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» babble   » current events   » international news and politics   » McCain steps in it again.

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Author Topic: McCain steps in it again.
oldgoat
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Babbler # 1130

posted 04 October 2007 08:05 AM      Profile for oldgoat     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I don't know if Mormons are Christians.

Having declared that the highest and ovaliest office in the land should be the exclusive purview of Christians, he has some doubts as to whether Mormons qualify for the Presidency. Too bad Mitt.

Like what is this man on?? He seems to be at that awkward 'I'm going out of my way to gratuitously offend people even though there's no evident gain, like there is in bashing the poor," stage of his campaign.


From: The 10th circle | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Stargazer
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posted 04 October 2007 09:08 AM      Profile for Stargazer     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Honestly? I think McCain is just far too old, far too out of it, and far too stupid. McCain doesn't need any one to lob campaign bombs at him, since he's so good at ensuring his own demise.
From: Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist. | Registered: Jun 2004  |  IP: Logged
Albireo
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posted 04 October 2007 10:10 AM      Profile for Albireo     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I wouldn't be so hard on McCain about this one. Here is the actual quote from the newspaper that interviewed him:
quote:
When asked if he considered Mormons to be Christians, McCain said, "I don't know. I respect their faith. I've never frankly looked at the Mormon religion. I've known a lot of Mormons who are wonderful people. More importantly, I don't think it should be held against Gov. Romney. The fact that he's a Mormon should not be a factor in people's judgment."
To be sure, a skilled politician should be better than that at sidestepping such a question, but I don't have any big problem with his answer. That "I don't know" may not have been an actual statement that he doesn't know if Mormons are Christians, but more like a verbal tic during a spoken interview, a way of saying, in effect, I don't want to say anything about that, but here's what I will say....

In any case, while Mormons are evidently Christians, there is a lot in their belief system from the Book of Mormon that is well outside the Christian mainstream and is found in no other sect. But a politician has to just say "Sure they are" and move on, or dodge it much more smoothly than that.

Sure, he trots out a variation on the old some of my best friends are insertGroupHere chestnut, and is obviously uncomfortable with the question, but all he's saying is that there's nothing wrong with being Mormon, and that Romney shouldn't be judged on that basis. Not a wrong message.

It just goes to show how being a politician is a difficult and sometimes crappy job. People ask you dumb questions that you have to answer on the spot, and then other people jump all over you if you don't say exactly the right thing at that moment.


From: --> . <-- | Registered: Sep 2002  |  IP: Logged
Stargazer
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posted 04 October 2007 02:04 PM      Profile for Stargazer     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
You're right but really, come on, McCain is a complete ass so it's not a stretch to think he would say something that dumb or offensive as the OP suggested.

[ 04 October 2007: Message edited by: Stargazer ]


From: Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist. | Registered: Jun 2004  |  IP: Logged
Slumberjack
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posted 04 October 2007 04:13 PM      Profile for Slumberjack     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
McCain is living proof of the long term effects that torture can have on ones mental state.
From: An Intensive De-Indoctrination, But I'm Fine Now | Registered: Aug 2005  |  IP: Logged
Cueball
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posted 04 October 2007 04:39 PM      Profile for Cueball   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Ok, I think that one ranks in my top ten most tasteless comments on Babble.
From: Out from under the bridge and out for a stroll | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
bliter
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Babbler # 14536

posted 04 October 2007 05:04 PM      Profile for bliter   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Come on. This is slimy. Regardless of his politics, the guy was set up. Let's not be complicit in this scummy media game.

I'd rather a world where politicians realize they will make the occasional mistake, than one where they become too scared to open their mouths without endlessly mulling every statement and/or saying nothing.


From: delta | Registered: Sep 2007  |  IP: Logged
Stargazer
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posted 04 October 2007 06:12 PM      Profile for Stargazer     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Hmmm...pity for McCain. I think not.
From: Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist. | Registered: Jun 2004  |  IP: Logged
Slumberjack
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posted 05 October 2007 05:31 AM      Profile for Slumberjack     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Cueball:
Ok, I think that one ranks in my top ten most tasteless comments on Babble.

Did it make the top five at least? He's a warmonger, and as such, deserves to have the potential origins of his entire thought processes scrutinized and commented upon.


From: An Intensive De-Indoctrination, But I'm Fine Now | Registered: Aug 2005  |  IP: Logged
Michelle
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posted 05 October 2007 05:47 AM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Most evangelical Christians (and probably a good number from other strains) don't believe Mormons are Christians. Their belief system and theology is totally and completely different than that of mainstream Christianity.

That said - it's pretty dumb to claim that only a Christian should be President, even if it's likely that a huge number of Americans (and probably most Repugnicans) believe it.


From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
oldgoat
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posted 05 October 2007 05:54 AM      Profile for oldgoat     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I don't generally care too much about the internal squabblings of religious groups unless it spills over into my world, which I guess it often enough does. My main observation when I saw the piece was that it was just really really politically stupid for an experienced political weasel like McCain.
From: The 10th circle | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Geneva
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posted 05 October 2007 06:36 AM      Profile for Geneva     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Stargazer:
Honestly? I think McCain is just far too old, far too out of it, and far too stupid. McCain doesn't need any one to lob campaign bombs at him, since he's so good at ensuring his own demise.

but this list of supporters should clinch the nomination:
http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=YzUyMzMwY2QyM2E3ZGUyMDk1M2JiYmU5NzA3NzU2ZjI=
we have concluded that Senator John McCain is the most qualified candidate to become our next president. We strongly endorse the candidacy of Senator McCain and as a matter of deep personal conviction, call upon all Americans to join us in that judgment.

[ 05 October 2007: Message edited by: Geneva ]


From: um, well | Registered: Feb 2003  |  IP: Logged
Slumberjack
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Babbler # 10108

posted 05 October 2007 08:59 AM      Profile for Slumberjack     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by oldgoat:
I don't generally care too much about the internal squabblings of religious groups unless it spills over into my world, which I guess it often enough does. My main observation when I saw the piece was that it was just really really politically stupid for an experienced political weasel like McCain.

It is perhaps typical and expected considering what normally passes for political discourse in the US. As for stupid, maybe not in his world. His reduced status on the campaign trail requires that he offer up things that will connect with the base of his party. God fearin christian superiority comments play well at any time within the circles he travels in, but especially so when the campaign contribution envelopes start to get thin.


From: An Intensive De-Indoctrination, But I'm Fine Now | Registered: Aug 2005  |  IP: Logged
I AM WOMAN
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posted 07 October 2007 07:25 PM      Profile for I AM WOMAN     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
If it's McCain & Hillary in the general election, I'll probably vote for a 3rd party candidate. I just don't see much difference between them.
From: tall building | Registered: Oct 2007  |  IP: Logged

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