Full Video: McCain Says Supporter's "Bitch" Query About Hillary Is "An Excellent Question"

Comments (88)

Jake D wrote on November 13, 2007 2:47 PM:

Is that worse than calling her a ROYAL HIND-ASS??

skippyjones wrote on November 13, 2007 2:52 PM:

OMG - that room is definitely my version of hell. absolute hell to have to spend any time with those fake, belicose, disturbing people. Not the America I am proud of, that's for sure!

DRinOH wrote on November 13, 2007 2:54 PM:

That's a very unfair headline and follow up on the front page. He handled it about as gracefully as can be expected. Then again, this is the Hillaryblog, so go for it...Just don't get up on your high horse and criticize CNN when you're not doing much better lately.

rssrai wrote on November 13, 2007 2:58 PM:

The person who called Hillary a bitch was a woman. I was expecting to see a man. McCain did turn red and he did not look like he knew what to say. At least he said he respected Hillary which is better than nothing I suppose.

Keith wrote on November 13, 2007 3:05 PM:

This won't be the last time this happens. Yes, of course it was a woman asking that question and I am sure she has been "pleased as punch" with herself all day.

That someone felt comfortable saying this in a public forum with the cameras rolling illustrates how much hatred there is out there for Hillary.

Can she overcome it?

Steve Bobker wrote on November 13, 2007 3:05 PM:

And right at the end there he gets in a bushism: "I respect anyone who gets the nomination of the DEMOCRAT party. "

Yeah right, respect; what a jerk.

Frank wrote on November 13, 2007 3:12 PM:

David Brooks in the Times has just been extolling McCain's qualities of character--his willingness to say what he believes even in the face of criticism--but his response to this "question" appears to me to be horribly mealy-mouthed and weak, willing to sacrifice his sense of decency in order to ingratiate himself with his audience.

kg wrote on November 13, 2007 3:15 PM:

Apparently they believe the answer is by being a bunch of A-holes.

Jim H wrote on November 13, 2007 3:18 PM:

Of course, McCain can't even come close to beating the bitch. Can you say, drop out after New Hampshire with heavy campaign debts?

Bill W wrote on November 13, 2007 3:25 PM:

McCain said he respects anyone who gets the nomination of the “Democrat party”, but apparently not so much to not take a swipe at the entire party when saying so.

Straight shooter my a$$.

The REAL McCain
http://therealmccain.com/

Brian wrote on November 13, 2007 3:27 PM:

Is TPM going to continue to waste time and resources by offering us follow-ups to this story? Now you've added a misleading headline to this silly "story".

savvy wrote on November 13, 2007 3:31 PM:

Well Bill what are you going to say to defend Hillary against the ladies that consider her the "B" to beat?!!

Hillary has issues far bigger than gender. Her character and person are simply not what folks are looking for in a presidential candidate.

Many of those folks are women...

starstuff wrote on November 13, 2007 3:31 PM:

Even coming from a woman this is sexism. Uppity women are often called bitches. If this term was used for men as well as women, Dick Cheney would win the prize for bitchiness. W himself gets really bitchy when things don't fall into line the way he wants. And Rudy is no slouch either.
Senator Clinton stands her ground and is not afraid to fight the good fight. If you think she is a bitch for doing that, you need to examine your own prejudices.

glennpdx wrote on November 13, 2007 3:31 PM:

Welcome to the heart of darkness, folks. The chubby pale people laughing heartedly at the crude, hostile reference to a woman. This is the Republican party. And make no mistake, those are McCain's people. It's good to see them on tape as they really are. Of course, he didn't say anything more than he "respects" Senator Clinton. He barely means that, and probably utters that woman's language (and worse) when the cameras are off...

some dude named steevo wrote on November 13, 2007 3:32 PM:

I bet half the republicans call her "bitch" already. Just wait and see what happens if Hillary gets the nomination. They will go after her much more vigorously then they did with Bill.

linda wrote on November 13, 2007 3:34 PM:

oh yes, st john the honorable would never, ever think a derogatory thought about hillary clinton....

uh, could someone remind me of his days as a stand-up comedian and that uproariously funny joke about chelsea clinton.

stayin' classy.

Ric wrote on November 13, 2007 3:36 PM:

McCain's character was pretty thoroughly revealed when he let the Bush campaign slime his family with racial slurs during the 2000 campaign. He wouldn't defend his own family against really foul lies and slander.

He's not going to condemn the potty mouth of one of his own supporters, since he apparently thinks that name calling, slander, and lies are acceptable political techniques. But that's the Republican way, isn't it?

BeBe wrote on November 13, 2007 3:42 PM:

This should be responded to or they will do it over and over and over. As a southern female let me oblige. When did they let the old hog off work cleaning chicken houses. Did she learn to shoot her horrid old mouth off in a cat house? If that were my senile old granny I would wash her mouth out with soap and get a competency hearing scheduled. This is why people call Repubs perverts and trash. Too bad we're not in London or we would say that wicked old *%@#. I'm tired of being polite and will toss their filth right back at them. If others do not wish to be rude and crude I understand but get the hell out of the way!

Oracle wrote on November 13, 2007 3:51 PM:

Look at the Rasmussen poll on this page. Clinton is beating McCain by 8 points. Not only does Sen. McCain hang out with people who have no tact in public but he TOTALLY DISTORTED the poll results. The Supreme Court majority should favor him for the highest office.

donna wrote on November 13, 2007 3:54 PM:

OK, can this be the end of Republicans complaining about how "uncivil" the "liberals" are?

I really am sick of hearing that.

And I am very tired of women who are strong and powerful being referred to as bitches - by anyone, male or female.

Let's truly start showing some civility in our discourse about women - that would be an excellent change in this country.

Cheap Sunglasses wrote on November 13, 2007 3:55 PM:

Wow - what a great opportunity for some of Hillary's 'surrogates' in the war room.

Time to pick up Elton John's 'The Bitch is Back' as a campaign slogan.

Long Memory wrote on November 13, 2007 3:56 PM:

Somebody's gonna find out who that silver-haired tramp is, and I just betcha she's gonna turn out to be a Sunday School teaching hypocrite. The Democrats should keep this tape and run it over and over and let the people who don't like Hillary laugh while the people who haven't made up their minds get to decide which side their on. Civility or crudity? If Obama were in the lead, I can imagine she'd have a differently phrased question.

bachusio wrote on November 13, 2007 4:09 PM:

They gang up on Clinton for pulling the 'gender' card, then use her gender to insult her and beat her over the head.

Ethan wrote on November 13, 2007 4:10 PM:

The GOP is scared shitless of a Hillary Presidency. LET'S GIVE IT TO THEM. Hillary + extended leads in both houses = PAYBACK TIME BWAAA HA HA HA HA HAAAA

phil wrote on November 13, 2007 4:13 PM:

Take a look at the hideous animal asking the question.......

wes2 wrote on November 13, 2007 4:16 PM:

Cheap Shades --

Yesssss! I would so totally vote for her if she used that as her campaign theme song.

'Cause I'm better than you
It's the way that I move
The things that I do

Fug Celine Dion. Get your groove on, Hill.

MNDFL wrote on November 13, 2007 4:16 PM:

The question for John McCain and today's republicans is:

Will you be laughing when you are asked, "How do we beat the "n-word"?" in reference to Obama?

Of course not. They would be appalled. At least I hope so.

So, why is it so hilarious to be calling Hillary a "b-word"?

Paul wrote on November 13, 2007 4:21 PM:

I think McCain handled the question rather decently. He clearly was surprised and put-off by the woman's offensive query, and his "excellent questions," to be fair, was almost certainly focused on the underlying issue of how to beat Clinton. This issue is being blown out of proportion, I believe, and I'm a HRC fan.

jcrue wrote on November 13, 2007 4:29 PM:

was the questioner a Hillary plant or Hillary herself?

Michael wrote on November 13, 2007 4:30 PM:

Ethan, why would the gop be "scared shitless" about a clinton II presidency? Why her more than any of the other dems running? If anything, I would think that they would be "scared shitless" over a kucinich or paul presidency more than a clinton II presidency. I don't get that one.

Douglas Watts wrote on November 13, 2007 4:43 PM:

The extended clip is very interesting. McCain is pretty uncomfortable and doesn't seem very pleased with the woman putting him in the middle of the tar pit. So he tries to make lemonade of the issue. This kind of stuff helps HRC in many ways. The more her candidacy is identified by opponents as being about gender, the more votes she collects.

Seth H. wrote on November 13, 2007 5:03 PM:

Anybody know what's up with the Rasmussen poll he cited? I can't imagine him actually being up in a national head-to-head poll.

Biff Steele wrote on November 13, 2007 5:04 PM:

Hmmm........

She is one isn't she?

If not.......

Then why, over all these decades, do you think Willy goes for strange so much then?

Gaines wrote on November 13, 2007 5:07 PM:

I say this as a dyed in the wool Democrat. "Get a grip, people!" There are many things to critique McCain for, none of which apply to this incident. He was apparently speaking to a small group made up entirely of Republicans. I would be offended if someone called HRC that in my presence, but let's be real, most of us who bother to post here have probably referred to Shrub in some rather vulgar terms, too. IT WASN"T MCCAIN WHO SAID IT. What the hell was he supposed to do? Offend a voter? Be real! He laughed it off (frankly, it was kind of a funny line coming from the little old lady) and then said he respected HRC. One thing that the GOP has a point about over the years, too many on our side of the fence have no sense of humor.

Homeless wrote on November 13, 2007 5:16 PM:

Having just "escaped" from living in SC for over 10 years, in the low-country, what you saw in this snippet is typical of both the home-grown and transplants. The "Plantation Mentality" still exists; the Civil War was about northern aggression, not slavery; many military retirees and "kool-aid a steady diet for these proud red-staters.
Sadly, many of those "northerns" moving to the Charleston area have brought with them long-held racial biases. Fox-TV is the only station to use to get "the news" because their coverage is fair and balanced. All other media is not to be trusted and Rush is a media-god.

And these people vote, help us!

daria g wrote on November 13, 2007 5:22 PM:

Nice that the questioner never actually SAID that "the bitch" referred to Hillary but McCain was happy to go with the assumption that's who she was talking about.

He could have politely said that he doesn't believe in calling his political opponents names, or any number of things to show that he didn't condone that kind of insult.

Not surprised, though.

John Danforth wrote on November 13, 2007 5:31 PM:

Senator Clinton stands her ground and is not afraid to fight the good fight. If you think she is a bitch for doing that, you need to examine your own prejudices.

_____________________________________

Right that last debate really showed how Mrs. Clinton stands her ground, by not answering questions, giving two different answers to one question in less than 2 minutes, and her fall back position avoiding the answer by stating that Mr Bush's failure to....
She refused to answer questions on social security, Iraq, even drivers licenses. Hell if she has to have a poll to see which way to answer each issue its going to be a long four years. She lacks her husbands ability to charm you while lying in your face, and frankly isn't the strong woman she pretends to be. After all she stood behind Bill while he sexually abused women. Is America ready for a woman to be president, of course, but not her.

JoCr wrote on November 13, 2007 5:37 PM:

McCain does not fare so well against John Edwards.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/favorables/election_2008_democratic_candidates_running_in_2008_presidential_election

Ed Stanowicz wrote on November 13, 2007 5:50 PM:

Bingo!!!! Even women hate the bitch!!!

e dardar wrote on November 13, 2007 5:52 PM:

can we buy him a one-way ticket to Hanoi?

Sally wrote on November 13, 2007 5:57 PM:

We can all agree that McCain would never plant such a question. Can't we?

BJ wrote on November 13, 2007 6:33 PM:

That looks like the kind of crowd Borat could speak to...and they still wouldn't get it.

colonpowwow wrote on November 13, 2007 6:53 PM:

Every candidate knows that they are going to get rude comments and questions from the people at campaign-related events as part of the deal.

I thought McCain handled it well enough. A laugh is about what it deserved. Please let's not feign delicacy in 2007-08 America.

But I can hardly wait to see who's laughing after all the dust is settled.

colonpowwow wrote on November 13, 2007 6:57 PM:

Ed Stanowicz wrote on November 13, 2007 5:50 PM:
Bingo!!!! Even women hate the bitch!!!

Having established on another thread that we think she was referring to Guiliani, I think your statement is equally applicable.

Especially if you insert the modifier "some" in each case.

jrazzone wrote on November 13, 2007 7:03 PM:

I wonder how this would have played had an African American asked, regarding another candidate, "How are we going to beat that n****r?"

Piehole wrote on November 13, 2007 7:03 PM:

So much for civility in political discourse.

How about a clear statement from McCain like "I reject those kinds of hateful labels, and frankly, I don't want people like you on my side as I struggle to make America better."

That would be a much bigger headline, and for the right reasons.

Scandi wrote on November 13, 2007 7:08 PM:

Can you imagine the huge outcry there would be if someone had said to Hillary "how are you going to beat that asshole, Giulianni?" and she let it slide?

Marc Vidal wrote on November 13, 2007 8:06 PM:

a coffe with Hillary?

http://www.marcvidal.cat/en/2007/11/a-coffee-with-h.html

gg wrote on November 13, 2007 8:16 PM:

The beginning of a new slogan?...Bumper stickers should surface soon....Who's this "woman"?

MARTinNJ wrote on November 13, 2007 8:36 PM:

Miss...do you eat with that mouth? Or are you just one of them 'wide stance, small tent Repugs?

DS wrote on November 13, 2007 9:10 PM:

I thought he handled it quite well. This is a non-issue. Or the type of thing the wingnuts like to rage about. Please, please, please continue to take the high road, TPM, and focus on real issues instead of falling into this tripe. These things detract from your credibility.

DELACROIX wrote on November 13, 2007 9:16 PM:

Bush is such a little bitch, that it is no wonder he has to compensate with his little flight suit. The "man" is such cry baby, repressed homesexual (and this would be a compliment, in my eyes) that I truly believe that the beady-eyed Laura must be his beard, or at least a stepford robot.

Gordon Gartrelle wrote on November 13, 2007 9:28 PM:

But...but....but how did he automatically know who the questioner meant?

McCain: same guy who slammed a pre-teen Chelsea Clinton. *CLASSY*!

I B Joshin wrote on November 13, 2007 9:39 PM:

McCain missed a chance to be big. But it isn't surprising. This is comparable to his "Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" nonsense. He's another immature frat boy in men's clothes. He's lying about the polls and he doesn't have an ice cube's chance in hell of winning the nomination, anyway. If I were given a chance to have a beer with him, I would go for it and find a way to spill the beer in his lap.

As for women hating Hillary Clinton, misogyny has never been limited to the males of the species. Women have ever been their own worst enemies when it comes to other women getting ahead. Think Phyllis Schafley.

I do agree that Hillary should get it on with Elton John's "The Bitch is Back" for a campaign song. Even if she doesn't do it officially, I think she should trot it out once in awhile.

I B Joshin wrote on November 13, 2007 9:40 PM:

Anybody have a link to what McCain said about Chelsea Clinton?

john wrote on November 13, 2007 10:20 PM:

What the he//? McCain would not defend his own wife and child against the attack from the Bush people, so what did you expect.

Anonymous wrote on November 13, 2007 10:53 PM:

He was apparently speaking to a small group made up entirely of Republicans. I would be offended if someone called HRC that in my presence, but let's be real, most of us who bother to post here have probably referred to Shrub in some rather vulgar terms, too.

There's no question that people on both sides use less-than-complimentary names for members of the other side. But what sets this apart is that she was quite comfortable saying it in public, in the presence of the candidate, and on camera.

What the hell was he supposed to do? Offend a voter? Be real! He laughed it off (frankly, it was kind of a funny line coming from the little old lady) and then said he respected HRC.

First of all it's not a little old lady - it might be funny if it was Estelle Getty in Golden Girls. From the way she says "we" you'd have to think she's an active member of the Rethugs for McCain.

As for offending her...I think maybe a statement that he'd rather keep the discourse a little more civil would be an inoffensive way to put it. But unsurprisingly, he didn't think of that. He obviously thinks it's ok to refer to her as The Bitch, and that he can excuse such behavior with platitudes like "I respect her."

Sense of humor?

Bill Clinton's the Rapist. John Edwards is a faggot. Obama regularly gets called Osama. Chelsea Clinton's the family dog. Now Hillary's the Bitch.

Still laughing?

Robert Berthaut wrote on November 13, 2007 11:43 PM:

It's sad that when a woman aspires to a position of authority, men, and other envious and/or repressed women need to belittle her with sexist epithets. Although it would have been better had McCain taken issue with the use of the word bitch, I don't fault him for having ignored it. In view of the fact that in our current political forum, the word bitch has become synonymous with HRC (largely because of the pro-right media's mean-spirited disparagement of Senator Clinton), why should McCain take exception? After all, he didn't coin the "nickname," right?

joejoejoe wrote on November 13, 2007 11:46 PM:

John McCain is old! It's funny because it's true.

dweb wrote on November 13, 2007 11:54 PM:

DS Wrote...I thought he handled it quite well

No DS...Handling it quite well would have been as follows:

"M'aam, with all due respect, your question is a symbol of the worst of election politics. We should be engaged in a debate of the very important issues facing us as a nation - energy, health care, the war, global warming, education.

Senator Clinton and I do have differing positions on how to address those issues as I do with her opponents for the Democratic nomination. But whatever those differences, they do not merit referring to her as you have done, and I will not do so myself, nor do I want my supporters to do so either. Let us debate the issues on the merits and let the voters decide who is best suited to lead this nation.
_____

Can you imagine how much more McCain's stature as a straight shooter might have been advanced if he had taken such a stance instead of responding in a way which essentially left the slur standing as if he had no problems with it? An opportunity lost by a man who has, sadly, lost his own moral compass in pursuit of the Presidency.

I B Joshin wrote on November 14, 2007 12:17 AM:

dweb wrote on November 13, 2007 11:54 PM:

"Can you imagine how much more McCain's stature as a straight shooter might have been advanced if he had taken such a stance instead of responding in a way which essentially left the slur standing as if he had no problems with it? An opportunity lost by a man who has, sadly, lost his own moral compass in pursuit of the Presidency."

Oh yes! That is exactly right. You nailed it.

I B Joshin wrote on November 14, 2007 12:19 AM:

Robert Berthaut wrote on November 13, 2007 11:43 PM:

"Although it would have been better had McCain taken issue with the use of the word bitch, I don't fault him for having ignored it."

He did not ignore it. He laughed and said it was a good question. Then he answered it. Where do you get the idea he ignored it?

Pasquale Mojado wrote on November 14, 2007 12:25 AM:

McCain could have brought a chuckle from the crowd by answering, "Uh..Al Gore is not even running this time around."

Ric Caric wrote on November 14, 2007 12:27 AM:

I think it's better to focus more on the statement itself before thinking about McCain's response. In the video, "bitch" is not a stereotype of an unpleasant or overly aggressive woman or a term of opposition. Rather, the pejorative thrust of the conservative woman's use of the term in relation to Hillary Clinton was to treat Clinton as sub-human, as somebody who could not be imagined as equal in dignity to anybody in the room. For this Republican woman, "bitch" was the female version of a racial epithet like the n-word.

In this context, the use of the term "beat the bitch" has an ambivalent meaning in the sentence as a whole. The primary connotation is to defeat Hillary but there's a strong secondary connotation of "beating" as in physically beating Hillary or in visiting upon her a humiliation and degradation that Hillary would deserve as a sub-human "bitch." The implied violence is captured by another person in the room who jokes that "she's talking about my ex-wife." The violence implied in the idea of "beating my ex-wife" deepens the racial analogy. Asking "how do we beat the bitch" is the functional equivalent of asking "how do we keep blacks in their place."

GIULIANI'S APPEAL. McCain did break up in laughter over the question. More significantly, however, he referred to Hillary by a name as "Sen. Clinton." By using her name rather than calling her something like "the bitch", McCain brought the discussion out of the stock symbolism of bigotry and into a world where people can compete and disagree without dehumanizing to the nth degree. In that context, McCain could then talk about his respect for her and his respect for the Democratic Party despite his many disagreements.

But that probably wasn't the answer that McCain's questioner was looking for. To find the "right" right-wing answer, she's going to have to look toward Rudy Giuliani. According to the Wall Street Journal, Rudy Giuliani appeals to Republicans primarily because of his carefully calculated image of "confidence" and strength."

"It's all about leadership," says Scott Reed, a Republican strategist who ran Bob Dole's 1996 campaign but is unaffiliated this time around. "It's all about him being a tough guy who won't take c--- from anyone. Social conservatives have embraced this and have overlooked the traditional issues of life, marriage and the Second Amendment for the guy," Mr. Reed adds."

To be more precise, not taking "crap" means "dishing out a lot of crap" without "apologizing" for it. It means that Rudy is going to engage in a lot of insults and put-downs as ways to display his aggression. As Giuliani has shown with his fibs about health policy, he's not going to care much about the accuracy of his claims and he's especially not going to back down on any of his inaccurate claims. And that's what Republican voters want to see. They want to see Republican candidates "beat" and humiliate Hillary Clinton as well as defeat her in the election. They want to "beat the bitch" with insults, innuendo, and smears and they want to feel good about the beatings they dish out to her.

Giuliani is doing his best to project himself as the guy who's going to make Republicans feel good. McCain's refusal to play that game is one of the big reasons that he's behind.

Leon723 wrote on November 14, 2007 12:37 AM:

The attitude displayed by that women questioner, and then the other Republicans in the room and some of the anti-Hillary commenters above , is precisely the kind of thing that HELPS Hillary, rather than hurts her. And while I don't think McCain was comfortable with the question, I think his response was appallingly timid. He absolutely would have called her to the carpet if she had used other slurs, but he chuckled (even if a bit hesitantly) at the B word.

There are so many merits-based reasons against as to why Hillary is an inferior candidate to Obama, and they are all drowned out by the kind of venom that her most obnoxious detractors display. So I'd advise those supporting Obama to give no quarter to the "B" word or any of the other over-the-top criticisms of her leveled by the right, and focus on all the sound progressive reasons for rejecting her in favor of Obama.

Been there/done that wrote on November 14, 2007 1:08 AM:

The first black president was impeached. We need to do some progressin' and elect the first gal president this time.

WuMing wrote on November 14, 2007 1:36 AM:

The question was in poor taste, but with all the venom from the leftists, such as hoping for Tony Snow to die, wishing Michelle Malkin would get raped, etc., this one little word isn't going to balance out those scales.

I B Joshin wrote on November 14, 2007 1:40 AM:

"McCain did break up in laughter over the question."

He certainly did. First someone says he ignored the question, now someone is saying "McCain didn't break up in laughter over the question." What video are you guys watching? I'm watching the one at the top of the column, the one where McCain laughs at the question, calls it a good question and then answers it.

FreakyBeaky wrote on November 14, 2007 1:40 AM:

WuMing, you ignorant slut. All true card-carrying venomous leftists want Michelle Malkin to die, and Tony Snow to get raped. Get it straight.

Geolee wrote on November 14, 2007 1:57 AM:

I found his response not unlike his initial comment when his mother made the anti Mormon innuendo the other night in an interview with the two together. Way too mild for the situation. He clearly did not feel comfortable to challenge assertively an older woman making that type of comment. However, his response did show he immediately assumed who the questioner was talking about (which speaks volumes) and the mildness with which he responded was quite telling. From my female point of view, I was equally offended by his failure to immediately not respond as dweb suggested. The distressing part is how easily these women find pubically putting down others is for them. I suspect, as a public school teacher, they would probbly treat me subserviently. I suspect they use other such words as the S-word for Governor Richardson, the N-word for Senator Obama and the G-word for former Senator Edwards. (Trust me, those are the words flying around the internet from the right wing slander mill) Senator McCain came from a family of very high ranking military men (Admirals)...in fact, I discovered at #41's presidential library, that Senator McCain's grandfather signed the distinguished flying cross honor earned by Bush #41. You and I paid for is excellent education at Annapolis. He is not one of most of us. He grew up with the political aristocracy that Admirals cavort with and to think otherwise is foolish. Seeing how he has missed two chances to be a leader rather than part of a crude crowd certainly makes me feel less respect for this man who was stong enough to endure 5 years of captivity, but not strong enough to respond with the dignity I want in my president. If he is afraid of offending a woman supporter, Lord help us when he would need to confront Ahmedinejad(sp?) or Putin or the leaders in Baghdad! He has sold his soul and the evidence keeps coming out.

Geolee wrote on November 14, 2007 2:54 AM:

When I read a few comments like some above who not only support the curde appellation for Senator Clinton and even say her husband's wanderings are her fault, I find the blame the victim interesting. Do the feel the same way about Senator Vitter's wife or Senator Craig's wife in terms of driving them to their sexual proclivities? What archaic thinking. How would they feel if women said "Men don't think with their brains, but react to their hormones." Yet, they often view women as weaker and more emotional because of their cycles. Studies, however, have shown those most likely to cheat on their marriage vows are men and specifically men in power. I am already receiving emails and seeing blogs where the L-word is now being used and I don't mean "liberal" and absolutely dread what is ahead for all us should Senator Clinton be the Democratic nominee. What was done to John McCain in South Carolina in 2000 will seem like child's play compared to what "Good Christian conservatives men and women" will do to and say about Senator Clinton. I have not seen a single email from my more liberal acquaintances with the crude, slanderous remarks of personal destruction that have been coming daily from my more conservative friends. As a republican oriented Independent, I am aghast by the venom and hatred being spewed already. I have heard numerous times the word "Devil" coming out of the mouths of FOX network talking heads when talking about her. Even having polls asking which candidatw would you trust to take care of your children and the horrible reaction to Hillary Clinton by a fairly substantial number is sickening. When I compare the parenting Chelsea seemed to have had and the fact that we have never heard of her getting picked up for drunk driving or any other infraction, and I am sure we would have had she done anything illegal---on the front page, no doubt--I have to commend Senator Clinton and say I would trust her with my child any day of the week. She cares about children and brought up a pretty sensible, bright young lady by all standards of measure.

moron wrote on November 14, 2007 4:24 AM:

She was probably talking about Rudy Julie Annie.

MickMcA wrote on November 14, 2007 6:40 AM:

Ok, this is silly. Unless McCain planted the question (and I'm sorry, there's no way he's a good enough actor to fake being floored by the question so well), I don't see how it reflects on him at all. His answer was funny, corrective, and respectful.

And if someone had asked Hillary "How do we beat Queen Rudy?" I just don't think the folks here would be all knotted in their knickers.

Phil wrote on November 14, 2007 7:08 AM:

http://www.salon.com/news/1998/06/25newsb.html
John Mccain: "Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?
Because her father is Janet Reno."

Earl wrote on November 14, 2007 7:51 AM:

What more would one expect from a stupid, desperate, washed up old man?

neontetra wrote on November 14, 2007 8:05 AM:

Much ado about nothing. The fact that McCain get ask an off color question is not a reflection of McCain.

Lee wrote on November 14, 2007 8:22 AM:

I guess you all don't recall McCain making jokes about how ugly Chelsea was, hum?

rich wrote on November 14, 2007 11:09 AM:

i am sure the people in that room also would have been laughing if someone asked the question about Senator Obama, using aNother word...

james phillips wrote on November 14, 2007 1:18 PM:

Most of the people I know and talk to are democrats and they think Hillary is a bitch.

For example, she had a U-tube contest to pick a campaign song and many supporters sent in entries. She chose the Celine Dion song referered to in a post above.

Hilliary likes to give the "little people" the illusion she is listening then does what she wanted to all along. That is why discerning people recognise that she is a "snooty bitch"

Samuel Cameron wrote on November 14, 2007 1:42 PM:

How again is it sexist for a woman to call another woman a bitch? That's about as sexist as a man calling another man a bastard.

If Hillary's camp keeps banging the gender drum, the bitch will beat herslf.

Frank wrote on November 14, 2007 3:12 PM:

What classy people McCain attracts...But you know, the question was rightly put to one who painfully knows what beating is all about.He could have scored points by being a gentleman, and not to continue acting like the embarrassingly Bush sycophantic ebabler who will do anything to be elected...

mark goodban wrote on November 14, 2007 10:13 PM:

1st hw bush as vice pres from 1980 to 1988 then he turn to pres bush from 1989 to 1992 then bill clinton took over from 1993 to 2000 then gw. bush the son of hw. bush from 2001 2008 now hillery allready claims when she returns back to being president she could last for 8 years like 2009 to 2016 the 2 family royalists both have daughters and know they need a change to keep the dictarship in america alive and kicking by the way have they ever lived up to the promise of health care or asking for forgiveness on the sin of deseving of being a true beleaver of god for claiming to be an evangelist. he defide health care to kids while proudly loves no child left behind and hates clean water for its people just ask new orleans.

Pasquale wrote on November 14, 2007 10:15 PM:

I can't figure out why the Democrats attack McCain, who is a war hero. Hillary never served at all in the military. Furthermore, she has never stated why she did not volunteer for any of the armed forces, not even the National Guard. I wonder if the liberal media will ask her...

Richard wrote on November 15, 2007 1:25 AM:

I think the "Bitch" will be the coming eight years of payback to the republicans who raked the Clintons across the coals during their time in the White House.

Engawyer wrote on November 15, 2007 10:07 AM:

SOUNDS LIKE GOOD OLD FASHION REPUBLICAN HATE-HUMOR TO ME.

STICK TO THE ISSUES GOP.

ONE PROUD INDEPENDENT AMERICAN FOR HILLARY.

Scott wrote on November 15, 2007 11:06 AM:

Surprise, surprise: a groping, pathetic and doomed John McCain playing to the country club branch of his Neanderthal base.

Methinks that less-than-Southernly-genteel harpy asking the question should have first taken a good look in the mirror before she ventured out for the day, and then considered rephrasing the question in a way that didn’t make her come off to all of God's Green Earth like a self-loathing Stepford wife — and McCain like a clueless, waffling, pandering sadsack about to lose those three Rasmussen points he prematurely boasts of…and THEN some.

Here’s a suggested response that McCain could have offered that grey-haired, hatchet-faced reptile:

“First of all, Ma’am, in an enlightened conversation about political strategies, there’s no call for demeaning and defamatory language about an opponent. As a fellow U.S. Sentator, she’s entitled to the same respect for her service to this country as you would grant me. That said, I think she’s wrong on issues X, Y and Z…and this is how we’ll beat her if we’re both nominated by our parties…”

You see? It is possible to debase a woman without resorting to crude, misogynistic profanity. Most GOPers don't get that, however. Or self-parody or irony, for that matter.

Jim wrote on November 16, 2007 1:59 PM:

McCain's handling of the question could have been better. I mean, it's not, as he says, "an excellent question." It was, in fact, a totally inane and gratuitous question, reflective of the shallow and hateful values of everyone in that room who laughed and clapped.

Jen wrote on November 18, 2007 10:44 AM:

"Is possible to debase a woman without resorting to crude, misogynistic profanity?" (from Scott above)

I completely agree with this statement. Unfortunately, I find it all too common for women, like the one who asked the original question to McCain, to initiate this kind of conversation!

However, in the video, McCain did follow up with the statement, "Can you give me the translation of that?" and the respect statement. He did not call Hillary a "B@#ch," or did he raise money for his campaign here based upon that premise.

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