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Edited on Wed Sep-24-08 08:39 PM by ProgressiveEconomist
'You cannot--I mean, to tell it, American citizens that everything's fine, I think just would be, that would be outright deception.' IMO Couric's best question (answered at almost the end of the snip below) was, "Last week you claimed the fundamentals of the economy were strong-- as you know. Now you're sending your campaign, your running mate and you, are using words like depression. Why the change in attitude?"
The politically suicidal quote in his answer to this question IMO is, "You cannot--I mean, to tell it, American citizens that everything's fine, I think just would be, that would be outright deception."
McCain also contradicted himself repeatedly. He stated, "Well, I don't think, at this time, that we can worry much about politics", but just a few minutes later he repeated his ridiculous attack on Obama's alleged earmark requests as "part of the problem."
Also, when asked about Obama's request that McCain issue a joint statement with him bailout legislation, he said "now is not the time for statements. Time is now to act." But just hours later come reports of a joint Obama-McCain statement.
From http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/24/eveningnews/main4476614.shtml : "McCain Calls For Delaying Debate (CBS)
After Sen. John McCain announced he would suspend his campaign in order to focus on his congressional work ironing out the $700 billion bailout package - and proposed delaying the first presidential debate - he came to the CBS News broadcast center to explain the politics of the situation to CBS News Anchor Katie Couric. What follows is a complete transcript of their interview.
Katie Couric: Sen. McCain, why is it necessary for you to take this extraordinary step of suspending your campaign?
John McCain: 'Cause these are extraordinary times. The financial crisis is on the verge of a very, very serious, most serious crisis since the end of World War II. That's according to Mr. Bernanke, Secretary Paulson and others. Any expert. This is a most serious situation. And it could not only be United States markets, but world markets as well.
... Couric: Do you and Sen. Obama agree to the changes that need to be made in this bailout package?
McCain: We certainly agree the some. We said - we have - we have some, not all. But, certainly some. We have some common ground, yes. ...
Couric: I know that Sen. Obama initially called you this morning at 8:30 to talk about issuing a joint statement about this bailout. You decided to go a step further by suspending your campaign and asking that Friday debate be delayed. Political observers say whoever gets out front on this issue will benefit the most in November. Was this an effort to do that? And was this at all, Senator, politically motivated?
McCain: Well, I don't think, at this time, that we can worry much about politics, Katie. I think the American people expect more of us. And I would hope that we would respond that way. Senator Obama called this morning. We--I called him back. We discussed that we do agree, and I'd be glad to join in a common press release or statement, but now is not the time for statements. Time is now to act. And most experts ...
Couric: Let me ask you about a new Washington Post poll. It shows Sen. Obama recapturing the lead in the race. And that more people trust him on handling the economy. What's your reaction to that? And why do you think that's the case?
McCain: Well, I'm the underdog. I've always been the - I've always been the underdog. And I enjoy being the underdog....
Earlier today, senator, I spoke with your running mate, Sarah Palin, and she told me that if action is not taken a Great Depression is, quote, "The road that America may find itself on." Do you agree with that assessment?
McCain: I don't know if it's exactly the Depression. But I know of no expert, including Mr. Bernanke, the head of the Federal Reserve, and our secretary of treasury, and the outside observers ... every respected economist in this country is saying, "You better address this problem, and you better do it now, or the consequences, obviously, of inaction are of the utmost seriousness." So I agree with Gov. Palin. There's so much at stake here. That's why I am confident that we'll sit down and work together on this thing.
Couric: But isn't so much of this, Sen. McCain, about consumer confidence?
McCain: Sure.
Couric: And using rhetoric like the "Great Depression," is that the kind of language Americans need to hear right now?
McCain: Well, listen, I've heard language from respected people: "oh, we're staring at the abyss." I've heard all kinds of things from people. I don't think we need to scare people. But I certainly think we need to tell them the truth. And tell them what's at stake here. ...
You cannot--I mean, to tell it, American citizens that everything's fine, I think just would be, that would be outright deception. I think it's of the utmost seriousness. And this is a crisis of enormous proportions. But we can fix it. And America's best days are still ahead of us.
Couric: Last week you claimed the fundamentals of the economy were strong-- as you know. Now you're sending your campaign, your running mate and you, are using words like depression. Why the change in attitude?
McCain: Well, first of all, I said we're in a serious crisis. I was talking, obviously, about the workers of America. They're the most productive and the most innovative. They're the best. And they are the heart and soul of our economy. And I believe that we can and we must have our better days ahead of us. But we've got to take decisions. And one of them is government spending, by the way. One of the major reasons why we're having difficulties is because we let spending get completely out of control. Earmark and pork-barrel projects. Sen. Obama asked for over $900 million in earmark--pork barrel projects. That's not part of the answer. That's part of the problem. ..."
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