If age is on table, then…

Posted: Friday, May 09, 2008 1:45 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ’s Carrie Dann
JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Asked to respond to Obama's comment that the 71-year old senator is "losing his bearings," McCain said today that questions raised about his age are "fine with me."

And, he added, if age is a legitimate issue, so are a few things about his likely opponent.

"Every issue that the American people want to be an issue, and it's part of their discussions, it's fine with me," he said in response to the question about his age.

Not missing a beat, he added the controversial statements of Jeremiah Wright onto that same list. Obama, McCain noted, "has said that [Wright] is a legitimate topic of discussion.” He added, “If that's what the American people want to discuss, that's fine.”

McCain also told reporters that the recent complimentary remarks of
Obama by a Hamas spokesman are also fair game for debate. Prefacing his comment by saying he believes it's clear Obama "shares nothing of the values or goals of Hamas," the presumptive GOP nominee added that the Palestinian organization's favorable assessment of Obama's candidacy is "a legitimate point of discussion."

"That's of interest to the American people," he said. "And that is something that needs to be discussed."

McCain said he was not offended by Obama's assessment that he is "losing his bearings," a comment interpreted by some observers, including campaign big Mark Salter, as a swipe at the older McCain's mental sharpness.

During the morning press conference at Liberty Science Center here, the senator was flanked by Sen. Joe Lieberman (I) and former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean (R). Lieberman was quick to jump to his ally's defense with characteristic jokiness.

“I just want to report that this morning I personally checked John McCain's bearings. He has not lost any of them," said the white-haired Connecticut senator. "They are all in really great shape."

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Comments

Isn't this sort of like checking your GPS readings with a sextant?

Joe Lieberman's "bearings" have been wobbly for years!

If "Age is on the table", the the McCain Campaign just put it there!

Tony, GA. (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:05 PM)

I can already tell that despite what his wife says, his campaign is going to be laced with negative attacks on Obama. McCain has far too bad of a temper NOT to do it.

http://www.politivine.com

Cory (SC) (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:05 PM)

Senator Lieberman, you are so embarrassing.

This time, instead of voting AGAINST abortion and gay marriage, and FOR prayer and guns (those issues will never go away) -- vote for your wallet , vote for the economy, vote for the environment, vote for jobs.

Vote Democratic 2008 -- don't let the corporations and their Republican stooges win again.

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:05 PM)

He's "lost his bearings" was not a comment on age -- trying to smear Obama with a Hamas reference showed McCain had lost his bearings on his MORAL COMPASS. Listen to the interview. It was not an age reference.

But, still, age is a legitimate issue when a President McCain would serve into hi mid-70s.

We don't need another cowboy, don't-confuse-me-with-the-facts president.

Rob, Oakland CA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:05 PM)

Was that McCain's BALL bearings that LIEberman checked?

rita forte (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:06 PM)

Its amazing that Mr. McDraft remembers his opponents name? A vote for Mr. McDraft will be a vote for the rebirth of the draft.

Joe please get a real job.

Bob, Chicago

Bob, Chicago (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:06 PM)

For being a 'navy' man, you think he would make the connection between 'bearings' and DIRECTION of travel.

Maybe his age really is showing?

Either that or Mr Straight Talk's compass is spining out of control.

Obama 08

K. Sanders, Kennewick, WA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:08 PM)

Typical Repubican (no that's not a misspelling: I am equating the Republicans to the pre-teen mentality that they demonstrate, i.e. puberty).

When will McCain wake up and realize that the people of the United States are sick of Repubican attack tactics? Hopefully it is after November when he goes down in flames much like his plane did (he and his lap-dog Lieberman).

McCain:
* Too old
* Too angry
* Too conservative
* Too close to Bush
* Too out of touch
* Too rich
* Too attached to the Republican machine
* Too likely to reward the rich at the expense of the poor and middle-class
* Too far gone.

She's a MAN! (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:08 PM)

Mccrusty,we all knew you could not resist the wright thing now that we see that your supporter John Hagee is at it again and starting to get questioned as you will be about his comments.We also know that your beer baron wife has no credabilty after she said we won't here any negitive stuff comming from your campaign.And isn't it grand that you have Joe(benedick arnold) there to wispering in your ear where you are and what the talking points are.Is it true that while you where on the aircraft carrier that you forgot to secure your weapones on your plane.they came off and two sailors where killed?

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:09 PM)

Ok McCain.

It seems you are saying that just about everything is fair game. Then let's talk about your age and the fact you sought the endorsement of a Minister who calls the Catholic Religion a religion of whores and who blamed Katrina on gays in NO. Let's also talk about that little fling you had with that female representative of a special interest group that owns you as well as your vote on Iraq and your continued support of a conflict that cannot be won. Lets talk about the young American military personel that you want to keep in Iraq so they can get blown away by car bombs. Don't you dare question Obama's patriotism when it is you that is willing to see American mothers and fathers continue to lose their kids in a senseless war. And how about that land deal you pushed through in Arizona for one of your backers who regardless of the environmental costs will be building homes on property worth ten times what he traded for the deal. Your environemtnal history and concerns have sucked and contine to suck. And how about you hugging Bush on the stage after Bush was nominated and after the Bush campaign personally ripped your wife apart in SC with dirty campaign Ads. How about that temper of yours McCain (can't wait for you to lose it in the generasl election campaign or during a debate). How about your desire to maintain the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans (screw the poor and middle class). How about not having a clue about the economy and the fact that just recently you said the economy was in good shape. How about tossing any principles away that you may have had in the past by siding up to GWB for the last eight years. And how about your support among the likes of Hannity and O'Reilly and Limbaugh who are crazy neo-cons who want to hang anyone from the nearest tree who do not wear a US Flag lapel pins. Shall we go on McCain? We are just getting started.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:09 PM)

I took the statement about Senator McCain's bearings as commentary on McCain's willingness to put aside his principles in his pursuit of the presidency. Nothing to do with age, but everything to do with character. As Senator Obama has said before, the Straight talk express has lost some wheels.

As for McCain's statement that what other people say, whether it's Wright or a seemingly positive statement about Obama from Hamas, somehow reflects on Obama, I think that's silly. It serves as evidence that he has, in fact, lost his (moral) bearings.

David, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:09 PM)

Oh, Mr. McCane,now,now!

Obama has manners (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:09 PM)

Oh great the who is the most offended victim game is going to continue after Hillary. Don't be a dumbass McCain you can't out victim a democrat. I'm going to write in Tom Coburn and Condi.

Dave, Tn (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:10 PM)

Obama was not talking about McCain's age but rather his pandering to the conservative base and the loss of his maverick status. Obama was talking about the fact that McCain has basically flip flopped on every issue he has ever advocated. Obama does not need to go after his age. Policy arguments give him enough to work with

Rich Y (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:11 PM)

Obama, you would wish Hilary had given you much tougher punches to train you for the big one's coming right up from the Repubs.

Imagine sitting next to a war veteran and POW and talk about bravery and war, etc...

You are lucky he is old, chances are he would still lose the elections because of that. But one thing I do admire about him is he at least offers solutions, could actually take a stand - even if it's not popular. Repubs hate him for not being far right. So who knows, maybe he can still throw a punch and knock you out.

Dan (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:11 PM)

McCain would'nt know what was of interest to the American people, if we shouted it into his hearing aide 24/7.

He does'nt have the capacity to listen. I have never seen him, not even in a photo op, listening to what the people, or anyone else, has to say.

Even when he's on the talk shows, he can't wait to interrupt, and blurt out, some tick like response.

No McCain (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:11 PM)

I wonder if there is a wireless communicator implanted in McCain's head so Lieberman can tell him what to say.

http://laststopmidwest.blogspot.com

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:12 PM)

LIEBERMAN IS TRAITOR!!! HOW IS THE MAN IS STILL A MEBER OF DEMOCRATIC CAUCAS IS A MYSTERY FOR ME. DEMOCRATS SHALL EXPELL HIM FROM THEIR CAUCAS, EVEN IF IT COST THEM SENATE MAJORITY. THIS MAJORITY IS MEANINGLESS ANYWAY WITH BUSH IN WH AND 49 REPUBLICAN SENATORS WHO DOES NOT AND WILL NOT SEEL ANY COMPROMISE. IN NEW CONRGESS, WITH EXPANDED MAJORITY DEMOCRATS, SHALL NOT GIVE LIEBERMAN ANY POST AND SHALL NOT ACCEPT HIM IN THEIR CAUCAS. FORCE HIM TO GO TO REPUBLICANS AS, IN FACT, HE IS REPUBLICAN.PITTIFUL CITIZENS OF CONNECTICUT WHO ELECTED HIM TO THE SENATE

ALEX DEN (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:12 PM)

Sure McCain's bearings are all there Joe...as long as you're holding his hand and reminding him where he is, what to say, and correcting him when he tells the world that Al Quida is present in Iran. Idiot.

Ronda from Portland Oregon (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:12 PM)

I guess John and Cindy need to have a meeting. Yesterday she's saying on t.v. that her husband's campaign won't go negative.

Today, he's making her look like a fool with the spectre of Wright and Hamas.

Obama's remark was not an ageist remark. It had to do with the fact that McCain has tried to stake his course as a moderate republican with a maverick streak. So if that's his course, then his recent sharp right turn means he's off course - and a common saying when that happens is "you've lost your bearing"

Duh.

For discussion of Hamas, just check out how John Stewart got McCain to cancel out his own Hamas argument and fear mongering:

Kevin, Austin (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:13 PM)

Flip Flop McCain just can't avoid showing he's suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. One day he whines about Obama making derisive comments about his age by implying that he has "lost his bearings" when it's obvious to anyone with a brain that Obama meant he has lost his way of straight honest talking. Now a day later McCain says it's okay for Obama to make remarks on his age. Time to send Alzheimer McCain into political retirement, where all Reagan foot soldiers belong!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:14 PM)

Loosing his bearings has everything to do with McCain being above the garbage and remembering the fact that McCain claims he's not going to do what Bush did to him in 2000. He might've fell short after the Hamas comment... http://www.enewsreference.wordpress.com

eNews Reference (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:14 PM)

As soon as the Dems wrap things up, then the focus can be shifted to McCain and his lack of good options for Americans.

Foreign policy gaffes, the wrong strategy regarding Iraq, economic ignorance and staunch conservative justice appointments will lead to a rather comfortable Democratic victory in the fall.

If Democrat women, rural folks or people making less than 50k vote Republican they're, basically, cutting off their head to cure their headache!

More war, lousy economic policy, goodbye Roe v. Wade, continued two-tier health system and no plan to addess the social security shortfall. Great. Where do I sign up for some of that? Hahahaha.

KHR (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:15 PM)

This is why Obama has no chance of beating McCain. Seriously, how many of those states like Kansas, Idaho, S. Dakota, etc., do you think he'll win?....answer..0....How many southern states? answer.....0, including Florida. And does anybody think he'll take Pennsylvania, Ohio, or Michigan?

The superdelegates need to get serious and select Clinton at the top of the ticket so we can take back the white house.

HP, Kansas (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:15 PM)

Geez, McCain is so transparent. Attack Obama before he can pivot from his primary challenges. That's ok, though, Obama's ready. Seeing his wife swearing that there would be no "dirty" tactics from the McCain campaign, was laughable. He's been on the attack for some time. Go ahead, McCain, recycle old news. Trashing Obama backfires. Just makes you look as pathetic as Hillary. Go ahead, cheapen the campaign. Tarnish those medals that stand for honor.

TLA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:16 PM)

What a cranky old huntchback jerk. What has age got to do with Rev. Wright?

If Rv. Wright is an issue, Pastors Hagee and Parsley should an issue.

Stupid old man.

Ike (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:17 PM)

Age and beauty, looks like McCain has both. What's with those ears on the presumptive nominee?

Fun House (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:17 PM)

There was NOTHING about age in his comment! A "bearing" is a heading or a direction. He said McCain is losing his way, and he was specifically referring to the fact that he seems to have abandoned his pledge to run a clean campaign.

You people are thinking of "losing your marbles", which means something else entirely.

And you people in the media KNOW what that means, but you are shamelessly trying to foment controversy whenever you can. Just like that stupid story about Obama giving Hillary the finger when he was just scratching his face.

Morons.

Linda. Boston, MA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:17 PM)

They're lost. Trust me.

Blaine (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:17 PM)

Age is on the table. Not so much as in years, but more so in state of mind.McWar is sooooooooooo old school. We need forward thinking to solve the problems facing our society. Obama is the canidate who can lead us into the future.

LENI,WESTLAND,MICHIGAN (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:18 PM)

Well having Traitor Joe say he checked Alzheimer McCain's bearings and he hasn't lost any is typical of his traitorous suck up to the repugnant ones. Lieberman is the one who has lost his bearings and is an unreliable source to verify McCain's honesty and integrity, which have also been lost. Just why we need to send Alzheimer McCain into political retirement, where all Reagan foot soldiers belong!

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:18 PM)

POLL OF FOREIGN LEADERS AND/OR THEIR AMBASSADORS/EMISSARIES MUST ALSO BE FAIR GAME THEN, RIGHT?

So please just ask Sen. McCain if it is okay to cite support of a controversial government figure (HAMAS is the elected govt of the PA), then is it not fair and balanced to discuss other foreign governments that speak favorably of Sen. Obama)?

I dare say that McCain won't want to compare the list of traditional US allies, Australia and France notwithstanding, that are extremely excited about the prospect of a DEM and/or Obama administration.

So please don't let McCain get away with just selective citation of foreign excitement about Obama.

FJR in L.A., CA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:18 PM)

as a black man im offended by the clinton's who we did not want to believe are racists...however in light of recent and previous statements out of their own mouths i am convinced that a big F..K O.F is in order!!!!

now i call on all whites to stand up and speak forwhat u believe...but be HONEST! there's more respect for a known racist than the many of you who are secret "card-holders";yet you act like its all these other things when in fact the only problem you have is that MR. OBAMA IS BLACK. AND IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL ANY BETTER HIS MOTHER WAS WHITE/BUT WAIT!MAYBE SHE WASNT WHITE ENOUGH BECAUSE SHE MARRIED A BLACK MAN!

WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!

IF YOU WANNA STEP UP I WILL LISTEN: BIGGCUZZN@YAHOO.COM

DIARY OF A MAD BLACK MAN IN AMERICA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 2:19 PM)

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