I care if a candidate can analyze complex situations, weigh the evidence, and make intelligent decisions.

I care if candidates have a firm grasp of how people interact and economies work.

I care if a candidate loves this country and wants to do everything within his/her power to protect this country, it’s people and it’s foundational philosophies (i.e. Constitution).

I do not care if a candidate always gets every trivial fact about what a country is currently called or who is currently leading which countries correct. And yes, what a country is called is a trivial fact. If McCain understands the complexities of missile defense and why it was needed and what’s going on there now, but he calls the country “that country over there with the funny name”, I’m fine with it.

I’ll goof on both candidates for misspeaking because it’s nice to have a lighthearted moment every now and then, but, at the end of the day, it’s all about how much they understand important issues and which direction they plan to steer the country in the coming years.

Squid Shark on July 15, 2008 at 8:44 PM

We call it “Resttschechei”. “Czech lands” is fine, too.

The nickname of US, USA, the States, America, United States has absolutely nothing in common with not knowing that Czechoslovakia has not existed for 15 years or calling Iraq Iran.

I wasn’t talking about the nickname. I was using a hypothetical.

If the US split up and became the United Republic and States, which is what happened with Czechoslovakia.

It’d be embarrassing, and I hope McCain is thoroughly humiliated. But considering the ridiculous similarities, I don’t see how anyone can care.

Obama deserved a slap for his gaffe, McCain deserves slaps for his. It’s inexcusable at that level for either of them to not be on the ball.

amerpundit on July 15, 2008 at 6:37 PM

Yeah, I’m failing to grasp the argument that Obama can’t get away with statements like that. He largely has. Just because blogs picked it up, that doesn’t mean he was scrutinized over it.

You all happily danced on Hussein Osama’s face when he messed up the number of states, so let’s have some equal treatment here for a situation that is at LEAST as retarded.

Dave Rywall on July 15, 2008 at 8:48 PM

1. No one else mocked Obama over this, so I don’t really feel too bad about McCain getting a pass here just like his opponent.

2. It’s really not at least as retarded. The area split up into two countries with almost identical names. If the US split up into one country called United Republic and another called States, you’d probably forgive people who stilled called it the US.

Or maybe you wouldn’t, but it’s an easy flub that forgetting the number of states in this country. All he’d have to do is look at our flag… oh wait, McCain gets extra help there cause he wears that pin.

Let me give you a hint: in the eary 90’s, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into TWO SEPARATE countries: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Ever heard of Slovakia? No? Didn’t think so. So, you see, calling the Czech Republic “Chzechoslovakia” is stupid because it’s no longer a country in any shape or form.

I’ll leave you to straighten yourself out on Russia but your brain is probably overloading right now with these complicated facts about the Czech Republic.

I say the US, USA, sometimes America even though America is a term of endearment since there is a North America, a South America and despite my love for the US these places are not all named in reference to the USA, but the continent. Do people now have to walk around all day saying the United States of America each time they are speaking of the US, this is nitpicking. I could understand a czech wanting to correct someone whom he thought may be unaware of the political details, but beyond that silly imho another low brow attempt to imply McCain has dementia which is also very silly.

Tahni do prdele, as the Czechs say.

profitsbeard on July 15, 2008 at 8:19 PM

Bad, really bad :)

Silly me, thought there was a change a couple years ago and the ladies could vote too. Wouldn’t that make it a -one person/one vote- system?

News2Use on July 15, 2008 at 11:56 PM

Silly you. Yes. You’re being silly and petty.
Maybe a new screen name? Silly Petty, perhaps?

Elitist as ever. Now we have unworthy votes to count. Damn this one man/one vote system anyway.

Limerick on July 15, 2008 at 11:21 PM

.
Silly me, thought there was a change a couple years ago and the ladies could vote too. Wouldn’t that make it a -one person/one vote- system?

Dave Rywall on July 15, 2008 at 8:48 PM

You are clearly an Obama troll. (tip off the irrational flag pin thread and defense of miscounting states by SEVEN). Could Obama even point out Slovakia on the map? I seriously doubt Obama could point out Montana or Nebraska much less foreign nations.

How dare you make me support McCain by your utter ignorance. Troll be gone!!!!!

highhopes on July 15, 2008 at 8:58 PM

In Drywall’s defense, all he did in the Afghanistan thread was type 3 words, and the rest of the commenters allowed themselves to be hijacked.

Of course that was his intent all along, but that is his Standard Operating Trolling Procedure.

Those 3 words easily could (and should) have been ignored.

At least he doesn’t throw bombs and run away like some of the other trolls of late.

clearly you’re not worthy of having a vote in the first place.

Dave Rywall on July 15, 2008 at 9:56 PM

Elitist as ever. Now we have unworthy votes to count. Damn this one man/one vote system anyway.

highhopes on July 15, 2008 at 8:58 PM

is that some new product by Billy Mays??? Can I get it in the “As seen on TV!” section of my local drug store?? ;)

To be fair Czechoslovakia did in fact exist when McCain was alive.

LevStrauss on July 15, 2008 at 9:28 PM

Did Czechoslovokia in fact exist in your lifetime?

Pretty weak.

I wish we had a candidate like the president of the Czech Republic

Ropera on July 15, 2008 at 8:52 PM

Hmmm…*SECOND LOOK AT VACLAV KLAUS*

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I think it’s entirely unacceptable that Obama flubbed how many states there are. He should have known what he was talking about. I NEVER defended him for this gaffe. He looked like an idiot and deserved every joke and all criticism that he got for it.

I am merely pointing out how retarded it is that yahoos around here refuse to apply the same scrutiny to McCain as Obama. It’s inexcusable for McCain with so much supposed foreign affairs experience to not know the names of European countries. That most of America is completely ignorant of the world map is entirely irrelevant. McCain HAS to know better and cannot make fumbles like this. It’s pathetic that you don’t hold him to a higher standard of knowledge.

At least I’m not some double standard fool like you who picks and chooses when a political figure is to be chastised for not having his sh*t together. You think McCain can do no wrong? How sad.

And finally, if my “trolling” is what makes you support McCain then clearly you’re not worthy of having a vote in the first place.

Dave Rywall on July 15, 2008 at 8:48 PM

You are clearly an Obama troll. (tip off the irrational flag pin thread and defense of miscounting states by SEVEN). Could Obama even point out Slovakia on the map? I seriously doubt Obama could point out Montana or Nebraska much less foreign nations.

How dare you make me support McCain by your utter ignorance. Troll be gone!!!!!

57 states!!!

So what’s his problem? Does he not take correction well? Or does he simply not give a shi*? He did the same mistake over and over with Iran and Iraq.

It’s inexcusable. He most certainly deserves criticism for this kind of embarrassing bumbling on the world stage. You all happily danced on Hussein Osama’s face when he messed up the number of states, so let’s have some equal treatment here for a situation that is at LEAST as retarded.

Just like when I almost called a bunch of Montenegran officers visiting my ship Serbs.

Squid Shark on July 15, 2008 at 8:43 PM

That would have made ya popular! ;-)