The battle over 'bearings'

Posted: Thursday, May 08, 2008 6:32 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Security

From NBC's Mark Murray
Is the Obama vs. McCain now beginning in earnest? On CNN today, Obama said this about McCain's statement that Hamas wants Obama to be president. “This is offensive, and I think it's disappointing, because John McCain always says ‘I am not going to run that kind of politics.’ And to engage in that kind of smear is unfortunate, particularly because my policy toward Hamas has been no different than his."

Obama added, “I’ve said it’s a terrorist organization and we should not negotiate with them unless they recognize Israel, renounce violence, and unless they are willing to abide by previous accords between the Palestinians and the Israelis. So for him to toss out comments like that I think is an example of him losing his bearings as he pursues this nomination. We don’t need name calling in this debate.”

The McCain campaign didn't like the "losing his bearings" comment. McCain adviser Mark Salter responded in a memo: "First, let us be clear about the nature of Senator Obama's attack today: He used the words 'losing his bearings' intentionally, a not particularly clever way of raising John McCain's age as an issue. This is typical of the Obama style of campaigning. We have all become familiar with Senator Obama's new brand of politics. First, you demand civility from your opponent, then you attack him, distort his record and send out surrogates to question his integrity. It is called hypocrisy, and it is the oldest kind of politics there is."

Salter goes on say, "Obama is complaining about comments John McCain made about a senior Hamas adviser stating that Hamas would welcome Senator Obama's election as president. Indeed, on April 13th, senior Hamas political adviser Ahmed Yousef said, 'We don't mind -- actually we like Mr. Obama. We hope he will (win) the election and I do believe he is like John Kennedy, great man with great principle, and he has a vision to change America to make it in a position to lead the world community but not with domination and arrogance.'"

"The McCain campaign has never suggested that Senator Obama supports Hamas' agenda, but it is more than fair to raise this quote about Senator Obama because it speaks to the policy implications of his judgment. Just today, the president of Iran, whom Senator Obama wants to meet with unconditionally, called the state of Israel a 'stinking corpse.' Iran is the paymaster and state sponsor of Hamas."

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Comments

Divisive? Nobody is more divisive than a liberal. You guys have always had your special interest groups, and you have always been separatists. I am so glad this Democratic primary period has really shown the world and in particular the United States how truly divisive you liberals are and how you hate your country. Blacks will always vote for a black, no matter if qualified or not. Femisist will always vote for a women, and gays will always vote for a gay. This is your party, enjoy. I am sure we will hear all your crying in November. Hey but thanks, I have enjoyed watching the battle.

and rightwingnuts will always vote for a republican

rick,nc (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 8:32 AM)

It was a very funny statement, 'losing his bearings', I rolled on the floor laughing my a$$ off when I saw it on youtube. Yeah, Obama's a good guy, it has nothing to do with age, they're trying to play the age card... I don't think that's the strongest card in the deck though.

FloridaVoter, Orlando, Florida (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 8:39 AM)

How can something so small as the words, "losing his bearings" get McCain this worked up? What Obama said was mild compared to McCain accusing him of having accepted an endorsement from Hamas.

Keep it up, grandpa. You'll drive yourself into a not-so-early grave.

Cindy Lou, TX (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 8:47 AM)

Vot? You think he had bearings to lose?

Mitt Romney, Belmont, MA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 8:52 AM)

Here we go, Obama whining "he said he wasn't going to run that kind of campaign." It is almost as bad as David Shuster crying on Morning Joe today "Hillary said she was going to keep it positive and here she is complaining that Obama isn't campaigning in WV"....hello? Guys this is politics, not summer camp.

Sean (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 8:55 AM)

Old Bomb Iran has a history of negativity to anything Muslim, not a good trait for a president. He won't hesitate to connect, however ridiculously, Senator Obama to Islam. A poor student and cadet, mostly a partier who excelled as an American POW. Credit him for that and that alone. Heroes usually defend the weak and poor. When has McCain done that?

bill, okla (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 8:55 AM)

Temper, temper Senator John. I think Barack is just trying to get a rise out of you so you can famously mispeak again. You've been getting away with a lot of mispeaking since the media been focused on Barack and Hill's little brouhaha. Now the heat is on you.

David Jung, Bloomington, Indiana (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:00 AM)

Obama campaign's Bill Burton responds quite cleverly:

"Clearly losing one's bearings has no relation to age, given this bizarre rant that Mark Salter just sent out. It's clear why a candidate offering a third term of George Bush's disastrous economic policies and failed strategy in Iraq would want to distract and attack, but it's not the kind of campaign John McCain has promised the American people that he would run."

rita forte (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:09 AM)

If McCain wasn't so old, maybe he wouldn't confuse a comment about direction as a reference to age :)

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:10 AM)

"Losing your bearings" is generally a nautical term I believe, meaning to lose your way. I'm not sure I see the connection to age, except for the fact that the McCain team REALLY wants to be attacked on age, something I do not believe Obama would ever do intentionally. McCain himself has riddled the talk-shows with jokes about his own age and I think they want to see him attacked on age, because most people would react negatively to it. It is a real stretch to see agism in this comment.
Now I could certainly see if the terms "senile," "doddering" or "drooling into his Viagra" had been used. Then I would fully support their indignance. So far though, these have all been missing from the Obama campaign so Mr. McCain will just have to keep waiting and hoping.

Chris, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:11 AM)

When you make imaginary slights up to complain about, that's not a very good sign. Surely there's some real policy differences you could complain about instead, guys.

Doug, Kansas City, MO (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:11 AM)

THIS IS JUST MORE BULL???...

YOU PEOPLE NEEDS TO GET OVER IT!!!!

OBAMA 2008

TYE (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:12 AM)

If I’m in the woods and I say I’ve lost my bearings I’m not saying "I’m old". In short I’m saying I’ve lost my direction.
Let’s change the words in Senator Obama’s quote and you be the judge for yourself. Which makes more sense?
"For him to toss out comments like that, I think, is an example of him being old as he pursues this nomination. We don't need name-calling in this debate."
OR
"For him to toss out comments like that, I think, is an example of him losing his direction as he pursues this nomination. We don't need name-calling in this debate."

Ken, Saint Albans, WV (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:20 AM)

Wow is Salter touchy or what? I never thought of "losing his bearings" as related to age in the least. Maybe the temper issue, but nothing to do w/ age. I cna accept Salter's concern about age being an issue, but don't see how that comment relates to age. My parents and grandparents never lost their bearings--but I've seen plenty of hot heads lose theirs.

Steve Mac, Cherry Hill (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:26 AM)

one thing you will see is a great Senator John McCain stop and look to the cameras and I really think that Senator Obama has a good plan and I am conceding to him on this day of 10-14-08 for he is our only chance at getting this country back on track and I;m going back to the senate and get my team on board and will serve him in any capacity

raymondpoole (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:27 AM)

The McCain group is really sensitive--it never occured to me that the bearings comment was related to age--it was nice of them to bring it up--I attributed to the Straight Talk Express having even more mechanical issues. I'd be more concerned about Hagee and the land deal--Cindy's refusal to expose her tax returns might be justified, but I think she needs a sensitivity session or two.

Sam Beattie, West Chester, PA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:27 AM)

grow up and grow up fast obama it's not going to work
against mccain he will kick your butt. you are not going to get away with always crying and whinning as you did with hillary. they will beat you to a pulp when they get thru with you. and they will be right too do so.you do want to be president of this country. this is not harvard
that you are running for.long time democrats and republicans will make sure of that.

RAPHAEL RUIZ HACKENSACK NEW JERSEY (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:28 AM)

General election in 3...2...1...

GO!

GObama!

http://thepajamapundit.com/

the Pajama Pundit (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:29 AM)

Uhmmm. Do you think we should tell McCain and his folks the meaning of the word bearing?
bearing |be ri ng |
noun
1 [in sing. ] a person's way of standing or moving : a man of precise military bearing.
2. The manner in which one carries or conducts oneself: the poise and bearing of a champion.
3. relation or relevance : the case has no direct bearing on the issues.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bearing

Val, MD (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:29 AM)

I think that we're seeing the Republican version of "Clintonball". They are underestimating Obama, just like Clinton did, but in different ways.

The Republicans feel that he is weak because he didn't get in the mud pit with Hillary. What they fail to realize is that he would not do that to a fellow Democrat however, McCain is NOT a fellow Democrat and he will (and just did) respond quickly, swiftly and forcefully, all while still maintaining that cool, calm demeanor that some pass off as "arrogant".

For all those above who claim that "blacks will always vote for blacks, qualified or not", history does not agree with you. Throughout the beginning of this campaign, many blacks would not vote for Obama. It was not until after South Carolina that they began voting for him "en masse". Prior to that, the feelings expressed by the black community was firstly that he was not able to be nominated. Then that changed to if he became a serious candidate, his safety would be in question and finally, they came to the realization that he COULD win and they moved to him.

To the Hamas comment that started this whole thing, consider for a moment that even our "enemies" might have some respect for the person who occupies the White House rather than complete loathing. Doesn't anyone else see this as a net positive? If our enemies respect us, while maybe still disagreeing with us, there is room for negotiation and peace. Honestly, I think that some people truly don't want peace in the world, or even the prospect of peace.

Tim Rivers, TN (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:30 AM)

What kind of reaction did McCain think he'd get by making the stupid comment in the first place?! How about asking the KKK who they would endorse....I'm sure it wouldn't be Obama. Does that mean McCain supports white supremacists? Do we really need four more years of dumbspeak (Bushisms)? I'm sure McCain is intelligent but he really comes across as a bumbling fool.

LRoss, Beverly Hills (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:32 AM)

So, I guess that McCain's infidelity to his first wife shouldn't be entered into the discussion? McCain's supporters ALWAYS push his "values"...well guess what? His adultery clearly shows he's not an honest or worthy candidate...he has admitted to a number of affairs, but apparently those don't matter to his supporters....how hypocritical!

Dick, Stratham, NH (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:33 AM)

Barack Obama was definitely intentionally jabbing at McCain's age with his commnets about losing bearings. I can't possibly be the only one that notices that when BO has time to think about something he says, there aren't many better speakers alive anywhere. His staff told him about the comment and he (with his speech writers) came up with that comeback remark. What scares me most is how he speaks in debates or when he isn't prepared. He sounds either scared, insecure or has like he has no clue what he is talking about. We need a much stronger person to be President. Unfortunately, none of the three choices we have seem to be that person. It's easy for a Hamas adviser to say he liked a guy who's been dead for 45 years. Any who expects any campaign to be civil is very naive. That's why except for the very rare exception anyone smart enough to be a good politican is too smart to want to be.

concerned citizen, USA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:35 AM)

Now, THIS is a fight that I am OK with. Have at it, you guys! Media: Enjoy-this is the fight the public wants, not one between two party members...

Pam OC,CA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:38 AM)

So having a foreign political adviser state that he feels one of our candidates for president is not the arrogant a$$hole that our current president is has become an issue to the republicans? Obviously the world can see what we have known for years and we, like he rest of the world, want change. Our standing in the world is on the down swing and that can only change if we change our foreign policy. McSame won't do that so he attacks the person who has an opinion that differs from his and smears his opponent on it. How mature.

Tommy, Detroit, Michigan (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:44 AM)

For McCain to be so tough, he's coming off a little too sensitive. It's like his campaign is going to CRY foul everytime anyone says anything against him. They need to grow up and stop being cry babies. Nobody likes a cry baby.

HPE, Atlanta, GA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 9:44 AM)

WHY ISN'T OBAMA GOING TO WEST VIRGINIA?....

mary, albany, ny (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:02 AM)

Please everyone read the excellent book by Richard Slotkin called "Gunfighter Nation" to understand the Teddy Roosevelt influence which has permiated our politics for a century. The myth that violence is a regenerating force is explained.
what we have here is a republican candidate unwittingly falling victim to this prejudice as a protection of his manhood.
Please be prepared for a very critical campaign until John McCain becomes enlightened to his erring ways, which may be never

Gene eagle-bear, tombstone Az (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:25 AM)

RevBob - I sincerely hope that is a self-given nickname and that you are not a man of the cloth. I do know that Jesus Christ did not teach such hatred and intolerance. Don't go casting stones it's not your job. To attack Michelle Obama because of one comment that has been completely taken out of context is ridiculous. I don't know whether or not Cindy McCain is a woman of high quality. The only thing I really know about her id that she was born with a platinum spoon in her mouth. I don't need to know much about her because I would not vote for McCain, because he wants to continue to lead this country in the wrong direction. It doesn't surprise me if you similarly don't know much about Michelle Obama, but if you are going to personally attack her, you should do research first. What I do know is that she cam e from a humble, church going middle class family. And she has put herself through Priceton law school. She is obviously a devoted mother and is an effective advocate for her husband. She particularly speaks about improving the quality of US education system in order to give better access to the American Dream for all Americans. That is something we should all be proud of and get behind and support.

Kelly (from Pittsburgh) (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:40 AM)

Forget bearings. This is far more important Lets see if the TV pundits talk about this

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/08/AR2008050803494.html
?wpisrc=newsletter

empi, los angeles, california (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:44 AM)

Rev Bob and No Way Obama, your racism is showing. No racism wanted here.

empi, los angeles, california (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:46 AM)

And all this talk about MCain's experience. Being in the military does not qualify you for president. McCain got shot down, taken prisoner and sang like a bird and then he left the military. If he was so qualified, why did moron George Bush kick his butt in 2000. McCain is a loser an an old loser. He is no straight talker

empi, los angeles, california (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:49 AM)

Quite frankly, it worked for JFK and it will work for Obamam. A willingness to "lead" doesn't necessarily mean arrogant, something America has perfected since Kennedy's assassination. I think it's brilliant and refreshing to have a leader with the intelligence, compassion and guts to sit with even our most bitter enemies and lay down the law, without having to pull the trigger first.

Brett, Houston, TX (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:59 AM)

because John McCain always says ‘I am not going to run that kind of politics.’ And to engage in that kind of smear is unfortunate, particularly because my policy toward Hamas has been no different than his."

Obama added, “I’ve said it’s a terrorist organization and we should not negotiate with them unless they recognize Israel, renounce violence, and unless they are willing to abide by previous accords between the Palestinians and the Israelis. So for him to toss out comments like that I think is an example of him losing his bearings as he pursues this nomination. We don’t need name calling in this debate.”

To lose one's bearings fits right in with the context of Obama's criticism. It was not personal. It was about the campaign McCain said he would run. It was a PERFECT metaphor. What direction is McCain taking this campaign? He seems to have lost his bearings.

compulsivereader (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:59 AM)

1. I saw the i-view and i do not think Obama was invoking McCain's age. In fact I think it is McCain campe that is invoking "Obama-Muslim" connection indriectly and intentionally. But in a CHEAP way.

2. having said that what's wrong to invoke McCain's Age even if it is indirectly ?

FYI: he **IS** ANCIENT. he is the "GO" in the "GOP".
i don't think it's similar to invoking sex/race since age can definitely keep you from performing best on many jobs, including the one which is begging for replacement since 7 years!

3. Getting compliments **EVEN** from an enemy was a matter of pride in wars in history. few kings have done that. it IS a good thing.

Mr. McCain said on he is sure Hamas will not endorse him for presidency of USA!

Well, Neither will an average american Mr. McCain !!

Not this time. come back in 8 years if you can. we will review/consider your application then.

AM (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:02 AM)

If Obama ignores Clinton and the remaining voters and does not let Clinton exit with dignity, I will consider his actions as offensive toward all womnen. I will vote for McCain in the fall.

We owe Senator Clinton a debt of gratitude for the many years and future years of service that she will give to our country.

Let's all say- Thank you, Senator Clinton.

Anne, PA

anne, pa (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:12 AM)

Depending on where you live, sayings can mean different things. In my part of the country, "losing bearings" can almost mean losing your mind. But, look at this deeper. If BO wanted to disagree with McCain, why didn't he say "He's wrong." Why did BO have to use a disparging, negative remark in his response? Obamatons, again, he can't have it both ways. He can't throw "crap" into the wind and not expect to have it return and hit him in the face!

NObama (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:27 AM)

Old man yells at cloud.

Maggie, Missoula, MT (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:36 AM)

Obama said "Losing his bearings"...not his "marbles"!
McCain is not the saint everyone wants to believe...why is no one talking about McCain and Rev. Hagee??? Why not look deeply into McCain's past? Why is Obama the only one judged by the "company of a former pastor"?

Pam from Michigan (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:39 AM)

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