McCain on Mrs. McCain
The Real McCain by Cliff Schecter, published a few months ago, reports an angry exchange between McCain and his wife that happened in full view of aides and reporters during a 1992 campaign stop.
Three reporters from Arizona, on the condition of anonymity, also let me in on another incident involving McCain’s intemperateness. In his 1992 Senate bid, McCain was joined on the campaign trail by his wife, Cindy, as well as campaign aide Doug Cole and consultant Wes Gullett. At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain’s hair and said, “You’re getting a little thin up there.” McCain’s face reddened, and he responded, “At least I don’t plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt.” McCain’s excuse was that it had been a long day. If elected president of the United States, McCain would have many long days.
Indeed.
You’ve probably not heard about this outburst, despite the newsworthiness at the time of a Senator treating his wife in such an appalling way, and despite the insight this gives into John McCain’s character as a presidential candidate.
Why was this not covered (and why is this not being covered) in the media? The story is that the media can’t think of any way to cover a story that involves such foul language because the word “cunt” makes them too uncomfortable. The Public Service Administration has a nice wee skit on the issue:
I must say that although Obama’s luster is dimming because of his capitulation on FISA, John McCain strikes me as a disastrous choice for President, given his notorious bad temper and lack of self-control — not to mention his flip-flops, which are even more egregious than those of Obama.
It’s probably not covered because its hearsay from anonymous sources.
But yes, that’s a reprehensible way to act.
Well, according to dictionary.com, “hearsay” is:
1. unverified, unofficial information gained or acquired from another and not part of one’s direct knowledge: I pay no attention to hearsay.
2. an item of idle or unverified information or gossip; rumor: a malicious hearsay.
According to that definition this isn’t hearsay because three reporters who were present have verified the account. The fact that those people want to remain anonymous shouldn’t affect the newsworthiness of the story — it’s common for stories to be based around anonymous sources.
On the assumption that this occurred, the excuse that “he had had a long day” doesn’t hold a lot of water. I have a lot of long days. Long, tiring, annoying days. I get ornery, irritable and sometimes a little snappy. But it would never occur to me to ever open up a mouth like that to anyone.
I guess that’s the difference between those of us who can control ourselves and those of us who can’t. I respect Mr. McCain’s service to his country and the sacrifices he made after being captured. But I’ve got serious reservations about electing someone who consistently can’t keep himself in check. You don’t get do-overs when you’re negotiating with other nations, after all.
“Oops, sorry, Iran. Didn’t mean to call all your women *&^%$#!s”
Well said! Thanks for sharing this.
Wanted to also let you know I’ve posted this week’s Thematic Photographic theme. We’re doing animals this time out, and I promise you it’s happier and less stressful than fretting over Johnny boy
I hope you’ll pop in and share a link or two.
All the best!
I don’t think anonymous sources are allowed in court.
It is exactly like me saying:
An anonymous source the other day told me that he witnessed Obama putting a kitten in a microwave and turn it on full until that cat exploded. Then he grabbed his daughter by the hair and forced her face to his crotch.
It is true - 8 anonymous people that were there told me so !
Must be fact !!!
No one’s talking about court. The standards for court cases are different from the standards for journalism (or at least they were before the arrival of the military commissions act — now you can be sentenced to death on the basis of anonymous sources).
In journalism — and I’m talking about the better kind of journalism (here’s the NYT policy, for example) — it’s considered acceptable to use anonymous sources under certain circumstances. Often it’s the only possible option, since government officials as a matter of policy will often only talk candidly as long as the comments are not published under their name.
If Schecter did make up this comment and the bit about McCain’s aides and three journalists being present is a lie, then he’s taking a great risk of being sued for libel, since he’d have to produce those witnesses in court. I guess we’ll find out the truth eventually, possibly after McCain has passed away.