Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

"It's the Economy Stupid": John McCain Admits He Isn't Ready to Oversee Economy
The Boston GLobe ^ | 12/18/08 | Sasha Issenberg

Posted on 01/05/2008 1:38:18 PM PST by Jeff Fuller

SALEM, N.H. -- John McCain, who happily volunteers he doesn't know much about economics . . .
Later in the piece:
McCain stood before a line graph showing the increase of the alternative-minimum tax, a low-budget campaign's alternative to the PowerPoint presentation Mitt Romney uses when talking about economic policy, a subject McCain has said he feels he is unknowledgeable and that filling the void would be a priority when selecting a vice-presidential nominee.

Yet further:

Like Mike Huckabee, who joked recently that he "may not be the expert that some people are on foreign policy, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night," McCain suggested to reporters Monday that American consumer culture offered a short cut to expertise. "The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should," McCain said. "I've got Greenspan's book."

See my Comment below for my take on all the context of our current economic worries and a McCain nomination.

(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Politics/Elections; US: New Hampshire
KEYWORDS: 2008; economy; elections; immigration; mccain; nh2008; romney
So "The Economy" constantly ranks up there among the top issues/concerns among voters of BOTH parties. With the Iraq issue being far less polarizing of late, the Economy, Illegal Immigration, and Healthcare look to be the key issues for the general election. Additionally, this New Hampshire Fox News Poll last month had the Economy and Illegal Immigration as the two most important issues to GOP voters with the Economy being by far the most important issue.

Additionally, unlike many issues listed, the status of the economy is something that touches EVERY American in some real and powerful way (as opposed to Iraq, or abortion, or foreign policy, or those without healthcare insurance).

In the financial world, the news of an imminent recession has been dominating the headlines (including the sinking strength on Wall Street). Just yesterday, Bush met with the economic advisors and the Fed Chairman to discuss these issues. The press conference afterwards was not terribly positive.

So is a McCain presidency a good fit for a good economy? Back in 2003 many didn't think so. His new economic plan isn't impressing many. And let's not forget what the Club for Growth thinks about McCain's economic record (Their main points are that "John McCain is No Supply-Sider" and that he has a "Tenuous Record as an Economic Conservative")

Those are the words of others . . . but what does McCain think of himself in relation to the ecomony?

Just one month ago, a piece from the Boston Globe (who has since endorsed McCain) led off with this:

SALEM, N.H. -- John McCain, who happily volunteers he doesn't know much about economics . . .
Later in the piece:
McCain stood before a line graph showing the increase of the alternative-minimum tax, a low-budget campaign's alternative to the PowerPoint presentation Mitt Romney uses when talking about economic policy, a subject McCain has said he feels he is unknowledgeable and that filling the void would be a priority when selecting a vice-presidential nominee.
So McCain wants to bolster the ticket because he's weak on the #1 issue and at a time that recession is a real concern? Sounds scary to me.

Yet further:

Like Mike Huckabee, who joked recently that he "may not be the expert that some people are on foreign policy, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night," McCain suggested to reporters Monday that American consumer culture offered a short cut to expertise. "The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should," McCain said. "I've got Greenspan's book."

Sorry John, but if you haven't gotten a grasp of economic issues after 71 years of life, and after 3+ decades in politics, something tells me that you're not ever going to "get it" . . . even if Greenspan's book is really good.

If we really are headed toward recession in the next few months, do we really want John McCain as our nominee to put up against Hillary or Obama? I think we have much better options to have at the TOP of the ticket.

1 posted on 01/05/2008 1:38:20 PM PST by Jeff Fuller
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Jeff Fuller

McCain is like Guiliani. A subject, a verb and surge.


2 posted on 01/05/2008 1:41:04 PM PST by ex-snook ("Above all things, truth beareth away the victory.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Fuller

Go, Fred!


3 posted on 01/05/2008 1:41:11 PM PST by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Fuller
"The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should," McCain said.

No kidding. So, I guess that's why you voted against Bush's tax cuts.

4 posted on 01/05/2008 1:49:24 PM PST by mjp (Live & let live. I don't want to live in Mexico, Marxico, or Muslimico. Statism & high taxes suck)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Fuller
Presidents don't "Oversee (the) Economy"

Government generally gets in or out of the way of the economy.

5 posted on 01/05/2008 1:58:26 PM PST by Uncle Miltie (Vote "Tax Hike Mike!" < / sarc>)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Miltie

The POTUS can have a HUGE influence on the economy. Mitt understands the economy and how government should get out of the way of it in nearly all circumstances. McCain, I’m not so sure about.


6 posted on 01/05/2008 2:03:30 PM PST by Jeff Fuller (http://iowansforromney.blogspot.com/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Fuller
"The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should," McCain said. "I've got Greenspan's book."



7 posted on 01/05/2008 2:04:04 PM PST by vietvet67
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Fuller

That aint all that arrogant bastard does not understand.Try will of the people.Who called us a bunch of white racist bigots?


8 posted on 01/05/2008 2:06:26 PM PST by HANG THE EXPENSE (Defeat liberalism, its the right thing to do for America.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Abbeville Conservative; asparagus; Austin1; bcbuster; bethtopaz; BlueAngel; Bluestateredman; ...

Mitt knows the economy PING!


9 posted on 01/05/2008 2:48:33 PM PST by redgirlinabluestate (www.MittReport.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: redgirlinabluestate

Mitt, smarter, more conservative, not a nutjob!


10 posted on 01/05/2008 2:56:11 PM PST by claudiustg (You know it. I know it. I'm optiMITTstic!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: redgirlinabluestate

Now is the time we need someone in the White House who understands how the economy works.

Go Mitt!


11 posted on 01/05/2008 2:59:55 PM PST by TheLion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: imahawk

McCain, does his wife own a beer distribution company in AZ? He sucks up all the cheap Mexican labor. He even said he thinks the illegals should get social security.
Nice Guy (Sarcasm ON)


12 posted on 01/05/2008 3:19:06 PM PST by Mojohemi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Fuller
Free Republic Opinion Poll:
Would you be for or against McCain?
Member Opinion
against 92.4% 2,989
for 7.6% 247

The Real McCain

McCain and Stem Cell Research Round-up

McCain and 'the Constitution'

SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO"

SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO" Part II

John McCain Is No Hero

U.S. Sen. John McCain is no War Hero

John McCain: The Manchurian Candidat

JOHN MCCAIN, WARTS AND ALL

John McCain, you treasonous bastard, I challenge you or any of your traitorous cohorts... (thread by Jim Robinson)

McCain Is Booed by Labor Activists

McCain Rides to Kerry's Rescue: "John Kerry is Not Weak on Defense" (Today Show alert)

John McCain SCREAMS AT 9/11 FSA MEMBERS FOR OPPOSING HIS BILL TO GIVE AMNESTY FOR ILLEGALS

John McCain's Skeleton Closet

A number of articles on McCain. (some the same as above)

McCain Seeks to Change California Primary

John McCain Gets Soros Cash

McCain/Soros by Rabbi Areyh Spero

Soros' "Reform" (an article about Soros‘ instrumental hand in McCain/Feingold)

Not Child‘s Play [McCain/Schumer bill could effect FR?]

McCain's Letter (McCain aligns with Global Enviro activists)

The Turning Point on Global Warming (McCain and Lieberman Op-Ed Alert)

Climate bill sets stage for debate (Sens. McCain, Obama, and Lieberman join forces)

McCain: Global warming is fact, must be addressed [hurl alert]

McCain Looked into Caucusing with Democrats

McCain Still Disliked by Fiscal Conservatives (Club For Growth)

John McCain Goes Left for Money

McCain, Obama Make Deal on Financing

Sens. Snowe, Collins to head Maine exploratory committee for McCain

Double Talk Express. McCain in his own words. VIDEO

More YOUTUBE - McCain On Abortion (UH OH! YouTube Has a Video of Him in 1999)

The following links posted by raving utter and lifted by me…

How Cindy McCain was outed for drug addiction(stole drugs from the American Voluntary Medical Team)

John McCain: Hypocrite by Mark R. Levin

John McCain and the Kemper Marley organised crime network

McCain and his Chicom Connections: Posts #17 and #18 by Calpernia

John McCain's Newt Problem

More links I found...

McCAIN AND THE KLA CONNECTION

TEN REASONS NOT TO SUPPORT MCCAIN (Free Republic thread from 2000)

It depends on the meaning of “never” (McCain's Convenient Memory) **NEW**

McCain Ties to Lobbyists Troublesome - Newsmax Staff

13 posted on 01/05/2008 3:24:53 PM PST by TigersEye (Having found no cause for offense no object of forgiveness exists. Love is its own reason for sorrow)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mjp
Yes, McCain voted against tax cuts even though he does not understand the economy. It is yet another area where he and Huckabee agree.
14 posted on 01/05/2008 3:37:28 PM PST by Dante3
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: imahawk

“That aint all that arrogant bastard does not understand.Try will of the people.Who called us a bunch of white racist bigots?”

Another lovely statement by a devoted Fred fan. By the way, are you implying that Mitt called you a racist bigot? Now I know you have gone too far!


15 posted on 01/05/2008 3:47:33 PM PST by rodeo-mamma
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: claudiustg

That would be a good tagline!


16 posted on 01/05/2008 3:52:57 PM PST by redgirlinabluestate (www.MittReport.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: rodeo-mamma

I think it was Huckabee that implied that.


17 posted on 01/05/2008 4:26:05 PM PST by redgirlinabluestate (www.MittReport.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: rodeo-mamma

Uh, I think I was talking about mcnutts.


18 posted on 01/05/2008 6:13:36 PM PST by HANG THE EXPENSE (Defeat liberalism, its the right thing to do for America.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson