Posted on 06/21/2008 6:00:23 AM PDT by Kaslin
If you're looking for a first lady, you've got one in Cindy McCain. But John McCain would be well served by a more audible wife on the campaign trail.
Without the red carpet, New York Times front-page treatment given to Michelle Obama when she recently co-hosted "The View," and without buying into false grievances, Mrs. McCain demonstrates that she understands what's at stake during this election.
That's the signal she sent ABC's Kate Snow in an interview with "Good Morning America." Understated and direct, Mrs. McCain refuses to let the Obama campaign use pretty White House/Black Market dresses to obscure the differences between the two choices this November.
During the GMA interview, the wife of the Republican presidential nominee gave a healthy answer when asked why women should vote for her husband -- an answer devoid of the usual silly-girl gender politics that pretend that women are looking for something wholly different in the voting booth than men. Mrs. McCain said, "Supporting our troops the way he does, supporting our young men and women right now who are serving so gallantly is very pro-woman because every mother, every wife, sister, aunt feels the way I have felt." She continued, "The things that he does doesn't make him any more pro-woman, pro-man, pro-anti-anything. He is about America, making America strong."
Notably, though, the interview was spun much differently than its reality. "Cindy McCain Presses Obama on Patriotism," abcnews.com proclaimed. Mrs. McCain did no such thing, however. She respectfully presented her preferences and offered that there are differences between the two candidates. But the prospect of a catfight or a Republican questioning a Democrat's patriotism was just way too tempting to report -- even if it is fiction.
With two sons who have followed in the McCain military tradition -- one of them has served in Iraq -- Mrs. McCain has absolutely no interest in playing political patriot games. To the contrary, as a military mother and wife, she has a real opportunity and potential responsibility to increase our awareness and appreciation for those who serve. It's an opportunity and duty she's ready for. In an interview with her last month, McCain told me, "I'm not any different than any other mother, father, family member around the country with children in the service. I feel the same way, I know how they feel, and so in that respect I'm absolutely no different. Each day, I'm so deeply proud of their service and deeply honored that our children would do this, that they'd commit a part of their lives to serving their country. So I'm like everybody else. We're all in this together and we feel exactly the same way."
When Mrs. Obama made her infamous remarks at a Wisconsin rally earlier this year that, "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of country, and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change," McCain did, appropriately, respond. She said, "I'm proud of my country I don't know if you heard those words earlier. ... I'm very proud of my country." But those who are hoping for a catfight over patriotism may be disappointed.
What you will see, though, is clarification on the part of Mrs. McCain, and a continued softening of Mrs. Obama. Mrs. Obama started that with her appearance on "The View," where she talked about very little of substance (an approach the show invites by its very nature). But by her very nature, McCain focuses in on the war, and what we owe our soldiers, in her interviews: "I want a leader who will bring them home with dignity."
The "Good Morning America" interview was filmed in Vietnam, where her husband was once held and tortured as prisoner of war. This day, Mrs. McCain was there with Operation Smile, a medical mission that helps impoverished children with facial deformities. Smile is integral to what she loves most -- the children she meets when with the nonprofit. She says they remind her of her adoptive daughter, born in Bangladesh with a severe cleft palate. McCain brought Bridget home as a baby from one of Mother Teresa's orphanages in 1993.
None of the people campaigning on the road to the White House is perfect. Yet all of them are impressive and have stories to tell. How they tell those stories, what they choose to tell us, helps in the decision-making process. The wives aren't running for president, but their priorities are insights into the first family and what the candidate's off-time might look like. I know I'd like to hear Mrs. Obama talk about why the Rev. Jeremiah Wright was someone she thought appropriate to have her daughters listening to, why she was drawn to him, how he might have affected her husband's thinking and political maturity. In the case of her husband, there's a lot we don't know about the candidate, a novice to the spotlight compared to Sen. McCain. Mrs. Obama could help make the picture of her husband more complete.
"I do the things that are important to me," Mrs. McCain told Snow. When we hear her talk, that means our troops on the front lines and their families are heard. Keep talking, Mrs. McCain -- they're important to us, too. And you might just be important for America to see in the White House, as well.
"Who would you rather have in charge of the defense of the United States of America, a group of people who never served a day overseas in their life, or a guy who served his country honorably and has three Purple Hearts and a Silver Star on the battlefields of Vietnam?"Howard Dean
I assume Howard Dean was talking about John Kerry, who, btw served in Vietnam, in case you did not know (for 4 month and got 3 Purple Hearts for selfinflected band aid wounds
Unbelievable
Indeed. she has done a lot for children. She is not one who just talks but actually does something about it
Exactly, what goes on between John McCain and his wife is his business and no one else’s. I think those McCain bashers are just uninformed
I would NEVER vote for a despicable communist muslim like Braaack Obamamama!
I am afraid that many of those with 1998 signup dates are actually DU members pretending to be Freepers
well said
I think a bigger problem with Cindy McCain, not mentioned here, was her addiction to drugs and her theft of drugs from her non-profit organization. The DEA was investigating this when McCain promised clinton he would play ball for the rest of clinton’s time in office if he would call off the dogs.
I only mention this because I’m sure we’ll be hearing all about it from the left wing press in due course.
When I was in the military, we spoke of adjusting our aim, “just an RCH to the left.” But the C word is definitely beyong the pale, IMHO. The F word, I’m afraid, tends to work its way into every sentence in some circles.
And Obama and his wife doesn’t right? Because you’ll be voting for him this November through your 3rd party loser canidate.
I do believe that there are DU trolls here. I’m not the only one here who believes that.
I pray you are right, as if some of this crowd are real freepers, it makes me sick.
Yes he was. He dated her for about 6 months before he divorced his crippled and hurting first wife. (from my usderstanding)
He claims that he was “separated” first, but his once attractive first wife was injured in a car accident and had become disabled. But ol’ John had a conditional outlook on commitment. So he went looking for a new trophy to be proud of.
Sort of like he still does.
I’m with you,IFTC. It was reportedly said in :92! 16 years ago! Looong memory... If it’s a choice between McCain and Barry, there’s no question, it’s McCain!
Believe it or not, there are actually some Conservatives left on this forum who want to take this party back. They are not Trolls or DU plants, they are Conservative patriots who are trying to warn the Koolaid drinking desperatos here who will sell this country down the tubes in the name of their party, or out of fear for some incompetent boob with exceptionally big ears.
Yes. His wife was severely injured in a car accident while he was a POW. She wouldn’t allow anyone to tell him, so he wouldn’t have added worries. He rewarded her by dumping her for a rich younger woman when he came back.
Adult logic......Sort of leaves ‘em speechless does it not?
:)
I’m in the process of sending your RINO to my Dad via email.
IIRC, he was with his first wife for seven years after he was released from the hanoi hilton, then got divorced. Seems many servicement of that era were difficult to live with and obtained divorces. But Mccain is special, he just zoomed in, flipped his wife for another the day he got back, the way you write it up.
Thanks for clarifying.
Personally, I prefer a salty dog in the WH.
We don't have to love him. We have to love what he loves. THIS COUNTRY. And our brave troops. They certainly know the difference.
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