Playing house
James Forsyth 12:37amIt all kicks off after McCain gives the worst possible answer to the question of how many houses he and his wife own: "I think — I'll have my staff get to you".
(Video of Obama's ad and McCain's response after the jump)
For a lot of candidates, this would be an election ending blunder. But McCain went through an ordeal a lot more traumatic than having your house repossessed in the Hanoi Hilton, a couple of his own children serve in the military meaning that you can’t paint the McCains as part of the idle or out of touch rich and Obama’s own housing issue complicates the Democrat’s line of attack so the gaffe isn’t fatal for McCain. But if he is to win in such an unfavourable environment for Republicans he is going to have to cut out the unforced errors.
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LS
August 22nd, 2008 12:49am Report this commentMcCain doesn't know how many houses he owns.
Obama doesn't know how many states there are in the USA.
It's a wash.
The Chocolate Orange Intifada
August 22nd, 2008 3:05am Report this commentLS - V good!
But Obama had two desperate guesses. He said he had "visited every state plus Hawaii and Alaska". Hawaii has been a state since, I believe, around '60 ... anyway, since before Obama got born there. That's why he can claim American citizenship and run for president. He was born in Hawaii after it gained statehood.
So a little lack of connection there. And then he told reporters, on another occasion, that he had visited "all 57 states".
Where did those extra seven states come from?
James
August 22nd, 2008 9:32am Report this commentAnd did a convicted felon such as Tony Rezko help Mr McCain buy any of his homes.
Or should we not mention a certain glass house somewhere in the posh parts of Chicago?
GT
August 22nd, 2008 9:44am Report this comment"I'm --- and I approve this message."
Wow, I've only heard that line on comedy shows before (never seen a campaign ad until now). I didn't realise they actually say it. How ridiculous!
DK
August 22nd, 2008 9:52am Report this commentOMG! How many times can McCain and sympathisers evoke his POW status to cover up his blunders? At what point does McCain totally devalue the status of POWs?
DK
August 22nd, 2008 10:09am Report this comment3 headlines in the WaPo - McCain Accused Of Taking Bribes From Abramoff; 2003 McCain Arrest for DWI Uncovered; McCain Caught Cheating With 22 Year-Old ASU Intern.
The response for all three
"This is a guy who didn't touch hard currency/sip of booze/get laid for five and a half years -- in prison," spokesman Brian Rogers told the Washington Post.
Come on! Any right minded conservative should be insulted by this. An time the guy messes up he professes his POW status. Will it be any different if he becomes POTUS?
DK
August 22nd, 2008 10:14am Report this commentSee your Rezko and raise you Keating 5.
The Chocolate Orange Intifada
August 22nd, 2008 10:37am Report this commentAmericans aren't as small-minded and envy-driven as the British. It doesn't drive them crazy that other people have more than they do.
He probably has a little hunting or fishing cabin somewhere, and maybe a beach house and maybe a couple of rental properties. Like hundreds of thousands of other Americans.
And I am sure whatever properties he owns, he came by them legitimately and he and his wife paid for them themselves. Not with dodgy loans from dodgy people.
The Chocolate Orange Intifada
August 22nd, 2008 10:42am Report this commentGT, why is it ridiculous? It is so sleazy opponents - no names, no pack drill, but maybe people who hung around in Chicago for too long and picked up some bad habits - can't make a phony commecial and pay TV stations to have it run.
Americans are big on checks and balances.
TGF UKIP
August 22nd, 2008 6:50pm Report this commentIf this is featuring on any of the Lefty blogs over here, just ask how many houses Michael Meacher or Chris Huhne own.
Biggest problem for McCain is it feeds the Old John and super-rich wife line.
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