Obama vs. McCain

Posted: Friday, May 09, 2008 9:29 AM by Domenico Montanaro

The Boston Globe: “Obama and John McCain have pledged a civil campaign, but a war of words erupted yesterday over McCain's suggestion that the terrorist group Hamas prefers Obama for president. Obama, taking a tougher line with the presumptive Republican nominee, said McCain was trying to smear him and was ‘losing his bearings.’”

“Losing his bearings” drew the ire of McCain senior adviser Mark Salter, who penned a sharp memo, ripping Obama for what he saw as Obama blatantly invoking McCain’s age. The New York Post called it “Mac age rage.”

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From USA Today (http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2008/05/mccain-adviser.html)

Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton has responded to Salter's memo with a statement of his own, that says, in part:

Clearly losing one's bearings has no relation to age, given this bizarre rant that Mark Salter just sent out.

Newswatcher (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:34 AM)

Tell us something about Obama we don't know!

Jim in Atlanta Georgia (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:34 AM)

We are indeed a stupid lot if we believe this crap!

Anyone can see that the "losing his bearings" speaks clearly to McCain's so called "straight-talk express". That bus has lost more than the bearings; I think the wheels and engine may be missing as well!

Yolanda,CT (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:34 AM)

Losing your bearings is losing direction...perhaps Obama meant that McCain is off direction when starting the smearing....

Sue (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:35 AM)

Losing one's bearings has nothing to do with age. It is just losing one's way. After both men claimed that they would run a clean campaign, Mcain trying to link Obama to Hammas and thereby exploit a perceived weakness with Jewish Americans does seem very much like a low blow. I think the substance of the "losing his bearings" comment is more ethically based than age based.

Braineel (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:37 AM)

lets see, War hero, bronze star, silver star, distinguished flying cross. Refused to be released early over his fellow POWs.

Hmmm...freshman senator with One years experience in senate, most of that time spent campaigning for POTUS. questionable ties, marked inexperience, Rhetorical promises with no substance. flip flopper and "misspeaker" often.

For such an important office there is obviously only one choice.

Greg Hoo (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:41 AM)

Just like a Republican to use Scare Tactics to try and win elections.

Like Bush, making inaccurate statements and starting wars over bad intelligence; or should I say no intelligence.

I expected more from McCain, I was truly hoping to see his decency in this campaign.

Pam G, a Catholic, white middle class suburban female (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:42 AM)

I think the Mccain campaign is overly-sensitive about his age...they're the ones bringing it up, not Obama. How is losing ones bearings at all related to age?

matt (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:43 AM)

At the VERY LEAST ... John McCain is H O N E S T ---and up front with the American people.

McCain 08 (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:47 AM)

Good for Obama. I think he'll be MUCH tougher on McCain than he was on Hillary. I wonder how many suspect groups prefer McCain - I bet the KKK (Neo-Nazis) prefers him over Obama. What does that say about McCain? The same thing it says when Hamas likes a candidate - nothing. I also bet Geoerge Dubya Bush prefers McCain over Obama. What does that say?

Harris, Miami, FL (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:49 AM)

"Losing his bearings" refers to losing one's sense of direction. This is undoubtedly what Obama meant. It is a common phrase that anyone with more than a 3rd grade education knows.

McCain, however really is losing his marbles if he thinks that this was an attack on his (rather advanced) age.

The irony is that Obama has condemned, in almost identical terms to McCain, Hamas and its refusal to recognize Israel as a sovereign nation. Wouldn't this also make McCain a Hamas sympathizer, if both condemned Hamas the same?

Guy Fawkes (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:50 AM)

What an interesting race; ageism, sexism, and racism all come into play. If McCain should be on the defensive rightfully so; because he also said:
The economy is fine
Inflation is down
Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Iran
Shut up cu%t to his wife
We no longer need to go to war for oil
I’d say he lost his bearing on several issues.

Beverly, Chicago (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:51 AM)

Does this mean we can finally be done with Hillary?? I can't listen to her anymore. The way I took "losing his bearings" is that Mccain has basically flipped on every position he staked for political gain. This is just another example.

Salil, Brooklyn, NY (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:52 AM)

Losing one's bearings means LOSING ONE"S MORAL COMPASS.
Losing bearings is a nautical and aeronautical term; McCain should know it.

Losing his bearings is a commentary on the lack of ethics McCain demonstrates in trying to tie Obama to the Palestine government.
In fact there are not any differences in the public statements of McCain and Obama on Hamas. It was a lie by McCain.

Age was not in the reponse. But it is interesting how fearful McCain is about his age, that he tried this pre-emptive strike on age.
Apparently it is a real issue, in a way we dont yet know about.
Let's see his medical records. How is the cancer doing?
Does he have incipient Alzheimer's? Clearly his short term memory is worse than Reagan's was at the beginning of Reagan term of office.
1. Losing bearings means losing moral compass. ethics.
2. Yes, we want to know the facts about the health of the presumptive Republican nominee.

bruce Becker Lincoln, CA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:54 AM)

Can you hear the GOP machine spinning up? Obama is toast.

The Truth Hurts (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:57 AM)

We are definitely getting a glimpse of what to expect from the Republicans in the near future. Despite McCain's claims that he will not engage in such rhetoric, the odds are that he and the RNC will use "fear and smear" tactics about Obamas patriotism and impending terrorism doom if we elect a democrat. This is because if we actually talked about the issues for a change, the economy the endless war in Iraq, that McCain would have no chance against any democrat come November. Hopefully Americans will not fall for this in this election cycle and we will get away from the failed policies of the current administration.

Matt in Montana (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:58 AM)

McCain can provide experience, and Obama can provide change. The problem for McCain at the moment is that many people want change. If he wants to win he must clearly distance himself from Bush, as many young people will link McCain = Republican = Bush. They are clearly sick of that.

Mark Kiernan, Venice, Italy (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 10:58 AM)

go obama

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:00 AM)

This is disgusting behavior of Republic candidate. Losing bearings doesn't refer to age at all but Hamaas comment definetly points to portraying him you-know-what..American, when will you wake up ans dhut McKain like people shut and punish Bush and Co?

Gurmit, India (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:01 AM)

What does 'losing his bearings" have to do with age? But since McPain brought up the age issue - the truth is, you're old.
That's what you get for smearing Obama with what someone else said.

ob08 (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:02 AM)

Obama has taken the same stance to Hamas as McCain has. McCain throws this idea of Hamas endorsing Obama for the obvious reason of associating Obama with terrorist groups. This is arguably negative campaigning. Obama did not actively go out of his way to help Hamas, yet a link is being suggested by McCain. Obama shoots back, you're "losing your bearings" not "you're losing your marbles" which would be an attack of senility. Instead, Obama suggests he is lost in his own argument. This is arguably a negative attack although probably less of one than making a link with a terrorist group. Salter then shoots back and goes on a long tirade only partially of which is germane to the comments Obama's camp made. Bill Burton then takes a potshot at Salter saying he too has lost his bearings despite him not being old. None of these comments are particularly detrimental or vicious. Let's stop being second graders on the schoolground and grow up.

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

Of course Hamas would prefer him. He is a cut, run and surrender democrat!

Rex (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:04 AM)

Obama stood on stage at arms length to a 'retired' general calling McCain a McCarthy. But then Obama wants to say he knows 'nothing' of his smear tactics.

Obama is running on the 'change', I will unite platform but his past actions prove different:

http://obama.senate.gov/letter/060206-sen_obama_and_sen_mccain_exchange_letters_on_ethics_reform/index.html

Obama is a propped up puppet. We had best determine who is holding the strings.

Linda Huntsville AL (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:04 AM)

I'm just glad that McCain is personally polling Hamas to see who they'd prefer as our American President. Thanks Senator McCain! I was kinda hoping that Hamas and I would find some common ground.

A Wilson, Brooklyn, NY (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:05 AM)

Good for Salter. And, no more of this BS where Obama says something and then comes back and says "that's not what i meant." For somebody who's supposed to be such a great orator, he sure has to backtrack a whole lot. The man's a fake, fraud and user.

NObama (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:05 AM)

http://obama.senate.gov/letter/060206-sen_obama_and_sen_mccain_exchange_letters_on_ethics_reform/index.html

Have you forgotten the Feb 2006 skirmish between Obama and McCain? Obama fired off the first volley of 'non partisanship'. This was on the very important issue of ethics reform. This should have been bipartisan and COULD have been guided by Obama. He exercised no leadership to bring Reid, Pelosi and McCain together. He lacks substance.

http://obama.senate.gov/letter/060206-sen_obama_and_sen_mccain_exchange_letters_on_ethics_reform/index.html

I watch and read all available information on the candidates 'actual' words and answers. Obama never gives in-depth specifics. His answer is always "We Wanna".

Mary Meridianville AL (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:09 AM)

McCain is not even able to make reasonable comments about terrorist groups and their supporters without Lieberman's help. If international relations and the war against terrorism are his strongest sides, I am really worried about the economy and domestic issues during his presidency if he is elected.

Rob, Maryland (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:13 AM)

McCain reminds me a tad of Richard Nixon. He's prickly, defensive and has a streak of self pity. If anyone disagrees with him he acts all wounded. Obama just brushes himself off - I think that's a healthier approach.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:15 AM)

Reading that memo, the words didn't seem to have been written by a mature person. It sounded more like one of those rants you would find in a cliche internet blog. Of course, my opinion is subjective as I've already made my choice for November.

I suppose it remains to be seen who sticks to their promises the most in the upcoming contests, and whether things such as this are just indications of what's to come from either or both campaigns.

Kyle, Seattle, WA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:22 AM)

And these politicians expect us to respect them, they are acting like 5 year olds, mo-om, he's calling me na-ames...

Our founding fathers would just cring!

Marty Berry, Cusseta, Georgia (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:25 AM)

This age flap is too funny! And so early in the game. Obama is going to eat McCain for breakfast and spit him out - as stale cereal (Capt'n McCrunch).

gv, Kailua, HI (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:26 AM)

"losing his bearings" was not a comment on age, and Salter is a psychopath. It's a seamans term of old, and the litteral meaning of the term is actually "loosing your way or direction".

What a bunch of Koo Koo birds over in McWar land!

Matt, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:32 AM)

Hamas also seem to be fond of the Late President John F. Kennedy; so Obama is in good company

Prince Kaywood, New Orleans, La. (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:34 AM)

"Losing his bearings" can be used for ANY AGE person. It simply means that the person has lost his/her way or direction.

I think McCain is super sensitive about his age!!!

MANDY, California (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:34 AM)

senator mcsame has lost more than a few of his bearings...this guy is wound way too tight...

rick, nc (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:35 AM)

I am a registered independent, and a centrist on social and policy matters. As such, I have had reasonable respect for John McCain up to now, even to the point of preferring him to HilLIARy were she to be the nominee.

These "Hamas" comments from McCain, however, are a huge step down for him in my eyes, and are simply pathetic. Watching Obama's interview on CNN, his response was measured but indignant, as it should have been. He was presidential, John McCain was surely not.

As to the Salters blowback: 1) The sensitivity to that potential avenue shows precisely where the McCain camp thinks they are most perceptually vulnerable. 2) If you are representing a "navy man" and son of an admiral, you need to cogitate that "losing his bearings" surely means "off course". It was an apt description with absolutely no suggestion of ageism or senility.

Clearly, Mr. Salter, does not have the temperment to handle his job and shapes up to be a Mark Penn-style gaffe-a-minute performer should he be allowed to fire off statements like this in the general election.

Chris, Monterey, CA (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:35 AM)

Hmm. I went out to Dictionary.com and looked up "bearings". I don't see anything about age in there.

What I DID see was:
- direction or relative position
- the manner in which one conducts or carries oneself

Think he might have been referencing Sen. McCain's stance on running a respectable campaign and then trying to link Sen. Obama to Hamas????

So I guess we're making up new definitions now.

Hillary tries to redefine the bounds of mathematics & McCain tries to redefine the English language.

Shel, SLC UT (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:35 AM)

Well it was a short lived promise by McCain and his wife that they would not go negative. Comparing Obama to Hamas yesterday was a transparent political smear. Playing to the right wing extremists once again..McCain and Cindy have truly lost it!

TRISH (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:37 AM)

Get used to it McCain. Senator Obama said he would not sit by and be swift-boated by you or anyone else whilst he remains committed to running a clean campaign. You implied he was weak on terrorists by saying their policies are NOT the same as his (Not that I know of) and he called you on it. Quickly and decisively put you and your double-talk back in its place. You then whine about how old you are? Stop crying and Man Up you baby. I'm one of those hard-working white men you're going to need to stay competitive this November and so far you ain't shown me nothin'.

Tommy, Detroit, Michigan (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:38 AM)

Obamas comments about Mccain losing his bearings has been taken out of context. Obama was just refering to the statement that MCcain made about staying positive. But the majority of the people understood what Obama meant. The Republicans know that they cannot win based on their policies, so they will try to discet every word that Obama says, in order to find a way to divert the election issues, because otherwise they do not have a prayer

Prince Kaywood New Orleans, La (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:39 AM)

Before reading my comments read the Memo and research this issue for yourself:

The type of people you draw to your campaign weighs heavily on your policies.

I think too many people have gotten so carried away with "change" and making history over having the first black president that they have forgotten to look at Obama's Policies and how those policies have drawn the support of Terrorist organization Hamas, domestic terrorist William Ayers, The black panthers, reverend wright, and numourus other radical groups.

The statement by John McCain that Hamas prefered Obama as president was not only true, it was a legitimate issue to raise regarding Obama's policies. It in no way suggested Obama supported Hamas or any other radical groups.

However Obama's statement that McCain was "losing his Bearings" was a direct attack on McCains Age not his policies. Who is running a smear campaign again?

Karl, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:42 AM)

It is clear that NBCs giving Obama a free ride of publicity,last nights news May o8 Brian Williams spent almost half of the time with an interview of Obama.I believe that no matter what the pundits say about Clinton she can beat Mc Cain(the Clintons were for BLACKS,before being for BLACKS was COOL)

Don Fox (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:48 AM)

Obama vs McCain then Democrats lose again.

This is the best chance dems have had for awhile and they are on the cusp of totally blowing it. Obama is not electable in November.

VOTERS WHO STILL HAVE A VOTE VOTE HILLARY.
I DON'T WANT SOMEONE OF ARABIC HERITAGE IN THE WHITE HOUSE. I REMEMBER 9/11 VERY WELL.

obama is not the answer for America (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:04 AM)

---------------------------------------------------

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you our failing public education system.

Senator Obama's father was from Kenya. If you look on a map, you will find that Kenya is in Africa and is not part of the Arabian Peninsula which is in Asia...

...moron!

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:58 AM)

If McCain is offended by the "losing his bearings" comment, then he is in for a long ride. There are going to be other groups that make comments about him that are far worse. What happened to the maverick that could handle anything? There was no maverick because McCain is a candidate that now is going after the votes of people he called something negative and hateful. How honest is that?

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 11:59 AM)

Way to go McCain takes the high road Hamas wants Obama. J. McCain shows what he is realy about. I didn't know that J. McCain had take a poll of Hamas.

Marcel (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 12:04 PM)

Greg Hoo my friend,

Your right. McCain is an American hero. He is a brave and courageous man.
It is his vision for this country and his position on policy that most American's don't agree with. He's wrong on foreign policy, weak on economic policy, and out of touch with social policy.
Moreover, take before you tag Obama with questionable associations or we could take the "straight talk" candidate at face value and assume that he welcomes his associations with Hagee and Robertson.
McCain has lost his way as he seeks the highest office and that would be a shame for him and a disaster for the country.
The last thing we need is a McCain presidency.

Stacey (Sent Friday, May 09, 2008 12:07 PM)

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