TPM LiveWire
McCain: 'I Never Considered Myself A Maverick'
Rachel Slajda | April 5, 2010, 12:56PM
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)
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Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who's trying to fight off a primary challenger who claims McCain is too moderate, has in an interview with Newsweek gone back on his most famous nickname.
"I never considered myself a maverick," McCain said. "I consider myself a person who serves the people of Arizona to the best of his abilities."
But there are those who remember the 2008 presidential campaign, when McCain, his running mate Sarah Palin and his entire campaign constantly referred to him as a "maverick."
Just one example: An ad from August 2008 declaring the senator the "original maverick:"
Reader KB points out the subtitle of one of McCain's books: "Worth the Fighting For: The Education of an American Maverick, and the Heroes Who Inspired Him."
(H/T Jonathan Martin)
Late Update: In case you need a reminder, here's TPM's video history of McCain's now-forsaken nickname.
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FreeRider
April 5, 2010 1:11 PM
Poor John McCain. Please, somebody take him off the stage and feed him his strained peas before he poops himself.
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AhTrini1
April 5, 2010 2:07 PM in reply to FreeRider
ROTFLMAO
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rynato
April 5, 2010 3:02 PM in reply to FreeRider
What's more maverick-y than denying you ever claimed to be a maverick?
Think about it.
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NobleCommentDecider
April 5, 2010 3:12 PM in reply to rynato
...only a truly awesome maverick could do it.
Its double jujitsu maverick-y.
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rynato
April 5, 2010 4:46 PM in reply to NobleCommentDecider
it's post-modern maverickism.
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JimWilson
April 5, 2010 7:40 PM in reply to rynato
ZenMaverick to you Grasshopper.
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GTFOOH
April 5, 2010 1:11 PM
'I Never Considered Myself A Maverick'
...But, when alone I did sometimes address myself as DimWad!
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eb123
April 6, 2010 8:51 AM in reply to GTFOOH
I'm John McCain, and I approve this message.
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ChozenFrozen
April 5, 2010 1:14 PM
I weren't never no maverick.........I have to go to the bathroom.......get those damn kids off my lawn.......is this my pudding?..............*fart*.................
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Geoff Johnson
April 5, 2010 1:47 PM in reply to ChozenFrozen
Ha ha! Very funny and clever! McCain is old so you drop some oldie jokes! Well done!
Criticize McCain for outright lying here, and for changing his image and his policy pronouncements whenever it suits his personal political goals, but "Ha ha he so old!" is a comment befitting a 12 year old.
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zonk
April 5, 2010 1:57 PM in reply to Geoff Johnson
...or Sarah Palin.
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AhTrini1
April 5, 2010 2:09 PM in reply to Geoff Johnson
It's funnee, especially since the original maverick is lying through his wrinkles.
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ChozenFrozen
April 5, 2010 2:09 PM in reply to Geoff Johnson
Okay, how's this; like most politicians he's willing to lie about everything he has supposedly ever stood for. Like most politicians he knows the MSM will act like their job is to be well heeled, well paid and compliant stenographers so he can let loose with crap like this and know they will never hold him to account for it. And like most Republicans he's willing to pander to the fears, bigotries and ignorance of the American public, and call that 'leadership'.
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JimmyBobby
April 5, 2010 2:12 PM in reply to ChozenFrozen
More articulate and fair...but not as funny!!
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ChozenFrozen
April 5, 2010 4:29 PM in reply to JimmyBobby
Whole lot less psychically gratifying too, I gotta say.
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tiowally
April 5, 2010 2:55 PM in reply to ChozenFrozen
I liked the first one better, too, don'cha know, also, you betcha.
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benintn
April 5, 2010 2:20 PM in reply to Geoff Johnson
But but... He was a POW!!!!!
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PSzymeczek
April 5, 2010 8:48 PM in reply to benintn
That and a buck will get you coffee at McDonald's.
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mhuslage
April 6, 2010 8:19 AM in reply to PSzymeczek
A SENIOR coffee, not a regular one.
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Measure for Measure
April 5, 2010 3:01 PM in reply to Geoff Johnson
Sort of. But others have noted that McCain can have the demeanor of your cranky old neighbor (get off my lawn!). And the man is becoming advanced in years (he is 74 and will be 80 at the end of his Senate term if re-elected). Now that's not Strom Thurmond territory and there are lots of Democratic Senators who are older. But the age issue is relevant though probably not central.
What is less reported are the consequences of obstructionism: if the Republicans completely eschew bipartisanship, they will be able to do less and less for their districts and states.
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mike5
April 5, 2010 8:09 PM in reply to Geoff Johnson
well, he's getting up there in years. He probably doesn't remember any of that. sorry Geoff, if we hurt your feelings but really, it's the most likely explanation - Occums Razor, no?
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Geoff Johnson
April 5, 2010 8:27 PM in reply to mike5
Occam's Razor Mike, not Occum. And the Razor would here lead us to conclude not that McCain forgot the 2008 campaign because (OMG!) he is in his 70s, but rather that he is intentionally misrepresenting his past rhetoric because of a difficult primary fight. The latter is actually much worse, but apparently some people think it's far more he-fucking-larios to make old man fart jokes. It's not that I'm opposed to old man fart jokes per say (how could I be!), it's just that they really only work in the hands of a well-trained comedian or comedienne, and I'm not seeing any of those in this comments board.
And I assure you my feeling were not hurt, I just find it annoying when progressives act as belligerent, petty, and childish as those on the right do, and "hey McCain sure is old!" jokes certainly qualify. Unfortunately a number of TPMers seem to need to spew idiotic ad hominems in response to any story about someone with whom they disagree politically. I think it's fucking lame, sorry.
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Red XIV
April 5, 2010 11:44 PM in reply to Geoff Johnson
McCain seemed to be showing signs of senility two years ago during the presidential campaign, though.
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 1:14 PM
How's that mavericky thing workin' out for ya?
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klg19
April 5, 2010 1:43 PM in reply to Brownbagger
Oh, FTW. Most definitely FTW.
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 1:57 PM in reply to klg19
Grazie. E gentile da parte tua.
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rynato
April 5, 2010 3:13 PM in reply to Brownbagger
sei italiano?
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 3:19 PM in reply to rynato
Six Italians? No, uno Siciliano. ;-)
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rynato
April 5, 2010 4:58 PM in reply to Brownbagger
un Siciliano.
Hai ragione; non sei un italiano ;-)
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 5:52 PM in reply to rynato
Grazie. Non parlo molto bene.
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Verified
April 5, 2010 2:56 PM in reply to Brownbagger
My first thought, too, serge. Perhaps we should stop cars that still have a McCain/Pailn 'o8 bumper sticker on them and ask the driver...So, how did that greed-y maverick-y thing work out for ya?
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Seafarer
April 5, 2010 1:19 PM
Assuming David Margolick is the "me" in
'"Maverick" is a mantle McCain no longer claims; in fact, he now denies he ever was one. "I never considered myself a maverick," he told me. "I consider myself a person who serves the people of Arizona to the best of his abilities."'
then Newsweek and Margolick did a piss poor job fact checking and calling out the disconnect. Why didn't Margolick or his absent editors demand a statement from McCain about his own endless words over the years, and why this has now changed?
Is it about journalism, gentlemen, or is it about continued access?
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Red XIV
April 5, 2010 11:45 PM in reply to Seafarer
Newsweak hasn't exactly been a bastion of journalism. Ever, really.
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traitorjoe
April 5, 2010 1:21 PM
My bus titled "Maverick Express" was so lame and all my "Maverick" books and speeches so derivative it proves I don't have an original, creative bone in my body. Now please tell me what you want to hear.
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mcc
April 5, 2010 1:49 PM in reply to traitorjoe
"John McCain, professional shark jumper"
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lapdogs
April 5, 2010 1:54 PM in reply to traitorjoe
I'm real sure MAVERICK McCain NEVER mentioned his nickname one time in the books he has written.
Just like Tom Cruise in Top Gun, McCain has "CRASHED AND BURNED"!!
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Verified
April 5, 2010 3:03 PM in reply to traitorjoe
OMG yes, the bus. I am still shaking my head over the video tour of the bus - remember that? The young Repub who toured us around and wouldn't sit in the seat that McCain used when he was on the bus, because it would be "disrespectful" for someone else to sit there? I almost don't care if the Obama administration doesn't do a blessed thing over the next several years. They already saved the country by keeping McCain out of the White House.
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traitorjoe
April 5, 2010 3:47 PM in reply to Verified
I don't blame the aide for not sitting in McCain's seat. The Ol' Maverick may have forgotten his Depends.
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barnninny
April 5, 2010 7:28 PM in reply to traitorjoe
Wasn't the bus called the "Straight Talk Express"?
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adamson
April 5, 2010 8:17 PM in reply to barnninny
Yes, actually, it was.
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Cool Blue Reason
April 5, 2010 1:24 PM
In the face of skeptics who have steadfastly clung to the belief that shark jumping could only be done once in a career, McCain has truly taken things to a new level.
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bvd
April 5, 2010 1:24 PM
"I never considered myself a maverick. That was just some public relations bullshit created for me by the advertising jerks I overpaid to get me elected President. No one ever took it seriously - except that dimwit Palin - so I don't think I should be held accountable. I also never considered myself honest, capable or having a shred of integrity. That was just more p.r. crap. The fact that anyone ever believed it is not my problem. So vote for me!"
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ahumbleopinion
April 5, 2010 3:23 PM in reply to bvd
Great insight!
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Ugg the Repug
April 5, 2010 1:24 PM
Ugg remember McCain from high school. He crash tree of tribe's best pterodactyls cause he fly crazy maverick way. He get captured by other tribe while dropping big rocks on womens and childrens. Repugs say that make him hero. Ugg say that make him coward who do, say anything. Today that argument is over. He coward and liar also, too.
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Ugg the Repug
April 5, 2010 1:26 PM in reply to Ugg the Repug
Oops. Ugg fat hairy fingers make slip. "Three" not "tree". Although, McCain crash trees also, too. Har har har.
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slb
April 5, 2010 1:32 PM in reply to Ugg the Repug
I just thought that meant you were from New Jersey, Ugg.
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Ugg the Repug
April 5, 2010 2:01 PM in reply to slb
No, Ugg from old country. Really, really really old country ... like McCain. But Ugg sometime vacation in Rock City. Har har har.
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tiowally
April 5, 2010 1:34 PM in reply to Ugg the Repug
It's true: Not-a-maverick Sid McCrashcup was also not a pilot, if keeping an aircraft aloft is any measure.
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Ugg the Repug
April 5, 2010 2:03 PM in reply to tiowally
Ugg learn fly like McCain. Run, run, jump off cliff, fly all way to bottom. Har har har.
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tiowally
April 5, 2010 3:00 PM in reply to Ugg the Repug
And unlike Sid McCrashcup, it didn't cost the government a cent. Ugg true fiscal conservative. Wally proud Ugg.
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Ugg the Repug
April 6, 2010 1:32 PM in reply to tiowally
Ugg thank Wally. Ugg blush. Or maybe still face bruise from try fly 40,000 years ago. Har har har.
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LarsThorwald
April 5, 2010 1:24 PM
This is what desperation looks like.
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converse
April 5, 2010 1:29 PM in reply to LarsThorwald
This is what typical 21st century republicans look like.
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nbbsoton
April 5, 2010 1:24 PM
For the first time EVAH, I feel compassion for this here Conservative!
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serge
April 5, 2010 1:28 PM
That's a very maverick-y thing for a maverick to do - to say he's no maverick.
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EnnuiDivine
April 5, 2010 1:28 PM
"What about all of those signs that say Original Maverick? And your campaign bus? And the campaign literature?"
"Those are typos"
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Matt Jones
April 5, 2010 1:45 PM in reply to EnnuiDivine
Or perhaps the time-honored Republican favorite: "ACORN did it". :)
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PSzymeczek
April 5, 2010 8:57 PM in reply to Matt Jones
But ACORN isn't around for them to kick around anymore. what are they going to use?
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precisioncontrol
April 5, 2010 1:29 PM
That's just pathetisad. He's willing to literally do anything to stay in office! Totally unconcerned with consistency, principle or, as is likely, the welfare of his constituents. Extending his political career is an end unto itself untethered from any other considerations.
I must also co-sign the folks who asked how such a blatant and outrageous lie could go unchallenged in his interview.
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davewtf
April 5, 2010 1:50 PM in reply to precisioncontrol
Actually, I just think that his wife does not want him to retire and be home all the time.
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PSzymeczek
April 5, 2010 9:01 PM in reply to davewtf
Which home?
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Bernie Latham
April 5, 2010 1:30 PM
Sobering to think that the man could retain his integrity through five years of capture and torture by the Vietnamese and yet lose it through a decade of engagement with the conservative movement.
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Dave Adams
April 5, 2010 3:40 PM in reply to Bernie Latham
Worth repeating myself on this, but it just goes to show how much more potent Conservative propaganda is than Communist propaganda. The NVA couldn't braniwash McCain but the Republican Party could.
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M.L.H.
April 5, 2010 4:49 PM in reply to Dave Adams
People forget that he made a confession at the request of his captors denouncing American imperialism and he himself admitted that they "broke" him.
It's on Wikipedia if you don't remember it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_mccain#Prisoner_of_war
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Dave Adams
April 6, 2010 2:00 AM in reply to M.L.H.
I stand corrected.
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WaitWut?
April 5, 2010 1:30 PM
Keep talkin', big guy. You're making our job easier.
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Max Thrax
April 5, 2010 1:31 PM
You can practically hear the entire Beltway media nod their heads in agreement.
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concerned parent
April 5, 2010 1:33 PM
Is there anyone on this planet who is really going to believe mccain? He only called himself a maverick about a billion times on tv, you could run a full 5 min commercial of just him saying he is a maverick. Then at the end, having him say, "I was never a maverick, now get off my LAWN!!"
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Max Thrax
April 5, 2010 1:39 PM in reply to concerned parent
Yeah, remember how the MSM got all over McMaverick for saying he never said Iraq would be cheap and easy despite all the film of him saying the opposite? Yeah, me neither.
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tiowally
April 5, 2010 1:42 PM in reply to concerned parent
I expect to see the a 60-second reel of the Maverick/Not-a-maverick proclaiming his mavericky-ness on The Daily Show and/or The Colbert Report no later than Wednesday.
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 1:33 PM
Don't worry. Gregors will have him on soon and nod approvingly as he weasels around it. It'll be fine.
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Eric Spiegelman
April 5, 2010 1:35 PM
Look, everyone. Alzheimer's is no laughing matter. This man needs our sympathy and support right now.
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PSzymeczek
April 5, 2010 9:04 PM in reply to Eric Spiegelman
I'm an Arizonan. He gets neither my sympathy nor my vote.
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Fred N TX
April 5, 2010 1:36 PM
John McCain YOU LIE!!!
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dumdedumdum
April 5, 2010 1:36 PM
Is there no bottom to these people?
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tiowally
April 5, 2010 1:37 PM
"Straight Talk Express"? More like "Straightjacket Express."
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robcat2075
April 5, 2010 1:37 PM
When will the press admit it's just flat-out old age memory loss? Framing it as political calculation is just enabling him.
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mike from Arlington
April 5, 2010 1:39 PM
"I'm not John McCain, I never said I was.
I'm Sarah Palin!"
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twirling fartknocker
April 5, 2010 1:41 PM
how stupid does he think Arizona's voters are? and is he right about that?
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runfastandwin
April 5, 2010 3:17 PM in reply to twirling fartknocker
Simply, yes. He will be re elected. Arizonans love him.
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Polly Tics
April 5, 2010 6:38 PM in reply to runfastandwin
If Arizonans really do love him, why are his poll and approval ratings so low?
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Polly Tics
April 5, 2010 6:40 PM in reply to runfastandwin
If Arizonans really do love him, why are his poll and approval ratings so low?
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PSzymeczek
April 5, 2010 9:11 PM in reply to runfastandwin
Only because Maricopa County has more people than the rest of the state put together. And we know they're guano loco because they live in the hottest part of the state and have fried their brains.
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klg19
April 5, 2010 10:52 PM in reply to PSzymeczek
Isn't Maricopa County where that insane fascist sheriff works?
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JimmyBobby
April 5, 2010 10:58 PM in reply to klg19
That's the one.
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jsfox
April 5, 2010 1:44 PM
I thought John was showing all the classic signs of dementia during the campaign and it has only gotten worse since.
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traitorjoe
April 5, 2010 1:48 PM
Crafty move. JD Hayworth can't possibly beat all seven McCain candidates each representing a different position.
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mamamarti
April 5, 2010 3:10 PM in reply to traitorjoe
Each one from a different house.
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traitorjoe
April 5, 2010 3:50 PM in reply to mamamarti
Brilliant!
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Rich in NJ
April 5, 2010 1:49 PM
Country last.
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lapdogs
April 5, 2010 1:50 PM
This clown is making himself (and his prior history) look like a real joke!
Just go home already John. The people are fed up with your lies just to get re-elected!!!
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jsdc007
April 5, 2010 1:52 PM
Neither did we, so at least we're all on the same page now.
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mattomega
April 5, 2010 1:53 PM
To be fair, I never considered him to be a maverick, either.
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angelfish
April 5, 2010 1:53 PM
The next sentence in the article is "Yet here was Palin, urging her fans four times in 15 minutes to send McCain the Maverick back to Washington." The article's subtitle is "A maverick fights for his political life—and his soul." And the associated photo gallery is called "A Maverick's Path." Newsweek clearly wasn't fooled.
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midnight rambler
April 5, 2010 1:54 PM
"I never considered myself a maverick. I said I was all the time, but I never believed it myself, it was just BS to get dumb people excited. Hey, it worked for a while, didn't it?"
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Cube Zombie
April 5, 2010 1:57 PM in reply to midnight rambler
Bingo!
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Peter Principle
April 5, 2010 1:54 PM
McCain: You can have my Senate seat when you pry it out of my cold, dead fingers.
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mike from Arlington
April 5, 2010 1:56 PM
TV talking heads will no doubt call this a shrewd move on McCain's part and invite him onto all the Sunday talking shows to explain how he was always rooted in conservative values.
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lapdogs
April 5, 2010 1:58 PM
The next thing you hear out of McCain's mouth will be that he never mentioned Teddy Rooselvelt one time in his lifetime.
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Peter Principle
April 5, 2010 2:11 PM in reply to lapdogs
No, the next thing you'll hear coming out of John McCain's mouth is that he realizes now that Teddy Roosevelt was a bad guy because Glen Beck says he was one of those evil progressives.
The funny thing about all of this is the way McCain pandered shamelessly to the proto-teabaggers during the 2008 campaign -- what with all his smarmy glorification of "Joe the Not Really a Plumber," and his talk of Obama's evil socialism -- and yet they've turned on him anyway.
I heard it said that revolutions devour their own, but who knew they also eat their old?
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slb
April 5, 2010 2:00 PM
I am gobsmacked. If McCain never claimed the label for himself, he certainly did nothing to discourage others claiming it for him, and he was not shy about basking in its glow as long as it was advantageous to be seen that way.
If he's disclaiming it now, it's really an admission that he was content to acquiesce in a lie so long as it appeared advantageous to do so.
But this is interesting in light of an excerpt from Free Ride: The Media and John McCain that was posted on Alternet in March of 2008, which postulates that McCain's status as "maverick" was largely a creation of the press:
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slb
April 5, 2010 2:14 PM in reply to slb
I should add that in regard to campaign finance reform, McCain supported the 1992 proposal only in the confidence that George H.W. Bush would veto it and that Congress would not be able to override the veto. When similar reform legislation was proposed under Bill Clinton, McCain opposed, threatening to join a Republican filibuster, it until it had been watered down to the point that nobody was really happy with it. An amendment for which he was lionized was identical to one that fellow Arizona senator and Democrat Dennis DeConcini was preparing to introduce; McCain got the jump on him by a day and slipped the amendment into the hopper under his own name and thus got all the credit for it.
McCain may not be a maverick, but he is most certainly something else that ends in -ick.
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clonecone
April 5, 2010 2:02 PM
From his Aug 5th 2008 campaign ad:
ANNCR: Washington's broken. John McCain knows it. We're worse off than we were four years ago.
Only McCain has taken on big tobacco, drug companies, fought corruption in both parties. He'll reform Wall Street, battle Big Oil, make America prosper again.... See More
Story continues below
He's the original maverick.
One is ready to lead -- McCain.
JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approved this message.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylJkmMR8Fek&feature=player_embedded
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BeeClone
April 5, 2010 2:58 PM in reply to clonecone
Now you don't think John remembers that, now do you? The new John McCain will say anything to get elected.
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Pete Bilderback
April 5, 2010 2:08 PM
Am I the only one impressed by the Maverickiness of McCain claiming he never considered himself a "Maverick." I mean only a true Maverick would deny considering themselves a Maverick after using it as a powerful political brand for decades. That's James Garner level Maverickiness in my book. I mean, what a Maverick! One day he's the "Original Maverick," the next he was never a Maverick, but a humble servant of the people. What will the Maverick say next? I have no idea, but I have no doubt it will be Mavericky.
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BeeClone
April 5, 2010 4:23 PM in reply to Pete Bilderback
WOW you got it, it had gone over my head until I saw your post, thanks. lol
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lapdogs
April 5, 2010 2:08 PM
McCain is just another Lieberman.
He puts his finger up to the wind to see which way his party going - - and he proceeds to go the OTHER WAY.
Then he goes WITH His Party when his re-election days get closer.
And then he goes back AGAINST His Party after the election is over.
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benintn
April 5, 2010 2:09 PM
I'm waiting for Josh Marshall to be on Daily Beast's John Avlon's "Top 25 Centrists" list.
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Suznaz
April 5, 2010 2:10 PM
That's "my" Senator McCain...(the other one being Kyl and not worth duscussion) the problem is he's a luddite to the point that he knows nothing about the Google, the Youtube and how stuff exists forever to be revisited on the internets so anyone can check what he's spouting. However, he is leading Hayworth in the polls which says something about the wackiness of the AZ GOP (who amid the financial crisis are busily working on legalizing sparklers, keeping AZ-made incandescent bulbs OK forever and letting anyone carry a concealed weapon prtty much anywhere without permit or training). Course were J.D. to beat McCain, Democrats could take the seat...it'd be nice.
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Verified
April 5, 2010 3:19 PM in reply to Suznaz
That also occurred to me, Suznaz. It's one thing when a principled politician grows aged in his/her role, yet still acts as a compass for those who are rising within the ranks of seniority. But when someone who has always been driven only by ego begins to age and decline, it's not a pretty thing to watch. I'd say it's sad, but I just cannot bring myself to be sympathetic to a man who, at his core, is so full what ol' Bob called "the disease of conceit."
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 2:10 PM
56 comments and counting. Not one troll has stepped up to defend grandpa.
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DarcyDancer
April 5, 2010 2:51 PM in reply to Brownbagger
I'm trying my best to troll but between the TeaNuts, Uncle Johnny, and Funk Master Steele it's gonna be like real work. Sheesh.
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 3:03 PM in reply to DarcyDancer
It's a burden, I know.
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Pete Bilderback
April 5, 2010 3:05 PM in reply to Brownbagger
That's because the wingnuts who spend their time trolling this site don't much care for Senator McMaverick either, just for different reasons. The trolls here are more of a Heyworth kind of crowd.
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 3:11 PM in reply to Pete Bilderback
But their darling little Bible Spice is for him. Don't they listen? Oh, perhaps they're just bein' all hopey, changey for Hayworth.
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BeeClone
April 5, 2010 4:47 PM in reply to Brownbagger
"Bible Spice" OMG!
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 6:31 PM in reply to BeeClone
Ain't that a hoot! Just heard it the other day myself. Apparently it's been around for a while. I still chuckle.
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Cal Gal
April 5, 2010 6:57 PM in reply to Brownbagger
I think they DID listen to the Barracuda. McCain's numbers soared after that speech-y thing she kinda did for him also.
BTW, that is one of my favorite video's EVAH. Seeing St. John McCain behind her with is rictus smile and his hearing aids turned down low so her screechy voice wouldn't give him (another) headache. And seeing La Palin in that motorcycle jacket with her hair all up also, she was HOT and in Voyeur Hot if you know what I mean and I think you do.
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 7:06 PM in reply to Cal Gal
Priceless! Dominatrix and McDork.
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DarcyDancer
April 5, 2010 3:09 PM in reply to Brownbagger
BTW, ran into Voodoo doll at the mall Sunday. Was with her brother Vahag. Remember his picture from the Armenian LA kidnapping ring.
Said she was looking for you. I tried changing the conversation and asked what she was shopping for. She locked my eyes, invaded my space, and said "hat pins". Had to give you up. Said I saw you in the park on Saturday with your daughter. Voodoo said you don't have a daughter. Sorry BB. Stay low.
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GTFOOH
April 5, 2010 2:12 PM
McCain and Bunning should retire and go on Broadway as "The Odd Couple."
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DarcyDancer
April 5, 2010 3:12 PM in reply to GTFOOH
How 'bout Fog Couple.
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JohnW1141
April 5, 2010 2:14 PM
"I never considered myself a maverick," why, I'm not even John McCain!
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GTFOOH
April 5, 2010 2:18 PM
McCain and Bunning should retire and go on Broadway as "The Odd Couple."
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tk
April 5, 2010 2:18 PM
Wheaties: "I never considered myself a cereal"
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tiowally
April 5, 2010 3:10 PM in reply to tk
Methamphetamine: "I never considered myself a stimulant."
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ohyeathatsright
April 5, 2010 3:57 PM in reply to tiowally
Cigars: I never considered myself tobacco.
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Scarce
April 5, 2010 2:19 PM
http://www.newsweek.com/id/40211#?l=21719750001&t=74504708001
"too mavericky"
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Kristen Urt
April 5, 2010 2:45 PM
To this day, I can't think of anything more hideous on my ears than hearing Sister Sarah screeching faux folksy voice proclaiming, "We're just a coupling of mavericks..."
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Kristen Urt
April 5, 2010 2:47 PM in reply to Kristen Urt
er...that was supposed to be "couple of mavericks..."
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slb
April 5, 2010 3:41 PM in reply to Kristen Urt
I think you read John McCain's mind, though.
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Nicho
April 5, 2010 2:46 PM
This is, without question, the dumbest political lie ever told. "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" and "Read my lips: No new taxes" have been upstaged by the good senator from Arizona. And for the life of me I cannot see how he thought this would benefit his primary campaign.
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johnnydoughey
April 5, 2010 3:00 PM
Imagine that... a politician who is also a chamelean.
McCain is only aping the same values and ethics which permeate and saturate Washington today.
It's been a long time since I've put ANY stock in what those clowns state... from the presidential candidates on down.
This way I am not taken aback when the latest one elected is flipflopping and going back on every promise made to the public in favor of promoting, protecting and obeying the strong arm of those who apparently are the real power dealers (the big bucks folks).
It is apparent that only THOSE WHO WILL OBEY will ever have the opportunity to lead this nation. The honest folk will never get the support... IMHO
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_jonny_5_
April 5, 2010 3:01 PM
This guy is something else. He's either,
1) A clear outright liar, who assumes his constituency is too stupid or uninformed to not see it.
or
2) losing his mind, literally (not in the joking sense). Alzheimers is NOT funny.
Either explaination can explain why he chose Palin for his running mate. But if the real answer is #2 than, we sure are lucky Obama is in the Oval Office right now instead of McCain(Palin).
Scary Indeed...
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slb
April 5, 2010 3:43 PM in reply to _jonny_5_
What makes you think those are mutually exclusive options? I'd go for "both of the above."
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Red XIV
April 5, 2010 11:49 PM in reply to _jonny_5_
The sad thing is, he doesn't realize that by claiming that he's never considered himself a maverick, McCain is ADMITTING to having lied every time in the past he's called himself one.
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runfastandwin
April 5, 2010 3:13 PM
I am starting to think McCain is actually a commie. He lies like one at least...
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Owen
April 5, 2010 3:16 PM
For what it's worth, I never considered John McCain a maverick either. Erratic and hypocritical yes, but not a maverick.
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slb
April 5, 2010 3:45 PM in reply to Owen
Hey, that could be a nifty campaign slogan for Team McCain:
"He's not a maverick, he's just erratic!"
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Cal Gal
April 5, 2010 7:02 PM in reply to Owen
I think he may be the ACTUAL Manchurian Candidate.
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dswx
April 5, 2010 3:19 PM
And the silence from the resident Teabaggers here speaks volumes.
LOL!!
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eve cairo
April 5, 2010 3:31 PM
What is his health situation like now? You can't see it in this photo, but in other views of this the left side of his face is really swollen. I wonder if his cancer is back and he's hiding it again.
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Dorn76
April 5, 2010 3:43 PM
I expect him to announce any minute that he's "suspending his campaign" to focus on the economy.
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musgrove
April 5, 2010 3:47 PM
THIS IS GREAT NEWS FOR MAVERICK MCCAIN!!!
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willia451
April 5, 2010 3:53 PM
Q: So, Senator McCain, are you still a Maverick?
A: I like Corndogs!!!
Q: Yes. Corndogs are good, Senator. Now, about your re-election chances......?
A: I just got elected President. Another election already? Its the Deme-crats. They hate me. They're all jealous.
Q: No Senator. Barack Obama is President. You are running for re-election for Senator from Arizona. How do you think you're doing?
A: I like corndogs!!!!
Q: Hoo Boy. Here Senator. Have a corndog. Now, about your opponent Mr. Hayworth....think he's got a chance against you?
A: MMMMmmmmm. Good. Got any mustard? I like mustard. Know what the best thing about corndogs are, sonny? You can take the dog out of the corn, and &*%$ it. Like this.......
Q: Whoa!!!! Stop it, Senator. Would you please try to focus....
A. ........and take the dog, and put it up your a$$; like this...emmmmphn..that way the commies don't know you have it...emmmph
Q; Thank you Senator. We have to be running along now...
A. I like corndogs........
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 4:00 PM in reply to willia451
Only a matter of time.
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Nanotech
April 5, 2010 5:07 PM in reply to willia451
ROFL! thanks
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susanthe
April 5, 2010 3:54 PM
I never considered him a maverick, either.
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Brownbagger
April 5, 2010 4:02 PM in reply to susanthe
Yep, for once he's telling the truth ... except for the help-y, people-y part.
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The Decider
April 5, 2010 4:03 PM
You see, a maverick is a cow that doesn't have any brand. John now has a brand, the proud Republican brand. I branded it on his tush back in 2000 when I kicked him around in the primary. Heh, heh!
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tomoly
April 5, 2010 4:10 PM
How long until Rudy claims he never mentioned 9/11?
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Red XIV
April 5, 2010 11:46 PM in reply to tomoly
Didn't Rudy recently claim that 9/11 didn't happen under Bush's watch? That's about as bad.
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acamus
April 5, 2010 4:20 PM
What we are witnessing is one of the greatest post-modern performance pieces ever created, that is done simultaneously with its spin-off -- the Ya Sure Ya Betcha Chronicles, only shows we are in the presence of true genius.
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spinn
April 5, 2010 4:35 PM
I think those links give him some wiggle room (someone put that on the ad, book publisher wrote the subtitle, etc.) but this doesn't:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGOZJ0ceJpc
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lousgirl84
April 5, 2010 4:54 PM in reply to spinn
He does always look cranky like his diaper is full....
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traitorjoe
April 5, 2010 5:11 PM in reply to lousgirl84
"Depend® incontinence forums & discussion boards is a place to connect with others and share incontinence stories and experiences. Come and join us!"
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ladyfractal
April 5, 2010 4:38 PM
You guys are missing what McCain is *actually* saying. He's not saying he never said he was a maverick in the sense of bucking his own party. He said he was never a *FORD* Maverick which is, of course, true. At no point in his life was John McCain a rather forgettable compact car manufactured from 1969 - 1977.
Go back over his speeches...his interviews...any writing he might have done and no where, not ONCE will you see him refer to himself as a Ford Maverick.
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M.L.H.
April 5, 2010 4:45 PM
I'm not surprised there isn't a troll gathering to defend him. The trolls here are more on the Beck/Limbaugh side of the fence and those guys never much cared for McCain. McCain's most mavericky moment is calling Falwell and Robertson "agents of intolerance" in 2000, only to suck up to the Christian right wing unsuccessfully in 2008 until the token nomination of Sarah Palin, a woman who was never on the "inside" of the campaign.
Talk trash about Sister Sarah and you get trolls aplenty. Say that Grandpa Walnuts isn't quite right and they will just let it slide by.
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idiotic
April 5, 2010 4:46 PM
THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!! FOR MCCAIN!!!
!!!McMENTUM™!!!!
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PSzymeczek
April 5, 2010 9:21 PM in reply to idiotic
More like "McMENTAL".
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PAvoter
April 5, 2010 5:13 PM
In a way, it is sort of sad. I take no comfort in it, since pandering to the Republican extreme is sort of pathetic. I guess the idea of losing his Senate (public) salary frightens him. If he now has to use Medicare as his health coverage, he is now thrown into "socialized" medicine.
He had done some good as a Senator, but it seems like he will be now remembered as one who stayed around just too long.
His recent appearance with Sarah Palin was actually painful to watch.
I guess one way to look at it is whether this Country would be better with McCain being reelected, or the extreme right wing Hayworth taking his seat.
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sean
April 5, 2010 5:32 PM
Johnny, Johnny, (voice squished) put the candle back...
(see:'Young Frankenstein')
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ejg3
April 5, 2010 5:49 PM
To paraphrase a commercial from the industry his wife knows more about: Less taste and less filling.
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lede3957
April 5, 2010 6:06 PM
Horrors...this man almost became president.
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Polly Tics
April 5, 2010 6:36 PM
Heck both he and Palin considered themselves a "Team of Mavericks", which I always thought of as hilarious since a maverick is someone who was a "LONE DISSENTER". Now, the last time I checked, a team does not consist of a bunch of loners...
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hsdell
April 5, 2010 6:53 PM
Just think how stupid America would feel if he would have been elected on the strength of his "maverickness", then to deny it. HA! That would have been a great practical joke.
Fool me once... uh... won't get fooled again...?
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tpmoldfuzz
April 5, 2010 7:22 PM
John is my age. He can't be expected to remember everything.
I'll bet he thinks he voted for health care.
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fitley
April 5, 2010 7:32 PM
It shouldn't take too long for his screwball base to get used to his new name "Pickle Fart".
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RKT
April 5, 2010 7:43 PM
I've always thought that Ronald Reagan was struggling against Alsheimer while still in office. It appears McCain is doing so, also. There should definitely be an age cap on national political office; there is simply too much at stake for the nation.
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JimmyBobby
April 5, 2010 8:05 PM
Republicans, to a greater extent than Democrats in office, seem NOT to get that videotape has been invented and that they can't just change their story at will.
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Red XIV
April 6, 2010 12:05 AM in reply to JimmyBobby
No, they just assume that American voters are too stupid to notice.
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Tosh
April 26, 2010 11:55 AM
he is just too old to run
Edwin
l kamagra l m65 l
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