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DEL.ICIO.USThe Chick-fil-a question that prompted a McCain flash of temper
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Revised at 1:50 p.m. Saturday: We said that somewhere around here was a student who was wondering how the small question he tossed at John McCain became an actual political incident.
Turns out he is 21-year-old George Argyris of Murrieta, Calif.
During the Republican presidential nominee’s appearance at the Buffington Road headquarters of Chick-fil-a, Argyris asked McCain if he might select Democrat John Kerry to share the ticket.
Kerry had talked to McCain about becoming his running mate in his ill-fated 2004 bid against Republican George Bush.
Shannon McCaffrey of the Associated Press picked it up from there:
“No,” McCain said immediately.
“John Kerry is a friend of mind and a close associate. We are fellow veterans but we have very vastly different philosophical, fundamental political views,” McCain said. “I respect those views. I just totally disagree with them.”
After the wheels went up out of Atlanta, a New York Times reporter sought more details of that conversation between McCain and Kerry. And McCain grew rather testy — making it clear this wasn’t a topic he wanted to explore just now.
Here’s the link to the video captured by MSNBC.
“I asked this question because of curiosity of what this issue back in ‘04. I had no idea it was going to turn out this way,” said Argyris, currently of Pine Mountain, Ga. He’s a student at Impact 360, a “gap year” Christian program.
Comments
By Red
March 7, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
It’s sad to see McCain sell his soul to the extreme side of the Republican party to the point that he is afraid to acknowlege bipartisanship. The voters, I believe, are looking for a statesman to stand up and be counted. McCain, obviously, isn’t about to look like a statesman for fear of losing support, and that is very sad…and scary.
By MAC
March 7, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
I though McCain was more patient than he should have been with an a$$-clown reporter who was trying to create news, not ask a substantive question. The clip makes her look worse than he did. Why don’t you report the facts instead of your bias? Sorry…I forgot this is the AJC…
By drewdall
March 7, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
Hos is this even a story? I love how the only break from the media’s Obama love fest is a story about a dumb reporter pestering McCain. Someone should ask Obama if he’d choose Cheney as his running mate and see his responce…
By MAC
March 7, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
Red, can you cite one example of HRC or Obama doing what you are criticizing McCain for? McCain has historically shown way more bi-partisanship than anyone else in this race, to his own detriment. McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kenedy, McCain-Lieberman….. Did you just instinctively post without thinking??
By Chaim
March 7, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Granted this isn’t much of a news story — but this was a very legitimate question. Four years ago Kerry gave serious consideration to having McCain as his running mate although a formal offer was never extended. McCain was genuinely touched by this although there was never any indication that he would ever accept such an offer. Nonetheless the reporter wanted to know whether McCain in turn was willing to give Kerry similar consideration. McCain’s reaction was quite telling; it shows how he’s changed (or has been forced to change) over the course of just four years.
By Jan
March 7, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
hmmm. I watched the live town hall thing. McCain answered that question completely. He gave a full answer, did not try to dodge anything. There was nothing more for the reporter to genuinely report. Seems the reporter was more interested in her own 15 minutes of fame.
By Red
March 7, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
No MAC, I haven’t seen it from Obama or Hillary. That is just as bad. And, yes, I am thinking. It’s sad that politicians are forced to be so partisan that they cannot reach out to the other side without fear of losing their supporters. This country will founder soon if this kind of poor attitude continues.
By BAMADAWG
March 7, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
Another liberal view from the liberal paper. If the thought of Obama being our president doesn,t scare the Hell out of you I have no clue as to what you are thinking.This man cares little for the USA. All he can say is he will bring change. This change is not what we are looking for. These young voters really need to do their homework. Let’s don’t make a huge mistake.
By dfw
March 7, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
I am doing everything in my power to show Mccain would be worse than Bush. It is sad that this is what the republican party has to offer.
By Copyleft
March 7, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
BamaDawg: “If the thought of Obama being our president doesn,t scare the Hell out of you I have no clue as to what you are thinking.”
Well, that’s true. You really DON’T have a clue what people are thinking, do you?
By Bah
March 7, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this
I don’t think Obama, Hillary, or McCain will be able to do much of anything to pull this country out of the ditch. Gas prices are going to continue to go up, credit will continue to be extended without regard for common sense, and the Fed will continue to cut interest rates in order to encourage it. This is one damn big mess we’re in. Taxes have to be raised on somebody, but nobody wants that. Gee, there’s a shock. “It’ll hurt growth.” Hell, growth is already hurt by the current policies.
By Blue
March 7, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
I am concerned by a leader that seems to be a “war monger.” I guess Bamadawg doesn’t realize that Obama and McCain have introduced legislation together.
Get a clue everyone! Homework can be influenced by which “home” you come from. Do you get it, BAMA????
Good Ol’ Blue
By howard
March 7, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
It really doesn’t matter too much who is in their, they are going to dance to big business tune and cater to them. All they really needed the citizen was for a five minute vote, then don’t worry about it, they will take care of things. Sad to say, but we deserve this, brcause we allowed this to happen. Big business plays to both sides so it doesn’t matter who gets in, they will follow big businesses agenda. DNC and RNC need the cash.
By Mike
March 7, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
bamadawg…I totally agree with you. Many young voters are so easily inluenced by what they see on TV or read in the paper, they do not take the time to do their own research, or listen to wht the candidates are actually saying. I actually had one uy tell me he wanted Obama to win because gas prices are to high, and taxes are to high. What voters need to understand is that the candidates are interviewing for a job. If you are interviewing someone and all you get from the interview is that they are going to bring change, will you offer them the job?
By AAAAANDRE
March 7, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
He didn’t seem all that worked up to me. Call me when his face turns RED and he’s yelling with spit flying from his lips. THEN you will have a story.
By Jim S.
March 7, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
Okay, McCain has a temper. I don’t care. I expect we’ve had more than a few fine leaders who’ve demonstrated a temper here and there. I still believe all three of the major party candidates remaining will be an improvement over what we’ve had. I just wish it was the 2000 version of McCain running before he came to the sad realization that he had to sell out to the wackos to get the GOP nomination this day and age. Too bad. The man has done some heroic things for this country.
By Brad
March 7, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
How is this even news?? Has any presidential candidate EVER ran with someone from the opposition on his ticket????? McCain must not have many skeletons in his closet for the AJC to only come up with this one… geez. Wanna see a temper??? Make Hillary mad.
By Churchill
March 7, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
McCain working with the likes of Obama, The Swimmer, Feingold… is the problem, Blue. That said, I would much rather have McCain than one of the other two liberals. Peace.
By Robert Campbell
March 7, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
This supposed foreign policy expert is indeed Senator Hothead.
Just what we need for world diplomacy. (not!)
Elisabeth Bumiller was right to ask “Why are you so angry?”
The American people and foreign leaders will not want to ask this about their leader.
Presumptive nominee, maybe, pompous *, yes.
By Dee Dee
March 7, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
McCain shows ‘bipartisanship’ because he’s NOT a Republican. I don’t care WHO he chooses as a running mate, I’ll stay home or write in Huckabee.
By catlady
March 7, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
So the Republican candidate is short tempered (but has a trophy wife) and wears flipflops, and one of the top two Democratic candidates has a wife who would be a disaster as First Lady. He can merely repeat the same feel-good message, with little substance. The other Democratic candidate has a serial philanderer as a husband, and she is soundly hated by many white men. Is this a great country, or what?
By Churchill
March 7, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
Hillary reminds me of my uncle’s first and second wives. Just saying…
Anybody but Hillary or Obama.
By Loganville Hooker
March 7, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
I was in a fivesome with Hill, Bill, Condi, and GW. Hill promised everyone a peace but layed their like a neuterd cat, Bill diddled himself, Condi stuck her shoes up all her orifices, and HW wet his pants. What is the moral of this story. God is dad, Christians are retards, and America is going down the toilet because of all of u haters on the left and the right. All empires fall it’s our time enjoy the ride and covet they neighbors wife and daughter and for you Repubs and Catholic priests covet the neighbors little boys. Democrats and minorities tip the best.
By Jim S.
March 7, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
I love seeing these pages filled with whining little b——-s complaining about the liberal media. I suppose the AJC should hire Coulter or Limbaugh to get some independent perspective according to these yahoos! The Hillary bashing will never cease, I suppose. The same people who overlook the current administration’s utterly disasterous run are going to whine and moan and tell all of us just how bad either Clinton or Obama would be. What a joke. Do you little d—c—bags use any objective criteria for your analysis? I guess we all know the answer to that one, huh.
By Churchill
March 7, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
It is not Jim S. and Loganville Hooker it is “The Aristocrats.”
By Mookie
March 8, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
The reason the evangelicals want McCain is because this guy will bring about their dream, the end of the world. Yes, the christian right wants the world to come to a bloody end just like it says in the bible. They can not wait for it to happen on its own they need a person like McCain to make it happen.
By Ga Conservative007.5
March 8, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this
VIVA McCAIN
By bob
March 8, 2008 1:24 AM | Link to this
mookie for president….this gals got it all figured out.
By GodHatesTrash
March 8, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
BAMADAWG - what a great screen name for a redneck POS.
Double dose of moron.
Trash.
By good time, go get um
March 8, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
goooooooood morning/ the cathy’s are front row baptist and never miss a sunday. they have all signed a pledge not to open on sunday after truett dies just like cecil days family did with days inns. cecil wasn’t cold before bars were installed in all the inns. mccain and kerry have alot in common. they have both used their military experiences for sympathey. mccain was trying to get out of the navy when he was shot down. the enemy had started shooting back. his father, who was commander of the pacific fleet, didn’t meet him when he return and later committed suicide. when john returned he junked his wife and went for the budweiser $$$. it hard for me to believe a true american hero would suck up to a draft dodging coward like george bush.
By carlos santana
March 8, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Its amazing how moronic Republicans can only bash Obama and Clinton with insults but never anything factual.
The stupid comment “Anything but a lib in the office”. Well genius, why is that? Can you actually back up what you are saying. Morons.
Oh and by the way, this is a dumb story.
By Churchill
March 8, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Because libs are want bigger government and more of my hard earned money. I believe that gov’t is not the solution. Libs think that it is. It is that simple, Carlos. Not to mention the fact that libs are weak on national security. Look at what B.J. Clinton did to the military while he was in office.
By Churchill is a moron
March 8, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
You’re just a whiner, Churchill. This society gives far more to you than it gets from you, I guarantee it. Police, fire, etc. Not to mention climate for business that creates development. You’re just a selfish kling-on who believes that the generosity of others can be credited to himself as “American”. You ought to be ashamed of what you really take from everyone and your true net worth (your value to society vs. what you take from it) really is. Just admit that you are a frightened sheep who believes everything Rush Limbaugh says.
By Churchill
March 8, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Rush is right. Libs are weak. I am not frightened of the truth. Before Rush, I read Buckley, Kirk,…. I am proud of my conservatism. And yes, I think that libs are dangerous.
Anybody but Hillary or Obama.
By Churchswill
March 8, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Churchswill loves muslim babies being blown up for oil and his God. Churchswill wants “Heck of a Job Brownie” running the govt. he is against anything that shows compassion for those who struggle. Churswill doesn’t realize his yearning to deny the poor, the sick, and the weak any help. He was born white, right, sexist, racist, and proud of it. I feel sorry for his desire to make others suffer for his warped principal, while he is being fed a pile of B.S. from Fox news and the hate machine of right wing theology. They say they love God, but they love war more. I’m certain he is a draft dodger just like our commander in chicken-s** GW. Snortin’ c**, skipping the Guard, then golly shocks at 40 finds God and learns he can’t read. Churchswill your brain has been swift-boated by your love of ignorance.
By RJ
March 8, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Rush Limbaugh, Hannity, and other conservative talk folks make a good living off of their audiences. These people have vested interests in the ignorance of their audiences. An informed audience knows the performance records of conservatives in the Congress and White House do not match their asserted principles.
Limbuagh and his ilk had captive audiences in the 2004 and 2006 elections. Their influence in this year’s election has dwindled considerably, as evidenced by the nomination of John McCain, the Republican Presidential Nominee. It is interesting indeed to see them try to maintain their relevance in this transforming political lanscape.
Beware of anyone who makes his or her living off of keeping people divided. As best you can and without too much of a consuming effort, try to enlighten those who continue to buy what these characters are selling.
By Carter
March 8, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
It really bothers me that today people are so scared of anger. Anger is not a sign of evil - it’s just a personality trait. Some evil people can be angry; some can be cool. Some good people can be cool; some good people can be angry. If anything, maybe we need someone with a little more fire up there.
By SamTilden
March 8, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
Anger is not a good personality trait in some professions. President, for instance. McCain is a bitter old coot who smiles like Herman Goering. Why anyone would vote for this lopsided codger is a mystery. I guess the GOP has to get him out of their system as they did Bob Dole, another corrupt “war hero.”
By Churchill
March 8, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
As usual RJ is counting chickens… I am so surprised. Your blanket assumptions about the Republican party in general, and Rush/Hannity listeners, specifically, RJ are par for the course. You hate Rush because he is effective. You hate all conservatives. Fine. I don’t hate libs, I just want want them in power. If you guys get smacked down in the general, will you claim the election was stolen, or blame it on sexism/racism?
By Molly Hatchet
March 8, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Churchswill, I shall blame it on your bad breath.
By Churchill
March 8, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Hey, will you guys riot at your convention in Denver? It would be a great way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1968 Democrat Convention. With all the racial tension in your party, I am hopeful it will happen. Peace.
By Jesus
March 8, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
Churchhill, my son you need to let go of your hate.
By Jeff Gannon
March 9, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Churchswill’s been on a whiskey and high protein diet…
;>
By God
March 9, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Jesus my son some people like your churchswill are so full of hate and rage because of the programming they have received through Limbaugh, Hannity, and their judgmental hate filled ilk. Why are they so happy to kill innocent Muslims? Oil! They don’t care about democracy, Hell, they don’t even care about their own citizen’s well-being (FEMA). Only their hate based ideology. So, my son let Churchswill stay on the dark side anyone who wishes for a riot among his fellow countrymen/women who have differing political views is beyond help.
By God
March 9, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Jesus my son some people like your churchswill are so full of hate and rage because of the programming they have received through Limbaugh, Hannity, and their judgmental hate filled ilk. Why are they so happy to kill innocent Muslims? Oil! They don’t care about democracy, Hell, they don’t even care about their own citizen’s well-being (FEMA). Only their hate based ideology. So, my son let Churchswill stay on the dark side anyone who wishes for a riot among his fellow countrymen/women who have differing political views is beyond help.
By Churchill
March 9, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
Will you guys riot in Denver or not? That’s a fair question. I know that if it happens it will be Rush’s fault, but I would like to know what you guys think will happen. It is a mathematical impossibility for Hillary to get enough delegates. You know she is not going to give up. So will there be a riot? And if there is, how will you guys explain the violence and destruction wrought by your party on your party? I have high hopes that you guys will once again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Peace.
By Bitter EX democrackkk
March 10, 2008 3:51 AM | Link to this
YEP, we are hoping for BIG RIOTS in Denver this summer…since the ‘crackkks are so divided, it oughtta be a pretty big fight! Its all good though, because Denver needs to be torn up in retaliation for being a SANCTUARY city for ILLEGALS! We want BIG RIOTS in DENVER!!! BIG BIG BIG!!! A few murders will be a big seller too…especially if they get hit the right targets!