Whoops! Gramm "Spoke For" McCain Today At Edit Board Meeting

[ErinBerin84]

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/but_but_gramm_spoke_for_mccain.php


Whoops! Gramm "Spoke For" McCain Today At Edit Board Meeting
By Greg Sargent - July 10, 2008, 6:11PM


As you all know, after McCain economic adviser Phil Gramm's claim that we're a "nation of whiners" blew up into big news, John McCain distanced himself from Gramm by saying that Gramm "does not speak for me."

But as it turns out, Gramm was in fact very much speaking for McCain and representing him at a meeting today with a New York newspaper editorial board. Check out this throwaway line in WaPo's write-up today...

"Speaking today from New York, where he was meeting with the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board on McCain's economic policies, Gramm said the nation's economy was initially thought to have grown by an anemic 0.6 percent in the first three months of the year."

Oops. Adding to what Matthew Yglesias says here, it might be a good idea for McCain to get himself a top economic adviser who does represent his views in situations such as meetings with the edit boards of powerful newspapers.

[frogcycle]

1. one could almost begin to feel sorry for mccain

combine this "out to lunch" lack of control with the clip of his complete bamboozlement responding to the viagra/birth control question, and anyone who has watched family members age could start to feel protective of him, want to shield him from the ever-more increasingly confusing world...

nah, fuck the old bastard

[skooooo]

2. He looked like he had never heard of "viagra," or something!! nt

[frogcycle]

5. the reporter totally let him off the hook

when asked if his position was still the same or if he agreed with Fiorina, he just mumbled about not remembering the vote. She should have said 'ok, never mind the vote, what is your position NOW?' When he tried to say "I'll get back to you on that" she should have just repeated the question and asked for a yes/no answer.

The mccain campaign has this deal where reporters who treat them nice get the good seats on the bus, get more access. She didn't dare risk that by actually being a REPORTER!

[ErinBerin84]

6. I agree.

When Rachel said "That reporter deserves credit" on KO tonight, I thought "Ugh, for doing her fucking job? And she didn't even do her job well by lack of follow up and handling him with kid gloves".


Still, the images of McCain's reaction to this are visually arresting to say the least. I don't think that November will be about a referendum on Obama OR a referendum on Bush. I think it will be a referendum on Youtube.

[skooooo]

7. yeah but the damage is done..

He looked dazed...imo.

[ErinBerin84]

3. beautifully stated

[MarjorieG]

4. You may be right. Press remembers him when, either doesn't see or wants to protect. Maybe has to.

[obamacon]

8. "Nation of Whiners"

This is the kind of opening I think the Obama camp has been waiting for weeks- on the vital issue of the economy and who would you trust to be its steward. It is a whopper, in large part because it confirms the worst suspicions that people have already about the GOP- that it is indifferent to very real financial hardships felt by ordinary Americans. And that being blind to these problems, it either doesn't understand the economy and is unwilling to take action to improve the conditions.

So far I think McCain has made two large whoppers: we'll be in Iraq for 1,000 years (esp. with the Iraqi parliament asking for withdrawal), and a top surrogate calling Americans whiners over increasing food prices, gasoline, and cost of living.

I really don't think Obama should let this end with one news cycle; it should be brought up each time he discusses the economy. I hate to say it, but perhaps with old age, Phil Gramm is in a 'mental recession'.

[skooooo]

9. Another thing this tells you..

..is how he equates mental health issues with being "whiny." It's just incredibly vile any way you look at it.

[skooooo]

10. Hardball video / thread on this....watch!! It's good.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x156559