Report: McCain Stands By As His Supporter Calls Hillary A "Bitch"

Comments (72)

OUtside the beltway wrote on November 13, 2007 12:16 PM:

I got a great idea how about we nominate someone that is openly called a "bitch" at public events.

sounds like a great candidate,

biff diggerence wrote on November 13, 2007 12:24 PM:

With your bare hands, tuff guy.

Just like your Missus.

Chris wrote on November 13, 2007 12:25 PM:

How is this news?

What did you expect him to do?

At least he shrugged it off and changed the subject, instead of adressing the question as if it deserved an answer.

Chairman Mo wrote on November 13, 2007 12:28 PM:

This sort of thing will probably help Senator Clinton.

i say bring it on

Michael wrote on November 13, 2007 12:28 PM:

The republican establishment really, really wants clinton II to be the dem nominee. How much more evidence do you hillary-lovers need? What a dumb statement and only designed to get dems to vote for clinton II and the republican base fired up. How pathetic.

penalcolony wrote on November 13, 2007 12:30 PM:

Gee, and just this morning David Brooks was telling us what great man McCain is.

As for me, I'm still waiting for McCain to explain why the Janet Reno/Chelsea Clinton "joke" was funny. No more apologies, please; just a straight talking explanation.

Patrick J. Kiger wrote on November 13, 2007 12:30 PM:

This reminds me of when he wouldn't dare not support the flying of the confederate flag in South Carolina in 2000. (He belatedly issued a mea culpa on that, if I recall correctly. ) I have a lot of respect for his enduring captivity as a POW, for his opposition to Bush's torture policy, and for his championing of campaign finance reform. But his desperate craving to be President seems to override his basic sense of decency.

brian wrote on November 13, 2007 12:31 PM:

The Republicans will make this the most low-down, dirty, name-calling, slander-driven, fear-mongering, lying campaign possible.

The Republicans' only hope is to prevent voters from using the thinking part of their brains. They will be driving for the brain stem and the amygdala and the crotch.

The way to thwart them is to refuse to play their game. Do not give in to name-calling, to fear, to sneering, to cynicism.

Refute their lies; refuse to adopt their sneering tone; appeal to higher instincts. Expose their strategy at every turn.

Republicans are wrecking our government. They hate our constitution. They mean to stay in power to continue their destruction. Do not let them.

Brian wrote on November 13, 2007 12:31 PM:

Is Greg Sargent really this bored?

jeffgee wrote on November 13, 2007 12:32 PM:

The New Clinton Derangement Syndrome.
Expect a lot more of this if she continues to be the front runner. People who hated Bill hate her even more.

Greg wrote on November 13, 2007 12:33 PM:

come on. you don't think that mccain should have said, "I disagree with Hillary about many things, but I don't think it's appropriate to describe her with such language."

jeffgee wrote on November 13, 2007 12:35 PM:

The woman who asked looks like one of the band-aid-wearing Kerry-mocking Bush supporters at the 2004 GOP convention.

Jim wrote on November 13, 2007 12:37 PM:

Quel'horror!

Let's see, Bush has been labelled loser/junkie/asshole/scumbag/criminal/piece of shit/cocksucker/motherfucker and on and on and on ad infinitum...

Why report this foolishness?

POed Lib wrote on November 13, 2007 12:37 PM:

I have a little sympathy for Mr.McCain here. When I taught at the Ohio State University, I was talking in a stat class about types of variables, and I said that "You can't be pregnant to a degree; it's yes or no." To which a student quipped something like "Unless you're black." I was totally floored, and quickly moved on.

Well, some little black student reported me for racism - note that I did not say the comment. Next, the racist and biased EEOC officer for the college sat down and had a little talk with me, which started with something like "Why do you make racist comments in class?"

So, I have some sympathy with the ambush victims.

Keith wrote on November 13, 2007 12:38 PM:

Greg:

Just curious, did you stumble across this question on your own or did a little birdie forward it to you?

And I think McCain handled it fine--he didn't dignify it with a response. Though I see your point, if say, someone had referred to Obama as a n---er, there might be quite the uproar if McCain didn't say anything either.

bob wrote on November 13, 2007 12:40 PM:

So much for Southern manners. From what I could tell from the video, the old lady asking the question should be careful calling anyone that name! People who live in glass houses...

JD wrote on November 13, 2007 12:42 PM:

...and some of us wonder why Democrats are pigeonholed as spineless pu$$ies

NEXT!

John Crandell wrote on November 13, 2007 12:43 PM:

At this strategic point in time, I think we can assume either A: that this is pure Rove, or B: that Rove is now on steroids.

bob wrote on November 13, 2007 12:44 PM:

Even if he didn't do anything at the time, afterward, McCain should have said that it debases politics to use intemperate language to refer to one's opponents.

It's called the High Road, and Mr. Sanctimony John McCain used to try to hit it as often as possible. I guess not so much now. Can't offend the base, since his main campaign right now, as seen in his ads, seems to be to run against Hillary rather than running for anything.

iVoted4Nader wrote on November 13, 2007 12:44 PM:

"Bitch?"

I think that referred to "Ghoulianni"

Brian wrote on November 13, 2007 12:46 PM:

Greg wrote on November 13, 2007 12:33 PM:
come on. you don't think that mccain should have said, "I disagree with Hillary about many things, but I don't think it's appropriate to describe her with such language."

This would have led to an ugly exchange with the questioner that would have gotten out of control. Which I'm sure you would have also reported. Find something real to write about.

Greg wrote on November 13, 2007 12:48 PM:

I'm not personally appalled by this language -- I am, however, surprised that McCain didn't distance himself from them at the event or, worse, in response to our questions...

biggerbox wrote on November 13, 2007 12:50 PM:

It was a real missed opportunity for some work on the "vitriolic, partisan" political environment we keep hearing complaints about.

McCain could have said, "Look, there's no call for language like that. She's a United States Senator, just as I am, and that deserves some common respect. Now, she's wrong on a lot of points, like (x,y,z McCain soundbites) and that's why we're going to beat her."

Anonymous wrote on November 13, 2007 12:51 PM:

"some little black student"

seriously?

Seth H. wrote on November 13, 2007 12:54 PM:

If someone at an Obama rally referred to Giuliani as "the fucknard" or what have you, I really hope that Barack would have the strength of character to laugh it off. I'd sure be laughing. Why again is this a thing?

Sally wrote on November 13, 2007 12:55 PM:

When Geraldine Ferraro was a VP candidate, Mrs. George W. Bush referred to her as a "rhymes with witch." The MSM and republics loved it then, too.

Lettin loose wrote on November 13, 2007 12:56 PM:

That's Bad ass bitch to you, you little 80 year old mccain cock-tease of a wench.

Seriously,..what the Fox is Fox News reporting,...it's like the national inquirer on video over there.

Sally wrote on November 13, 2007 12:57 PM:

When Geraldine Ferraro was a VP candidate, Mrs. George W. Bush referred to her as a "rhymes with witch." The MSM and republics loved it then, too.

Anonymous wrote on November 13, 2007 1:01 PM:

So if a woman calls another woman a bitch, is that the same as a man calling her a bitch?

linda wrote on November 13, 2007 1:01 PM:

to be expected. esp considering the assaultive language consistently used by the chattermonkeys in their efforts to encourage the other democratic candidates to 'hit', 'knock her down', 'beat', 'push back' clinton.

Chesire111 wrote on November 13, 2007 1:02 PM:

Wow, is it really so hard to muster the simple decency to say something like, "Excuse me sir, but I'm offended by your comment. Senator Clinton and I disagree strongly on the direction this country should go, but there should be no place for that sort of name calling in our democracy."? If I were at a work function and someone referred to one of my colleagues as a "bitch" you'd better beleive there's no way I'd just laugh it off.

If John McCain can't defend a colleague against an anonymous guy in a crowd, then how will he defend our country against Al Qaeda?

OUtside the beltway wrote on November 13, 2007 1:04 PM:

Was the elderly woman who called clinton a "bitch" one of the republicans mark penn said would vote for hillary cause she's a woman?

colonpowwow wrote on November 13, 2007 1:04 PM:

iVoted4Nader wrote on November 13, 2007 12:44 PM:

"Bitch?" I think that referred to "Ghoulianni"

Although I disagree with iVoted4Nader on nearly every issue, I want to make it perfectly clear that there's no place in this campaign for purposefully misspelling Rudy's last name.

Indignantly yours,

colonpowwow

Anonymous wrote on November 13, 2007 1:07 PM:

Maybe "bitch" was referring to the U.S. Constitution. Or the American people.

magster wrote on November 13, 2007 1:07 PM:

You've just got to love those women who reinforce misogynistic terms and drag other women down with them.

Brian wrote on November 13, 2007 1:13 PM:

The following are prominently placed on the TPM site right now. TPM has some very smart people, they need to take a small step back right now, and ask themselves if they are reporting on the campaign issues that matter. This almost looks like it could be a list of headlines from the Onion.

McCain Stands By As His Supporter Calls Hillary A B*****

McCain's Mother Criticizes Mormons

Clinton Camp: Bill Using Souther Slang, Not Playing Up Gender

HM: Why Does Hillary's Camp Push Back on the Media So Aggressively?

OxyCon wrote on November 13, 2007 1:14 PM:

Come on people! It's OKIYAR!

"I can't say it, but it rhymes with rich." (about vice-presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro -- Barbara Bush

gcs wrote on November 13, 2007 1:15 PM:

So, uh, whatever happened to the Republican lie/talking point about "respecting the office" even if they don't respect the person holding it. Oh, wait, that was meant only for Democrats and other people with actively engaged brains who see the moron-in-chief for the useless shit he really is.

So why can't we throw it right back in their faces? if you don't respect the office of United States Senator then aren't you showing disrepect for the United States itself? It's their logic, why should we let them off their own hook?

TC wrote on November 13, 2007 1:23 PM:

Jim,
"Let's see, Bush has been labelled loser/junkie/asshole/scumbag/criminal/piece of shit/cocksucker/motherfucker and on and on and on ad infinitum..."

I don't think Bush is a motherfucker.

benjoya wrote on November 13, 2007 1:26 PM:

"Maybe "bitch" was referring to the U.S. Constitution. Or the American people."

good one.

why doesn't someone ask: "senator mcCain, what do you think of the comments of that old bitch at the last event?"

Johnny2Bad wrote on November 13, 2007 1:27 PM:

And that's an insult how? If a woman's in the WH that's exactly the kind you want there....and if its a man you want a son of one.

Anonymous wrote on November 13, 2007 1:29 PM:

Now THAT's playing the gender card.

shant wrote on November 13, 2007 1:31 PM:

i dont udnerstand what everyone is so riled up about. Its not like McCain used derogatory language himself. OH NO, HE LAUGHED IT OFF. What was he supposed to do? Say, No, she's not a bitch, thats not nice...or Heck yea, dam bitch screwing my campeign up. Give me a break! im tired of the media playing up things that shouldn't even be news at all.

bwindrip wrote on November 13, 2007 1:31 PM:

I don't think that this is particularly newsworthy, either. McCain for the most part blew the woman off. Expecting him to make a bigger point of it is a waste of time.

That said, this clip should be broadcast 24/7, then set on fire and stuffed up Bill O'Reilly's bloated bum.

How's that for civilized discourse?

Mike wrote on November 13, 2007 1:38 PM:

Hillary's poll #s can only go up from this.

Anonymous wrote on November 13, 2007 1:41 PM:

All he had to say is somethng like: "Please, don't use that language around her. Would you like your wife or daughter spoken of that way?"

That would have marked his as gallant.
Instead, he appears to have condoned the language.

stephennnn wrote on November 13, 2007 1:48 PM:

A good lesson to be learned here!!! Using such language on your opponents only strengthens them with their supporters. It may make you feel good, but it UNECESSARILY emboldens your opponents supporters. Bush is a great example. We don't want hard core opposition, we want to create doubt and uncertainty in their ranks and the only way to bring that about is by dealing with issues.

Troksky wrote on November 13, 2007 1:51 PM:

Hillary should stand up at the next opportunity and declare, "Yes I'm my own bitch and I'm a bigger bitch than Bush's bitch McCain!".

She definitely should play it as a compliment, after all there's been many bastards in the White House. Perhaps, its time for a bitch.

Dawn wrote on November 13, 2007 1:52 PM:

Oh let's see, one response might have been. "I'd ask you to show at least a modicum of respect for a U.S. Senator and former first lady."

He could have gotten back some independent voters with even a minimal show of class and gallantry.

johnd wrote on November 13, 2007 2:04 PM:

It seems that those wishing to excuse this admitedly rather mundane behavior by McCain and his supporters want Democrats to confuse what is said between friends without cameras rolling and what is televised.

"General betray us" is a friggin hate crime to the military, purportedly because it's on the serious pages of the NY Times. But When Limbaugh for eight years compared Clintons presidency to a hostage taking terrorist operation "America held hostage", when they put a photo of Chelsea up as the Whitehouse dog, or when Cheney tells Leahy to "go f himself" they find nothing inappropriate in their own crudeness. "Can't we take it?" they say.

The correct response to this of course is to have a bunch of pre engineered comebacks ready to Republicans who have gone publ;ic with offended sensibilities to Democratic supporter's inappropriateness.

For example a Moveon splinter faction should get a few banner ads up that say.. To Senator McCain: About Moveon labeling Gen. Patreus "General Betray Us" what we also wanted to label him was Bush's "Bitch" but until now we thought that might offend your sensibilities. You think calling a strong military man names is as funny as you thought calling a female US Senator names is, or

I see at least some here believeing that you beat low ball Republican attacks by ignoring them and taking the high road - this is totally wrong. Like it or not recent political history is replete with examples of sucessful gutterslinging politics and void of noble campaign sucesses.

Case in point was the seminal Wiecker (R) - Lieberman (D) Senate race in CT where Leiberman posing as a Democrat beat Lowell Wiecker (an INO Republican) from the right with a campaign that was almost devoid of substantive debate but consisted solely of Joe calling Lowell a pussy for not immediately jumping in the gutter and wrestling with him over his unilateral attacks.

patrick wilber wrote on November 13, 2007 2:10 PM:

That lady reminds me of my grandmother...
:-)

Boy I miss her!

...well, two people handled it right, the questioner and the questioned.

...doubt if the accused can.

patrick wilber wrote on November 13, 2007 2:15 PM:

to brian with a little "b". republicans hate our constitution? o.k. the neocons sure do. are you implying democrats do not hate our constitution as well?

hillary voted for the patriot act
the war
the funding of the war
didn't declare it
won't take pre-emptive strike off the table for iran
wants amnesty for illegal aliens
in bed with bush and murdoch through lobby
owned by big business

most all are corrupt. only one truly stands alone, for the people, by the people. Ron Paul.

Beaufighter wrote on November 13, 2007 2:19 PM:

"He could have gotten back some independent voters with even a minimal show of class and gallantry."

That'd be nice, but you can really see what McCain's made of in situations like this. One thing about McCain: he's never afraid to sink to the level of his audience.

Moxie wrote on November 13, 2007 2:21 PM:

johnd,

Don't forget that the phrase "General Betray Us" was actually coined, and used first, by our good friend Rush Limbaugh.

Who, if I'm not mistaken, is Karl Rove's bitch.

Jackie Rawlings wrote on November 13, 2007 2:23 PM:

Now I wonder if McCain or any of the other male candidates for President would call a female World Leader that? There are many female Presidents representing countries around the world. Right now Bush had a meeting with the German President. McCain is upset that he was promised the White House if he got Bush in office. Now the GOP base is giving their support to Mob King Rudy. This shows the world that American Men have little to no respect for woman and with that said it also shows they have no respect for their Moms or sisters either. Name calling is for children and an Adult comes in to correct it. McCain's Mother should have been called to correct her son. Yes it's better late then never to raise your child with respect and not have a dirty mouth.

benjoya wrote on November 13, 2007 2:24 PM:

how do you "handle" being cursed by some senile old neanderthal (like yr granny!). you ignore her; i imagine that's what hillary will do. i hope it doesn't help her numbers, but it probably will.

gruntled wrote on November 13, 2007 2:32 PM:

So, what I want to know, is that ancient little creature mortified that she has exposed her foul mouth and nasty personality nationwide? Is she horrified that people in every state aren't buying that her shriveled face isn't the twenty years younger the doctor said she'd look? Is she chainsmoking on the veranda and wishing she hadn't had that second glass of wine that always make her act such a cunt that her husband wonders who she's become?

kjoe wrote on November 13, 2007 2:57 PM:

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''Mike wrote on November 13, 2007 1:38 PM:
Hillary's poll #s can only go up from this.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Hillary has been adept at planting questions in her own campaign---are we 100 percent sure that she did not plant this one?

bongborg wrote on November 13, 2007 3:07 PM:

gruntled wrote on November 13, 2007 2:32 PM:

So, what I want to know, is that ancient little creature mortified that she has exposed her foul mouth and nasty personality nationwide?

I sincerely doubt it. Republicans don't mortify easily. After all, we are talking about people who support people like Dick Cheney, who on the floor of the Senate, addressed a senator with the words "Fuck you".

Geoff C wrote on November 13, 2007 4:33 PM:

If McCain's supporters called Hilary a 'bitch', what would they have call Barack? But of course only if they had the balls to face a race charge! This country truly has a gender identity problem based on severe national immaturity. I wonder which of McCain's wonders would have called Thatcher a bitch - she'd have wrapped her handbag across his head as she did with those other 'masculine' Repubs - Reagan & Bush 41. Give me a comptent, focused bitch of a President anytime, compared to another good ole' boy who hangs out with the guys at the barbecue, assumes a false accent and persona, doesn't read, and who doesn't know his Khazikstan from his elbow!

Tim Kane wrote on November 13, 2007 7:04 PM:

Think of the irony....

In about 16 months, McCain, Giulliani, et al. may very well be Hillary's bitches.

She can wipe the floor with them - so to speak

John wrote on November 13, 2007 8:38 PM:

How do you beat her? Why, with Fox reporters lying 24/7, of course, while the rest of the media struggle to keep up.

Keepfighting wrote on November 13, 2007 8:42 PM:

Anonymous wrote on November 13, 2007 12:51 PM:

"some little black student"

seriously?

------

Amen to that. Appalling.

POed Lib,I'm sorry that you you were unfairly assumed to have said that racist remark. And yet I suggest that you consider this: your anger against the people who filed the complaint seems to be blocking you from seeing that even if you didn't say that racist comment in your class, you are not free of racism. Would you type "little black student" in a forum where you were not anonymous?

These issues intersect so perfectly, and I swear, it's like fighting the tide to even get one person to look at their biases. The year that the word bitch is not heard when a woman is on the trail, we will all be freer.

Jezebel wrote on November 13, 2007 10:45 PM:

Although McCain is a sleazy, lying bastard (who will ever forget his "Iraq Shopping Market" propaganda?), I have to say this whole Hillary-bitch thing is a total non-issue. So what if McCain didn't chastise his supporter? But the Dems will milk it for all they can. I hate both parties!

dr doug wrote on November 13, 2007 11:25 PM:

Sadly, I'm old enough to remember when politics used to be civil and everyone knew that both sides wanted the country to succeed only that they had different ideas of how it would do that.

Nowadays, it seems if you don't like the Administration's (Republican)way, you hate America and want us to lose the war blah-blah-blah! That's absurd!

Unfortunately, after the Mukasey fiasco I don't think the Dems are doing much better than the Republicans.

ie., At the time, I wanted us to go to war. (Ooops!). However, when we went to war I expected us to win in a timely fashion. That's what didn't happen.

Those of us who, after time, got fed up with Iraq did so because we got tired of Bush's War not working.

Dr Doug

Jason Borne wrote on November 13, 2007 11:46 PM:

It would have been easier to laugh it off if they would have just called her a cunt.

Truthwhip wrote on November 14, 2007 11:01 AM:

Bitch was the wrong word to use. Corporate Whore is the right one. Republican candidates are always Corporate Whores, and so is the DLC, Blue Dog, Republican Lite candidate: Hillary Clinton.
Liberals and Progressives have no intention of voting Republican OR Republican Lite in 2008, because we're tired of Corporate Whores running and controlling this nation. And a majority of American's seem to agree. So why is Hillary being promoted as though she is the official nominee before the primary has even started?
Isn't about time for the Democratic Party to start promoting candidates that they know ALL Democrats will be willing to get behind? Most Democrats don't have a problem with either Obama or Edwards who are the other front runners, but all we keep hearing is Hillary, Hillary, Hillary.
Well, I cannot, and will not vote for Hillary, and neither will an enormous number of other Liberal and Progressive Democrats.

Uncle Dick wrote on November 14, 2007 12:33 PM:

Leave the man alone, or better yet, go F*** yourself.

Would now be a good time to bring up the subject of liberal hollywood ruining the moral fabric of America?

Brian H. wrote on November 14, 2007 2:36 PM:

"some little black student"
LITTLE? What does that mean? You know you might have needed that meeting, though it sounds like you think you didn't so I guess it didn't help. I hope you can think on your feet a little better nowadays.

"the Ohio State University"
THE? Big deal, hot shot.

ArmyMark wrote on November 14, 2007 8:30 PM:

I am so glad that I don't have any kids. It would offend my deep seated sense of family values to have children exposed to the profanity of televised gatherings of white, Republican, Christians.

marie wrote on November 14, 2007 9:57 PM:

McCain's laughter is taken out of context. In looking at the complete video, with no cuts, He (to me) appeared a bit taken aback and embarrassed by the question until someone called out "I thought they
were talking about my ex-wife."

He was laughing at the latter, not at the b***ch question.

Not that I think the latter comment is funny either, but I don't like it that the video has been cut to give
an inaccurate impression.

Anonymous wrote on November 16, 2007 11:39 AM:

Everyone is focusing on McCain but I ask, who's the creepy woman who asked the question in the first place? Let's identify herand force her to deal with the ramifications of her ill-mannered, twisted views.

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