The Real McCain is relaxed, the talking point McCain is nervous. Watch him carefully and you'll see.

[blondeatlast]

I've watched the man for 30 years as an Arizonan, even before I could vote (I've always been a political wonk).

We've seen that awful speech last week, many of us saw the speech in the smaller venue this week with his famous "veto any beer" (and I might add "Demeroos") statement.

He loses his confidence when he's speechifying and pushing talking points, gang. I can't remember the situation, some statement he needed to damage control, but he was interviwed by someone last week and clearly saying a line he was given and that awful, uncomfortable nervous laughter came out (his being caught about the Hillary Clinton and media doubletalk, I think).

Now go back at the "Today" show interview yesterday and his "not too important" comment. That was the real McCain, straight from the gut. He stayed relaxed, neither he nor his voice shook, no nervous laughter. He was speaking his gut and the truth about his own feelings on the matter. It really isn't important to him to bring the troops home.

Watch him from now on with what I told you in mind and you'll see the real McCain and know the difference--and where the danger lies.

[patrice]

1. He will fold. Between the challenge of remembering exactly what he's supposed to say + I'd bet big

money, if I had it, that this is a guy who RESENTS ANY power exerted over him (could have been a big factor in those Viet Nam jails) and what are talking points but someone saying to him "SAY WHAT WE WANT YOU TO SAY AND DO NOT SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY" - Given his Viet Nam experience, I think talking points have to be a big power struggle for this guy.

[TexasObserver]

2. You're right. He is terrible delivering a speech of any kind.

He's lousy working from a prepared text, and dangerous to himself when he's flying by the seat of his pants. He takes chances and sometimes crashes and burns. Kind of like when he was a pilot.

[blondeatlast]

3. Kick. nt

[KittyWampus]

4. From the gut... truthiness comes from the gut

:)

I think you're right. The fact he sucks so bad at staying on point is a big bonus.