McCain is unstable, refused to respond to Obama at WH meeting

[ProSense]

September 27, 2008

BETTER TO REMAIN SILENT AND BE THOUGHT A FOOL.... Amanda catches this interesting tidbit from a Washington Post report on Thursday's meeting at the White House between the president and top members of Congress. We talked yesterday about John McCain's reluctance to step up and take the lead at the meeting -- indeed, he was reportedly reluctant to contribute anything of substance at all -- but this piece adds some remarkable details.

Bush turned to McCain, who joked, "The longer I am around here, the more I respect seniority." McCain then turned to Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to speak first.

Boehner was blunt. The plan Paulson laid out would not win the support of the vast majority of House Republicans. It had been improved on the edges, with an oversight board and caps on the compensation of participating executives. But it had to be changed at the core. He did not mention the insurance alternative, but Democrats did. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, pressed Boehner hard, asking him if he really intended to scrap the deal and start again.

No, Boehner replied, he just wanted his members to have a voice. Obama then jumped in to turn the question on his rival: "What do you think of the (insurance) plan, John?" he asked repeatedly. McCain did not answer.

It seems to me there are two possible explanations for McCain's silence. One possibility is that this was an extension of what we saw last night -- he believes his rivals are beneath him, and he has nothing but contempt for those who question him, so he refused to engage in a policy discussion.

The other is that McCain had no idea what the grown-ups were talking about, didn't understand what the insurance alternative was, and knew he'd humiliate himself he tried to engage in a substantive dialog with a room full of people who knew vastly more than he did. As recently as Tuesday, he hadn't even read Paulson's three-page proposal, and within hours of the White House meeting, McCain was in Boehner's office, unfamiliar with the details of the House Republican proposal, so this could be part of a pattern.

more

(emphasis added)

Bizarre!

[grannie4peace]

1. mcshit is a rude bastard!!!

[sufrommich]

2. This man can not become President!

I truly believe he's unhinged.

[billyoc]

3. He's channeling Reagan.

[ginnyinWI]

the height of arrogance.

He's in front of all those other people and won't have the decency to answer Obama's question? What is the matter with that guy? My guess is that he's holding a grudge against him and doesn't think Obama deserves to be acknowledged. What childish behavior.

[dmr]

8. While that is true, I think in this case, McCain was there only for a photo-op

in an effort to boost his sagging ratings. He had no knowledge or understanding of the financial crisis, and wouldn't have been able to explain his position if he tried - as he had/has no position.

What we saw as contempt for Obama last night might be residual from not only being embarrassed at that WH meeting when Obama asked for his input, but Obama ruined McCain's political ploy of saving America from a total meltdown financial crisis. Remember when he left the meeting, the RNC was out there telling us all how McCain swooped in to rescue the crisis. We don't hear that talk much anymore.

The photo op and rescue mission was ruined by that upstart Obama. Imagine McCain's reddened face and cuss words spitting out. Finally! Finally, the RNC gets their ass handed back to them! I love it! It's about time.

McCain ought to just retire, put on some sun-screen, and go play golf.

[BeatleBoot]

4. This is simple. McCains' been coached.

His handlers don't want him snapping and going off on Obama - wouldn't look presidential (if i even had to mention that).

Anyway, how do you get your candidate to stay focused and not blow a gasket?

Ignore and do not look at your source of anger.

[patrice]

7. Precisely.

[patomime]

5. ..Obviously....

McCain is showing what a child he is, just like in the debates. Obama once again, proved that he was the adult in the room -- showing presidential temperament.

McSilly shows his stripes, once again!:popcorn:

[Glimmer of Hope]

6. How unprofessional and immature. He has some major issues.

[FatDave]

9. This differs a bit from another account I read.

The other account said when Obama asked him what he thought, McCain just said "I agree with the House Republicans" and nothing more.

The one thing that every account of the meeting has in common is that they all say McCain contributed nothing.

[ProSense]

10. I never read those account, but

that's a lame response.

[Catshrink]

11. McSame and his running mate are just empty suits.

It's becoming more clear every day to sentient beings.

[Raine]

12. McINSANE'S tempermant alone makes him unfit

to be President. :puke:

[MarjorieG]

13. Obama better explain very well the need for this. I think we need something, but he'd cast a...

grown-up's vote, to McCain's saying no to get populist votes. Country not first.

All this because McCain was called on his stunt.

[Laelth]

14. His masters had not told him what to think yet.

He had no clue how to respond. He has no principles left. He has busily disposed of them all over the last eight years. Now, he does what he's told. He was silent, I believe, because nobody told him what to think.

-Laelth