McCain not sure how many houses he owns

File this under "Problems most of us will never have" -- You are running for president. Someone asks you how many houses you own. You can't remember. Is it four? Six? Seven?

From Politico.com: "Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said in an interview Wednesday that he was uncertain how many houses he and his wife, Cindy, own. 'I think — I'll have my staff get to you,' McCain told Politico in Las Cruces, N.M. 'It's condominiums where — I'll have them get to you.' "

More: "The correct answer is at least four, located in Arizona, California and Virginia, according to his staff. Newsweek estimated this summer that the couple owns at least seven properties."

Democrats are using the "he owns a bunch of houses" line to remind Americans that McCain, by marriage, is fabulously wealthy. More from Politico: "Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) told Politico’s Ben Smith that it was McCain 'who wears $500 shoes, has six houses and comes from one of the richest families in his state.' "

--Peter Viles
Your thoughts? Comments? E-mail story tips to peter.viles@latimes.com

Comments

[Peter]

I cant believe McCain doesnt know how many houses he owns, not counting the fact that he thinks you have to make 5 mill a year to be wealthy? WTF McCain is a PRO WAR> the commenter is right above. McCain only has stories., in the forum he didnt even answer questions. Instead he told stories which he has memorized and repeated at everytown hall meeting he has ever had. Obama might lead to the great depression. But McCain will probably lead to the Great Depression with a side of WWIII. We should probably elect someone who has to at least live with the choices they make in the white house. McCain will be checking out soon, What does he care if he leaves this country in a mess. The US presidency is just a prize to him. I hate the two party system. Obama is right to say McCain is out of touch and a hot head. John McCain does have a temper, I saw the video of him blowing up on a former senator and dropping the f bomb. http://www.mccanes.com Y McCain will lose if he picks Romney http://www.hotpres.com I guess someone is making a movie about Obama's teenage years. http://www.theobamaplan.com watch video of McCain talking about his failed first marrige at http://www.mccanes.com

[Will Smith]

Who cares if he knows how many houses he has: does he know how many fingers and toes he has?

[LawyerfromMass]

Most Americans acknoweldge that this country is on the wrong track. Yet, John McCain is engineer on the "Wrong Track Express." "Full speed ahead," he yells on four more years of Bush's failed policies. This guy is frightening. Also, I love that McCain graduated at the bottom of his Naval Academy class. What a moron! After eight years of stubborn and stupid, now the Republicans offer us old, stubborn, and stupid! Wake up America! How many houses do YOU own?

[Anon]

And this is relevant, how? Obama ain't doing so shabby himself the past few years. But, I'm not voting based on how much money a man has. If that were the criteria, the Gates/Buffet ticket would get my vote. They sure know how to run a business. I'm voting for McCain for the obvious dedication to country, the political experience, and the ability to work with both parties. He votes for what he believes is right for the country, not for what is politcally expedient.

McCain '08

[John]

you know what? I barely give a ---- becuase he was a POW and got tortured, so democrat who also is rich shouldbnt say s---.
But this country should takre care of poor kids children who live on street for sURE and not mess around or revolution may happen.
Not throw money at the moon. literally.

[SoCalGal]

Most people are unaware that McCain's wife got an iron clad pre-nuptial agreement. She's the one with the money. Why should McCain remember assets that he doesn't even own?

[Mike]

A fiscal conservative, I had every intention of voting for McCain... But as I find out more about what an elitest he really is. Did you know that Linda McCain very often claims she is an only child, but actually has a sister. I read somewhere that the sis has been bastardized by the family and received very little inheritance when their parents passed on. Linda's inheritance was close to $500 Mill...

[observer]

I am not a fan of John McCain's. However, there is another way to look at his claim that he doesn't know how many properties he and his wife own.

Maybe he just isn't interested.

[Rye]

Hmmm...I seem to remember a presidential candidate four years ago who was married to an ultra-wealthy widow and had a bunch of houses. The funny thing is that his ability to identify with the people was never questioned. I wonder why that was (D)?

[Larry]

Dimocrats and the "old media" are climbing the wrong tree again. Your prize isn't up there. Most people want more wealth, not less. Owning investment properties is very common in America. Ask Dingy Harry Reid, your leader.

[Parker]

So big deal he is rich, and forgetful. Good guy but he can't win, too old.

[nisl]

Obama is already up with an ad about this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpmFd25tRqo

[Solyd_Trutch]

George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, John McCain..........

David Koresh, Jim Jones, Barack Obama........

[ernst dirksn]

McCain will keep his rich associates getting richer - that's the way it is. But Obama is looking out for everyone, ys America can change.

[Jeff in Orlando]

Accusing McCain of being "out of touch" because he doesn't know how many houses he has is a cheap shot. Only rich Repulicans are criticized for their wealth. The rich among the Democrats never come under srcutiny for theirs. How about Kerry, Kennedy, Lautenberg, Senators Boxer and, Feinstein and the Clintons? Is it possible for the Democrats just mentioned to be "in touch" with the rest of us? All of them are very wealthy and live a life style the rest of us can only imagine. Regardless of party affiliation, having money, homes, planes and expensive cars is no sin. I might add, McCain adopted a child from Bangladesh, one of the most impovrised nations in the world. I suspect he was so out of touch he didn't recognize the plight of the people in that country. I am tired of the class envy and class warfare promoted by the Democrats. Rich people have a place in this world. Without them, who would pay for the income redistribution programs the Democrats love so dearly?

[Carol]

Who cares? Why is it a crime to be rich? I make $40,000 and live in an apartment and I'm not JEALOUS of McCain's good fortune. So what? More power to him! Someday I hope to have a few houses, too. Not 7 though...it's hard enough to keep my apartment clean!!

[Latonico]

What does it matter how many homes the man has or what kind of shoes he wears?
I say people need to find deeper garbage to dig up on him than that if they want to trash the guy.
Im sure Obamas shoes arent from Payless either!

[sfvrealestate]

What else is McCain uncertain about/can't remember?

[Tom Hoppe]

What is Chuck Schumer's point in reminding people that McCain's wife is loaded? After all, Schumer had no problem endorsing Hillary Clinton, the candidate whose husband has "earned" more than $100 million since he left the Oval Office. Schumer also endorsed John Kerry in the 2004 election, the same John Kerry whose wife is worth between $750 million and $1.2 billion. Pointing out the hypocrisies of politicians is like shooting fish in a barrel, but this one is, well, really rich.

[PJ]

This not only reminds us how absurdly wealthy McCain is but how out of touch and elitist he really is. How many people do you know who couldn't tell you how many houses they own? Only the wealthy elite has this particular "problem." McCain is not a maverick, he is a wealthy conservative old man sworn to protect his OWN money and the money of his buddies.

[Tucker]

And this man has the nerve to imply that Obama, with his own house, who just recently finished off paying student loans as a result of the money he got from his book sales, is 'elitist' and 'out of touch' John McCain, the son of admirals who last weekend defined "rich" as $5 million.

McCain isn't a maverick, he is no moderate. He is a fabulously wealthy Republican pig that is not of the right mindset to fix the problems before this nation.

[coolrepublica]

I guess no one sent out a memo to the LA Times explaining that his wife is actually the owner of the homes. McCain would not know anything about them since they are not his.

The man spends his life in Washington and comes home on weekends I doubt he is going house hunting. I say his wife finds a place, likes it, buys it with her money and invites him over.

Why would someone ask how many houses he owns? What's next how many pairs of shoes?

And as Americans we should all inspire to have that problem. Oh wait we do. That's why lotteries are raking in money from poor people.

[Vera Shanley]

Wow, so you shouldn't be able to work for Hospice unless you've died???????

[MarineWife]

Oh don't be such SH**S. Most military people have bought and sold residences so many times over a 20 year career, we actually have to stop and think: is it 1? 2? 3? That doesn't mean we're rich, it means we MOVE every 2 years. So did McCain. And whatever you inherit or gain from a second marriage... I get what you're trying to imply here, and it stinks. Leftist freaking media? Yeah, maybe so.

[Wally]

Who is the elitist, again? Which one lives like a celebrity?