McCain Irritable In Newspaper Interview

Republican Presidential Candidate Sarcastic, Seemingly Frustrated In Interview With Des Moines Register

(AP)  Republican presidential candidate John McCain, once renowned for his jocular sessions with journalists, appeared irritable and at times sarcastic in an interview in which he defended running mate Sarah Palin's experience and campaign ads critical of rival Barack Obama.

Meeting Tuesday with the editorial board of The Des Moines Register, McCain was asked why he picked the Alaska governor, someone "who doesn't have a lot of experience."

"Thank you, but I disagree with your fundamental principal that she doesn't have the experience," McCain replied before citing Palin's work as a PTA member, city council member, mayor and governor. "You and I just have a fundamental disagreement, and I am so happy the American people seem to be siding with me."

When it was suggested that Palin's lack of experience worried voters, McCain turned sarcastic.

"Really? I haven't detected that in the polls, I haven't detected that among the base," he said. "If there's a Georgetown cocktail party person who, quote, calls himself a conservative who doesn't like her, good luck. I don't dismiss him. I think the American people have overwhelmingly shown their approval."

At another point, McCain was asked if he's strayed from his "straight talk" image with advertising that some have labeled deceptive. McCain dryly responded, "It would be valuable if you gave some examples for an assertion of that nature."

He went on to say: "I have always had 100 percent, absolute truth, that's been my life and putting my country first. I'll match that record with anyone and an assertion that I have ever done otherwise, I take strong exception to."

As examples, a questioner at the Register noted a McCain commercial that suggested Obama favored comprehensive sex education for kindergartners and assertions by his campaign that a "lipstick on a pig" comment Obama made was a reference to Palin. News media fact-checking the sex education ad deemed it deceptive and a distortion of Obama's position.

"It certainly is your opinion and I respect your opinion, but it's not the facts," McCain said in the interview. "I respect your opinion. I strongly disagree with your assertion."

He also sarcastically referred to his five years as a prisoner of war when answering a question about his having government-financed health care throughout his military and congressional career.

"The answer is that most of my life, in serving my country, I have had health care," he said. "I did go for a period of time when the health care wasn't very good."

McCain met privately with the newspaper's editorial board after holding an economic roundtable earlier in the day at a Des Moines business. The newspaper posted videos of the session on its Web site.

[whosaid1]

Well, that mean old McCain...imagine him being irritated with a member of the media when they''ve been so nice and fair with him and Palin. What a joke !! And to top it off...just when one believe that it''s gotten as stupid and ridiculous as it can...you hear the Gwen Ifill is the moderator for the upcoming debate. This is "Twilight zone" ***!!

[divitius]

Yikes. Yeah, that''s a guy I want with his finger on the nuclear button at 3 am.

[divitius]

John McCain said:

I need no on-the-job training. I wasn''t a mayor for a short period of time. I wasn''t a governor for a short period of time.

That''s what he said about the Mayor of New York, a city of over 8 million (more than 1000 times more than Wasilla), and the Governor of Massachusetts, a state with a population of 6.4 million (10 times the population of Alaska).

It should also be noted that Giuliani was mayor for longer than Palin was, and Romney was Governor for longer than Palin was.

So according to John McCain, his running mate isn''t qualified for the job.

[libratine]

McCain has always been a jerk! Now he''s also CRANKY!!!!

[libratine]

I think rational people are getting fed-up up with McCain''s POW cloak and Palin''s gloss.

[zerlinarosa]

Of COURSE, he''s irritable. McCain is just a crotchety old man who wants to sit around and tell war stories. Give him some Metamucil, and wheel grandpa into the shade so he doesn''t get sunstroke.

[whosaid1]

zerlinarosa: who wrote..Of COURSE, he''''s irritable. McCain is just a crotchety old man who wants to sit around and tell war stories. Give him some Metamucil, and wheel grandpa into the shade so he doesn''''t get sunstroke.

wow...is this your idea of "get in their face" as directed by your fearless leader...I''ll bet your parents would be proud of you..

[satch1942]

Does anyone actually think that Sarah Palin is experienced/qualified enough to be a heart beat away from the Presidency?

[whosaid1]

Satch1942: who wrote.........Does anyone actually think that Sarah Palin is experienced/qualified enough to be a heart beat away from the Presidency?

I am a heck of a lot less concerned about the POSSSIBILITY of her having to take over as President than I would be of Obama becoming President. The short of it is, that she is as qualified to be Vice President as Obama is of being President.

[dibs977]

McCain is an ok guy but really not up to being president. His choosing Palin shows really bad judgement. Vote for Obama---he is a man who is really together.

[whosaid1]

Dibs977 who wrote :McCain is an ok guy but really not up to being president. His choosing Palin shows really bad judgement. Vote for Obama---he is a man who is really together.

Dibs, I''ll give him one thing...he has an awfull lot of you brain-washed.

[dburfears]

McCain is not fit to be President.

He is irritable, temper-burdened, and truth-challenged.

He''s become a dangerous, angry, and unpredictable man.

WAKE UP AMERICA! This unpredictable man MUST NOT HAVE HIS FINGER ON THE BUTTON!

[dburfears]

Does anyone actually think that Sarah Palin is experienced/qualified enough to be a heart beat away from the Presidency?

Posted by Satch1942 at 05:41 PM : Oct 01, 2008
------

Yes, my half-senile, 86 year old, TV preacher following neighbor does!

[whosaid1]

dburfears...you speak of "irritable, temper-burdened, and truth-challenged.".... that pretty much describes most of the Obama supporters I hear from. You all seem so angry...I guess you are just trying to "get in their faces". Truth and facts mean nothing to Obama or his followers...they refuse to respond to direct questions...they just grab their talking point checklist and start rattling....

[kansas1946]

Me thinks the gentleman doth protest too much. Usually when folks get irritable and defensive it is because there is some truth in the question. And to include PTA experience in his VP''s resume as something that could qualify her to be VP (President) is really laughable.

[the-crowe]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity? Anyone who reads the original article at the Des Moines Register site would see that the editors of that paper -- the ones who actually interviewed McCain -- had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''s disgusting and damaging to our republic.

[the-crowe]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity? Anyone who reads the original article at the Des Moines Register site would see that the editors of that paper -- the ones who actually interviewed McCain -- had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty by CBS, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''s disgusting and damaging to our republic.

[the-crowe]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity? Anyone who reads the original article at the Des Moines Register site would see that the editors of that paper -- the ones who actually interviewed McCain -- had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty by CBS, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''s disgusting and damaging to our republic.

[the-crowe]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity? Anyone who reads the original article at the Des Moines Register site would see that the editors of that paper -- the ones who actually interviewed McCain -- had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty by CBS, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''s damaging to our republic that depends upon a well and fully informed citizenry to elect the candidate they prefer rather than the one packaged to them.

[the-crowe]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity? Anyone who reads the original article at the Des Moines Register site would see that the editors of that paper -- the ones who actually interviewed McCain -- had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty by CBS, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''s damaging to our republic that depends upon a well and fully informed citizenry to elect the candidate they prefer rather than the one packaged to them.

[the-crowe]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity? Anyone who reads the original article at the Des Moines Register site would see that the editors of that paper -- the ones who actually interviewed McCain -- had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty by CBS, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''s damaging to our republic that depends upon a well and fully informed citizenry to elect the candidate they prefer rather than the one packaged to them.

[the-crowe]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity? Anyone who reads the original article at the Des Moines Register site would see that the editors of that paper -- the ones who actually interviewed McCain -- had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty by CBS, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''s damaging to our republic, which depends upon a well and fully informed citizenry to elect the candidate they prefer rather than the one packaged to them.

[the-crowe]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity? Anyone who reads the original article at the Des Moines Register site would see that the editors of that paper -- the ones who actually interviewed McCain -- had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty by CBS, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''s damaging to our republic, which depends upon a well and fully informed citizenry to elect the candidate they prefer rather than the one packaged to them.

[the-crowe]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity? Anyone who reads the original article at the Des Moines Register site would see that the editors of that paper -- the ones who actually interviewed McCain -- had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty by CBS, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''s damaging to our republic, which depends upon a well and fully informed citizenry to elect the candidate they prefer rather than the one packaged to them.

[the-crowe]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity? Anyone who reads the original article at the Des Moines Register site would see that the editors of that paper -- the ones who actually interviewed McCain -- had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty by CBS, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''s damaging to our republic, which depends upon a well and fully informed citizenry to elect the candidate they prefer rather than the one packaged to them.

[the-crowe]

I got a different impression from the original article. The editors who interviewed him seemed to think McCain was just fine... could be me though.

[the-crowe]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity? Anyone who reads the original article at the Des Moines Register site would see that the editors of that paper -- the ones who actually interviewed McCain -- had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty by CBS, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''s damaging to our republic, which depends upon a well and fully informed citizenry to elect the candidate they prefer rather than the one packaged to them.

[the-crowe]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity? Anyone who reads the original article at the Des Moines Register site would see that the editors of that paper -- the ones who actually interviewed McCain -- had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty by CBS, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''s damaging to our republic, which depends upon a well and fully informed citizenry to elect the candidate they prefer rather than the one packaged to them.

[the-crowe]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity? Anyone who reads the original article at the Des Moines Register site would see that the editors of that paper -- the ones who actually interviewed McCain -- had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty by CBS, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''s damaging to our republic, which depends upon a well and fully informed citizenry to elect the candidate they prefer rather than the one packaged to them.

[the-crowe]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity? Anyone who reads the original article at the Des Moines Register site would see that the editors of that paper -- the ones who actually interviewed McCain -- had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty by CBS, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''s damaging to our republic, which depends upon a well and fully informed citizenry to elect the candidate they prefer rather than the one packaged to them.

[aceshigh333-2009]

Has CBS completely forgotten about objectivity?

CBS, ABC, NBC, MSNBC, CNN, etc except for fox news all brainwashing the public. In the tank with B.O.

[kansas1946]

had a very different take than the AP reporter here, or the CBS editor who took snippets.

This is sham news. This is an absolute dereliction of duty by CBS, as is the vast majority of the coverage of this election by the vast majority of major "news" outlets. It''''s damaging to our republic, which depends upon a well and fully informed citizenry to elect the candidate they prefer rather than the one packaged to them.


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Posted by the-crowe at 10:37 PM : Oct 01, 2008
***********************************

I don''t know. I went to the Register and read it there and listened to the video, and he seemed defensive, sarcastic, and irritable, to me. I don''t know how else you would read it.

[kansas1946]

CBS, ABC, NBC, MSNBC, CNN, etc except for fox news all brainwashing the public. In the tank with B.O.


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Posted by aceshigh333 at 12:11 AM : Oct 02, 2008
+ report abuse
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LMAO. The WHOLE world is against poor little Republicans except FAUX news. Pleeeeeeze...

[standlee5]

The whole media from CNN on down is so biased towards Obama and liberal views that it''s almost gwetting nauseating to watch, read and listen to. I''ve shut it all off.

[standlee5]

The thing that''s so bothersome about the biased media is that these people actually think they''re smart. They actually think they''re the best and the brightest and they make such a bloody fool of themselves. Every single one of them is an Obamamite cheering for Obamunism.

[standlee5]

There is absolutely nothing fair about this election coverage. From CNN on down it''s been an absolute sham. I''ll never trust CNN again. I''ll miss Wolf and Lou but I''ve canceled the cable package with CNN. The coverage of McCAin has been downright criminal.

PTA member is the kind of experience that qualifies a person to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency??? Does McCain hold the same low standard for anyone he would appoint to a cabinet position? He''s getting more bizarre every day.

[armydog2]

His ptsd is coming out. 5 years in the Hanoi Hilton the senator does obviously suffer from PTSD. and you guys want him in the oval office with his hand on the red button! He can''t keep his cool with a reporter, how will he keep it with Putin.

[liberalme]

I saw clips of this on the news last night--what a sarcastic snot McCain is---I certainly wouldn''t want him and his defensive attitude sitting at a table with other world leaders---we have rotten representation in Washington now.
Bush is stupid, the world leaders know it and McCain would just as soon tell someone to F off as look at them--if anyone saw clips of that interview--McCain was on the edge.

No thanks McCain--too many loose screws!

[bbinfla]

I guess he can apoint a taxi driver for secretary of transpotation

[armydog2]

arrogant elitist, aka John McCain

[misha128-2009]

Personally I thing Gwen Ifil will do well moderating the debate tonight. However, as voters we should consider the McCain''s camp handling of the negotiations for the debates. They agreed with the moderators long ago and now they are complaining about fairness. Just think if the debate commission had been a foreign power, would they be crying before the nation about how bad a deal they believe they had made? What might they have given away in other negotiations due to lack of preparation? If the Republicans cannot handle a negotiation with the debate commission how will they ever handle the Russians, Chinese, North Koreans, Iranians, or Al Qaeda?

[misha128-2009]

The VP Debate Tonight is a Complete Fraud! Please go to You Tube to see tomorrow night%u2019s Debate Moderator Gwen Ifill! ...

Posted by CBSCensorsU at 11:59 AM

Iv McCain negotiated so poorly with the debate commission how can he be trusted negotiating with the likes of the Russians, Chiness, North Koreans, Iranians and others?

[dburfears]

McCain is looking angrier and more unstable every day. it''s truly frightening to think of his unstable finger on the nuclear button. Fortunately, it appears that McCain''s "Grandstand Express" is accelerating downhill.


So now McCain is spreading malicious LIES about one of the most honored reporters in America. RESPECTED people on the left and right call her one of the best. But McCain''s LIE LIE LIE EXPRESS is trying to destroy a good reputation made over 25 years.

Again- McCain and his minions LIE. They LIE about her book (about the evolution of black politicians, NOT about OBAMA), They LIE abbout her being biased in favor of Obama (She''s respected by all parties). They even LIE about KNOWING about the book (to be published AFTER the election).

McCain just LIES AND LIES AND LIES AND LIES AND LIES. but he can trust the FAR RIGHT MEDIA MACHINE to spread his LIES as if they were truth. I wonder if his minions KNOW they are LYING for McCain or just do not care.

UNSTABLE AND UNTRUTHFUL. John McCain.

[dburfears]

McCain spent TOO MANY YEARS as a POW. He''s unstable and angry. He explodes under pressure. Very dangerous for America.

OF COURSE all of those years as a POW left him emotionally damaged. To claim anything else is not to know what we are as humans.

I''m sorry McCain is so damaged from his years as POW. I sure as hell am not so sympathetic as to put McCain''s finger ANYWHERE NEAR THE RED BUTTON.

[actornaught]

Old Man Yells at Cloud!

I expect at some point, on camera, Addled John will snap-off at Sarah, calling her names, and make her cry...

[misha128-2009]

Polls number got nothing to do with this. McCain did know she''''s writing a manuscript but they didn''''t know it''''s about "I loved obama and he can''''t do no wrong" type of book. She have a huge financial interest on obama winning the election.
ifill masquerate as a journalist is over, no integrity nor objectivity. If you can''''t see the bias, it''''s OK because obamas supporters can''''t recognized the facts against them.

Posted by USA-No1 at 12:20 PM

McCain is incapable of using "THE GOOGLE" to determine simple facts and conduct a proper negotiation. Thank goodness the Debate Commission was not the Chinese or the Iranians or Al Qaeda for that matter.

[actornaught]

... "I loved obama and he can''t do no wrong" type of book. She have a huge financial interest on obama winning...
Posted by USA-No1 at 12:20 PM : Oct 02, 2008

You are a liar. You''re hoping nobody has the mental process to think this thru (the neo-conned), or pay attention to the coverage. The book''s focus is on politics in general, as it relates to blacks. There''s no logical link between book sales and the election outcome.

[misha128-2009]

dburfears, your lies and smears are ridiculous as well as laughable. obama must be proud to have your support.

Posted by USA-No1 at 12:32 PM

No more than McCain is proud of your upholding of his near perpetual and quite blatant and easily disproved lies.

[misha128-2009]

You can''''t be this dense. Checked out the book title and the released date. If you can''''t figured it out than I rest my case.

Posted by USA-No1 at 12:35 PM

And how long ago has this been easily googled and dismissed by McCain and his Campaign in the debate negotiations? Failure to do your own homework cannot be blamed others. Besides your description of the book is far from what I hear from other sources -- indicating the likely possibility this is at best another McCain distortion if not outright lie.