IMAGI-BLOG
It's seven. Seven houses. And hopefully, never the White House.
Submitted by imaginary dana on August 21, 2008.By now you're probably heard that earlier today, John McCain was asked by reporters how many houses he owns. His answer? He didn't know.
"I think -- I'll have my staff get to you It's condominiums where -- I'll have them get to you."
Now I'm pretty spacey these days, and I lose track of which shows are which nights, what bands are playing at which venues, yadda yadda. But losing track of how many homes one owns??? C'mon now. Don't we need a President who can think on his feet and knows, at a minimum, his basic personal information? Name, age, date, where he lives? Does he have to wear his housekeys around his neck with little notes attached to each one, to find his way home(s)?
What thrills me is that this election season, team Obama is at the ready, already providing a brilliant video retort. Watch for yourself...
Hey, you need something to pass the time while you wait for your Obamagram VP text, right?
If you want more eye candy, you can also read a full report of the McCain gaffe today over at Daily Kos.
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Dylan said on August 21, 2008:
that made me giddy inside. my phone is right beside me waiting for the obama buzz!
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imaginary dana said on August 21, 2008:
I know right? I've had my cell phone close by all week, anticipating the text. I thought it would be today, but am now thinking it's too late for the East coast. Drat.
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imaginary liz said on August 21, 2008:
Yeah, I'm anxiously waiting too. Does he know that whomever he names could greatly affect my October trip to visit family in Delaware?!?!
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ChrisB said on August 21, 2008:
I really hope this gaffe helps turn things around for Obama because his campaign has been in a freefall lately. He's still got time to turn it around again - and lots of opportunities: veep pick (I'll be pleased with Biden, accepting of Bayh and be pissed if it's Kaine), the convention and the debates.
I don't get why the campaign was so eager to go after The New Yorker (who did nothing wrong) but won't go after McCain, while letting him set the narrative of the campaign.
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Seaprog said on August 22, 2008:
That WAS great. But we have to do much more. You guys know that only us progressives can make sure that the least among us--African Americans, undocumented immigrants, women--have a chance to make it in this country. There is no way that they can succeed without us (remember the 80's?), so let's not let them down. They are depending on us for their very lives, guys!
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Jon Harthun said on August 22, 2008:
three words: write her in.
or was it "give it up"
I can't remember.
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ChrisB said on August 22, 2008:
Ya know, Jon, Hillary Clinton gave up her ambitions of being president 2 1/2 months ago.
It might actually be 8 properties owned by the McCains. But alas, if McCain doesn't even know for sure, how can we?
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Jon Harthun said on August 22, 2008:
give it up was directed more at #6, not Mrs. Clinton.
I just found a nice article entitled "Hillary Clinton not interested in being nominated `President' at Democrats convention".
that might be a nice read.
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Jeremy Downing said on August 22, 2008:
I'm as much of an Obama supporter as the next fainting rally attendee, but I still feel like this gaffe is just a rat caught in a bear trap. The Obama campaign ought to have come up with more durable taglines for McCain by now, but they've been too busy actually trying to uphold McCain's former promises of a decent, civil debate. And now, the week before their convention, democrats are so thirsty for a game-changer that they'll take a mirage if it looks convincing enough. I could be wrong -- candidates have lost for a lot less (see Swiftboating) -- but I don't think this was Obama's golden ticket. It may, however, be enough to tide us over until the text comes.
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imaginary dana said on August 22, 2008:
@Jeremy -- I hear your point, but disagree. Our country has clearly demonstrated that they only hear the gaffes. All the substantial arguments are on Obama's side, but it's these little one-off comments, unrehearsed and accidental, that can speak loudest.
Sure it was just one slip, but it reveals that:
1) McCain is the elitest rich dude, not Obama (no matter how much arugula he eats -- how dumb is that argument? Stupid Republicans).
2) McCain is incredibly out-of-touch with how the average American lives.
3) Most importantly, McCain can't think well on his feet. Either his memory sucks (pointing out that this dude is WAY too old to take on four years of leading the free world), or that he's way too easily flummoxed to come up with a pithy response for reporters when he doesn't know the answer.
Imagine if he's just answered -- "We own six properties. We're lucky to live in a country where hard work pays off with personal wealth, and we've chosen to place our wealth in real estate investments." No one would have batted an eyelash, even if the number was wrong. If someone corrected him, a more charismatic leader could have laughed it off with, "It's probably an investment of my wife's from before the marriage, haha" or something like that.
But no. McCain BOTCHED it, giving a sneak peak for all into his inability to think on his feet, and his wealth -- not to mention his lack of knowledge about his personal finances. How can someone who can't even keep track of his own properties be able to manage our budget deficit? (Note: that question is rhetorical).
I for one am glad that the Demos aren't taking the high road here. NAIL HIM TO THE WALL on this one. I want to see Team Obama play hardball, and I want them to win.
Off soapbox. Off to stare at iPhone for text message awhile longer....
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Reviews
Dylan said on August 21, 2008:
that made me giddy inside. my phone is right beside me waiting for the obama buzz!