07.16.08
John McCain’s memory problems
From The Carpetbagger Report (and you might want to read the entire post):
I’ve already heard some argue that these constant references to McCain’s “confusion” are a not-so-subtle way of reinforcing questions about McCain’s age. The last time Obama aides used the word, some media outlets raised a fuss.
The truth is, every criticism is not a veiled reference to McCain turning 72. People of all ages get “confused.”
The kicker, though, is that McCain really has been confused. Whether he’s 72 or 22 is irrelevant — he’s demonstrated time and again that he just doesn’t understand the basics.
* McCain continues to believe Czechoslovakia is still a country.
* McCain has been confused about the difference between Sudan and Somalia.
* McCain has been confused about how many U.S. troops are in Iraq.
* McCain has been confused about whether the U.S. can maintain a long-term presence in Iraq.
* McCain has been confused about the source of violence in Iraq.
* McCain has been confused about Iran’s relationship with al Qaeda.
* McCain has been confused about the difference between Sunni and Shi’ia.
* McCain has been confused about Gen. Petraeus’ responsibilities in Iraq.
* McCain has been confused about what transpired during the Maliki government’s recent offensive in Basra.
* McCain has been confused about Gen. Petraeus’ ability to travel around Baghdad “in a non-armed Humvee.”
* McCain has been so confused about Iraq, in November 2006, he couldn’t even do a live interview about the war without reading prepared notes on national television.
* McCain has been confused about his vote on the Kyl-Lieberman amendment on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
* McCain has been confused about his position on contraception.
* McCain has been confused about what the Internet is.
* McCain’s confusion about economics has been breathtaking.
* McCain has been really confused about how the Social Security system works.
* McCain is confused about how his own energy policy works.
Given this, yes, I think it’s entirely reasonable for Obama campaign aides to mention that McCain “got confused again.” It seems to me, this is far more polite than saying he’s utterly clueless about the world around him.
The problem isn’t that McCain’s critics are picking loaded terms; the problem is McCain doesn’t seem to know what he’s talking about.
And, assuming that he’s regularly briefed, as a presidential candidate would be, he can’t remember his briefings.
Frank said,
17 July 2008 at 7:17 am
Maybe that’s why he said “bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran”, to drive the point into long term memory?
Or was it bomb…bomb Iraq?
I forget!