Unless I’m mistaken:
- McCain spoke derisively of the idea of “spreading the wealth” — he doesn’t want the non-wealthy to get a piece of the action.
- McCain scare-quoted “health” in the phrase “‘health’ of the mother,” and argued that concern for pregnant women’s health is an extreme position.
- McCain dismissed the idea of wanting nuclear plants to be safe as somehow obviously absurd.
All told, a weird performance that seemed directed at people already inside the conservative bubble — people who think that when the public says it doesn’t like Bush, they mean they think Bush has spent too much money.
UPDATE: Also McCain doesn’t know the difference between Down’s Syndrome and autism.
linkUpdate:
Spreading the wealth is class warfare:
McCain: You know, when Sen. Obama ended up his conversation with Joe the plumber -- we need to spread the wealth around. In other words, we're going to take Joe's money, give it to Sen. Obama, and let him spread the wealth around.
I want Joe the plumber to spread that wealth around. You told him you wanted to spread the wealth around.
The whole premise behind Sen. Obama's plans are class warfare, let's spread the wealth around. I want small businesses -- and by the way, the small businesses that we're talking about would receive an increase in their taxes right now.
Who -- why would you want to increase anybody's taxes right now? Why would you want to do that, anyone, anyone in America, when we have such a tough time, when these small business people, like Joe the plumber, are going to create jobs, unless you take that money from him and spread the wealth around.
linkConcern for mother's health and extreme position:
McCain: Just again, the example of the eloquence of Sen. Obama. He's health for the mother. You know, that's been stretched by the pro-abortion movement in America to mean almost anything.
That's the extreme pro-abortion position, quote, "health." But, look, Cindy and I are adoptive parents. We know what a treasure and joy it is to have an adopted child in our lives. We'll do everything we can to improve adoption in this country.
But that does not mean that we will cease to protect the rights of the unborn. Of course, we have to come together. Of course, we have to work together, and, of course, it's vital that we do so and help these young women who are facing such a difficult decision, with a compassion, that we'll help them with the adoptive services, with the courage to bring that child into this world and we'll help take care of it.
linkRequiring safe nuclear plants is extreme:
McCain: I think we can, for all intents and purposes, eliminate our dependence on Middle Eastern oil and Venezuelan oil. Canadian oil is fine.
By the way, when Sen. Obama said he would unilaterally renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Canadians said, "Yes, and we'll sell our oil to China."
You don't tell countries you're going to unilaterally renegotiate agreements with them.
We can eliminate our dependence on foreign oil by building 45 new nuclear plants, power plants, right away. We can store and we can reprocess.
Sen. Obama will tell you, in the -- as the extreme environmentalists do, it has to be safe.Look, we've sailed Navy ships around the world for 60 years with nuclear power plants on them. We can store and reprocess spent nuclear fuel, Sen. Obama, no problem.
So the point is with nuclear power, with wind, tide, solar, natural gas, with development of flex fuel, hybrid, clean coal technology, clean coal technology is key in the heartland of America that's hurting rather badly.
So I think we can easily, within seven, eight, ten years, if we put our minds to it, we can eliminate our dependence on the places in the world that harm our national security if we don't achieve our independence.
linkAnother:
Now, 95 percent of the people in America will receive more money under my plan because they will receive not only their present benefits, which may be taxed, which will be taxed, but then you add $5,000 onto it, except for those people who have the gold-plated Cadillac insurance policies that have to do with cosmetic surgery and
transplants and all of those kinds of things.
linkAnother, McCain's litmus test:
McCain: I would consider anyone in their qualifications. I do not believe that someone who has supported Roe v. Wade that would be part of those qualifications. But I certainly would not impose any litmus test.
linkUpdate 2:
by carolh11
Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 05:12:48 AM PDT
There are times during a debate when the candidates are bantering back and forth on their platforms and issues, where one can expect what their position is going to be. But there was a small, almost unnoticeable statement from McCain last night that made my hair stand on end!
Follow me here...
John McCain was explaining his education plan in response to a question posed, in which he wrapped it up with this remarkable statement:
"We need to encourage programs such as Teach for America and Troops to Teachers where people, after having served in the military, can go right to teaching and not have to take these examinations which -- or have the certification that some are required in some states."
Excuse me??? What??? You mean to tell me that I spent four years, thousands of dollars to earn a degree in education, spent a year in student teaching, spent additional dollars to take the Certification tests so that I can apply for teaching jobs within my state. And, like all other aspiring teachers, they are all asked to do the same. But, a returning veteran, who has no teaching training whatsoever, is not required to meet this requirement before standing in front of a classroom filled with our children? This is one of the most ludicrous, irresponsible notions I have ever heard!
I popped over to Teachers.net this morning to gauge their reaction or to read more about this program, Troops to Teachers. While the immediate knee-jerk reaction is to envision a 20'ish returning Iraq veteran handing out homework, there are those veterans who have Bachelor degrees before entering the forces who would and should think about entering the teaching field. I'm all for helping find careers for our veterans who return, it is the right and thoughtful thing to do.
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