Video: McCain swallows political poison, tries to get a word in edgewise
posted at 2:25 pm on March 5, 2008 by Allahpundit
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
He had to take his medicine at some point. Like Karl says, better to get it over with now and then not look back, notwithstanding the pro forma statements here about everyone looking forward to campaigning together.
The clip’s been edited to truncate some of the Q&A, most of which revolved around the question of how McCain feels to have this ball and chain around his ankle. Note Bush’s answer about “change,” which could uncharitably be interpreted as an admission that he was never serious about changing anything when he first ran. Which of course is precisely how the left will interpret it. Whatever you may think of him, he certainly did change things, didn’t he?
Exit question: When was the last time a sitting president helped the party’s nominee win an election? Reagan wasn’t much of a factor for Bush on the trail in 1988 as far as I remember.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages:
Umm 1964 and very indirectly. But 1988 Reagan certainly while not activelt campaining for Bush his legacy enable Bush senior to win.
William Amos on March 5, 2008 at 2:05 PM
‘A big heart’….let the howling begin.
I doubt GW will be out much.
Limerick on March 5, 2008 at 2:33 PM
AP,
Thanks for the Protein Wisdom link, as always. I also have something new up there that may interest you.
Karl on March 5, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Make no mistake, Bush has been the most radical President of my lifetime.
Change? The rest are just pretenders.
-40 years of Middle Eastern policy status quo? Out the Window.
-ABM treaty? Unilaterally out the window.
-Social Security? Blew his political capital to press for privatizing.
-Faith based initiatives.
-Pushing constitutionality to it’s limits when dealing with terror suspects.
For better or for worse Bush has wrought “change”.
mylegsareswollen on March 5, 2008 at 2:36 PM
well after that speech, i’m guessing McCain will tell Bush to keep quite until december and just raise me money.
Lance Murdock on March 5, 2008 at 2:36 PM
the North Korean and the Iranian were unavailable for comment.
Kid from Brooklyn on March 5, 2008 at 2:42 PM
I don’t think W will have to “be told” anything. I’ve got a feeling (not up my leg) he’s looking forward to going home to Texas.
I’m wondering when the left will realize that Bush isn’t running. 2012? 2016?
KelliD on March 5, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Look it’s dumb and dumber.
daileyck1 on March 5, 2008 at 2:43 PM
I really like W every time I see him. In a manly way.
pedestrian on March 5, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Please, W, please…just be quiet for a little while…
JustTruth101 on March 5, 2008 at 2:45 PM
I liked the part they aren’t gonna need me in Texas, it’s gonna be a landslide in Texas!
I like President Bush’s attitude. Great guy.
Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Indeed. We could ask Al Gore.
Entelechy on March 5, 2008 at 2:47 PM
I’m more than ready to bid adieu to compassionate conservatism..he sure did change things. G-Dub was like a Huckabee/McCain prototype.
mattyj86 on March 5, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Well I agree with you on the point that Bush is going to be happy leaving Washington, its just that endorsement sounded pretty lame to me.
It sounded like Bush was making up stuff as he went along and it didn’t come out well.
Lance Murdock on March 5, 2008 at 2:48 PM
It’ll be longer than that. They still act like Reagan is on the ticket.
labrat on March 5, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Paid for by Campaign to Depend America.
What a load.
Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Make everyone Dependant upon govt. handouts.
Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Boy, I’m going to miss Bush’s press appearances. You can tell he’s having fun being President.
freakagriep on March 5, 2008 at 2:54 PM
the whole thing sounded like W imitating Will Ferrell’s W.
Kid from Brooklyn on March 5, 2008 at 2:54 PM
“… he certainly did change things, didn’t he?”
Yup, he changed our policy towards islamic terrorists…
Old policy: Fire a Tomahawk at an empty tent.
New policy: Kick jihadi azz, free the people and let them vote for their new leaders.
He also changed the tax policy, resulting in a great economy (which he gets no credit for, but blamed if it slows down).
He changed the likelihood of us ever getting hit by an ICBM by continuing Reagan’s SDI program.
Tony737 on March 5, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Dependent* even.
Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 2:55 PM
dang bush just laid out how the game is played there..
jp on March 5, 2008 at 2:56 PM
“We need a new direction . . .” (says the “McSame” commercial),
so let’s elect the Democrats, who want to give us:
–more affirmative action and racial preference programs;
–higher taxes and massive new government bureaucracies (to administer “universal” healthcare, “free” college for everybody, etc.;
–amnesty for millions of illegal aliens.
That’s a “new” direction? Sounds more like a return to failed policies from the past.
AZCoyote on March 5, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Ya, it’s best to get this over and done as soon as possible. I watched it live, and I don’t have to be an expert in body language to see that Mav was itchin to get outta there.
oakpack on March 5, 2008 at 2:59 PM
My favorite question from the press (paraphrasing) ……
“Since the Democrat Party will have either a woman or a black man as their candidate, do you think it would be wise for the Republicans to do the same with their VP slot?”
There you have it folks, the dumbing down of America, front and center. Twelve years of liberal teaching, followed by four years in academia’s liberal journalism schools and what do you get? A question to the president about the need to nominate someone because of their skin color or gender.
How about Whoopi Goldberg? Satisfies both criteria.
Bizarro World.
fogw on March 5, 2008 at 3:02 PM
But can he say nukuler?
BacaDog on March 5, 2008 at 3:05 PM
I prefer Cynthia McKinney.
Entelechy on March 5, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Seriously, did he have to do it at all? Steering right into the teeth of the most damaging criticism the left feels it can use?
But I suppose if he’d eschewed this photo opp, he’d still get the Siamese Twin argument and a scoop or two of “he’s running from Bush” at the same time.
DrSteve on March 5, 2008 at 3:09 PM
I think Ike was behind Nixon, even though they were not best of friends. Since then it’s been so Byzantine that it gets tough to track.
I also remember Clinton having some fake gratification for the Goracle.
Hening on March 5, 2008 at 3:09 PM
People can say all they want about President Bush and McCain can do whatever he wants to disassociate himself from the President, but history will prove Bush to be a very good President. I think we’re all going to miss him when he retires to Crawford in 2009 and we’re forced to listen to crap being spoonfed to us by either McCain or a Dem like Obama.
He may not be perfect, but I’d vote him again… he’s about the only one I still trust on national security… a good man and I’m sorry that his time in office is almost up.
McCain, Obama and the rest can only hope to be his caliber of person.
Republican on March 5, 2008 at 3:11 PM
BTW, the liberals will try all they can to paint McCain as Bush..
McCain is NOT Bush, we all know that..
McCain, is someone that Obama claims to be, a person that can Unite the country, he has a record of working with the other side and compromising, Obama has never and is the most extreme liberal in the Senate.(Uniter’s do not get that label)
Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Is it just me or is anyone else here thinking:KISS OF DEATH…???
jimbo2008 on March 5, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Nah. Just getting it out of the way now instead of later.
You wouldn’t expect the Rep president not to endorse the Rep candidate. Better to shove it as far back in the news cycle as possible.
Limerick on March 5, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Is that new Campaign to Defend America pac another Soros one? I went to their website and they have nothing there. http://campaignda.com/
JeffinSac on March 5, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Haha. That part made me chuckle, I must confess.
Yoosaion on March 5, 2008 at 3:18 PM
I’ll give you that he lowered taxes. A good thing, indeed. Great Economy? That would be no. Let’s talk about the collapse of the municiple bond auction market… kind of the “backbone” of progress in our country.
Nearly gutted at this point.
Let’s talk about housing market. Maybe not “his” fault but the banking policies that have led to this disaster happened on his watch.
stenwin77 on March 5, 2008 at 3:18 PM
… wow… love how all the Dems took advantage of registration last week so that could pollute the board with anti-Bush stuff… good times…
*sarcasm off*
Republican on March 5, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Yep. You can criticize Bush all you want … but no one can deny that he has tried some rather bold ideas.
History will judge which were good or bad ideas … but I’m entirely confident that history books in three generations will be far, far kinder to Dubya than the current media. If the Middle East stabilizes, he’ll end up with his face on bills in your grandkid’s wallets.
Yep. I haven’t always agreed with him … but I know I’m going to miss him. A lot. I’ve never forgotten how he made me feel in the days after 9/11.
He’s a good man. Period. A good father.
I’m really going to miss him. No matter who wins in November.
Professor Blather on March 5, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Best post of the thread.
My vote for him in 2004 was the proudest of my life.
Professor Blather on March 5, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Reagan wasn’t much of a factor for Bush on the trail in 1988 as far as I remember.
Not true. I worked on the Bush ‘88 campaign and we hosted several fund raisers and events in which President Reagan was the keynote speaker and/or guest of honor.
Pal2Pal on March 5, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Because of George W’s and McCain’s support
for amnesty for illegal aliens , I have read that some are predicting Texas will eventually become a deep blue Democrat state.
ColtsFan on March 5, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Yah, and so sad, because I think Michael Steele would make an excellent VP choice, but then the MSM would start hurling feces about how very cynical such a choice is.
John the Libertarian on March 5, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Right. And since everyone watches the MSM… or, wait… since nobody watches the MSM and everybody watches FoxNews and listens to Russ Limbaugh… uhmmm…
Help?
freevillage on March 5, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Okay, I’ll weight in here.
As the HotAir.com resident right of center type guy. I say this:
As I said here, It is kind of hard to read the right, at this point.
It seems the further you get to the Right, the worse it looks for McCain. I mean, The WorldNetDaily.Com and the NewsWithViews.com crowds, they HATE Bush and McCain with a passion. Some of the stuff that I have read over there, that’s been said about Bush, made me think I was reading the Hoffington Post or The Nation. It was amazing.
I think among the Bush supporters, this will be a good shot in the arm for McCain. But among those who are not too happy with Bush, This will be a paperweight. The same can be said about Independents. (like me!)
Now before someone here screams “Liberal!”, Hold your fire, please. I’m just as displeased with the Democrats and their candidates. Obama is pure fluff, Hillary? Well, let’s just say there’s a laundry list for that women!
1. Her and Her Hubby disgraced the White House (Monica)
2. Waco Stand off
3. Ruby Ridge
4. Her failed Healthcare policy.
and the list goes on an on….. So, Who’s the best person for the White House?
None of them, really.
WayWard Fundamentalist Christian on March 5, 2008 at 3:56 PM
I forgot one…
3 words for Hillary.
Peter F. Paul
WayWard Fundamentalist Christian on March 5, 2008 at 3:58 PM
“Because of George W’s and McCain’s support
for amnesty for illegal aliens , I have read that some are predicting Texas will eventually become a deep blue Democrat state.
ColtsFan on March 5, 2008 at 3:37 PM”
.
Not likely. Texans know the dems are pushing amnesty even harder than the ‘moderates’. Texas is deep red for quite a while, yet.
Think_b4_speaking on March 5, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Don’t forget the greatest change in Washington was the “Bush Doctrine” of preemptive war. Its a safe bet that will continue under McCain.
So what is going to be the “Obama Doctrine”?
AverageJoe on March 5, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Looking at the two side-by-side, I can’t tell the difference. McSame is correct.
jaime on March 5, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Don’t know.
Then again, I don’t know, if I WANT to know.
*Shudder*
WayWard Fundamentalist Christian on March 5, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Don’t forget the greatest change in Washington was the “Bush Doctrine” of preemptive war. Its a safe bet that will continue under McCain.
So what is going to be the “Obama Doctrine”?
AverageJoe on March 5, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Surrendering to the Mullahs, bleeding the taxpayer dry, bankrupting the country morally and financially, and the installation of a mosque just off the Oval Office
Republican on March 5, 2008 at 4:15 PM
History will tell indeed how the President of America G.W. Bush showed courage, resolve and responsibility to the whole world what 9/11 was, and what still is… the most dangerous time in human history.
I will miss him too much, especially when he has so much fun with the stupid people.
Monas on March 5, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Is it possible to swing so far right that you in effect become a crypto-leftist? Interesting question to think on. Elections are first and foremost about the future. While I don’t like everything about McCain, I will be sending him money, like I did Guiliani, like I did Romney after Rudy folded.
Look at it this way — if you have to take a sack, it’s better to take it on the 20 yard line rather than run the ball back into your own end zone to fall in protest.
Tark on March 5, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Even after he accused you the collective you) of being racist not once (Dubai Ports deal) but twice (Shamnesty)? I think its a good thing he saved that sh** for his second term.
aengus on March 5, 2008 at 5:09 PM
If you donated to Rudy you’re one of the good guys, in my book. :)
Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 5:45 PM
BTW, Rudy doesn’t fold he endorses. >:D
Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Was this intended as sarcasm? Bush Sr. coasted into office, with conservatives greasing the skids for him, SOLELY because of Ronald Reagan’s legacy.
Now, those same conservatives have spent three terms propping up Bushes, and getting spat on in return. Now, we’re being asked to do it again – only a lot more so this time. Is it really any wonder the resentment has reached a boiling point?
The Democrats and the media spent the last 2 years beating a lame duck President for a REASON. Those McCain=Bush commercials are going to be very effective – with both sides.
logis on March 5, 2008 at 6:11 PM
We can only hope.
R D on March 5, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Oh Gawd. What a pathetic news conference.
Stutter, stutter, stammmer, stammer, – how embarrasing.
Loved all the code words for “AMNESTY” -(i.e., “big hear”, “compassionate”, “Those less fortunate…)
stenwin77 on March 5, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Now there is something McLaim doesn’t need to fear.
livermush on March 5, 2008 at 7:45 PM
President to McLame:
“I Just don’t know how to quit you, John”.
HonestConservative on March 5, 2008 at 8:46 PM
I don’t recall much hoopla between Algore and Clinton either.
SouthernGent on March 5, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Tark;
Such an interesting observation. I remember way back about 30 years ago, I guy named Mort Sahl did a stand up bit where he stood in front of a black board and did a graph of the political spectrum.
He started with the far left and then went across through the center and through the far right and brought it back linking it almost identically to the far left. If I can find it, I’ll try to let you know.
It was perfect and it got a standing O.
HonestConservative on March 5, 2008 at 9:03 PM
BWAAHAHA! That’s the funniest thing I have heard in a long time.
What has 8 years brought us? A failed war in Iraq that will wind up costing 7 trillion dollars. Big government and record defecit spending. Millions of illegals traipsing across our borders, killing our countrymen and colonizing our country. More racist affirmative action, and contempt for the American worker (see Elaine Chao). Border agents prosecuted and incarcerated at the request of the mexican government. The Skull Chertoff ignoring the invasion from the south, and an even more pronouced ignorance of the rule of law in this country. Mass exodus of the manufacturing sector to China. The dollar worth next to nothing thanks to record inflation. The decimation of the middle class. The list goes on and on and on.
This is the kiss of death, as McCain is also an “invade the world-invite the world” kind of guy taking us down this path of national suicide.
I can’t wait until the currency changes to the “Amero” and we all speak spanish. How long will it be before McCain gets in bed with Ted Kennedy for more treasonous antics?
Hard to believe carpetbagger McCain replaced Barry Goldwater, who is now rolling in his grave. You failed to support conservatives like Hunter, Tancredo and Paul, so you all deserve the Hildebeest or Obama “X” as your next president, you republican apparatchiks.
I am staying home this election.
petit bourgeois on March 5, 2008 at 9:14 PM
Yes, and that is known as the spatial theory of politics. It’s only a theory which bears little relevance to things political, as it is not very helpful to make distinctions between right and left when you can find elements on each side of the spectrum.
For example, Hitler was grand leftist, just like Stalin and Mussolini. To proclaim GWB and Juanita as on the “right” is intellectually dishonest. They should just be referred to as “anti-citizen” when they want to import a new constituency to replace the current one.
petit bourgeois on March 5, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Not W’s best performance.
p40tiger on March 5, 2008 at 9:31 PM
They’re not the same. Bush is taller!
Grayson on March 5, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Anyone else notice how much more confident Bush looks when speaking? McCain is playing with his hands so awkwardly the whole time while Bush stands tall. McCain looks like an adolescent playing with this hands and at some points almost putting them in his pockets. Anyone else pick up on this huge difference?
Villanova on March 6, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Comment pages: