Some great moments away from the teleprompter: McCain Edition!

[Tsukasa Buddha]

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.

Linky.

"There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won't cover birth-control medication. Those women would like a choice," she observed.

When McCain was asked for his position on the issue, he said--with a nervous laugh-"I certainly do not want to discuss that issue."

The reporter pressed. "But apparently you've voted against--"

"I don't know what I voted," McCain said.


The reporter explained that McCain voted against a bill in 2003 that would have required health insurance companies to cover prescription birth control. "Is that still your position?" she persisted.

During the awkward exchange, with several lengthy pauses, McCain said he had no immediate knowledge of the vote. "I've cast thousands of votes in the Senate," McCain said, then continued: "I will respond to--it's a, it's a..."

"Delicate issue," the reporter offered, to a relieved laugh from McCain.

"I don't usually duck an issue, but I'm--I'll try to get back to you," he explained.

Linky.

The video in that link is rather funny. Of course, it is Huffington, but it is mostly just quoting.

So McCain sucks both in front of the teleprompter and away from it, and conveniently forgets his position on controversial issues for the Right base. Future Commander In Chief material?

 

[CFLarsen]

Would you rather have your politicians rattle off a teleprompter at all times?

 

[quixotecoyote]

Having some idea of what their own position is on major hot button issues (or basic health knowledge) without a script in front of them would be nice.

 

[CFLarsen]

Having some idea of what their own position is on major hot button issues (or basic health knowledge) without a script in front of them would be nice.

They have teleprompters because they know that if they stutter for one second, that is what will be broadcast - not their views on the matter.

Don't blame the politicians. Blame those who won't give them time to explain what they mean, and who ridicule them for something that has nothing to do with their political platform.

When people start thinking a fumbling politican is more interesting than the political solutions he offers, or are more focused on one-liners because they can't be bothered with actually understanding what kind of society the politician wants, they end up with a circus instead of politics.

 

[quixotecoyote]

They have teleprompters because they know that if they stutter for one second, that is what will be broadcast - not their views on the matter.

Don't blame the politicians. Blame those who won't give them time to explain what they mean, and who ridicule them for something that has nothing to do with their political platform.

When people start thinking a fumbling politican is more interesting than the political solutions he offers, or are more focused on one-liners because they can't be bothered with actually understanding what kind of society the politician wants, they end up with a circus instead of politics.

I completely agree. I just wonder why you chose to post that here, in response to a situation that does not resemble that description at all.

 

[CFLarsen]

I completely agree. I just wonder why you chose to post that here, in response to a situation that does not resemble that description at all.

Why not?

 

[SezMe]

I can feel for politicians, especially those going for, or in high office. If they stay on message, the media complain that they just rattling off the talking points. If they go off script and say ANYTHING unusual, out-of-line, or remotely controversial, it gets featured on the 11 o'clock news. If they do stay in-line, there is no news at all.

 

[Brainster]

The whole effort to compare birth control to erectile dysfunction is hilarious. Getting pregnant is not yet, despite the best efforts of some feminists, considered a medical problem that can be cured.

 

[Gurdur]

... Don't blame the politicians. ....

Um?

"I don't know what I voted," McCain said.

Um? Kinda says it all, don't it now?

 

[Gurdur]

... Getting pregnant is not yet, despite the best efforts of some feminists, considered a medical problem that can be cured.

Morning-After pill?

 

[CFLarsen]

Um? Kinda says it all, don't it now?

Why? Do you have any idea how many bills politicians vote for?

 

[Gurdur]

Why? Do you have any idea how many bills politicians vote for?

That is a fair enough point, and I agree with you on an overall way; but the other point is, McCain is on the campaign trail, and really, he should keep himself reminded himself of at least what he voted on all the important bills. He just looks vacant as a result; and between you and me, I think McCain is fairly vacant, all ambition and little substance.

I'm not turning this into an attack on all politicians, I agree with you on your basic points, I'm just saying McCain is far from an ideal of competence, especially in a situation (being on the campaign trail) where an above-normal level of competence is needed.

Quayle never lived down his own gaffes; McCain is in danger of the same. Up till now, the USA media have given McCain a free ride, not confronting him about his myriad twists and turns on policies. That may change now, and that would be good if it did change; McCain makes a weathercock look far too rigid in direction. And then we get back to the quoted gaffe of McCain's; my point there is that with his inconstancy, it's hardly surprising he can't remember what he voted.

 

[CFLarsen]

That is a fair enough point, and I agree with you on an overall way; but the other point is, McCain is on the campaign trail, and really, he should keep himself reminded himself of at least what he voted on all the important bills. He just looks vacant as a result; and between you and me, I think McCain is fairly vacant, all ambition and little substance.

I'm not turning this into an attack on all politicians, I agree with you on your basic points, I'm just saying McCain is far from an ideal of competence, especially in a situation (being on the campaign trail) where an above-normal level of competence is needed.

Quayle never lived down his own gaffes; McCain is in danger of the same. Up till now, the USA media have given McCain a free ride, not confronting him about his myriad twists and turns on policies. That may change now, and that would be good if it did change; McCain makes a weathercock look far too rigid in direction. And then we get back to the quoted gaffe of McCain's; my point there is that with his inconstancy, it's hardly surprising he can't remember what he voted.

What is an "important" bill? Whether Viagra should be covered or not?

I think you just made my point for me.

 

[Gurdur]

What is an "important" bill? Whether Viagra should be covered or not?

Whatever the electorate thinks important.

I think you just made my point for me.

Possibly, though I would disagree.

 

[CFLarsen]

Whatever the electorate thinks important.

The electorate doesn't decide what the media reports to the public.

 

[chipmunk stew]

The whole effort to compare birth control to erectile dysfunction is hilarious. Getting pregnant is not yet, despite the best efforts of some feminists, considered a medical problem that can be cured.

The point is, the reporter explained what the bill contained and what his vote was, then asked if he still took the same position. I'll have to get back to you doesn't cut it. Does he support medical coverage for birth control or not? He shouldn't have to consult with his advisers to find out what he does or doesn't support.

 

[WildCat]

And then someone asked about public funding for contraception in Africa to prevent the spread of AIDS.

Since when do contraceptives prevent AIDS?

 

[chipmunk stew]

More great moments

Linky.

Linky.

The video in that link is rather funny. Of course, it is Huffington, but it is mostly just quoting.

So McCain sucks both in front of the teleprompter and away from it, and conveniently forgets his position on controversial issues for the Right base. Future Commander In Chief material?

He didn't have a teleprompter so he used a Leibeprompter:

McCain: "Well, it's common knowledge, and has been reported in the media that Al Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran, that's well known, and it's unfortunate. So I believe that we are succeeding in Iraq. The situation is dramatically improved, but I also want to emphasis time and again Al Qaeda is on the run but they are not defeated."

Joe Lieberman takes McCain by the arm and mumbles in his ear: "You said that the Iranians were training Al Qaeda, but you meant they were training extremists."

McCain: "I'm sorry, the Iranians are training extremists. Not Al Qaeda. Not Al Qaeda. I'm sorry."

 

[chipmunk stew]

Since when do contraceptives prevent AIDS?

Condoms are contraceptives.

 

[Puppycow]

The whole effort to compare birth control to erectile dysfunction is hilarious. Getting pregnant is not yet, despite the best efforts of some feminists, considered a medical problem that can be cured.

I suppose you have a point.

"There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won't cover birth-control medication. Those women would like a choice,"

Sounds like maybe they have a choice according to what she's saying. She didn't say ALL health insurance plans will cover Viagra but won't cover birth-control.

It strikes me that a free market would solve that particular problem, but birth control isn't exactly the kind of thing insurace is meant for. Insurance is meant for negative things you don't plan on having happen, but that might happen. Birth control is something you plan on using in advance.

Also, health insurance probably covers many things that are particular to women, which don't affect men.

I would prefer publically provided national insurance that does not cover either Viagra or birth control. Just essential no-frills things. And maybe things that have positive externalities, like vaccines.

Economists have looked at the issue of private health insurance, and from a utilitatian POV, it just isn't as good as a public system.