Still no Sarah Palin, but Larry King chats with John McCain anyway

Well, tough times for old Larry King.

As the Ticket reported last week, LK still doesn't have the media star Sarah Palin and her ratings on his CNN show to compete with those Satans over at Fox. And there's only, what, five more nights before the election. So it's not looking good for the veteran talk-show host who's been covering these presidential races since the second Grant administration.

Last night Larry had to settle for John McCain. He's the Republican presidential candidate, which is important and all. But he's not her.

McCain's been around the talk-show circuit a few hundred times. They talked about the usual things. Larry doesn't seem convinced that McCain's gonna win.

"Are you anxious?" "Are you worried?" The Arizona senator said the usual about knowing and liking that he's the underdog, but he feels the race closing. "You know," McCain said, "I love the underdog status. I just want to leave that status at the time the polls close."

They talked about all of Obama's money. Well, not all of it. There's too much to talk about really in an hour show. McCain made his points that his Democratic opponent had committed to public financing if McCain would do the same. McCain did. Obama didn't.

"What has happened now," McCain said, "are there are....

...hundreds of millions of dollars that are undocumented credit cards. We don't know where they came from. We don't know who contributed it."

Later, he added, "Sen. Obama has not told the American people the truth. So, therefore, he now is able to buy these half-hour infomercials and, frankly, is going to try to convince the American people through his rhetoric what his record shows that he's not."

McCain called Obama's repetitive strategy of tying him to President Bush "a very intelligent campaign tactic," but said the American people had figured out how different McCain and Bush are on such things as climate change, the Iraq war, Guantanamo and torture.

He dismissed talk of dissension between the McCain and Palin camps. "I have about 5,000 'top advisors' that can be quoted by the media," he said. "We get along fine. She's a maverick. I'm a maverick. No one expected us to agree on everything." And he cited drilling in northern Alaska as one example.

When Larry pressed him on the Alaska governor's experience and capability, McCain responded: "I would remind you that there was an obscure governor from Arkansas, that not too many years ago -- that gained the presidency. And he had no national security experience.

"He would never match up, as much as I love Bush I, with him on national security. We had just won the Gulf War. Sarah Palin understands these issues. She understands them very well. And frankly, with a lot of conversations that I've had with her, she's an incredibly quick study."

McCain repeated his criticism of The Times newspaper and Tribune Co. for not releasing a videotape mentioned in a news story last spring about a dinner where Obama spoke about a Palestinian friend.

"Maybe it means nothing," McCain said. "Maybe it's just a social event. I don't know. But why should they not release it? And why shouldn't the Obama campaign want it released?" More on that over there in the newspaper pages.

Larry also asked the senator if Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama was about race and the Arizonan replied, "No."

Larry pursued the race issue and McCain expanded:

"Look, there is racism in America. We all know that because we can't stop working against it. But I am totally convinced that 99 and 44 one hundredths percent of the American people are going to make a decision on who is best to lead this country.

"These are one of the most difficult times in our history, both domestically and national security. I have faith in the American people that they'll make the judgment for the best of reasons, not the worst of reasons."

The interview's complete transcript is available here.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Comments

[United States goes BLUE!]

The International Republican Institute, an organization McCain has chaired since 1993, provided funds to the Center for Palestine Research and Studies, an organziation co-founded by Khalidi, during the 1990s — including $448,873 in 1998 for the organization to conduct surveys of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Yet again on the campaign trail we have had McCain and Palin pointing a finger at Obama for a purported relationship with Khalidi when in fact it is McCain who has financially supported Khalidi. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM MCCAIN FOR KHALIDI. McCain and Palin are both liars. Our country deserves better.

OBAMA/BIDEN 2008! EVERYONE MUST VOTE! STOP THE REPUBLICAN VOTER FRAUD BY ENSURING A LANDSLIDE VICTORY FOR OBAMA. EVERYONE MUST VOTE NO MATTER WHAT!

[larry the lifeguard]

Betty, How about lets talk about the cost of Barry's and Joes clothes and all the free slanted mainstream media coverage for Barry that has been going on for over a year now. By the way where's Joe been hiding out over the last few weeks. Afraid he's going to put his foot in his mouth? I had better things to do last night rather than watch Barry's propaganda, like work.

[MT]

"Those Satans over at Fox?" That is pathetic--what an obamination to make such a comment! You have no credibility as a journalist whatsoever.

[ASIS]

The title and first two sentences alone indicate that this article is riddled with biased garbage.

[betty]

chaplin, I am already in tears because of the mess this economy is in, and have been for the last eight years. The big corporations have received tax breaks, as well as loop holes for the last eight years and still lost hundreds of thousands of jobs. As far as where is the money going to come from to pay for programs in this country, from the money that we are paying in Iraq. If we can bail out wall street and the banks, we can help our working citizens.

[Jonathan]

Exxon Mobil: Biggest profit in U.S. history
Largest U.S. oil company surges past analyst estimates to post net income of $14.83 billion.

Anybody else see anything wrong with this?

I'm blowing gaskets hear!

McCain supports this!

NO MORE!

[Sullivan]

Why on earth would Sarah Palin subject herself to more traps by the Obama news media? And why does Larry King deserve any kind of newsworthy credit? His interview with Ahmadinejad was probably the most blatant attempt at pandering to a condemned terrorist than ever seen on national TV.

[Kipper]

OK fine.... satanists might be a little overboard. However Faux News is definely a corrupt, propaganda news source. They don't report the news....They invent it.

[Slingo]

Where was Hairplug Joe Biden? I didn't see him on the big infomercial. I guess Joe and Palin were having a cup of coffee together while thier boss's were busy working. The one thing I think that may help Obama is he will be able to sell Grills for big George on his informercials. I'm sure that will pay a lot better then community organiser until he can start collecting money for 2004..

[JK rullbert]

McCain demonstrated he's cranky, bitter, and unhappy, not only with his opponents skill and abilities, but with his own decisions of the past and his own shortcomings.

Palin continues to demonstrate she's totally out of her league. She lacks credibility and ethics. She's not leadership material. She will divide this country, and be unable to achieve support needed to move the country forward as a leader.

Republicans - look hard at the situation and you'll conclude that Obama is the right choice. The GOP candidates don't have a cohesive vision, plan or even a current understanding of what is needed for the next four years.

Republicans for Obama.

[interval]

@Kipper:
> "OK fine.... satanists might be a little overboard. However Faux News is definely a corrupt, propaganda news source.
> They don't report the news....They invent it."

Same thing they do over at MSNBC, ABC, CBS, and.. oh yes! The LA Times.

[chris]

When are you folks going to grow up and stop blaming the Bush administration for EVERYTHING. It's become redundant and illogical. Has he been a great president? except for how he handled immediately after 9/11...no. He's also been been very far from the worst. Especially in regards to economic issues, it is the congress that most impacts the economy....that's made up of Democrats and Republicans. For the last two years the Democrats have had control....what have they done productive? Nothing. Barney Frank and Chris Dodd prevented regulation that could have stopped the Fannie/Freddie fiasco...they should be in jail. It's all factual and on video that you can find on C Span. Just because mighty O leads the Mantra does not make it so folks. He is an empty, dangerous suit. Some types of change...we don't need. Not drinking the Kool-Aid of the Obama Cult.

[StLoon]

"What the Heck does all that mean? Can McCain talk coherently?"
This comment by membery is unfair. Since when is coherent speech a presidential requisite?

[Trish]

Not to be mean but McCain is old. He is out of touch with the needs of the country. We need someone who is young full energy and new ideas. Palin is a very smart lady until she opens her mouth. It would be very embarrsing to our country to put someone like Palin in the VP seat we would be the laughing clowns of world. They dont trust her to do a interview with Larry King but we are suppose to trust her with world leaders GIVE ME A BREAK!!!

[Archie haase]

I voted for Obama. Who cares what Lary King thinks. He is another tired media made celebrity who should retire in a few years. As for McCain he also sounded depressed and tired. As for Palin the less we see of her the better. I hope George Bush is the last low level as for brains we have in the White House for the next 100 years.

[Jim from Missouri]

Obama's answer to everything is to simply throw money at it. And yes, he lied to the Amercian people. He promised to take public funding, but went back on his word when he realized he could get more money through private fundraising.

John McCain will cut unneccessary spending, Obama will create more unneccessary spending. And guess what? If you increase taxes on large businesses, these large businesses will either increase prices or fire their employees. Simply shifting the burden is not going to help the economy.

I'm voting for McCain not because of all the garbage Fox News throws at you (Obama is not a terrorist, nor a socialist, and who cares abour Rev. Wright or Bill Ayers), but because Obama's policies are beyond suspect, they are downright foolish.

[George]

My guess is that no matter who wins, once the election is over, people will be so relieved they will literally cry out "THANK GOD THAT'S OVER!" and promptly stop paying attention to anything from that point on.

I hope not, but really, has this been the longest frigging election ever?!?

Everyone deserves a couple of free shots on the house after this one. Did you vote? You get a free drink!

[Bowser]

[quote]

Well, ok, let's try socialism and see how we like it...with 91% of blacks voting for Obama, there isn't a race issue is there? Also, with 60% of those making less than $38k voting for Obama, there isn't a notion of buying votes with a 'tax cut' / er I mean welfare check? But, there is always stimulating the economy from the bottom up? the poor are always starting new businesses....

And, doesn't 35-40% of America work for the government in on form or the other? hmmmm, wonder who they are voting for? bigger gov't perhaps?

[/quote]

This person is living proof of the intentional and systematic destruction of the American public education system by the Republican party to keep people stupid and ignorant so they'll believe the blatant and bald-faced lies the Republicans are feeding them.

As for McCain? Straight talk express? PLEASE!!! More like the Smear-Talk express... I haven't heard one single substantive comment from their campaign in over a month. Nothing but attacks on Obama based on lies and distortions. McCain isn't George W. Bush? Then why did McCain vote with W 90% of the time? (And that is a FACT, check the Congressional Record.) If McCain is 'his own man', then why are all of W's "advisors" running McCain's campaign?

McCain is a clone of W; he can't even say anything meaningful anymore, it's all just hyperbole and fear mongering, and when he's not attacking Obama, it's just platitudes and pollyannaism...

Vote Obama, vote to bring our country together, not keep tearing it apart the way W has done, and the way McCain is clearly going to keep doing.

[bb]

Palin can only handle stage managed events where nobody asks her hard questions. Let's face it. She's a bimbo.

[patrick]

I'm sick n tired of people claiming that black people are racist because 90% of them will be voting for Obama. Well, Gore got 90% of the black vote, and Kerry got 88%. Were they being racist back then as well?

[jonny]

"Those Satans over at Fox?" Finally some straight talk. Those people at Fox are fanatic racists. They are the outlet of KKK to vent their hatred. There was a plot to kill Obama recently. I wonder if Fox new about it before hand.

[JRFLLINK]

Palin's support by women is divided by one issue, as is large segments of the general population - abortion. Her pro-life stance serves and cements the conservative right but that is it. It will take her the next couple of years to move to a centrists position and not wear pro-life on her shoulder. To women the issue is called a right to choose, she had the right to choose, and did correctly so. IF she wants to stay on the big stage, and gain the women's vote she will be required to adjust or fade. IF the GOP continues to allow one issue to be the litmus test, they will fad as well. IT will no longer be an issue, Obama, Pelosi and Reid will have the opportunity to place 2-3 justices taking the issue out of the platform for two generations.

[Dave]

"McCain demonstrated he's cranky, bitter, and unhappy, not only with his opponents skill and abilities, but with his own decisions of the past and his own shortcomings."

McCain is obviously frustrated, and probably in part because of his opponents' skills and abilities, but while these abilities have served Senator Obama well in this election, they are not necessarily the skills and abilities necessary to serve as President of The U.S.

Sen. Obama is obviously "hip, slick, and cool." But other than empty tag lines and rhetoric (e.g, "the failed policies of George W. Bush), what is it that has prepared him to serve as President?

Having thoughfully and carefully researched this election, I have concluded that of the two major candidates, Senator McCain is best qualified for the position. I understand my biases. I am fiscally conservative but also a pragmatist. Senator Obama is a Socialist. I know that he and his supporters tend to quickly deflect that label, usually using typical Saul Alinsky tactics (like let's focus on whether Joe's really a plumber). If you are an Obama supporter, you have already reacted with one of his catch phrases--that I somehow must be a member of the radical right, or the powerful wealthy, or that I'm in favor of "The failed policies of George W. Bush. (Many Obama supporters, particularly the young or naive, will reflexively respond this way. It's the sought after effect of Alinsky's tactics.) However, it's a fact, period. Rather than react hypnotically, his supporters can check out the American Socialist Party website. The home page describes Senator Obama's perspective perfectly. I don't use the term Socialist whimsically, or even derogatorily at this time (though I've already indicated that I disagree with Socialist philosophies with respect to the government of The United States of America). As a result of my research, I believe that Senator McCain is more qualified to serve, more experienced, more respectful, more thoughtful (though certainly not as verbal), and more fiscally conservative, and he therefore will get my vote.

[betty]

larry, obama and joe buy their own clothes. Joe doesn't have to hide, he has the wisdom and truth on his side. the media has not been slanted for obama if it were, thwy would be talking about palin's seperatist organization and the student who pretended to have a mental problem, which was untrue as she is in college and works for McCain.

[Nathaniel]

I agree that Fox is an opinion channel. But what about msnbc? It is slanted to the left at least as much as fox is to the right. Where is someone who is actually reasonable supposed to turn? Is anybody else bothered by the fact that Obama quoted rich as over 250,000 in every single debate, and then in his infomercial it was 200,000? We as Americans need to pull our head out of our butts and start paying attention. Why don't we try to start remembering who said and did what, instead of having the opinions of the idiots in the media spoon fed to us? I am ashamed that Palin draws crowds. Almost as much as I'm ashamed that young people flock to Barack because he uses the word change. We get the government we deserve.