Our friends at the Public Service Administration recruited a couple of Big News cast members, Jason Kelley and Phillip Wilburn, for their new video. It's all about how the news media hasn't really reported the fact that John McCain called his wife a See-You-Next-Tuesday in front of a bunch of reporters. But what if they did - and how would they do it?

You can watch the censored version above - or, for the uncensored version...

This version contains language Not Safe for Work...unless you work on the McCain campaign, in which case it's apparently standard...

From the Public Service Administration:

Andy Cobb
Josh Funk
Nyima Funk
Marc Evan Jackson
Mark Kienlen
David Pompeii
Marc Warzecha

Special Guests:
Woman: Aisha Kabia
Man: Jason Kelly
John McCain (VO): Phillip Wilburn
Dancing John McCain: Andy Sklar
Dancing Cindy McCain: Beth Crosby
Cindy McCain (VO): Beth Farmer

Many Thanks to:
Hal Soper
Principato & Young Entertainment

Marty Parrish, a Baptist minister and tech. business owner, was the one that did the asking:

PARRISH: This question goes to mental health and mental health care. Previously, I’ve been married to a woman that was verbally abusive to me. Is it true that you called your wife a (expletive)?

MCCAIN: Now, now. You don’t want to … Um, you know that’s the great thing about town hall meetings, sir, but we really don’t, there’s people here who don’t respect that kind of language. So I’ll move on to the next questioner in the back.

The audience gasped at the question and applauded at McCain’s handling of it. Parrish was escorted from the event and questioned by Secret Service, but not charged. Parrish had checked in to the event as a member of the press.

It would have been nice to see at least some form of denial pop up in McCain's answer. Even if he was genuinely moving the questions along in fear that Parrish was going to go on some "c-word" laden tirade, it would have taken seconds to say something like: "...there's people here who don't respect that kind of language and I am one of them. Therefore, I never would have used it towards my wife. So I'll move on..."

Why was Parrish questioned by the Secret Service? Is the "c-word" a code name for a terrorist cell or something? What would he have been charged with if he had been charged? Public obscenity?

Video of the incident available at the source.

As you hear, McCain dodged the question.

McCain: Now, now. You don't want to... Um, you know that's the great thing about town hall meetings, sir, but we really don't, there's people here who don't respect that kind of language. So I'll move on to the next questioner in the back.

Yeah, Senator McCain, "there's people ... who don't respect that kind of language," and they wouldn't refer to their wife or any woman by that term. But by not responding to the question and flat out denying that you would ever call your wife such a pejorative, you've essentially confirmed the report of this past incident. In a society that alleges equality, we do not need the leader of the free world to be someone who refuses to address his own accusations of misogyny.

Further more, if the bat phone rings at 3am, I want a calm and collected President answering the phone, not someone who will bomb first and ask questions later because he's upset his 6 hours of sleep were interrupted.

I just don't get where all the "outlandishness" and "hate" comes from on the McCain side. I am only a humble author trying to do my job, sharing facts that are 100% sourced. It's not like I included in my book the account of a former AP reporter who recounted to me seeing John McCain wander off into the Red Light District of Hanoi in 1996 when he was there to normalize relations with the Vietnamese. Or that it was known among reporters that he used to disappear into that part of town alone at night. I never said that in my book. And why would I? That would supposedly be "trash journalism."

Or let's just say that a few reporters told me that the McCains don't really live together anymore, and that until the presidential campaign Cindy McCain was spending much of her time in San Diego with their daughter Bridgette, because her husband was just not Johnny-on-the-spot anymore. I'd never report such an unfounded charge, if those few sources could not provide any more concrete details. The New York Times stoops that kind of reporting, but not me.

Now that's classy.

PS - I think the reaction to the WaPo story is an indication that nobody gives a damn about some crap McCain did ages ago. That does not bode well for book sales.

During the debate, Barack Obama once again refused to condemn former President Jimmy Carter- who publicly supports Obama- for holding talks with the Hamas terrorist group, a group supported financially, politically and military by Iran.

Barack Obama’s foreign policy plans have even won him praise from Hamas leaders. Ahmed Yousef, chief political adviser to the Hamas Prime Minister said, “We like Mr. Obama and we hope he will win the election. He has a vision to change America.”

This is what passes for "smearing" with the Obamamaniacs. Here are some of my favorite comments on the post:

Memo to McCain campaign: IT’S NOT SMART TO FUCK WITH A CAMPAIGN THAT HAS 1.2 MILLION PAID UP SUPPORTERS, MOST OF WHOM ARE ONLINE.

Here kitty kitty….

...

Republicans are just live conservatives in Canada and I have great idea of who they are and what they stand for. I believe he is jealous of Obama considering his long standing position in the white house compares to Obama, however, Clinton has a record of long standing in the white house. What I find fascinating is
Obama who proves to the American people that even if you have many years of experience you can still make the wrong judgement. My question to McHill is why did they wait so long and even allow President bush to carry on with a second term of his presidency? WHY DID THEY WAIT SO LONG TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT. They are quite a team.

...

This kind of lies and distorted statements won’t work this time.The PEOPLE have found unity at long last. There is an eagerness for truth and open government. We are going do everything we can to counter all lies. The old ways of doing the peoples business must end. It is time for government to work for ALL PEOPLE ,not the people bowing down to them .No one has been held accountable for anything. Our wonderful country is almost destroyed by this administration but if we become UNITED we will, with time undo the damage.

Really, I don't know what these people are going to do if Obama actually gets the nomination and has to face general election scrutiny. Kleenex needs to ramp up production now to meet the demand from the crying, hand-wringing Obama nuts.

John Sidney McCain responds to Cliff’s book re: Physical attack on Rick Renzi

Sidney, Sidney, Sidney, when will you figure out that Cliff Schecter is a bulldog (hence my patented, award-winning nicknames “Bulldog” and “CliffDog”) to be reckoned with… only, you know, seriously, not the way you just did:

In CliffDog’s new book “The Real McCain,” he alleges that John Sidney Hussein McSame once physically attacked fellow congressman Rick Renzi.

Perhaps the most remarkable story of McCain’s temper involved Arizona Congressman Rick Renzi. Two former reporters covering McCain, one who witnessed the following events and one who confirmed the facts provided by the first, relayed it to me as follows: In 2006, the Arizona Republican congressional delegation had a strategy meeting. McCain repeatedly addressed two new members, congressmen Trent Franks and Rick Renzi, as ‘boy.’ Finally, Renzi, a former college linebacker, rose from his chair and said to McCain, “You call me that one more time and I’ll kick your old ass.” McCain lunged at Renzi, punches were thrown, and the two had to be physically separated. After they went to their separate offices, McCain called Renzi and demanded an apology. Renzi refused. Apparently this posture made McCain admire him, as they became fast friends.

Nothing says “bff” better than punching each other out.

This morning on Fox News, McCain was asked about the report (as well as other alleged profanity-laced tirades on Capitol Hill). He ostensibly denied the reports, but left plenty of wiggle room, saying they were “either false or exaggerated.”

Sidney’s just no match for Cliff. It’s a little sad seeing him even try.

FOX: There was an incident referred to in the book reportedly from 2006 saying you exchanged blows with Congressman Renzi. They talk alleged profanity-laced exchanges with other lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Is there any truth to that?
MCCAIN: No. In fact, there were witnesses every time I’ve been around Congressman Renzi, who’s a friend of mine, and we have a very good relationship. But the point is that I have a record of reaching across the aisle and working in a bipartisan fashion, of getting things done in Washington. Those reports are either false or exaggerated. But the point is that these kind of things happen in political campaigns. I’ve been in office for 24 years, and I’ve gotten angry when I seen spending out of control. I’ve gotten angry when I see people who do such things like in the Abramoff scandal, which I investigated and which ended up with people in federal prison. I get angry when I see these cost-overruns and wastes of taxpayers’ dollars, and earmark and pork barrel spending. And if I lose the capacity to be angry, then I don’t think I should be president.

Buy a copy of The Real McCain here.

This week, I had the opportunity to chat with a friend, author and blogger Cliff Schecter, about his new book, The Real McCain.

BOB CESCA: Hey Cliff. Before we get into it, I'd like to thank you for injecting the word "trollop" into the 2008 debate.

CLIFF SCHECTER: Well as you know Bob, and as I am sure William Safire knows too, trollop comes from Old English.

Trol-lop n. - Old guy who uses words from 1672 to denigrate his wife in front of strangers.

BOB: And the c-word, I assume, also originated from someone "maverick-ish"?

CLIFF: Exactly, Bob! How much you use the c-word is a direct correlation to how much of a maverick you are...in your marriage. Seriously for moment -- because believe it or not I can do that too -- to me this story is still unbelievable. That he would call his wife that, in front of others, including aides and the press. And I can't believe it hadn't been reported, but then again, I think we were dealing with a different time period, right as the Age Of Gennifer Flowers, as we shall call it, was dawning.

BOB: The very serious press will overlook the c-word -- if they're bought off with BBQ. The questions is, now that Senator McCain has responded to this story, do you fear that he's going to track you down for a good old fashioned talking-to? By the way, I promise to get to some important questions here any minute.

CLIFF: These are serious questions. It is of the utmost importance whether John McCain hunts me down in between strolls through Baghdad marketplaces -- without any military protection of course -- well...at least to me. In terms of press attention to this, I have been heartened by the power of the Progressive Media, as sites such as this one, Raw Story, C&L, The Agonist, Americablog, FDL, Booman Tribune, Pam's House Blend and many others that have not only helped get the story out about The Real McCain, but reminded people that the book is only $10 at Amazon, and for that price you can force the media to pay attention to the inconvenient truths: McCain is no "straight-talker" and he is certainly no maverick.

And now many others have started to pay attention. We are doing interviews with print outlets and TV seems to be forthcoming. In fact, it was The New York Daily News that got McCain to respond to me, calling what I did "trash journalism," and "fabricated." I'd like to say to Mr. Straight Talk, look pal, if I wanted to include things not 100% sourced, I could have things in this book that would make Elliot Spitzer blush. I only stuck to the facts. Nothing else was necessary.

BOB: I'm not so sure the McCain campaign ought to be throwing down on "the facts". The whole "surge is working" thing -- the whole "Sunnis aren't al-Qaeda" thing and the whole "Iran is arming the Sunnis" thing, to name a few examples. Just saying. Anyway, you mentioned the progressive blogs. I have this theory that many blog readers are exhausted with hearing about how bad Iraq is going; they're embarrassed about torture and therefore don't want to hear about it; and they're also hesitant to criticize Senator McCain. Or, at least, they're not getting excited about dissecting his chicanery. Are you noticing this around the tubes, and if so, why are people seemingly ambivalent about McCain?

CLIFF: It was fun seeing his attack dogs trying to deflect the story by going after me in The New York Daily News. I commend them as the first to actually get McCain to respond to the very factually based charges I make in the book. You may have also seen him hem and haw on FOX yesterday when he was asked about the story I broke in the The Real McCain, and first reported here, that he physically assaulted another member of Congress (in his defense, it was Rick Renzi).

As for the Intertuboblogosphere, I sadly have to agree with your analysis. It is most definitely the primary. With the Obama/Hillary Thrilla in Manila still going on, it seems many have dug in and are more content to bash the other one than McCain. Which is a problem, as he is a scary guy, and people need to know it. I also think some may have internalized the media message. You know the "he's not that bad for a Republican" line or the "he's an independent-minded guy" David Brookisms. But mostly I think it is the primary that has given him a free pass, and that is why I am so excited The Real McCain is out now, because we need to remind progressives where the real danger lies: WIth a right-wing, dunderhead who likes to sing songs about bombing Iran when hopped up on a few shots of Sanka.

BOB: In researching for The Real McCain, did you find that the lenient treatment from the traditional media comes from a similar place as their post-9/11 patriotic hypnosis -- out of respect for his terrible Vietnam ordeal? And based on your anonymous source for the trollop story, do you think we'll see more and more reporters break from the cole-slaw and spare-ribs pack to tell the real story? And in your estimation, which is worse from a journalistic integrity perspective: accepting a BBQ picnic from someone you have to treat with objectivity, or telling a story to an author on condition of anonymity?

CLIFF: All good questions Bob. I found that much of the lenient treatment comes from the fact that he wines and dines them with BBQ as you said, but also that reporters, like many Americans, are a sucker for a man in uniform. Even if it is George W. Bush in a cheerleder outfit (give me an M, give me an O, give me a R, give me a O, give me an N, what's that spell?). But he has also had a media machine behind him, from the neocons who control many conservative publications and outlets to many others in the MSM who have been convinced by good marketing that he is a straight-talker, when he is anything but. I think if we can change the conventional wisdom, many in the media will then feel safe to report what they see: That he is temperamental, politically ambitious, not knowledgeable on foreign policy, scary on economics and overall a third term for Bush. The bubble needs to be pierced, and I hope this book can do that.

As for your last question, interesting. Obviously, the fact that those who are supposed to expose the mafeasance of those in power are actually rubbing elbows with them at DC soirees on a weekly basis is a problem. A big one. So I find it funny when the moralizing begins, whether from atavistic right-wing bloggers or some in the MSM. These are the people who know Bush lied about why we are in Iraq. Some of these people pushed the story that the Clintons killed Vince Foster, or Obama is a Muslim, knowing both to be demonstrably false. But now they are just so darn angry that I dared report what unimpeachable sources told me about McCain, sources who didn't allow their names to be public because they don't want to lose their jobs.

Some people are just simply in dire need of an enema.

BOB: There definitely appears to be a pattern here. Centrist uniter with a war mongering agenda artificially elevated by a complacent traditional media. Plus, he's neck-and-neck with the Democrats despite eight years of Republican crimes and disasters. Eight years ago at around this time, then-Governor Bush couldn't name the leader of Pakistan. And now, we have a Republican who can't tell the difference between Sunnis and Shia. To that point, is Senator McCain willfully ignorant about Iraqi sectarian divisions, or does he try really hard and the smart just rolls out of his skull and down his neck -- gathering in a puddle inside his cranky cortex?

CLIFF: First, kudos on that last sentence. That was art my friend. It is amazing that with over 80 percent of the country thinking things are headed in the wrong direction -- the other 20 percent ostensibly waiting for the Bubonic plague to occur or locusts to descend from the Heavens -- that McCain is even in this thing. But it is a perfect storm for Democrats to lose the White House. Any other GOP nominee would have been no problem. And if our two candidates weren't the Jets and the Sharks right now, I still think it's game over for McCain. But with our guys duking it out, and McCain's having successfully separated himself from a Republican brand that rivals scurvy in its popularity, he could win.

As for Republicans, what can I say that hasn't been said about how they pick their leaders. Looks good in a cowboy hat. Check. Has a chip on his shoulder bigger than Ann Coulter's Adams Apple. Check. Wasn't caught--at least in the last week--in a public bathroom making passes at any other dudes. Check (as far as we know). Knowing the leader of Pakistan is a liability. So much like in the case of Bush, I am not convinced that McCain is being purposely ignorant, knowing he won't be called on it by the media.

As my book shows, he is that cynical, having switched his positions on everything from foreign intervention to taxes to whether Martin Luther King was an "issue" to be studied or an American hero. Don't believe the hype on any of them. It is what he needs to do or say to get elected president. And that is all he cares about. I go into these kinds of details in the book, and was pleased when I a U.S News & World Report editor who interviewed me earlier today referred to the book as a blueprint for Democrats to beat McCain. It certainly is, in my humble estimation, but that is because it tells the truth about the man, "straight-talking, bipartisan, maverick, centrist" be damned.

BOB: And I don't know if you chased down this information, but I have it on good authority that Senator McCain is a Muslim. So it ought to be "straight-talking, bipartisan, maverick, centrist, Muslim." As for the blueprint, if you could mastermind one big national ad buy against Senator McCain, would you target the economy, Iraq, his temper, his age or his on-going selling-out to the Bush administration?

CLIFF: Interesting. I heard McCain was a Buddhist Separatist, homosexual, vegetarian. Pssst, don't tell the base. As for a big national ad, I would very simply have an image of George W. Bush floating around, mixed in with images like the one on the cover of The Real McCain, where McCain is basically prostrating himself to Bush, and simply ask with a large picture of Bush on the screen: "Would you vote for 4 more years of this man?"

I then would point out in a series of ads why voting for McCain is voting for Bush. Same temper and petulance. Same lack of knowledge on foreign and economic policy, and continuation of both of these disastrous Bush hallmarks. Same proclivity to climb in bed (metaphorically....of course) with lobbyists, sleazy characters (like brawl-buddy Rick Renzi, who became a "good friend" afterwards in McCain's own words on FOX yesterday and is now headed for the Big House), racists (Trent Lott, white supremacist Richard Quinn) and Armageddon-seeking preachers (late Rev. Falwell, Hagee, Parsely, Land, Mahoney)...

It is simple: For all these reasons, four more years of McCain is four more years of Bush. And I was heartened to see in a writeup at US News & World Report yesterday, by Liz Halloran, she called this book a blueprint for Democrats to beat McCain. Because, as I laid out above, by just telling the truth about him at the risk of losing some quality BBQ invites, it is.

BOB: So when can we expect to see you back on cable news making Republican "strategists" cry? I know that many people credit you and Olbermann for breaking through the noise machine -- for being the first liberals to bring along your flame-throwers to various cable news shows and to really be incendiary towards the Bush-apologists. And now with campaign season heating up, can we expect you to hit the shows and face off against Pat "Whitey Is Awesome (Food Stamps, For Example)" Buchanan or the latest shrink-wrapped FOX News Barbie Doll?

CLIFF: I am certainly hoping so! Sometimes Republicans just need to cry. Ask John Boehner. Or even tough-guy W. I certainly want to go on TV to talk about The Real McCain and also chat with some of my kind Republican friends. Many of these guys act so tough, but then they're scared to have you on. Sean Hannity, any time pal. Any time.

Otherwise, as the MSM gets copies of this book and sees it is a lot more than what has been reported already, but a pretty thorough compendium of McCain's history of changing positions whenever it suits him, Livin' La Vida Loca with any lobbyist within arms length and constantly losing control of his temper, not to mention his intention to continue Bush foreign, economic and social policy, then I think there will be much more TV. Let's hope so, because somebody needs to tell Bill Kristol to put down the pipe.

BOB: Yeah, how does Kristol hold the pipe with a striaght-jacket on? Thanks, Cliff. Let's get a radio show together.

Order The Real McCain.
Pre-Order Bob Cesca's forthcoming book One Nation Under Fear.
Cross posted at Bob Cesca's Goddamn Awesome Blog! GO! and Huffington Post

Cliff Schecter

Written by Cliff Schecter at Cliff Schecter Blog

New Blogs

Ok, boys and girls. Turning off the phone and the Intertubes for the next half dozen or so hours. Book writing is hard. Or I am just not that bright. Likely both.

But, before I unceremoniously depart, I wanted to throw out a few blogs that are either new, or relatively so, and worth your time to look into.

First of all, a pal of mine the fantastic progressive historian Rick Perlstein, has just started blogging at Campaign For America's Future. The blog is called The Big Con. Just think for a moment (or less) and it comes to you.

Check out his first post on food. Well sorta. It's actually on food regulation and progressive politics. It is excellent.

I have also read a few new blogs lately by those that comment here, or send some folks our way. There is Senate 2008 Guru, which has great coverage of all the Senate races coming up, and Suzie Q, which has a whole lotta progressive stuff.

Now off you go (until one of our contributors posts here and you must of course come back, which by judging by recent activity, should be within 2.5 minutes).

Thanks Cliff ! ;)

I have a Special Announcement and I am sure you will be as excited as I am! ;)

Please welcome Cliff Schecter to the S-Q blog! You probably recognize Cliff's name from Huffington Post, AMERICAblog, Cliff's Corner, Cliff Schecter Blog and several other media sources.

We are currently working out the details and look forward to having Cliff Schecter begin posting on the SQ blog soon.

Cliff Schecter Bio:

Cliff Schecter is a veteran campaign strategist and political commentator. Schecter writes a monthly column distributed by Knight Ridder and was a guest columnist for United Press International from 2002-2004. His work has been featured in a variety of publications including The Miami Herald, The American Prospect, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Fordham Urban Law Journal, The Sacramento Bee and Salon.com. He blogs for The Gadflyer and writes a weekly satirical column each Friday called "Cliff's Corner," summarizing the week's most ridiculous events for AMERICAblog. Surprisingly, Tom DeLay gets mentioned a lot.

During the 2004 election cycle, Schecter worked as the "liberal" pundit for The Sinclair Broadcast Group, where he debated conservative Armstrong Williams -- for significantly less cost to the White House. He has also appeared on CNN, CNBC, NPR FoxNews, The Canadian Broadcast Channel and Al Jazeera. Additionally, Schecter has provided analysis on American politics for international diplomats, journalists, students and politicians as part of The State Department Bureau of International Information Programs.

Schecter holds an MA in International Affairs from the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs and is currently receiving his Ph.D. in American History as a Dean's Honors Fellow at American University.

Schecter was a pollster for the successful reelection of President Bill Clinton in 1996 and fundraiser for former Governor of Virginia Mark Warner in 2001. He has also consulted for the DNC, DCCC and some other candidates he won't mention here because they lost.

I have a Special Announcement and I am sure you will be as excited as I am! ;)

Please welcome Cliff Schecter to the S-Q blog! You probably recognize Cliff's name from Huffington Post, AMERICAblog, Cliff's Corner, Cliff Schecter Blog and several other media sources.

We are currently working out the details and look forward to having Cliff Schecter begin posting on the SQ blog soon.

Cliff Schecter Bio:

Cliff Schecter is a veteran campaign strategist and political commentator. Schecter writes a monthly column distributed by Knight Ridder and was a guest columnist for United Press International from 2002-2004. His work has been featured in a variety of publications including The Miami Herald, The American Prospect, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Fordham Urban Law Journal, The Sacramento Bee and Salon.com. He blogs for The Gadflyer and writes a weekly satirical column each Friday called "Cliff's Corner," summarizing the week's most ridiculous events for AMERICAblog. Surprisingly, Tom DeLay gets mentioned a lot.

During the 2004 election cycle, Schecter worked as the "liberal" pundit for The Sinclair Broadcast Group, where he debated conservative Armstrong Williams -- for significantly less cost to the White House. He has also appeared on CNN, CNBC, NPR FoxNews, The Canadian Broadcast Channel and Al Jazeera. Additionally, Schecter has provided analysis on American politics for international diplomats, journalists, students and politicians as part of The State Department Bureau of International Information Programs.

Schecter holds an MA in International Affairs from the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs and is currently receiving his Ph.D. in American History as a Dean's Honors Fellow at American University.

Schecter was a pollster for the successful reelection of President Bill Clinton in 1996 and fundraiser for former Governor of Virginia Mark Warner in 2001. He has also consulted for the DNC, DCCC and some other candidates he won't mention here because they lost.

Cliff Schecter

"In the meantime I'll watch episodes of Law & Order so I can heartily laugh at the fact that the GOP is so desperate right now that they want that country-fried, George Allen-elitist-hiding-in-ordinary-guy's-clothing Fred Thompson to swoop in and save their pathetically corrupt gay prostitutin', child IMing party in 2008."

Three reporters from Arizona, on the condition of anonymity, also let me in on another incident involving McCain's intemperateness. In his 1992 Senate bid, McCain was joined on the campaign trail by his wife, Cindy, as well as campaign aide Doug Cole and consultant Wes Gullett. At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain's hair and said, "You're getting a little thin up there." McCain's face reddened, and he responded, "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt." McCain's excuse was that it had been a long day. If elected president of the United States, McCain would have many long days.

Who the the hell uses the word "trollup" anymore? Isn't it like calling someone "gay" when they're happy? Or like someone who smokes a pipe...or rides one of those bicycles with the giant front wheels.

How the hell did people get off of those things anyway? Must have just been a crash landing everytime. Hilarious.

The biggest one has to do with this week's news that McCain released his medical records. No sign of cancer (cancer would be for the fourth time).  But McCain said he would not release his psychological medical records, which is problematic.  Cliff Schecter and others have documented the real achilles heel in McCain's campaign: his questionable mental status.  

The problem isn't that he has had skin cancer, nor is it his age. hey his mother seems in fine shape; he likely comes from solid genetic stock.

The real question, aside from his policy positions has to do with the fact that he was a POW for five years an in solitary confinement in the hanoi Hilton for 2 years.  No shame here. Quite the opposite. McCain has been heralded for his valor, which seems the defining issue to his candidacy. The problem is that anyone who has been locked in a box for 2 years is likely to have suffered mental damage. No cuts. No sarcasm. But yes, some judgment here.  I would like to know more about this guy's mental condition before even imagining his hand near the button, let alone in the same room with foreign leaders that he might deign to meet. 

So, while the MSM reports or not on his failure to release mental records, it is exceedingly important that any potential VEEP candidate for John McCain be vetted as to his/her sanity.  This isn't a matter of political correctness; it has everything to do potentially with securing the well being of the planet.

Along the way, the debate over McCain's and his potential Veep's mental health might have the benefit of opening a long closed door about mental health.  Such teachable moments are rare in presidential campaigns, but when they occur, they usually help advance the dialogue.  Were this to occur and were McCain to open his own post Hanoi Hilton case study for public scrutiny, the act would be deserving of praise and commendation.

 I would hope press sycomphants would at least ask some of the following questions, given they don;t seem to mind the senator's pugilistic proclivities.  Why not ask McCain to play fair and pick on folks his own size--like senators. Going after congressmen is a little like a high schooler going back to junior high and waiting out in the school yard after school.  Sort of immature, and all, and we don't want another immature president.

for more, please read Cliff Schecter's The Real McCain: Why Conservatives Don't Trust Him And Why Independents Shouldn't.

I kind of think Putin would kick his ass.

I noticed that in the denial of Jill Hazelbaker she didn't back up her statement with any signed witness statements, only her mouth. Shame on you Jill. That doesn't convince us. Next time back yourself up otherwise it isn't news worthy.

What is even sadder is that media can be so easily persuaded to ignore an important piece of literary journalism for the sake of the spin-doctors on the McCain campaign. Money talks and bullshit walks... Shame again to British Journalists!

The journalist in question asked not to be identified so as to not face any problems from the paper in question. But I did confirm that the story was killed based on a conversation with McCain’s staff. From the email received by the journalist at the newspaper:

They told me that first that this was all off the record, that (Cliff Schecter was) a super liberal with a hate streak, known to make outlandish comments like this and not a reliable source. Then they said that they would prefer that we didn’t go with anything, just to protect the Senator’s image from false information. Because this was just a crazy, gossipy piece of journalism anyway.

I then asked for a quote for the article, as my editor needed something from them. They said, “Well, I know you aren’t going to like this” and with a little almost smirk from them: “This book is just tabloid trash,” said Crystal Benton, a spokeswoman for the McCain campaign. “The fact that it is even being reported speaks to the sad state of journalism today.”

If the best the McCain side can do is call this trash, I'd say they are in trouble. There isn't a thing here they are denying... And just calling names doesn't disprove a thing. Poor, poor McNasty, it's a bitch when your temper tantrums come home to haunt you.

Now, had McCain used a modicum of control throughout his lifetime, this wouldn't be happening. But like all those who are rich and powerful, oh wait, it's his wife that's rich, OK, like all those who are married to money, they cop an attitude and figure it is up to others to handle what they do. Oh, on the contrary... Just because you can doesn't mean you should and now you get to deal with your inappropriate behavior.

There is a great article today from AlterNet.org that Cliff Schecter wrote. I hope you will read it HERE: It is all about Cliff's rebuttal to the McNasty spin doctor's smear campaign. And very funny too. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. And I can't wait to get a copy of the book to read for myself!

You can bet your ass that Cliff Schecter checked and double checked his facts before writing this book and publishing it. The very fact that McNasty is so upset with it should tell you just how truthful it is. They don't get upset at lies and innuendo, that can be disproved in a heartbeat. This will stick and hopefully, disqualify him from ever getting the presidential office. We don't need a lunatic in the Oval Office. Been there, done that, got the tee shirt thank you very much. Eight years of bush should be enough for anyone! Especially not with someone that can't control his temper any better than McNasty here.

McCain has even gone so far as to physically assault another Congressman, Representative Rick Renzi.

Perhaps the most remarkable story of McCain's temper involved Arizona Congressman Rick Renzi. Two former reporters covering McCain, one who witnessed the following events and one who confirmed the facts provided by the first, relayed it to me as follows: In 2006, the Arizona Republican congressional delegation had a strategy meeting. McCain repeatedly addressed two new members, congressmen Trent Franks and Rick Renzi, as 'boy.' Finally, Renzi, a former college linebacker, rose from his chair and said to McCain, "You call me that one more time and I'll kick your old ass." McCain lunged at Renzi, punches were thrown, and the two had to be physically separated. After they went to their separate offices, McCain called Renzi and demanded an apology. Renzi refused. Apparently this posture made McCain admire him, as they became fast friends.

Just how pathetic can an old man be? Using abusive language such as calling another Congressman "boy" to the point where it becomes so offensive that the man can no longer take it? And this man pretends he has ANY ability to become president? I don't think so.

The fact is everyone is so afraid of McNasty's temper that they refuse to be identified. That speaks volumes on McCain's character. He has none. He is an angry, bitter, conceited, spoiled, rich, bastard who doesn't deserve his present position, let alone the Oval Office.

Frankly, the picture on the cover of the book makes me think of two gay males, but that would insult the gay population too much, sorry guys. So go ahead McNasty, come after me why don't you???

Keith Olbermann dedicated a Countdown segment to his suggestions last night:

My favorite is at about 1:36, where Olbermann asks about McCain's continued association with G. Gordon Liddy.

And Cliff Schecter blogs about his suggestions at Huffington Post. My favorite:

5. Doesn't your flip-flop on Jerry Falwell being an "agent of intolerance" show your opportunistic pandering to the religious right?
In 2000, you famously called the late Jerry Falwell "an agent of intolerance," a statement which may have cost you the decisive South Carolina primary. But as you ramped up your next presidential run in 2006, you embraced Falwell and gave the commencement address at his Liberty University. When Tim Russert asked that spring if you still considered him an agent of intolerance, you said, "'no, I don't." Why shouldn't the American people consider you a flip-flopping opportunist who cynically courted the religious right to further your 2008 presidential ambitions?

The Huffington Post covered the release of Cliff Schecter's new book "The Real McCain," which chronicles the presidential hopeful's "legendary anger streak."

HuffPo, which obtained an advance copy of Schecter's book, cited an altercation between McCain and Arizona Republican Rick Renzi. HuffPo also reports that " the website Raw Story obtained a separate anecdote from Schecter's book, in which McCain berated his wife in the full view of aides and reporters during a 1992 campaign stop."

Read the full article here. And McCain's response here.

Well it's only a hop, skip and a jump away from what he's confusing now, that Al Qaeda in Iraq (which gained footing only after the US invasion in 2003) is Shi'ah; and grossly overestimating their popularity (an estimated 1000 extremists in Iraq). Today he says he won't rule out pre-emptive war and he's actually being considered for President? I don't understand how so many people can be duped or asleep at the wheel. Check out the blog and the book on The Real McCain

Schecter's research reveals that McCain got into a physical brawl with his fellow Arizona congressman Rick Renzi (R). I think it has something to do with gender roles.

In 2006, the Arizona Republican congressional delegation had a strategy meeting. McCain repeatedly addressed two new members, congressmen Trent Franks and Rick Renzi, as 'boy.' Finally, Renzi, a former college linebacker, rose from his chair and said to McCain, "You call me that one more time and I'll kick your old ass." McCain lunged at Renzi, punches were thrown, and the two had to be physically separated. After they went to their separate offices, McCain called Renzi and demanded an apology. Renzi refused. Apparently this posture made McCain admire him, as they became fast friends.

Oh, what good friends he keeps: On February 22, 2008 Rick Renzi was indicted on 35 criminal counts, including conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and official extortion stemming from land deals in his state.

McCain also called his wife a "cunt." The vagina as an insult. What a misogynist.

Here's why such an interview would be important. In the past, these commentators have given McCain a pass for calling senate colleagues, "shitheads," "assholes" and in at least one case "a fucking jerk." Perhaps some journalists and talking heads think such comments are pretty cool especially if you are not too concerned with an elected officials' hair triggered temper, or lack of appropriateness, decorum, and professionalism. How "maverick," even.   Perhaps it's kinda cool to see your commander in chief call an agonist an asshole, but pretty scary to imagine these words coming out of the mouth of the diplomat in chief, another important presidential assignment. Do we really need another misanthropic president (Cheney, Nixon being others)?

When you add misogyny to the mix, the test is on to see how this white, male McCain fan base might hold his feet to the fire for demeaning not only all women, but his own wife. According to Schecter,

Three reporters from Arizona, on the condition of anonymity, also let me in on another incident involving McCain's intemperateness. In his 1992 Senate bid, McCain was joined on the campaign trail by his wife, Cindy, as well as campaign aide Doug Cole and consultant Wes Gullett. At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain's hair and said, "You're getting a little thin up there." McCain's face reddened, and he responded, "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt." McCain's excuse was that it had been a long day. If elected president of the United States, McCain would have many long days."

Think back to how McCain chuckled after one of his supporters referred to Hillary Clinton as "a b*tch." Hardly the making for a civil and respectful fall campaign, as McCain insistently promises. Seems to me he holds his opponents in deep contempt. Such comments and responses seem hard wired, perhaps exacerbated by the fact that this guy was locked up in solitary confinement for 2 1/2 years. I think the pattern of verbal abuse is cause for discussion and alarm.

Of course the issue has to do with the McCain's temper, but even more alarmingly is the misogenist and misanthropic ways of seeing the world that would inform a McCain administration.  The press has an obligation to investigate such patterns of behavior and abuse.

Schecter describes the most awe-striking comment:

 In his 1992 Senate bid, McCain was joined on the campaign trail by his wife, Cindy, as well as campaign aide Doug Cole and consultant Wes Gullett. At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain's hair and said, "You're getting a little thin up there." McCain's face reddened, and he responded, "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt."

WOW!!!

The big question is: Can a person with this kind of temper be entrusted as President? Is it a safe bet to entrust the national interest with a hot-head? Luckily, this is a non-issue as the Democrats appear to have this election pretty-well locked up.

Hat Tip: Xander Legere

But a new book on the presumptive Republican nominee will air perhaps the most shocking angry exchange to date.

The Real McCain by Cliff Schecter, which will arrive in bookstores next month, reports an angry exchange between McCain and his wife that happened in full view of aides and reporters during a 1992 campaign stop. An advance copy of the book was obtained by RAW STORY.

Three reporters from Arizona, on the condition of anonymity, also let me in on another incident involving McCain’s intemperateness. In his 1992 Senate bid, McCain was joined on the campaign trail by his wife, Cindy, as well as campaign aide Doug Cole and consultant Wes Gullett. At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain’s hair and said, “You’re getting a little thin up there.” McCain’s face reddened, and he responded, “At least I don’t plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt.” McCain’s excuse was that it had been a long day. If elected president of the United States, McCain would have many long days.

The man who was known as "McNasty" in high school has erupted in foul-languaged tirades at political foes and congressional colleagues more-or-less throughout his career, and his quickness to anger has been an issue on the presidential campaign trail as evidence of his fury has surfaced.

As Schecter notes, McCain's rage is not limited to the political spectrum, and even his family cannot be spared the brute force of his anger.

Schecter, who also blogs at The Agonist, said in an interview the anecdote is "an early example of his uncontrollable temper." In the book he outlines several other examples of McCain loosing his cool and raises the question of how that would affect a McCain presidency.

What should voters make of this pattern? In February 2008 Tim Russert succinctly described McCain on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. A devilish grin spread from ear to ear as Russert, no McCain hater, leaned forward and spoke in a whisper, “He likes to fight.” Russert got it right. But the big question isn’t whether McCain likes to fight: it’s who, when, and how.

The exchange between McCain and his wife was not reported anywhere when it happened, Schecter said (a LexisNexis database search confirms this). In 1992, McCain's mention in the national media revolved mostly around his involvement in the Keating Five scandal, and only local reporters closely followed his re-election bid.

McCain is well known for his rapport with the national media covering his presidential bid (he's jokingly referred to the press as "my base"), but Schecter said this incident was buried not out of fealty to the Arizona senator. Rather, it was uneasiness about how to get such a coarse exchange into a family newspaper, and he didn't fault the local press for not covering the incident.

"Members of the media are squeamish covering stuff like this so they let it go," Schecter told RAW STORY in an interview Monday. "Back in '92, when people use naughty words, [reporters] don't know as much what to do with it."

Much has changed since then. President Bush's reference to a New York Times reporter as a "major league asshole" was reported in at least 47 newspapers during the 2000 campaign, when the off-color remark was overheard, according to a database search. And more than a dozen newspapers have reported Dick Cheney's recommendation that Sen. Patrick Leahy "fuck yourself."

McCain and his aides have brushed off suggestions that his temper could impede his ability to perform the sometimes-delicate tasks asked of a president. The candidate was asked about his legendary temper last week on "Fox News Sunday," where he cited his ability to work "across the aisle" while in the Senate.

"You can't scare people or intimidate them if you're going to reach agreement with your colleagues and your contemporaries And I've worked hard at that, and that's what the American people want," McCain said. " The second thing is if I lose my capacity for anger, then I shouldn't be president of the United States. ... When I see the waste and corruption in Washington, I get angry."

McCain's campaign did not return a call from RAW STORY seeking comment Monday morning.

Schecter says McCain's anger is much more than a passion for the issues. One can only imagine what would happen if McCain were to try to squeeze that temper into the tight confines of diplomacy.

"The public certainly has to know what this guy might do as president," Schecter says. Examples like the ones in his book "should worry people, quite frankly."