McCain's Straight Talk Local
John McCain seems to find himself in a mad dash to demonstrate that he really doesn't know much about economics Social Security.
Bob Somerby at Daily Howler catches him out, on Monday, saying this to a town meeting in Denver:
I'd like to start out by giving you a little straight talk. Under the present set-up, because we've mortgaged our children's futures, you will not have Social Security benefits that present-day retirees have unless we fix it....Americans have got to understand that we are paying present-day retirees with the taxes paid by young workers in America today. And that's a disgrace. It's an absolute disgrace, and it's got to be fixed....Here's a chart. Here's how much is coming in. Here's how much is going out. And here's where there's more money going out than coming in, and here's where there's no money left.
Only one American news organ mentioned McCain's Denver talk, the WP in Perry Bacon's "Candidates Diverge on How to Save [sic] Social Security," but the "disgrace" line does not appear there, nor does the reporter question the nature and scale of the ostensible Social Security crisis. What you can say for Bacon is that he at least counterposes the two candidates' proposals. What he does not do is look at their logic or evidence. What he does not do is say that, other things remaining equal, "you will not have Social Security benefits that present-day retirees have" can only be true if it means that you will, at a certain point, have benefits at 85 or 90 percent of their level at present.
Let's be generous to McCain and assume that the "that" which is an "absolute disgrace" is the impending zero point toward which Social Security is purportedly tending. (If he really means that the disgrace is young workers subsidizing retired workers, he really is an economic idiot. The subsidy is the very bedrock, the principle, the logic, the elementary idea of all insurance. Period.) But still, even then, where is scrutiny of the claim that Social Security is in jeopardy? When Bush made such ridiculous claims in 2005, he spent all his political capital and then some. Why is McCain getting this pass? When the Straight Talk Express makes so many such stops, when does it become the Straight Talk Local?
Why isn't this A Story? The Gaffe of the Week? Breaking News? A Clip to Be Rebroadcast Endlessly?
Because Obama's campaign isn't attacking hard enough. They need to push this, and blow it up into a big story that the media can't ignore.
Axelrod/Plouffe: Attack McCain's words asap! Stop dilly-dallying!
July 9, 2008 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Because Obama's campaign isn't attacking hard enough.
On the mark. Meanwhile the corporate executives who manage our media have been dwelling on such huge topics as:
(1) Cindy McCain's hair. Should Cindy have curls, frizzy hair, or the somewhat cold pullback bun style when she is in the White House.
(2) McCain and how he loves pets and Obama hates pets. McCain has dogs like George W. and having pets shows that you are sensitive, have a conscience and care about.....people? Also, McCain's pet birds, pet fish, etc.
July 9, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks NobleCommentDecider! :)
Re: McCain's Dogs... I think they have 17 dogs (from what I recall reading). I wonder if John can name all 17 of "his" dogs?
July 9, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
BECAUSE OBAMA'S CAMPAIGN ISN'T ATTACKING HARD ENOUGH
Thought it could use some caps as well.
I know, I know, he shouldn't have to, the press should pick up these things themselves. But Obama's campaign can't just sit around cry about it, they need to do something about it.
July 9, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, its all Obama's fault. What about you two posting on an MSM site yourself instead of preaching to the choir here. I've already noted that McCain's fix for Social Security wilkl be to send everybody over 65 a pack of smokes daily.
Heck, if it works in Iran...
July 9, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
ricky: It's not to far fetched the ask the candidate to control his message better. The guy's had a very, very rough 2 weeks.
I think this will all change at the convention and during the debates. He will shine and drive the debate. In the meantime, he could absolutely work the refs more so they stop giving his opponent "The McCain Pass".
PS - Love the avatar of Rudy Giuliani passed out drunk riding the #9 train. Hahahaha....
July 9, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not a story because McCain's generation (and most Americans in their 50s+) were misled when Soc Sec was initially put forward. They were CONSCIOUSLY led to believe that it was YOUR money From YOUR paycheck going into a savings account that would later fund YOUR Pension/Soc Sec check.
It's sad that a US senator doesn't know this and doesn't know any better - but that's how the program was consciously misrepresented to people.
July 9, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wade, you cannot control what Obama does or does not do. Neither can I since I seem to be passed out on the No. 9 train wating for a policeman to roust me or my best man to bless or molest me.
However, you can pee on the media's leg as well as the candidate's in another forum. That's all I ask.
July 9, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
ricky: The notion that I'm "peeing on Obama's leg" is ri-goddam-diculous. I freakin' love the guy. [Look at my other posts. I practically worship the guy.] Took off work, and volunteered for a full week to canvass. Saw him and Michelle speak. Shook his hand even.
But I think their media strategy has fallen off pace the last 2 weeks. A lot of people in all forums agree. He needs to define himself before McCain's Rove-proteges do it for him. (He also needs to define McCain as a flip-flopping, non-Maverick better...)
PICTURE: That's not you in the subway picture!
http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/giuliani_spotted_sleeping
July 9, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excuse me but people 50+ are not in McCain's generation. McCain's generation are our parents.
July 9, 2008 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I have emailed Mr. Bacon, the WaPo reporter. Hope he reads reader email.
July 9, 2008 9:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not the Straight Talk Express anymore, as that took the wrong exit at Albuquerque heading to Pismo Beach years ago. Today it's more accurately called the 'Lincoln Incontintental'.
July 10, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink