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The panelists include among others Rachael Maddow, host of a radio show on Air America (known liberal bastion) and Joe Scarborough, a conservative ex-Congressman and host of Morning Joe also on MSNBC. Since we viewers are so dumb, MSNBC puts Rachael and Joe on the left and right side of the screen so we know of their political leanings. Yesterday’s edition was especially priceless as they went on and on about Obama’s bowling abilities (as in not cricket) and I guess even Jon Stewart noticed because he commented on the commentary following Bush’s booing at the opening pitch at the Nationals stadium.
You might argue that perhaps there indeed is a paucity of issues to talk about in this extended primary season. But just because the Democrats can’t set their house in order doesn’t mean Republicans are doing everything right. The moderate conservative that everyone so loves recently uttered such ridiculous garbage that I’m surprised no one in the media focused much attention on it. Read the following transcript from his Q&A session when he was asked about government programs in preventing AIDS:
Reporter: “Should U.S. taxpayer money go to places like Africa to fund contraception to prevent AIDS?”
Mr. McCain: “Well I think it’s a combination. The guy I really respect on this is Dr. Coburn. He believes – and I was just reading the thing he wrote– that you should do what you can to encourage abstinence where there is going to be sexual activity. Where that doesn’t succeed, than he thinks that we should employ contraceptives as well. But I agree with him that the first priority is on abstinence. I look to people like Dr. Coburn. I’m not very wise on it.”
(Mr. McCain turns to take a question on Iraq, but a moment later looks back to the reporter who asked him about AIDS.)
Mr. McCain: “I haven’t thought about it. Before I give you an answer, let me think about. Let me think about it a little bit because I never got a question about it before. I don’t know if I would use taxpayers’ money for it.”
Q: “What about grants for sex education in the United States? Should they include instructions about using contraceptives? Or should it be Bush’s policy, which is just abstinence?”
Mr. McCain: (Long pause) “Ahhh. I think I support the president’s policy.”
Q: “So no contraception, no counseling on contraception. Just abstinence. Do you think contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV?”
Mr. McCain: (Long pause) “You’ve stumped me.”
Q: “I mean, I think you’d probably agree it probably does help stop it?”
Mr. McCain: (Laughs) “Are we on the Straight Talk express? I’m not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I’m sure I’ve taken a position on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was. Brian, would you find out what my position is on contraception – I’m sure I’m opposed to government spending on it, I’m sure I support the president’s policies on it.”
Q: “But you would agree that condoms do stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Would you say: ‘No, we’re not going to distribute them,’ knowing that?”
Mr. McCain: (Twelve-second pause) “Get me Coburn’s thing, ask Weaver to get me Coburn’s paper that he just gave me in the last couple of days. I’ve never gotten into these issues before.”
[source] Now that’s something that deserves to be played over and over again on these seemingly 24-hour news channels.
by Patrix | on Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 at 8:00 pm | 
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April 1st, 2008 at 9:25 pm reply
Isn’t it great to know that he could be the next Prez?
BTW, was Rachel wearing a blue dress and Joe a red shirt?
It’s a good thing I don’t watch TV otherwise I’d be pulling my hair out at the inanity of the TV talk show hosts and their guests with their “expert” commentary - which of course gets repeated around water coolers. And they’re paid six-to-seven-figure salaries??? One has to wonder who or what is making this country tick with such stupidity and dumbing down at display. Hare Ram.
April 2nd, 2008 at 3:14 pm reply
Amit, I just hope that is a big ‘could’. I used to like McCain but his pandering to appeal to the extreme conservatives in the Republican party is disappointing.
I didn’t notice their shirts and if that’s true then truly news coverage is getting dumber. Reminds me of a boxing match.
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:23 pm reply
The problem is that McCain gives no indication that he is just pandering. With Obama, you think he is intelligent enough so that whenever he seems to say something silly, you at least get the feeling that he is doing this for pandering to the crowds!
I too used to like McCain before. The problem right now is that any Republican president can do harm to the country by messing up even a few things; Roe v. Wade foremost among them.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:40 pm reply
I was simply joking (Red vs Blue divide), but I wouldn’t be surprised if something along those lines did happen. :)
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:25 am reply
Amit, Ah! I wouldn’t be surprised if they did that too. Did you happen to catch Obama’s dig at cable news on Hardball yesterday? Chris Mathews expression was priceless!
April 4th, 2008 at 9:36 am reply
Patrix, no I didn’t. Don’t watch TV, so I only see certain clips on youtube/Internet that folks comment on, or if Colbert/Stewart include it in their program. :)