Is McCain Ready to be President?

[DaShi]

After seeing his performance on the Daily Show, I think the answer is a resounding "NO."

John McCain is trying to present himself as a strong leader, yet his wincing and meekness before Jon Stewart was disenheartening. This was made worse by his comment, "I think Al Qaeda is terrifed by me" in a frail voice while shaking himself. McCain looked more like a lost puppy with Stewart telling him to sit, stay, beg, and roll over. What's worse is that Stewart wasn't deliberately trying to intimidate and control McCain, McCain's own body language and presence simply allowed him to fall into the habit.

This is not the first time we've seen McCain fold before. . .well. . .just about anyone. McCain backed down to Bush during the 2000 elections and campaign finance reform. I'd hate to see how he'd respond to people who really want to manipulate and intimidate him.

If America wants a strong president who will stand up for what this country believes in and needs to protect, we won't find it in John McCain.

[PLATO]

Is McCain ready to be President...compared to Barrack?

Hell yes.

[Darius871]

Meh, he's done just fine on a dozen other Daily Show appearances, including a very adversarial one recently, so it might have been a fluke.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=127542&title=john-mccain

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=115528&title=john-mccain

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=127541&title=john-mccain

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=112445&title=john-mccain-pt.-1

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=112445&title=john-mccain-pt.-2

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/04/25/senator-mccain-on-the-daily-show/

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=125453&title=john-mccain-pt.-1

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=125584&title=john-mccain-pt.-2

[Alexander I]

I don't think any of these weasels is really ready to be the president, but if I had to arrange them in order, I'd probably say...

McCain > Clinton > Obama

Say, that looks an awful lot like the "Experience-Change" continuum...

[DaShi]

Originally posted by PLATO
Is McCain ready to be President...compared to Barrack?

Hell yes.

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to poorly compare Obama to McCain in this regard. Only 1 post! Good job PLATO, you've won the Tool of the Week Award!

Seriously though, start another thread for this nonsense.

[Zevico]

As long as they wheel him out of the geriatrics ward for the Union address, America can feel safe and assured.

[asleepathewheel]

Obama doesn't exactly fair that well himself once he's outside a scripted environment.

Clinton is the only one of the three who actually seems comfortable in a one on one interview setting, not really a skill I prioritize in a candidate.

[DaShi]

Originally posted by Darius871
Meh, he's done just fine on a dozen other Daily Show appearances, including a very adversarial one recently, so it might have been a fluke.

Could be, but where have we seen McCain show some real leadership? As I've pointed out, he's caved on issues that were near and dear to him. What else will he cave on?

[Darius871]

Meh, the new one wasn't that bad either:

[DaShi]

Originally posted by Alexander I
I don't think any of these weasels is really ready to be the president, but if I had to arrange them in order, I'd probably say...

McCain > Clinton > Obama

Say, that looks an awful lot like the "Experience-Change" continuum...

But what is McCain's experience? He's familiar with the old way of doing things that has put Bush at a 30% approval rating? That's not good experience.

[DaShi]

Originally posted by Darius871
Meh, the new one wasn't that bad either:

I'm not saying McCain is a bad guy. He's a gentle grandpa or a little puppy. He's quite likable, but not a president of America.

[Fockerpeace]

He is trying to be...

[Darius871]

Originally posted by DaShi
I'm not saying McCain is a bad guy. He's a gentle grandpa or a little puppy. He's quite likable, but not a president of America.

If the problem is conviction, just watch his sole adversarial appearance; it got plenty heated and (whether right or wrong) he held his ground pretty passionately:

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/04/25/senator-mccain-on-the-daily-show/

[DaShi]

Really? First half was embarrassing for McCain. Stewart dominated him. The second half, Stewart started softballing McCain and was still dominating. Jon Stewart's general role is to create a platform for his guests to speak on. These are not intended to be debates or arguments. Stewart has himself admitted this. That McCain would find himself in such a defensive position shows a timid character. I felt like I was watching Jon Stewart campaigning for president.

[Darius871]

Originally posted by DaShi
Jon Stewart's general role is to create a platform for his guests to speak on. These are not intended to be debates or arguments. Stewart has himself admitted this. That McCain would find himself in such a defensive position shows a timid character. I felt like I was watching Jon Stewart campaigning for president.

Actually, they said themselves near the starting that (in so many words) that show went outside the formula and was intended to be a debate, so I don't know how this is an issue. He was only in a defensive position because they agreed beforehand it would be adversarial, for the first and last time.

Originally posted by DaShi
Really? First half was embarrassing for McCain. Stewart dominated him. The second half, Stewart started softballing McCain and was still dominating.

Just because one debater happens to be right on the issues, that doesn't necessarily make the other side timid. In fact the more fundamentally indefensible your positions are, the more spine it takes to attempt defending them. This sliding scale only tends to help the guy.