John McCain Faces 'The View'
The ladies of The View gave John McCain a grilling on Friday, beginning with Joy Behar’s challenge to McCain to own his campaign ads — debunked far and wide – accusing Barack Obama of advocating sex education for kindergartners and the assertion that Obama called Sarah Palin a "pig," when he employed the "lipstick on a pig" colloquialism to describe the incumbent party’s "change" mantra.
Calling the ads "lies," Behar said, "then you come on and say, ‘I approve this message.’ Do you really approve them?" she asked incredulously.McCain said he did and added, with regard to the Maybelline pig comment, that Obama "chooses his words very carefully. And he should not have said it."
Apparently McCain doesn’t choose his words quite as carefully as Obama: Barbara Walters pointed out that McCain had used the very same phrase when talking about Hillary Clinton’s health care plan. But by then McCain had launched into what is now a common refrain from the Republican candidate: That the tenor of the race would be different if Obama had agreed to McCain’s proposal to hold a series of town hall-style debates.
At which point Behar chimed in that a series of town hall debates would be a "good idea" for Obama running-mate Joe Biden and Sarah Palin.
McCain nervously embraced the idea. At which point Walters deadpanned: "We’ll ask Joe Biden. You ask Sarah."
Watch a clip below:
And on it went.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck, saying he would get "no softballs" from her even though he has her vote, asked McCain to clarify his stance on Roe vs. Wade — which appears to differ from that of his running mate. (Even McCain’s wife, Cindy, couldn’t quite put her finger on where her husband comes down on the issue in a recent interview with Katie Couric.)
McCain said that he disagreed with the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in the 1973 case but that he believes in the sanctity of the Constitution. (The Roe decision stipulated that legislating abortion was a violation of the right to privacy guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.)
Goldberg asked if McCain agreed with everything in the Constitution, asking, "Should I be worried about being a slave?" (Apparently, she meant the pre-13th Amendment Constitution.)
But Walters, exhibiting her journalist’s talent for getting at the heart of the debate, asked the money question: Who or what, exactly, is Sarah Palin going to reform.
"Gov. Palin said that she was chosen by you primarily to reform Washington, to reform the government." said Walters. "She kept using the word ‘reform.’ You, Senator, have been in Washington for 22 years as a Congressman as a senator. The Republicans have been in power for the last 8 years. I can understand why the Democrats talk about reform. But who is it that Gov. Palin is going to reform? You? The Senate? The Congress? The Republican Party?"
After some consternation and murky back and forth about earmarks and line item vetoes, McCain said: "She’ll reform all of Washington."
Well done, ladies.
By Marisa Guthrie
chris commented:
I detest all of the women, especially Whoopie Goldberg. That remark about "slaves" was totally inappropriate. The way the women sat their just trying to get their "claws" into Senator and Mrs. McCain was shameful. Barbara Walters, you are suppoes to be a professional.
COREY commented:
I never liked the view that much but this was a great interview. those who say it was biased, how do you know they arent playing the devil's advocate? and how is mccain supposed to run the country if he has trouble answering tough questions from the media. the people want a leader with answers, instead of one who bumbles over his words like the last 8 years.
Warren commented:
Way to go ladies, it's about time! No one was disrespectful, obnoxious or biased in this interview. For some reason McCain and Palin expect to conduct this campaign without having to answer tough questions, or to be called to the carpet for the lies and rhetoric their ads continually spew. I applaud you Barbara for taking the lead and showing so many timid reporters how to get these candidates to stop dancing their way around the questions the American public would like answered. Please continue to ensure that both sides respond to the tough questions so that an informed decision can be rendered on November 4th. To you Whoopi, right on sister! Your slavery comment was on the mark! Too many people in our nation are not aware of the struggles that African Americans continue to endure in this country, and by the response that he provided, John McCain tops that list.
Julie commented:
The women on the View, especially Whoopi, were obnoxious, disrespectful, and extremely biased against Senator McCain. VERY UNPROFESSIONAL! They've lost my ratings!
Nancy Shockey commented:
Girls- I'llnot bewatching Obamais athud
The pig thing wason purposeand the fingertoHillary wason purpose.Youdon'tgetit
jones commented:
What McCain did not expect was a hardline interview with these ladies? I think there's a portion of the media and country beginning to wake up and realize that McCain/Palin could actually win, and this could be a disaster of major consequence given where we are as a country. We can't afford the same old politics: divide and conquer. We can't afford incompetency at the highest level of our government, we've had that for the last 8 years, which has given us $4.00 gas prices, a housing market in crisis, Enron / Worldcomm, an unprovoked War, detoriating schools, loss of manufacturing jobs in this country, the disappearing middle class. Oh, the Republicans have done a great job at leading the race to the bottom. Therefore, we cannot afford to have an election about personalities. We need a president with ideas of how to move us forward as a nation given globalization, terrorism, and every other challenges that we face. So, to all of the "
di commented:
The prize for journalist of the year goes to Barbara Walters, she still has it. The ladies on the view earned a lot of "cool" points with me, they challenged the rhetoric, lies, and the so-called "maverick". Thank you. If, more journalist would just ask the questions and give these politicians back their own words it speaks volume about their character, integrity, etc. Both McCain and Obama said that they wanted to run a different kind of campaign, and it is fair game to challenge them on whether they have or not. McCain has made a poor attempt at justifying the "business as usual" as a tough campaign, but this is not a good alibi given that the "tough" has turned into smears and lies.
caroline commented:
I have never been so proud of Barbara Walters. She ask the questions that I wanted to know. Great Job.
Kris commented:
To Stephanie regarding reporters: "Their actions will not affect the outcome..."
Either you are kidding or unbelievably naïve.
The media has the single most influential bearing on the November election. Anyone who doesn't understand this is likely to be a victim of their propaganda.
Stephanie commented:
Whether it be Tom Brokaw seemingly favoring the Republicans on Meet the Press, or Barbara Walters seemingly favoring the Democrats on The View, it is clear that many people are emotionally invested in this election. News anchors and reporters are not exempt from the policies and laws of our government, so it doesn't surprise me that many of them are very passionate during interviews. They are only human and they have opinions just like the rest of us. Their actions will not affect the outcome in November.
mavsreader commented:
Kudos to Barbara to ask the reform question.
I do think all the women on the couch (regardless of make-up)go away privately surprised.
Lisa commented:
I haven't been watching the view ....but after watching that clip...I will be watching it from now on. Go Barbara..I didn't know you had it in you.....
Mary S. commented:
I'm tired of Sen. McCain's "let us appear together." If that indeed were to happen, could he not interrupt or go on his band wagon of "reform?" See what happen when he said Obama needed to go to Iraq!
Ms Gunn commented:
way to go ladies! Expose this fraud out! Glad to see Mcbushlin reading without a teleprompter
Louise commented:
I am so disappointed with Barbara Walters. I have always thought of her as an objective interviewer. She was so terribly biased today on The View. She has diminished in my opinion because of her behavior today. It's going to be difficult for me to recover my former respect for her. I feel as though I have lost a friend.