"Maybe that's a way of killing them," McCain said

Clearly he has very poor judgement to say this to an AP reporter. I think judgement is a huge issue in this presidential campaign. I've been questioning a number of other things he's been doing as well.

That's right up there with, "Bomb bomb Iran." What is up with him?

clearly the AP reporter exercised poor judgement by making a story of this. It was clearly a joke. We all make stupid jokes. It makes us human.

Some people on the planet clearly take things too seriously.

It a joke people, not as bad as seriously saying you have not been proud of America

Well since this is the same guy who was singing "Bomb Iran" it's not very surprising. And really, you'll think it's a joke until the bombs really do start dropping and our already overextended and exhausted troops are being thrown into another long, useless war.

I guess if you are running for President, you can't have a sense of humor. Sheesh. Get a grip.

Typical Republican response to caring for people; exactly why I am not one. It's necessary for us to care for each other and not be so callous, even when joking.

Politicians need to understand that ANYTHING they say to members of the media is likely to be reported. That's the media's job (although they've been abdicating their responsibility over the past decade in my opinion). If McCain wants to make a statement like that to a friend, in private, that's fine. If he makes it to reporters, he should know that it will become public. He should also know that many will find it callous and unpresidential. If he does not have the judgement to hold his tongue with reporters, can we expect him to do better with heads-of-state?

I think some heads of State need backrubs.

Hee hee.

This is news? McCain makes an off-the-cuff joke and this gets all the attention?

Why... they ought to cut his nuts off ;)

Typical Republican response to caring for people; exactly why I am not one. It's necessary for us to care for each other and not be so callous, even when joking.
Sally D., Jul 14, 2008, 10:51am EDT

Typical Democrat response judging those they don't even know. : )
Barbara B., Jul 14, 2008, 12:29pm EDT

The point, Barbara, is that after 26 years in the Senate, and considering the fragile situation with Iran right now, McCain should know better than to verbalize this to a reporter, knowing full well that anything said will be placed under the microscope. He keeps drilling at the general public how he has so much experience on the world stage, and then makes a joke about killing off Iranians with cancer?

I thought it was funny. Looking forward to 8 years of his jokes.

"Clearly he has very poor judgement to say this to an AP reporter. I think judgement is a huge issue in this presidential campaign. I've been questioning a number of other things he's been doing as well. "

Kathy,

Let us get this straight. McCain telling a silly joke is a serious exercise of poor judgment. However, Obama sitting in a pew listening to Rev Wright hate speech for twenty years is an exercise of good judgment?

I'll be happy to comment on Obama's judgement in an article about Obama.

This particular article happens to be about McCain's recent quip on cigarettes and Iran.

"This particular article happens to be about McCain's recent quip on cigarettes and"
Iran."

Kathy,

Again, what is the big deal. He told a silly joke.

Mickey: if you're not clear on my point, re-read my comments above.

Actually, I believe the usage of cigarettes is overwhelming in the middle east as it is in some countries in Europe. Maybe their government hasn't made it crystal clear that cigarettes kill. John McCain was doing those smokers a favor! : )

Seriously, somebody needs to tell that man he is NOT FUNNY. (okay, both men, McCain and Bill B.)

Maybe their government hasn't made it crystal clear that cigarettes kill. John McCain was doing those smokers a favor! (smile removed, since I don't think this was funny either - maybe I've lost my sense of humor)

Before Mccain worries about telling them that cigarettes might contribute to their death over a multi-decade period, maybe he should stop and think about how quickly our bombs kill.

"if you're not clear on my point, re-read my comments above."

I did. However, you do not state why you think McCain "clearly has poor judgment".
Again, he cracked a silly joke. McCain is candid. He speaks his mind. He is not scripted. What exactly were the ramifications of McCain's joke? Did Iran declare war? Did his joke trigger another 9/11? On the other hand, maybe, there were no ramifications. Iran simply does not care and saw it for what it was. A silly joke.

"He has an R after his name. If he had a D after his name Kathy wouldn't think it's a big deal. "

Bill B,

Maybe your right. I will wait for Kathy comments to see if this is the case.

I'll take a shot.

"However, you do not state why you think McCain "clearly has poor judgment".
Again, he cracked a silly joke. When a person is running for president, it is "clearly" in poor judgment to continue cracking unfunny jokes that "clearly" reflect inhumanity.

McCain is candid. He speaks his mind. He is not scripted. So, his silly jokes are his true mind? All the more reason to dislike this man.

What exactly were the ramifications of McCain's joke? He made a fool of himself and reflected poorly on the rest of us for even considering this joker as a viable candidate.

Did Iran declare war? Did his joke trigger another 9/11? On the other hand, maybe, there were no ramifications. Iran simply does not care and saw it for what it was. A silly joke. What a bunch of nonsense.

Odd as it may seem I don't much care. I didn't care about Obama's minister either.

"What exactly were the ramifications of McCain's joke? He made a fool of himself and reflected poorly on the rest of us for even considering this joker as a viable candidate."

Sandy,

This is your personal opinion only. Do you have anything more tangible.

"Did Iran declare war? Did his joke trigger another 9/11? On the other hand, maybe, there were no ramifications. Iran simply does not care and saw it for what it was. A silly joke. What a bunch of nonsense. "

Sandra

While appreciate the response, you failed to answer the question. This is called evasion. Try again.

Did Iran declare war? Did his joke trigger another 9/11? On the other hand, maybe, there were no ramifications. Iran simply does not care and saw it for what it was. A silly joke

Actually, if you bother to follow the link, Iran IS making a stink out of the comment. As anyone with any clue of the situation in the Middle East should have expected them to.

Again, the point is not the joke in and of itself. We all make off-color jokes. The point is, McCain is suppose to have all of this knowledge about foreign policy. He's suppose to have this exceptional understanding of how to handle the crisis in the Middle East. And then he hands Iran this on a silver platter. Iran IS making a stink out of it. McCain gave them an easy target, and he of all people should have known better.

Mickey, you evaded the entire situation with your nonsense. That old turn what you do around on others trick is as worn out as trying to pull 9/11 or Bill Clinton into every conversation you can't handle. Can you think of something original?

I think I'll cling to my gun and religion to fend off the liberal ways of Washington, too. And, I think God should d...n this nation, too, as Rev. Wright advocates. And, I think we should link up with people who are in trouble with the law, either now or in the past, saying they wish they could have bombed more, not less. And, it's ok with me to burn our flag that stands for all of the good we strive for in this nation. And, it's ok if people don't place their hands over their hearts when the flag and the National Anthem is played, too. But, oh, that's Obama I'm talking about. What does that add up to? Poor judgement? Yep....it surely does.

Yeah, way to call out Iran. Good thing you know, Senator McCain, that they are not much of a threat. All that way away with wimpy little missiles that can't even hit Israel, and we act like they are the big bad wolf about to knock down our door.

Heck, they will probably think McCain was threatening them, and all quite smoking.

Thanks, Sandy, for patiently explaining my comments while I was away. I am sorry to see that Mickey is continuing to have trouble absorbing them. I do think it is interesting that he seems to want to attribute my comments to a political affiliation that I do NOT have. I have only been on Gather for a little over a month now and haven't contributed many comments on political issues. I don't understand why he would stereotype me along party lines.

Of course, folks who have trouble arguing points on their own merits tend to default to an "us vs. them" mentality, where us = good and them = bad. Mischaracterizations get tossed around, everyone gets defensive and there is nothing gained by the whole discussion.

Julie Ann, I thought this article was a good opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of McCain's ability to make judgements. Unfortunately no one stopped by to offer any examples of when he may have made good judgements. The discussion just got caught up in the usual quagmire.

I think I'll cling to my gun and religion to fend off the liberal ways of Washington, too.
If you don't see the difference between that statement and instigating a nation that we are suppose to believe is trying to make nuclear weapons, I can't help you.

And, I think God should d...n this nation, too, as Rev. Wright advocates.
We aren't talking about what people around the candidates said or didn't say. We are talking about what the candidate himself said. I know, it's hard for some people to stick to topic, but let's try.

And, I think we should link up with people who are in trouble with the law, either now or in the past, saying they wish they could have bombed more, not less.
Two words: Keating Five. Let's not dredge up the alleged wrongdoings of people associated with the candidates.

And, it's ok with me to burn our flag that stands for all of the good we strive for in this nation.
It's called freedom of speech. True patriots defend freedom even if they don't personally agree with it. Believe me, I don't AGREE with a lot of the BS I read on Gather, but damnit I'll defend your right to say it. Free speech doesn't stop just because you don't like it.

And, it's ok if people don't place their hands over their hearts when the flag and the National Anthem is played, too.

Oh good gods. There is one photo that appears that his hand isn't over his heart. There isn't any evidence the anthem had even started or if it was already done. This is the last straw arguement of people who have nothing legitimate to add to a conversation, so they resort to ridiculous urban legends and misinformation.

"clearly the AP reporter exercised poor judgement by making a story of this. It was clearly a joke. We all make stupid jokes. It makes us human." (from above)

True, we all make jokes. But this was a serious question about a serious topic and not the appropriate time for a joke. By joking, McCain was either not taking seriously enough the issue or inable to fully comprehend the vast influence that Presidents' words can have on the world. Neither is acceptable for someone who wants to be President. Ironically, it is the "younger and inexperienced" Obama who thinks and acts like an adult while it is the "older and experienced" McCain who seems to act immaturely. Remember that we are electing "the leader of the free world" here, not "some guy to have a beer with." This is serious stuff people.

I like John McCain and considered him the best candidate in 1999. Times have changed. He simply doesn't seem to have a comprehensive and sophisticated grasp on the issues that the next President will have to deal with beginning in January. We've had our shot at superficial thinking, and it led us to where we are now. It's time for someone who can understand the complexities of the issues and the varied viewpoints that must be incorporated into the solutions.

Can you think of something original?"

Sandy,

Did you head get caught underneath your rocking chair? You are blinded partisan. If Obama made these comments, you would defend him. Here is a sample of your previous comments to back up my premise.

"If I ever decide to forfeit my mind, I guess I'll just join a church and the Republican party, and I still won't need Robert."

"I am a confirmed liberal . Will that do? "

You are also unable to express your self and resort to ad hominine cheap tactics. Please refer below to your comments.

"s the same as, Your dumb and makes you a laughing stock?"

"Don't you just love it when someone like Robert shoots down his own credibility (if he ever had any)? "

"I don't understand why he would stereotype me along party lines."

Kathy,

Not sure what you are talking about. I asked you a simple question .

"Actually, if you bother to follow the link, Iran IS making a stink out of the comment. As anyone with any clue of the situation in the Middle East should have expected them to."

Julie,

Thank you for answering my question. I followed the tape of McCain and immediately after his quip he said it was a joke. Did it offend Iran? I do not think so. One of the pillars of Iran's Theocracy government is anti-American. They hate everyone in the world. We are in a tense situation w/ Iran and they hold the upper hand. McCain joke really has no impact on the outcome of these negotiations. Was it a silly joke? Yes.

If anyone thinks that people make too much of something in the two campaigns being waged , they're right! We can play childish games of name-calling all day long, but where would that get us? Nowhere. I think there are too many here in Gather who do that in articles which might, and I would like to embellish MIGHT, have something to say that would have some meaning if they could just stop the childish name-calling. This is what too many in our country have resorted to doing and should stop for the sake of the nation and our united-ness. I know, that's not a word, but it gets to the point faster. It's absurd to go after one another because of our differing opinions on serious topics. To say that McCain used poor judgement because of joke he cracked, well, it borders on unreasonableness in my opinion. Like someone said, we all make jokes, bad taste ones at that. I don't believe that him making a joke would change Achma-I'm-a-nut-job's mind about anything that we are doing over here. So, let's just laugh at it together and get on with life. We should all be able to get along, right? We're Americans dagnab it! : )

Barbara - I absolutely agree that we should refrain from the childish games we on Gather so often seem to play.

As for McCain's joke, I agree that it's not a game-changer in our relationship (or lack thereof) with Iran. It's not unexpected that Ahmadinejad would jump on the stupidity of the joke, or anything else for that matter, for his own political purposes. Any excuse to dump on the US for the benefit of the folks back home in Teheran is going to be exploited.

But as I noted in my earlier comment, I don't think it's unreasonable to question McCain's judgment to offer a bad joke at an inappropriate time. One bad, inappropriate joke, no big deal; but a series of bad judgments, lack of seriousness, in-depth analysis, etc. is disheartening from someone wanting to be commander-in-chief. And frankly, from someone who should know better. He clearly should have given a serious answer to a serious question. He's running for President of the USA, not beer-buddy. It's a time to be serious.

Having said that, I thought he did give a serious speech yesterday (or was it the day before) on the wars/national security issues in response to Obama's wars/national security speech (actually, serious of speeches and writings). Reviewing both closely suggested to me the same critical difference I've observed time and time again over the last few months, which many would find ironic if they actually thought seriously about the contrasts. McCain was very tactical and very much entrenched in his "the surge is working/worked thinking. Obama was tactical, but with a different focus on the path forward. While McCain made some important and strong tactical arguments, I felt Obama really grasped the big picture and provided strong tactical arguments in support of that overall goal. This isn't any more about our military's capacity to beat the pants off of our enemies, it's about changing conditions and a realization that Iraq is a sovereign country. Our goal should be to facilitate and assist them reach the point where they will ask us to leave. Recently, they took a major step in doing exactly that. As a believer in democracy and liberty and sovereignty, it behooves the USA and all of us Americans to honor those qualities in a country who was oppressed by Saddam Hussein for 35 years and yet finds themselves still occupied for the last 5+ years. It's time to change our strategy and our focus. There is other important work that has been ignored during the last 5+ years. It's time to deal with those issues.

The Bush Administration is working with the Iraqis to do just what you have said in your last few sentences there David K. We have been asked to pull our troops and that is what we're doing. I believe we're pulling them from areas that are in good hands with Iraqi control over them. To leave safe havens in Iraq would be a grave mistake for us and Iraq, so some areas may not see troops leaving as it does in others. If McCain has been labled as doing the same thing as Bush, then it follows reason to think he will follow the same course, pulling troops and leaving them secure.