John McCain on condoms

[WinCrimson 61]

The "maverick" Senator on HIV/AIDS...

McCain is stumped on the stump

It's not often that a reporter stumps John McCain. But it happened Friday, and it was a telling moment for the Republican presidential contender.

The bus had been rolling for a half-hour and McCain was holding court on everything from Iraq to college basketball. ("Who woulda thought? VCU," he exclaimed upon boarding.) And then someone asked about public funding for contraception in Africa to prevent the spread of AIDS.

"I'm sure I've taken a position on it in the past," he stammered as he looked to his communications director. "I'm sure I'm opposed to government funding."

Sensing a vulnerable moment, reporters kept the questions coming. What about sex education in the schools? Should it mention contraceptives? Or only abstinence, like President Bush wants?

"I think I support the president's present policy," he said, tentatively.

More questions: Do condoms stop sexually transmitted disease?

A long pause.

A stern look.

"I've never gotten into these issues or thought much about them," he said, almost crying uncle. "Obviously, we all want to stop the spread of AIDS. Everybody wants to do that. What's the most viable way of doing that?"

Well? The reporters asked?

In a last ditch attempt to rescue himself, McCain told an aide to go get a briefing paper prepared by Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn, a doctor, who he said has been advising him on "these issues." But the aide couldn't find the briefing paper. "We've lost it," McCain mumbled.

"Whether I support government funding for them or not, I don't know," McCain said about contraceptives. He then said he'd look into it for the reporters, who finally let him off the hook and moved onto other subjects again.

-- Michael D. Shear

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/campaign-tr..._the_stump.html

[TitanTiger 20,511]

We're doomed.

[CCTAU 3,345]

We're doomed.

That was my thought. I wish he would have just said, if there's a way to make condoms stop terrorist bombs, I'll vote for it. There are priorities, a free condom is not high on the list.

[WinCrimson 61]

You don't think it's a little strange that a man running for the Presidency doesn't know his own "policies."

"I think I'm for it, but I'm not sure. I don't know if I support government funding or not, but I'll get my staffer to check." What this does is gives the impression of politics as usual. He's unsure of his position and needs to be told what it is? Way to be an independent thinker, John.

By the way, this reeks of the politician you love to hate. Talk about being scripted down to the very syllable...

[BamaGrad03 0]

This is why I hate the current political scene. Are these REALLY the best people we can find to lead the free world? Really?

It's like when we rolled Bob Dole out there to face Clinton. That guy was worthless. McCain is one of those "well I guess since we don't have anybody else" candidates.

In a time where the republicans REALLY needed someone to step up and run against any one of the two raging socialist democrat contenders...this is the best we've got? Really?

I still think Huck is the best all around leader the Reps have. And that really isn't saying much. I think the republicans have really missed the memo.

[TitanTiger 20,511]

You don't think it's a little strange that a man running for the Presidency doesn't know his own "policies."

"I think I'm for it, but I'm not sure. I don't know if I support government funding or not, but I'll get my staffer to check." What this does is gives the impression of politics as usual. He's unsure of his position and needs to be told what it is? Way to be an independent thinker, John.

By the way, this reeks of the politician you love to hate. Talk about being scripted down to the very syllable...

Oh, you thought I was being facetious. I was dead serious. We're doomed.

[RunInRed 16,487]

We're doomed.

What a great post WinCrimson. You can listen to McCain talk and realize why he's not the best candidate to lead our country. So many of you get caught up with your litmus test issues and want to make sure candidates fit into categories that are supposed to define your lives that you end up supporting a candidate like JM. Same thing happened with dubya.

I'm a homer but Obama would have knocked this kind of quesiton out of the park because he's brilliant, quick on his feet, articulate and thoughtful.

McCain sits there and wants to give answers that poll well. That is not leadership my friends.

We have a unique opportunity with Obama...I've said it before and I'll say it until I'm blue in the face.

[AFTiger 282]

We're doomed.

What a great post WinCrimson. You can listen to McCain talk and realize why he's not the best candidate to lead our country. So many of you get caught up with your litmus test issues and want to make sure candidates fit into categories that are supposed to define your lives that you end up supporting a candidate like JM. Same thing happened with dubya.

I'm a homer but Obama would have knocked this kind of quesiton out of the park because he's brilliant, quick on his feet, articulate and thoughtful.

McCain sits there and wants to give answers that poll well. That is not leadership my friends.

We have a unique opporutunity with Obama...I've said it before and I'll say it until I'm blue in the face.

You are already blue in the face. Your mind is oxygen deprived, so breathe now and engage your miind. Obama or Hillary with a Democrat congress will be an absolute disaster for this country.

None of these candidates are worthy of leading this country. We are now down to lesser evils.

[Tiger in Spain 0]

You don't think it's a little strange that a man running for the Presidency doesn't know his own "policies."

"I think I'm for it, but I'm not sure. I don't know if I support government funding or not, but I'll get my staffer to check." What this does is gives the impression of politics as usual. He's unsure of his position and needs to be told what it is? Way to be an independent thinker, John.

By the way, this reeks of the politician you love to hate. Talk about being scripted down to the very syllable...

You could say the exact same thing about anyone in the race. Truth be told, they are all (democrat or republican) politicians. They don't know their asses from a hole in the ground.

[OldNewby 27]

Snow White

The seven dwarfs always left to go work in the mine

early each morning. As always, Snow White stayed home

doing her domestic chores.

As lunchtime approached, she would prepare their lunch

and carry it to the mine. One day as she arrived at

the mine with the lunch, she saw that there had been a

terrible cave-in.

Tearfully, and fearing the worst, Snow White began

calling out, hoping against hope that the dwarfs had

somehow survived.

"Hello, hello!" she shouted. "Can anyone hear me?

For a long while, there was no answer. Losing hope,

Snow White again shouted, "Hello! Is anyone down

there?"

Just as she was about to give up all hope, there came

a faint voice from deep within the mine. "Vote for Hillary,

Vote for Hillary." Snow White fell to her knees, and prayed,

"Oh, thank you, God! At least Dopey is still alive."

[TitanTiger 20,511]

That was random.

[WinCrimson 61]

You don't think it's a little strange that a man running for the Presidency doesn't know his own "policies."

"I think I'm for it, but I'm not sure. I don't know if I support government funding or not, but I'll get my staffer to check." What this does is gives the impression of politics as usual. He's unsure of his position and needs to be told what it is? Way to be an independent thinker, John.

By the way, this reeks of the politician you love to hate. Talk about being scripted down to the very syllable...

You could say the exact same thing about anyone in the race. Truth be told, they are all (democrat or republican) politicians. They don't know their asses from a hole in the ground.

I'm not so sure about that, TiS.

Maybe I'm showing my ignorance, but I've never heard a candidate respond to a question with the answers he gave. It sounded weak, incompetent, and out of touch. Let me check with my staffer? For me, that's a first.

[OldNewby 27]

That was random.

You are correct. I apologize.

Substitute "Vote for John" and Grumpy's still alive.

I agree with your earlier post - we're doomed. The frontrunners are three Senators with no executive experience. Two are lawyers. Two are 60+ years old. All three are candidates I do not trust.

[LegalEagle 22]

It's like when we rolled Bob Dole out there to face Clinton. That guy was worthless. McCain is one of those "well I guess since we don't have anybody else" candidates.

<Bob Dole Replies> "Bob Dole may have ED, but he's up for a fight. Bob Dole carried his pen through every state in the union fighting to preserve the Republican Way. Bob Dole even won a state or two. Bob Dole may not have been the best candidate, but if you ask Bob Doyle any questions about condoms, Bob Doyle will show you what to do with it. Don't blame Bob Doyle. If you think your better than Bob Doyle, you run for President and shut the f. . . up!"

[RunInRed 16,487]

Very interesting to guage the Republican attitude on how this race is shaping up. Most Democrats I know feel like they have a clear choice and not the lesser of two evils.

"It's not about being against some thing - it's about being for some thing." - That my friends, summarizes the "cult" like excitement you are seeing and the primary difference between the two parties at this point.

[AUJarhead 70]

"It's not about being against some thing - it's about being for some thing." - That my friends, summarizes the "cult" like excitement you are seeing and the primary difference betweens the two parties at this point.

Do you think it was that attitude that cost the Dems in 2004? I felt that Kerry's only stance was that he "wasn't Bush."

[bojack34 2]

We're doomed.

What a great post WinCrimson. You can listen to McCain talk and realize why he's not the best candidate to lead our country. So many of you get caught up with your litmus test issues and want to make sure candidates fit into categories that are supposed to define your lives that you end up supporting a candidate like JM. Same thing happened with dubya.

I'm a homer but Obama would have knocked this kind of quesiton out of the park because he's brilliant, quick on his feet, articulate and thoughtful.

McCain sits there and wants to give answers that poll well. That is not leadership my friends.

We have a unique opportunity with Obama...I've said it before and I'll say it until I'm blue in the face.

So how does being articulate make you a good president? Hitler was articulate. Obama has nothing more than any of the other candidates on both sides. He talks a good talk. Sure it might work good enough to get him nominated and even elected but how does it make him a good leader. I remember a guy by the name of Bill Clinton who got elected mainly because of his great speeches but I wouldn't call him a great leader.

[RunInRed 16,487]

"It's not about being against some thing - it's about being for some thing." - That my friends, summarizes the "cult" like excitement you are seeing and the primary difference betweens the two parties at this point.

Do you think it was that attitude that cost the Dems in 2004? I felt that Kerry's only stance was that he "wasn't Bush."

Yep good point. Definitely not enough to be just against some thing.

[TitanTiger 20,511]

Man, I can't think of a quicker way to lose an erection than John McCain's mug being printed on your condoms.

[autiger4life 3]

Guys c'mon. I am sure that McCain knows exactly where he stands on the issue. The problem is that politicians are so afraid these days to say something because the hoardes of reporters will turn what they say into something they did not mean. This has happened two every candidate and now they have to be careful about everything they say.

Either way, I am sure he has spent more time preparing his thoughts on other issues besides condoms in Africa.

[jw 4 au 526]

Very interesting to guage the Republican attitude on how this race is shaping up. Most Democrats I know feel like they have a clear choice and not the lesser of two evils.

"It's not about being against some thing - it's about being for some thing." - That my friends, summarizes the "cult" like excitement you are seeing and the primary difference between the two parties at this point.

Interesting thought...but Obama and Clinton are neck and neck, no clear winner of the party yet. Could still be Clinton if she carries Texas and Ohio (and you may have to change your avitar). And McCain has all but clinched it on the Republican side with Huckabee holding on for whatever reason (I think he is vying for a VP spot).

I would argue that right now it is the other way around, the only difference being that once a candidate is elected for either party, the Dems currently appear that they may rally around the parties choice more than the GOP around McCain. That said, don't be fooled by the far right extremely conservative talk show hosts (Limbaugh and Coulter), just like Dems say the extreme left wackos (like the Code Pink ladies and Bill Maher) don't represent them, they are not the voice for all Republicans (and especially Independants for that matter).

[RunInRed 16,487]

Very interesting to guage the Republican attitude on how this race is shaping up. Most Democrats I know feel like they have a clear choice and not the lesser of two evils.

"It's not about being against some thing - it's about being for some thing." - That my friends, summarizes the "cult" like excitement you are seeing and the primary difference between the two parties at this point.

Interesting thought...but Obama and Clinton are neck and neck, no clear winner of the party yet. Could still be Clinton if she carries Texas and Ohio (and you may have to change your avitar). And McCain has all but clinched it on the Republican side with Huckabee holding on for whatever reason (I think he is vying for a VP spot).

I would argue that right now it is the other way around, the only difference being that once a candidate is elected for either party, the Dems currently appear that they may rally around the parties choice more than the GOP around McCain. That said, don't be fooled by the far right extremely conservative talk show hosts (Limbaugh and Coulter), just like Dems say the extreme left wackos (like the Code Pink ladies and Bill Maher) don't represent them, they are not the voice for all Republicans (and especially Independants for that matter).

Yeah...However, I've always thought the bulk of the Republican party is more conservative than they are moderate/independent. So I probably don't discount as much as you do the anti-JM sentiment. But then again, I grew up in the deep south, so maybe my perspective about the makeup of the Republican Party is a bit skewed.

[SouthLink02 8]

Interesting thought...but Obama and Clinton are neck and neck, no clear winner of the party yet.

Clinton is done

Has been for a few weeks

[WinCrimson 61]

Guys c'mon. I am sure that McCain knows exactly where he stands on the issue. The problem is that politicians are so afraid these days to say something because the hoardes of reporters will turn what they say into something they did not mean. This has happened two every candidate and now they have to be careful about everything they say.

Either way, I am sure he has spent more time preparing his thoughts on other issues besides condoms in Africa.

Kool-Aid drinker.

If he's unable to say what he believes, then he doesn't deserve to come within 100 yards of the White House.

That was a total bull**** rebuttal you gave. Total bull****.

[jw 4 au 526]

Kool-Aid drinker.

If he's unable to say what he believes, then he doesn't deserve to come within 100 yards of the White House.

That was a total bull**** rebuttal you gave. Total bull****.

WinCrimson, read the guys other posts on this board...autiger4life is a stated Democrat. He's not drinking the Kool-Aide in either direction on this one. He is seeing it for what it is. This is the problem with political debate at times, the most vocal are either far left or far right with both sides not even caring to consider an alternate opinion or consider the middle gound as an alternative.

Let's put it in football terms for you. Do you think Saban knows all about the football team, or do you think he relies on his assistant coaches for several important factors, like say how the third-string middle linebacker praticed on Tuesday. He may need to refer to the linebackers coach on that one as well. I guess what I am saying is that condoms in Africa is like the middle linebacker for Alabama, no just kidding, but it is not at the top of the political agenda list on the campaign trail.

He was caught off guard on a question he hadn't thought about in a while and did not want to contradict his previous statements on the issue. Simple as that. You are making a mountain out of a molehill.