McCain on McCain
The most extraordinary exchange at the McCain event last night was an exchange with McCain prompted by a question by Jonathan Zittrain. Zittrain had asked whether McCain had ever changed his mind. McCain answered that his core philisophies hadn't changed, but that he had made mistakes that he had acknowledged. He then told the story of his debacle in the South Carolina primary in 2000, when he had said that the use of the Confederate Flag by South Carolina was a matter of states rights.
McCain said that after he lost the primary, he realized this was a mistake. More than a mistake, it was, as he said last night, a "bald face lie" that had ruined him in South Carolina, even though he had told it because he thought it would help him win South Carolina. And he described how he had returned to South Carolina to apologize for the mistake after the election.
What was so striking about this was, of course, not that he had made a "mistake." But that his mistake was in telling a "bald face lie." Had Z had a chance at a follow-up, I would have loved to hear the answer to: "So were there any 'bald face lies' that worked out for you? Or are you still open to telling 'bald face lies' that might help elect you?"
| Permalink | technorati
Comments (24)
"Or are you still open to telling 'bald face lies' that might help elect you?"
Hee hee ... I suppose the honest answer would be "Sure! I might be running for PRESIDENT. I've got to appease hard-core theocrats, homophobes, reactionaries, xenophobes, war-mongers, racists, and robber-barrons, while not alienating too much of the rest of the country. You can't do that and be really truthful at the same time".
I think a good (if still blunt) non-trivial question would be better phrased as:
"What kinds of 'bald face lies' do you anticipate being necessary in future electoral campaigns?"
His "mistake" wasn't making the bald-faced lie, it was that it didn't work for him. Lying is an integral part of politics, and he who posseses this art is a better-tooled polititian. Any totally honest and ethical person cannot compete in the political arena, and thus all the corruption problems. I was taught to be honest, tell the truth, and thats what I do. My not cheating in life has absolutely put me at a diadvantage and I have accepted this. But I also chuckle when I read articles like the ex-NY city Police chief who now has been caught and convicted of commiting crimes. In the long run, this corruption will bring this 250 yr old country down.
It's a shame the spam filter isn't working well.
In any case - it's a very mixed bag when a politician admits to lying like this. On one hand, it points to something that everyone assumes, but hopes isn't true, namely that politicians lie like fish swim. On the other hand, it is a moment when the politician in question has admitted wrong-doing, and has a chance to redress his actions (and possibly apologize). A bit of a crisis evolves, however, as the politician who admits lying is suddenly the only one who admits to it... and while this lie might be less damaging than those of his compatriots, it is an *acknowledged* lie, and therefore potentially far more damaging to him.
How can we clean up corruption in the political milieu if we crucify those politicians who start to come clean about the un-truths they've traded in?
Sometimes the whole system just depresses me.
Can't you do anything against spam? It's to sad to see spamers destroying the content of a great blog.
Can’t you do anything against spam? It’s to sad to see spamers destroying the content of a great blog. - im think the same maybe some script will help?>
Keep up the good work. Greetings
Ignore this advice about not using words in your presentation. It's nonsense. The most important thing about any presentation is the quality/importance/relevance of what your saying. If I attend one more (often text-free), "entertaining", vacuous presentations, I'll top myself.
now it is half a year later and a lot of things changed in the political scene in the United States. I`m watching it here from germany, but as I see now that a lot of people also changed here mind (even if they did not change their core philosophie too ;-)) I think it was also a very famous american who said in the past: only a very stupid man will never change his mind (Al Capone ;-)) So let us watch the development in the next time, it seems to be very interesting.
Greetings from Germany
Interesting aspects. Thanks for the informativ and great site. I enjoyed to read it.
Interesting aspects. Informative and great site. I enjoyed it to read.
Don´t worry. That´s life!
Very powerfull blog. Thanks for your amibitions.
Best wishes
Adlopix
now it is half a year later and a lot of things changed in the political scene in the United States. I`m watching it here from germany, but as I see now that a lot of people also changed here mind (even if they did not change their core philosophie too ;-))
Thank You for another very interesting article. It's really good written and I fully agree with You on main issue, btw. I must say that I really enjoyed reading all of Your posts. It’s interesting to read ideas, and observations from someone else’s point of view… it makes you think more. So please try to keep up the great work all the time. Greetings, Projektowanie
The problem was that he got caught in his lie. That is the one thing that made him stand out and people all turn to attack him. If we want to attack him for it, why not attack everyone that tells a white lie. There is no way that a person can be completely honest when it comes to politics. It whole thing is a juggling act to make everyone happy, which is impossible. I tell the truth, always have. And even I can see that lies play a part in politics. And yes, even in the everyday world. I mean come on, who has not stopped and look at the tabloids when we are in a store checking out? And how many of us have not laughed at least to something that was on there. Hate to tell you people this, but the truth is that those stories….are lies!!! hehe
Thanks for very interesting article. btw. I really enjoyed reading all of your posts. It’s interesting to read ideas, and observations from someone else’s point of view… makes you think more.
Thank you very much for this interesting Article and for sharing your thoughts with us.
Good article
This entertaining vignette is from a recent post on Jibber Jobber blog.
It’s very good article. Great site with very good look and perfect information.
Thanks for the interesting article here. Greetings
McCain seems to be back again. I am curious about this year's election result.
McCain’s comeback is indeed a scene stealer. Great article and great insight about the incident.
Good article
Thanks for very interesting article. I really enjoyed reading all of your articles. Keep up the good work. See You