has a better selection of food and is better priced...
Reply to this comment
by omega39-2009 August 18, 2008 11:17 AM PDT
Posted by estabwary at 10:23 AM : Aug 18, 2008

I guess it is a good thing she isn''''t running. I doubt she would get your vote anyway.

Posted by redbds at 10

She might for Miss Buffalo Chip.
Reply to this comment
by element51 August 18, 2008 11:26 AM PDT
GPO-FOREVER....I have eaten in restaurants around the world and never have I been in a restaurant where "christians" would have been uncomfortable. What does this have to do with anything? Has your invisible man in the sky bestowed some sort of special favor to Olive Garden?
Reply to this comment
by dnsallday August 18, 2008 12:01 PM PDT
The great Obama presumably shops regularly at Whole Foods; very elitist and snobby; very expensive, too. At least the Olive Garden is mainstream and regular type folk dine their.

Posted by Credibility2 at 10:39
***************************************
Whole foods market is more expensive than a lot of other places, but then they do treat their employees with respect and as part owners in the business, they have health care and regular benefits. So those of us who shop there do so because we care about our fellow man and our country.

Under Republican rule, we soon will all be forced to shop at WalMart where the standard of living is rapidly deteriorating for all but the top 1% most elite who hold 95% of the countries wealth and are still not happy.

Yes, the Olive Garden is mainstream where regular folks like the McCains can go (when they aren''t at one of their 8 homes that are filled with servants).
Such pesky little details.
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by dnsallday August 18, 2008 12:03 PM PDT
Does anybody else wonder why John McCain needs to be constantly surrounded by his 2 nursemaids, Lieberman and Graham?

How creepy was it when Lieberman said he had personally inspected McCain''''s bearings???


Reply to this comment
by mswolfestock August 18, 2008 12:11 PM PDT
The Olive Garden is gross and disgusting. This just shows that McShame has absolutely no sense of good taste. It''s a miracle that the cholesterol in his meal didn''t kill the Old f*a*r*t
Reply to this comment
by lewiston14 August 18, 2008 12:32 PM PDT
"The Olive Garden is gross and disgusting"?????? You should own it their parking lot at lunch and dinner always seems to be filled. Comes with a nice salad and warm bread. Its not a $100 a plate 5 star steak place but a place where regular people go. Would not think it was considered a state dinner. So OB likes to go to BBQ joints so what.
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by mr2258 August 18, 2008 12:35 PM PDT
What a bunch of BS.Olive Garden is ok.
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by lewiston14 August 18, 2008 12:35 PM PDT
McCain''''''''''''''''s bearings???
Is that some advanced form of toe tapping?
Reply to this comment
by pvperson August 18, 2008 12:42 PM PDT
It was a double date, Cindy and Graham, MCCain and Lieberman. Where did they go after dinner, that''s the BIG question. Did they stay together or break into couples for PRIVACY?
Reply to this comment
by element51 August 18, 2008 1:04 PM PDT
I can''t fault Olive Garden because McCain went there to eat. Actually they have a great Italian Margurita that after a couple you need a designated driver. But they are a little pricy for what you get.
Reply to this comment
by shingles1 August 18, 2008 1:40 PM PDT
''GPO-FOREVER....I have eaten in restaurants around the world and never have I been in a restaurant where "christians" would have been uncomfortable.
Posted by Element51''

Well, except for the International House of Jihad restaurant in downtown Karachi.
Whatever you do, don''t order the Death to America special!
Reply to this comment
by noloyalisti August 18, 2008 2:45 PM PDT
Is this embarrassment McSame still running? After what he and the McBush and their party of death and taxes done to our country? Shame on anyone who votes for these fascists.
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by wellhell3 August 18, 2008 3:00 PM PDT
Good choice for good food. Too bad they didn''t try the tortillini alfredo...it''s the best!

So they had a nice dinner, but hardly news...what is this writer trying to pull? Olive Garden is hardly elitist fare! Do they have something against people''s need for food?
Reply to this comment
by anubis00187 August 18, 2008 3:16 PM PDT
your reporter is not that great at reporting. i was one of the servers who waited on sen john mccain and sen joe leiberman. mccain had spaghetti with meat sause (not meatballs) and sausage, and leiberman had parmesan crusted tilapia (baked, not fried). i can actually list the whole tables food order. at least they got mccain''s wife''s order right.
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by realpatriot1 August 18, 2008 3:23 PM PDT
Wellhell3,

What makes you think the reporter is trying to pull anything? If anything it made McCain look good that he tipped 20%. Most people who spend that much on a large check leave *** for the tip..good for them!
Reply to this comment
by lynndamaree August 18, 2008 4:38 PM PDT
How on earth can this rate as news. People are dying all over the world, people are hungry, no jobs, no healthcare and headlines about John McCain going to Olive Garden. The US is going to hell in a hand basket.
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by samthetvcat August 18, 2008 4:42 PM PDT
---"your reporter is not that great at reporting. i was one of the servers who waited on sen john mccain and sen joe leiberman. mccain had spaghetti with meat sause (not meatballs) and sausage, and leiberman had parmesan crusted tilapia (baked, not fried). i can actually list the whole tables food order. at least they got mccain''s wife''s order right."---
Posted by anubis00187

ha ha for real - was it the one on International Drive? I''ve eaten there and it was packed. Did they have to wait for a table?
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by dnsallday August 18, 2008 5:09 PM PDT
I wonder what the MCCain''s eat when they are at one of their 8 houses being served by their servants.
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by dnsallday August 18, 2008 5:10 PM PDT
Are Lieberman and Graham nursemaids for McCane?
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by oldwhiteguy1 August 18, 2008 7:36 PM PDT
So McCain already forgot Graham quit in shame?!?
Cindy McCain told Playboy that *** with John "is like trying to shoot pool with a rope."
Now Cindy has a hand in a cast. I hope she doesn''t get a toothache or John will become even more ''bitter''.
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by rushliberal August 19, 2008 9:00 AM PDT
John McCain says he likes the Olive Garden because the waitresses remind him of the Sturgess Buffalo Chip Girls.
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by bigwhtpony August 19, 2008 11:43 AM PDT
Olive Garden ... the favorite haunt of the over seventies set.
Posted by makeitso928 at 11:13 AM : Aug 19, 2008

You mean the ones who actually know *** is going on...unlike you. At least he didn''t ditch them for a tip.....like another candidate who didn''t make the cut.
Reply to this comment
by ehshome August 19, 2008 5:02 PM PDT
Hmmm...does McCain REALLY know "what''''s going on?" For example, does he know what countries border Iraq and Iran??? posted by raflin1


Do you? For that matter, does any American? Considering the schools can only teach ''state-sponsored'' topics now, I doubt it.
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by joe_transit August 20, 2008 1:12 AM PDT
Ever notice we only see the right side of the old McCain head, the left side looks to cancerous with a big hole in it.
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by toldyouso12 August 20, 2008 9:12 AM PDT
He probably ate some of their famed "salad". NO need to worry about the lettuce being tainted and from Mexico, though--the GOP and its members are already so full of ********, that a little more, would surely go unnoticed.
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