McCain: Lifestyles of the rich and famous

Posted: Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:14 AM by Mark Murray

Also in the interview, McCain flatly ruled out a one-term pledge...

In our latest NBC/WSJ poll, the issue didn't test well at all. More than 80% said McCain pledging just one term wouldn't make any difference in their vote.

Speaking of those McCain homes, the New Republic writes a long piece about Cindy McCain’s father, her college days, and her marriage to John McCain.

The Washington Post runs a very flattering profile of Steve Schmidt. Also, don't miss the shot at pundits in general, but David Gergen individually. "Nonetheless, Schmidt says he won't allow the campaign to get thrown off by momentary distractions and pundits shooting from the hip. To that end, he and his colleagues have developed what they jokingly call the ‘Dave Gergen theory of the campaign’ -- a metaphor for all talking heads.” Gergen, a veteran of four presidential administrations, is a frequent pundit on cable news. If senior members of the campaign disagree on a strategic move, they watch what Gergen has to say. They then do the opposite."

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Judgment lesson #1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjtG_tx1bnw&feature=related

Judgment lesson #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-R5Vh5tOWk&feature=related

Judgment lesson #3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2y8dYwq01g

Judgment lesson #4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXT78jZ9Kw0

and he can make all those judgments for you...?

Find forgiveness for John McCain .

Obama'08

BJ, CA (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:18 AM)

In an interview with Politico, he couldn't correctly answer the question of how many homes he owns.
*******************************************************

You've GOT to be kidding me. And Obama is the "elitist"? Unreal.

Oh, and you are only wealthy if you make more than $5 million, right?

http://thepajamapundit.com/

the Pajama Pundit (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:18 AM)

McCain also handed the Dems the election by agreeing that we need a draft to catch Bin Laden:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/20/mccain-on-bringing-back-d_n_120178.html

The public deserves to know!! (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:20 AM)

Ummmm, First Read...wasn't his willingness to think about bringing back the draft MORE important? Or did you miss that?

sotiredofignorance (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:20 AM)

Can't remember how many homes he owns because there's too many to count, or he is losing his memory? McCain calling Obama elitist or out of touch is laughable since McCain is married to a multimillionaire trophy wife! McCain hasn't driven himself in years, or filled up his own car, or ever gone food shopping himself to know how the average American is coping in these hard times.

McCain sucks, plain and simple!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:21 AM)

Who cares how many homes McCain has. Since when is having/making money a crime in this country? Obama et al should be happy. The more the upper level of income earners make that leaves more for Obama's wealth redistribution plan.

"The problem with socialism is that eventually run out of other people's money." Margaret Thatcher

And, when the wealthier quit producing, that means Obama will come after YOUR money. Think about it.

lily (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:22 AM)

it must be nice to have a Billionaire heiress wife, his crippled first wife didn't stand a chance against her. Mccain only cares about his own selfish needs; and he would make the same type of president.

g`pa (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:23 AM)

McCain calls lobbyists "Birds of Prey"...

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12678.html

Gee, John, how many birds of prey are running your campaign?

Notice that he only talks of banning members of his administration from being lobbyists...as long as you're just part of his campaign staff it's all fine and dandy!

He doesn't know how many homes he and Barbie own?! This at a time when many Americans are having problems keeping the one they have! Never mind the "celebrity" issue...this just continues to be John McCain out of touch with America!

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:24 AM)

This isn't nearly the fodder that his agreement with the necessity of the draft means - given his war mongering. Now THERE is a story!

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:24 AM)

Just because you're rich does make you a celebrity or elite. Barack Obama is a celebrity because he craves the limelight, the election is all about him. He is famous for being famous, not because of any his accomplishments, of which he has none. Obama is nothing more then a pointy-headed, and pin-headed, academic navel gazer. Obama is an elitist because he acts like he knows better then anyone else, he enjoys telling people how to live their lives, and he thinks he's smarter then anyone else. Barack Obama is the definition of a celebrity and an elitist.

Barack-O-Mania (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:25 AM)

All joking aside . . . why does John McCain need more houses than he can remember?

What's his carbon footprint? lol

(I think the can't remember part is slightly more concerning than the number of houses.)

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:25 AM)

"Elitist" McCain has no clue as to how the middle class fares. He's only interested in giving himself more big tax cuts that he doesn't deserve while bankrupting the future economic conditions for our children and grandchildren. He's the one who's out of touch with the middle class.

Only Barack Obama will bring fair economic policies to the middle class!

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:27 AM)

I have a question for FR which has nothing to do with the above. If Obama had said he didn't disagree with a woman who asked him if he wanted to catch Osama Bin Laden then he would have to institute a draft, it would have been splashed all over the news and all over this site! I heard Chuck Todd TRY and make excuses by saying to give McCain the benefit of the doubt maybe he didn't hear or understand the question. What??? How many times have I heard you guys say that! It was a straight-forward question. And no, Chuck, I really don't think McCain could have thought she was talking about the volunteer work that both he and Obama were talking about making mandatory. Because if he was, and he planned on sending them to Iraq, then that is still simply a draft isn't it? There's nothing voluntary about it. My question to you is, why is the media so set on making excuses for McCain all the time?? Yet you attack Obama on the slightest thing? You guys can't see the different way you report on these two? Even that faith forum. I can't believe you said McCain was better. He was belligerent and answered real short answers without any explanation. You said you can't prove he knew the questions beforehand - well how did he know how to answer yes, yes, find the bad teachers a new job? Especially when he was told I have some questions about education, and then he answered them WITHOUT hearing the questions!!! What? Does he have ESP? And why didn't anyone pick up on the fact that he said he thought torture was evil, but then he voted for it? I really would like to hear some answers about these questions.

New Independent (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:27 AM)

When did it become a crime to be rich? That is one of the great things of this great country - that we are able to pursue freedom and happiness. O-bummer wants to take it all away and make us all the same - - all poor and dependant on the government. If he takes away my hope of ever becoming ricj, why should I work hard? And if I don't work hard, where is the money going to come from to pay for all his taxes and giving my hard-earned money away?

Sick of Obama in MI (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:28 AM)

Ask McCain about his $460 Itialian shoes, maybe those laid off American workers would have a job if mccant bought $460 American shoes.

"McCain’s Mansions: the Real Elitist" VIDEO Hotlist
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/18/145055/052/82/558245

The McCain Residences: A Google Earth Tour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Glia_Vrbc8

Here's a (partial) list of McCain's houses/condos:

1. A beachfront condo in Coronado, California.
2. Another beachfront condo in Coronado, California.
3. A beachfront condo in La Jolla, California.
4. A two-unit condominium complex in Phoenix, Arizona.
5. A ranch house located outside of Sedona, Arizona.
6. Another ranch house located outside of Sedona, Arizona.
7. And another ranch house located outside of Sedona, Arizona.
8. A high-rise condo in Arlington, Virginia.
9. A loft they bought for their daughter, Meghan in Phoenix, Arizona.

The value of their houses is an estimated $13,123,269.

banko (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:28 AM)

Elitist. Always has been. Of course he walks around with his navy ball cap on spouting love of America which for someone with his and his (up my assets) second wife's dough is pretty much easy street. The Annapolis near flunk-out, fighter jet crasher, Keating Five crook, calls himself a maverick which really means he's not to be trusted. He's a careless belligerent and is in a constant fight with everyone and himself. The GOP, big oil, and America's corporate elite are desperate to avoid providing average citizens a level field with Barack Obama as president.

subgruvet, ok (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:31 AM)

McShame calls Obama elitist yet he can't even count how many homes he owns? Good move in cheating on and ditching your recovering, disfigured first wife. And now he wants to cheat on and disfigure more men and women as he wants to start a draft in order the start even more wars and continue the one's his mentor started. This is the monster McShame who feels your pain?

Brian, Cedar Hill, T (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:31 AM)

subgruvet, ok (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:31 AM)

Hmmm..too many houses to count or keep track of.
And they try to call Obama out of touch?

mk (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:32 AM)

Very funny how mcFreaky has tried to label Obama as an elitist when he just finished paying off his student loans!

Who's the real elitist and grossly out of touch candidate?

Tell the TRUTH MSMedia...

Tell the TRUTH MSMedia... (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:33 AM)

David Gergen was positively beaming as he declared McCain the winner of the Faith Forum on CNN. These pundits really get under my skin. They simply skewer any event to promote their own preferences. What do I need to hear that for, when I have my own opinions? Now Chuck Todd, he is NOT like that. I will listen to him, even though I suspect he doesn't share my opinions, because he sticks to the facts. I saw a clip of him last night talking to Olbermann about the polls and I appreciated that he didn't just throw out a bunch of unsubstantiated opinions, he was very rational. That's all I ask for in a pundit.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:33 AM)

How is it possible that you don't know how many homes you own?, I guess if you've called your opponent a celebrity and an eletist it makes sence. Clasic case of the kettle calling the pot black. Wake up Americans and smell the double standard from the Mccain camp.

Barry Robertson Toronto Canada (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:34 AM)

Obama really needs to hammer home the "Middle Class First" message. If he can successfully portray McCain as the elitist, out of touch, multi-millionaire that he is, he'll see a real breakthrough.

http://www.rodneyhopper.com

Rodney Hopper, Waxahachie, TX (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:37 AM)

McBush claims Barak is an elitist and out of touch. He touts his POW days, didn’t he volunteer to stay? That Is his own doing and should not get to be president for something he volunteered for. He is nothing more than a spoiled child playing at adult games. Grow up McNasty-Bush-Cheney-neo-Nazi –Hitleristic wannabe.

Red Dog Orlando Florida (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:37 AM)

It's a sign of his age, he can't remember how many
homes he has can't remember that there is no U.S.S.R
Can't remember that there is no Chekozlovakia can't
remember the difference between Sunni/ Shia he's
starting to sound like Reagan did in he's last
years in office when the alzheimer's started to set in How many times in the past year has he misspoke
and said he was having a senior moment?

John McCain is OLD (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:38 AM)

Seriously, who here is planning to vote for McCain, now that he has admitted that he wants to reinstate the DRAFT?!

20 August, Las Crucas, NM Town Hall:
GUEST: If we don't re-enact the draft, I don't think we'll have anyone to chase Bin Laden to the gates of Hell.

SEN JOHN MCCAIN: Ma'am let me say that I don't disagree with anything you have said, and thank you.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3msRsdt6bWY

Matt, Idaho (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:39 AM)

As a 72 year old, I can say without prejudice that Mccain should not be running for first term, let
alone thinking about a second. There are things that happen to us all with aging and Mccain shows signs of them all.
Add his age to his swiftboating campaign and you
have the end result. He has nothing to offer.

katiec Pekin, IL (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:39 AM)

The super rich of the country use the republican party to get the tax breaks for the top 2% of the country.

They use religion,conservative etc to adavance their cause. Example..
A republican contributor: Paris Hilton's mom.
Conservative, Hmm I doubt it..
Religious, Hmm Maybe...
Tax Breaks, Oh yeah..

Dick Cheney thinks it is out of bounds to talk about his daughters relationship, yet acts as a conservative to push on with the rich agenda.

Save this country from despair, enough with the rich republican agenda.

Ron, Dallas, TX (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:40 AM)

Did McCain just hand the Dems something to hammer him on regarding his own "celebrity"? In an interview with Politico, he couldn't correctly answer the question of how many homes he owns. (A Dem source emails First Read that McCain has 10 homes.)

-First Read

How will Cindy fare on that 'Great, and Terrible Day', when she has to explain why she felt she should have 10 mansions, and her half sister should live a lower middle class existence, because she hoarded her father's wealth for herself?

She lives as though she will not meet her 'Maker' some day.

AET (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:43 AM)

"Who cares how many homes McCain has."

lily (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:22 AM)

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

Every family facing foreclosure...that's who should care!

...or are you out of touch, too?

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:45 AM)

Perhaps Obama doesn't hit McCain on possessions because the hits can go both ways. Obama lives in a million dollar home (with favors from the mortgage industry), and I'm quite sure the shoes on his feet are not from Payless. This is such a BS topic and I'm cracking up at how upsetting it is to some people. Wah, wah, wah. Someone else is successful and I'm not. Let's throw him under the bus!

John Q (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:46 AM)

Now can we finally focus on who is the elitist in this race?

The Admiral's son, kept in Annapolis only because of his family, who's wife buys him a congressional seat in a district he never lived in, has his best selling book written by a ghostwriter and can't even remember how many houses he owns.

or

The son of a single parent who gets scholarships because of his academic achievements, passes up big bucks at a Law Firms to work in non-profits and finally a few years ago gets to buy his first house for his family because of the profits of the best selling book he wrote himself.

Didn't we learn over the last 8 years that under-achievers propped up by family money and connections are classic examples of the Peter Principle? People who will be abject failures when they are promoted to position above their capabilities?

But then, how important is competence and achievement when you're a fun to have at a BBQ ex-frat boy fighter jock?

Ed, Watertown MA (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:48 AM)

Barry ought to be drilling mcshame on the issue of who is the rich fat cat elitist in this race...not only is mccain a millionaire he still gets 250,000 a year of taxpayer money and healthcare and a pension for life...no wonder he thinks the rest of us should be "making" it on our own...what a clown

Rick, NC (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:48 AM)

This guy is a joke... How could one suggest that he's got the country's best interest at heart when he can't even recall how many homes he own. ...Talkin' 'bout out of touch. Not only is he a joke, but he's also clueless... I seriously can't imagine any situation where he wins this election...

We, the people of this "Great" nation aren't very bright as a collective mind...That's proven in the fact that we voted Bush to two terms {WOW!}, and I know many folks out there are deserving of more of the same, but this time it aint gon' happen...

McCain is an empty suit and has no idea as to what's about to befall him... Obama's back, fresh off of vacation, and in full attack mode...

Aside from all of that though, what amazes me is how so many folks get caught up in believing the hype, that because one was shot down in war that qualifies him to be President... We are a country Dimwits...

OOOOOOH, HE WAS A PRISONER OF WAR THAT MEANS HE'S AN EXPERT ON FOREIGN POLICY...

Give me a break... If that's the case, then everyone who was ever captured -or fought in war for that matter- is qualified to be President...

Wisen up folks... This guy is all rhetoric. {Empty rhetoric I might add}. What we need for a change is an intellectual with sound judgment, and problem solving skills. Not some one who tries to scare the people into voting for him. WAR,WAR,WAR... We need brains over brawn... As for experience? We see where that got us.

If McCain gets into the White House we as a nation will get what we deserve, and we wont be in a position to complain about NUTHIN'...

...And I wont even get into his agreeing with bringing back the draft... (ARE YOU SERIOUS???)

Droppin' Science, Miami Fl (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:51 AM)

Cindy (Don't call me trollop, call me c-nt) McCain is really calling the shots. The reason that John Sydney McCain III has a tax policy that truly rewards the top 2% of the wealthiest Americans is because Cindy is ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE and if John ever wants to see what he offered up to the bikers at Sturgiss again, then he better become president and save Cindy another couple a million or so.
That's a fact Jack !!!

Benny, SFBayArea, California (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:52 AM)

Huh. Why doesn't someone ask Obama how many siblings he has or how many wives his father had? I'll betcha money that he doesn't know the answer. Does that make him old and senile too? Houses are a possession, but character and conviction? That's what I'm looking for and my liberal friends, Obama just doesn't pass the smell test.

BO... getting stinky (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:52 AM)

How did Cindy mccain do in the Biker Babe contest a couple of weeks ago? Her husband threw her into the skank contest so how did the possible first lady do I wonder?

Biker Bob (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:53 AM)

Cindy took 5th in the topless segment but wowed the crowd and reporters with a first place showing in the banana talent portion.

Biker Bill (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:55 AM)

Cindy McCain is an Adulteress who at the age of 25
had an affair with a 44 year old married man, had sex before marriage, became a drug addict, who stole drugs from a charitable foundation,If her husband was a democrat the religious right/ conservatives would be saying she is not fit to be first lady

The girl not right (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:55 AM)

At this point I'm really tired of McCain's attacks and pandering. Being a POW is not a fee pass for his flaws! This country does need need blood and McCain is old, thats just a fact. And it matters to me alot! A President has lots of advisors and I also want a President that reprsents all the peoples views. Obama litens and then will find compromise. Thats not a weakness, its a quality that great leaders possess. The draft is a huge issue I heard about here today! This must be brought to light by the main media. Its really important that people know about this!

TJ (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:57 AM)

He can' remember how many houses he has, how elitist can he be. Cindy spends $75,000.00 shopping in one month, elitist. And try to say that Obama is an elitist, get real. On top of this he now says he wants to bring back the draft!!!! This guy is just out of it. People of America think before you vote for this warmonger, he will have our country starving, no jobs,and at war for 100 years. DO NOT TRUST HIM. OBAMA 08

Steve (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:57 AM)

Who cares how many homes McCain has. Since when is having/making money a crime in this country? Obama et al should be happy. The more the upper level of income earners make that leaves more for Obama's wealth redistribution plan. Lily

********************************************
I don't care how many homes John McCain has, but I do care that he doesn't know.

Iris (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:59 AM)

Please report!!!!

http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,164859_1,00.html

McShame, Houston TX (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:00 AM)

10 homes? To the Obama Campaign: GET YOUR PHOTOGS OUT THERE AND TAKE A PIC OF ALL 10 McCAIN ESTATES. Put that up on the big screen for all of America to see. Run that ad over and over in rural America. Cindy and John McCain own 10 huge houses while most Americans are losing their 1 house. Not even the rich and famous have that many homes. What does this say about McCain. America draw your own conclusions.
McCain really is for the millionaires only and big business. If you are not raking in $5 million a year, McCain does not feel your pain. America wake up.

Cheryl Wilson (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:06 AM)

definition of rich: having more houses than you can remember.

definiton of senile: not being able to understand how to define rich

point of reference (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:08 AM)

This is such a BS topic and I'm cracking up at how upsetting it is to some people. Wah, wah, wah. Someone else is successful and I'm not. Let's throw him under the bus!
John Q (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:46 AM)

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

Don't be stupid...the only successful thing McCain did to get these homes is kick his first wife to the curb and marry a millionaire beer heiress!

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:08 AM)

lily -- I'm sure the wealthy are much better off in a country that owes its sould to China, Russia and even Mexico because of our current deficit. Did you ever think that if it weren't for the financial MISmanagement carried out by Bush and the Rep congress, a pattern that John McCain seeks to continue, there wouldn't be such a need for money -- from anyone!? Take back what we now pay on debt service and on the Iraq war, and there could be tax cuts for every person and business in this country, rich and poor alike. Remember, there was no national deficit when Bush took office -- this is all his baby, and if McCain is elected, it will just keep on mounting up: borrowing and tossing trillions into Iraq.

Elizabeth (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:09 AM)

to "BO... getting stinky"

would that the majority of americans had the problem of having a staff to answer questions of how many houses they own.......

teopa (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:13 AM)

I just called the McCain headquarters asking about the 10 houses that McCain owns. I also asked, "what about the thousands and thousands of Americans that are losing their one house?" His campaign headquarters told me, "What can I say? He married a very, very wealthy wife." No lie. Call their youself and find out what they say. This is outrageous.

Cheryl Wilson (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:17 AM)

Elizabeth: Point and match!

teopa (Sent Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:19 AM)

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