The World According to John McCain

Newsweek.com ^ | March 30, 2008 | Newsweek

[stockpirate]

We need to listen," John McCain was saying, "to the views … of our democratic allies." Then, though the words weren't in the script, the Arizona senator repeated himself, as if in self-admonishment: "We need to listen." A lot of meaning was packed into that twice-said line, which was a key theme of McCain's first major foreign-policy speech since becoming the GOP's nominee-apparent. McCain was telling America, and the whole world: if I'm elected there will be, at long last, a return to what Jefferson called "a decent respect to the opinions of mankind." There will be no more ill-justified lurches into war, no more unilateralism, no more George W. Bush. Above all, McCain seemed to be saying that while Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama tear each other to pieces, I'm going to be the wise and welcoming statesman patching up America's global relations even before I get to the Oval Office. Not surprisingly, after the speech last week at the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, McCain's campaign could not talk enough about international cooperation—what McCain had called a "new compact." "He has such a deep relationship with so many Europeans and those in other regions, including Asia and the Middle East," said one adviser, Rich Williamson, who added that McCain has kept up his global profile by "going each year to the Munich Security Conference."

[stockpirate]

It was all very reassuring. There's just one problem: John McCain doesn't always behave according to his own statesmanlike script. In fact, while attending that same Munich conference in 2006, the Arizona senator had another one of what have come to be known as McCain Moments. In a small meeting at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, McCain was conferring with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the foreign minister of Germany—one of America's most important allies—when the others heard McCain erupt. He thought the German was being insufficiently tough on the brutal regime in Belarus. Raising his voice at Steinmeier—who's known for speaking in unclear diplomatese—McCain "started shaking and rising out of his chair," said one participant, a former senior diplomatic official who related the anecdote on condition of anonymity. "He said something like: 'I haven't come to Munich to hear this kind of crap'." McCain's old pal Joe Lieberman jumped in. "Lieberman, who reads him very well, put his hand on McCain's arm and said gently, 'John, I think there's been a problem in the translation.' Of course Lieberman doesn't speak German and there hadn't been any problem in the translation … It was just John's explosive temper."

[Farmer Dean]

And to think that this feckless old fart may be President this time next year..

[stockpirate]

“There’s just one problem: John McCain doesn’t always behave according to his own statesmanlike script. In fact, while attending that same Munich conference in 2006, the Arizona senator had another one of what have come to be known as McCain Moments.”

Gee, when Juan McCain does this to Conservatives he is called a Maverick.

Let the beatings begin by the MSM on Juan McCain.

[stockpirate]

Well if Ms. Clinton would only move a little to her right, she would be more conservative than Juan McCain and I could vote for her.

[R_Kangel]

His philosophy is starting to sound a bit too familiar.

These are similar words of another John that ran for Pres. His name was John Kerry.

[SolidWood]

heard McCain erupt. He thought the German was being insufficiently tough on the brutal regime in Belarus. Raising his voice at Steinmeier—who's known for speaking in unclear diplomatese—McCain "started shaking and rising out of his chair," said one participant, a former senior diplomatic official who related the anecdote on condition of anonymity. "He said something like: 'I haven't come to Munich to hear this kind of crap'.

I like this. I want a President who doesn't put up with this Euro weenie crap. Germany one of our most important allies? Ha. Maybe they can show us some of this "support"?

[Farmer Dean]

Either way,I hope to complete work on my secret bunker before 2009.

[Calpernia]

>>>We need to listen," John McCain was saying,...

Listen, do you want to know a secret
Do you promise not to tell, woh, woh, woh
Closer, let me whisper in your ear

[GVnana]

'I haven't come to Munich to hear this kind of crap'

I guess it's just me, but I don't have a problem with this. In fact, I'm laughing.

[dforest]

Its all so weird. In 2004, we were all flaming Jon Cary for what he said.

Now, In 2008, we are embracing it under the guise of McCain “The Weiner The World Awaited”.

My, My.

[MtnClimber]

Global test nonsense.

[DugwayDuke]

“And to think that this feckless old fart may be President this time next year.”

Get over it. It’s not a perfect world and he’s the best you can hope for.

[plain talk]

Well I certainly hope so.

[TLI]

And to think that this feckless old fart may be President this time next year...

Maybe he will have a blowout and then NOT be President the year after next.

[Just mythoughts]

Very embarrassing state of affairs when the leader of the Republican party is reliant upon the lying Liberman to translate.

[KingSnorky]

It’s amazing. One party’s nominee is determined to lose the war on terrorism and nationalize the health care industry. The other party’s nominee wants implement the Kyoto protocols, leave our borders unsecured and bring terrorist detainees to the U.S. after closing Gitmo.

Whether it’s Clinton, Obama or McCain, America’s economy and national security will badly compromised.

Got room for one more in that bunker? :)

[kjo]

He won't be President through any effort of mine. The liberals have won this round, one of their three candidates are going to get in...

We have to come back in 2012 or 2016; and it won't necessarily be through the Republcan Party.

[Grunthor]

Read later

[AuntB]

“Get over it. It’s not a perfect world and he’s the best you can hope for.”

There it is. The reason we’re in this mess! The founding fathers should have just stayed under British rule, afterall that was the the best they could hope for....right?

You should be a little tired of settling for the lesser of the evils or perhaps McCain is right up your alley.....

[Grunthor]

“Well if Ms. Clinton would only move a little to her right, she would be more conservative than Juan McCain”

Funny thing about that is, it wouldn’t take much!