McCain refused to meet unconditionaly with our....Alies???

[Impaler[WrG]]

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2008/09/sheunemann_mccain_just_doesnt_want_to_meet_with_spains_pm.php

A hot breaking story that might blow up into the national stage, Earlier this week McCain had a phone interview with a Spanish radio station and was asked about meeting conditions under which he would meet with several Latin American leaders of ill repute, he naturally articulates his "no unconditional meetings unlike Obama" policy. He's then asked about the President of Spain (yes the one in Europe thats a member of NATO) by name and he repeats the same talking point. The reporter assuming that McCain has confused the Spanish President with a Latin American leftist explicitly points out this is a European country and McCain still dose not change position.

Now after all that you seem to have a very embarrassing gaff unless its explained away by some hand waiving about a bad phone line or the interviewers thick accent. But NO, after a request for clarification a McCain staffer clarifies that this is not a gaff but a McCain policy position. He will not commit one way or the other to meeting the President of Spain

McCain had made positive remarks towards meeting with him only a few months ago so this really looks like a digging in of the heels after a gaff in order to not admit the gaff. The alternative theory is that he really is holding a grudge against Spain because they withdrew their troops from Iraq a few years ago after that large train bombing they suffered. Its rumored that Bush has been snubbing the Spanish President for this reason but a official position like this is a complete slap in the face if its true.

[Imran Siddiqui]

As for the interview itself, it appears that McCain got confused because they were talking about Latin American leaders and all of a sudden the guy asks about Spain.

But I don't think it's digging in heels. I think the Republicans are pissed off at Spain for their policy on Iraq and there needs to be some rapprochement between the two before meetings.

[snoopy369]

What's an 'unconditional meeting'? I'd always have conditions if I were president, like "There must be tea of the brand and variety I prefer", and "No suits except for when the cameras are on".

[Zkribbler]

Gee, and after the Spaniards were nice enough to give back those two H-Bombs we dropped on them.

[Dr Strangelove]

Originally posted by snoopy369
What's an 'unconditional meeting'? I'd always have conditions if I were president, like "There must be tea of the brand and variety I prefer", and "No suits except for when the cameras are on".

Let me make this perfectly clear. There is no political leader in Europe, the Americas, Asia or Africa who will meet McCain in the buff, even if he does become the most powerful man on Earth. Every nation is allowed at least some modicum of dignity, and I say "God bless them" for it.

[snoopy369]

I mean jeans and a t-shirt

[Impaler[WrG]]

The story has now appeared on CNN and is blowing up in Spain.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x193192

[snoopy369]

So apparently McCain won't pick up much of the spanish vote?

[germanos]

There is no President of Spain .

McCain has everybody by the balls .

[Impaler[WrG]]

Actually their is, though their government is essentially Parliamentary the name for their Prime Minister equivalent is El Presidente aka President to us.

[Ecthy]

The Spanish PM is referred to as the "president" (of the government) FYI (edit - to some posts above).

Hardly noticed by the public outside of Spain, relations between the US and Spain have been icy since the new Spanish government's retreat from Iraq following the 7-M attacks. For one this resulted in there having been no direct meetings between heads of government from both countries IIRC.

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by germanos
There is no President of Spain .

Well, since murican polytubbies apparently aren't aware of this fact, then it's quite reasonable that teh president candidates neither isn't

[snoopy369]

Well, that is rather understandable, isn't it?
Terrorists attack USA. USA: "BOMB THE CRAP OUT OF THEM"
Terrorists attack Spain. Spain: "RUN LIKE FRENCHMEN"

We have to keep our allies in line, after all ... wouldn't want them all turning into France

[Ecthy]

Originally posted by Impaler[WrG]
Actually their is, though their government is essentially Parliamentary the name for their Prime Minister equivalent is El Presidente aka President to us.

Impaler, the point is that the head of state of the Kingdom of Spain is obviously the king, so there can be no president to speak of. But then the head of government / PM receives the title informally, so it's OK to speak of the President of Spain. However not of the "republic of Spain" as done by some US politician at some point

[SlowwHand]

We don't need no stinkin' allies.
Maybe Brits and maybe Israel.