by Jill Zuckman
Florence, S.C. – With all the talking that presidential candidates do, it's surprising that they don't twist up their words more often.
One day before South Carolina voters go to the polls to decide who they want to be the Republican nominee for president, Sen. John McCain has been suffering from slips of the tongue.
En route to his first town hall meeting this morning, McCain was talking on his bus about the homogenization of America. Wherever he goes, he sees the same businesses.
"Home Depot, Huckabee's," he said, as the supporters and reporters on the bus began to laugh. "Applebee's!" he corrected.
With former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee close on his heels in South Carolina, perhaps it was really a Freudian slip.
Then at the town hall meeting, McCain, who is a Vietnam veteran and regularly attracts large numbers of veterans to his campaign events, was repeatedly asked about issues of concern to veterans. As he wrapped up a riff about veterans' health care and whether spouses should have access to the same veterans' health benefits, he was asked for his position on amnesty.
"I've never supported amnesty nor have I supported Social Security benefits for veterans," McCain said, as his audience gasped. "Whoops! Never for veterans! For illegal immigrants. See what I said, 'the heck with you veterans.'"
For the record, the audience laughed heartily as he corrected himself.
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Comments
This is news?
Must be a slow day.
Posted by: bill r. | January 18, 2008 11:13 AM
Oopsie. McCain's record of support for his fellow veterans is unparalelled. Nothing much here...
Posted by: Jeff | January 18, 2008 11:14 AM
The difference is that Applebees doesn't serve squirrel.
Posted by: Tom | January 18, 2008 11:35 AM
McCain, McDonald's Chain, what's the difference? and
McCain, Insane, what's the difference?
Posted by: mret | January 18, 2008 11:39 AM
The difference is that Applebees doesn't serve squirrel.
Posted by: Tom | January 18, 2008 11:35 AM
I can't stop laughing!!!!!
Posted by: bill r. | January 18, 2008 11:49 AM
Has McCain had his finger to the wind long enough to figure out his position on taxpayer funded contraception to Africa for AIDS prevention? This exchange actually happened:
Mr. McCain: (Laughs) “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.”
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03/16/mccain-stumbles-on-hiv-prevention/
Posted by: jethro | January 18, 2008 12:48 PM
McCain folded like a chair when it came to standing up for America and rejecting torture.
Posted by: sam | January 18, 2008 12:50 PM
John mcCain is against Bush tax cuts, for illegal amnesty, against secure borders, for McCain Feingold, for McCain Lieberman gin up Global Warming. No way could I vote for this egomaniac who is out of step with the GOP platform. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | January 18, 2008 2:06 PM
Hey, you know Applebee's might add a new menu item called "Popcorn Squirrel". Or was that "Popcorn Shrimp"?
Posted by: Lee | January 18, 2008 3:07 PM
McCain is starting to resemble Reagan more each day. How soon from not knowing what he's talking about to "I don't remember"? He would have been a much better choice in 2000, but not now.
Posted by: DD | January 18, 2008 6:01 PM
Probably shows he is too old to serve. Poor guy, will be a good secretary of defense.
Posted by: mc | January 18, 2008 10:19 PM