Women for McCain

It doesn't seem to be working thus far, but John McCain continues to make a strong pitch for the support of Clinton-backing women:

"I admire and respect her," McCain said of Clinton.

Aides suggested that McCain's support for a gas tax holiday, a hawkish foreign policy and steps against climate change would appeal to many women.

Indeed, McCain respects Clinton so much that he's willing to say he respects her after joking around for a bit with an audience about calling her a "bitch" calling one's ex-wife a "bitch" (particularly odd considering how well McCain's ex-wife has treated him and how poorly he's treated his ex-wife):

Anyways, we'll see how this goes, but one way of respecting Senator Clinton would be to at least acknowledge that she was running for office to advance certain public policy goals and that John McCain doesn't want to advance those goals.

Comments

Look at all the non-elitist folks in that room.

Posted by Eh | June 16, 2008 9:27 AM

But how is he going to advertise his commitment to, um, do something about global warming (like at least admit that it exists) without completely alienating the 41% of golf players who, according to the NY Times political blog The Caucus, believe that climate change is a hoax?

I mean, this is the man's base here.

Posted by kaspian | June 16, 2008 9:27 AM

Yep, the mythical straighttalking McCain would have said something like, "I respect the bitch!"

By the way, nice advice McCain is getting from his aides--from the polling I have seen, women are more negative on the Iraq war than men.

Posted by DTM | June 16, 2008 9:33 AM

I thought his strong opposition to equal pay for women would be a drawback. I'm kind of surprised that his comments on the Ledbetter bill have fallen by the wayside.

Posted by Alex | June 16, 2008 9:42 AM

WaPo this am reports that Lanny Davis has joined Fox as a commentator. Wonder what his role will be. (The Post says deadpan that it's a surprise to see Democrat Davis on the Fox payroll.)

Posted by Bloix | June 16, 2008 9:53 AM

MY:
Don't forget the McBush supporter in NH during the primaries who shouted out, "How are we going to beat that bitch?", in reference to Clinton and McBush didn't admonish his supporter. He just laughed. Sure sounds like he respects Hillary Clinton to me.

Posted by Joe Klein's conscience | June 16, 2008 10:00 AM

I can understand saying that a hawkish foreign policy was designed to appeal to Clinton supporters, but saying that it's designed to appeal to women seems a little weird.

Posted by Matt Weiner | June 16, 2008 10:09 AM

There's also this joke from McCain at a Republican fundraiser in 1998:

"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?
Because her father is Janet Reno."

Posted by Tim | June 16, 2008 10:16 AM

Frank Rich nailed this issue in yesterday's NY Times, I thought.

Posted by Joel | June 16, 2008 10:25 AM

Who's running this guy's campaign? I can't figure out if they're too stupid to think Hillary voters won't actually look at McCain's positions, or too cynical, thinking these hysterical women can be brought over to him with a little bit of flattery. The whole thing strikes me as a fool's errand.

Posted by NHCt | June 16, 2008 11:37 AM

"McCain Campaign 'Rejects And Denounces' Support of John McCain"

June 14, 2008 - Houston, TX John McCain's presidential campaign distanced itself from John McCain today after it was revealed that McCain had made a crude and degrading joke about Chelsea Clinton when she was 18 years old and living with her parents in the White House. "These were obviously incredibly offensive remarks that the campaign was unaware of," McCain said, adding "I reject and denounce his support."

The joke, which has not received much media attention despite much recent discussion of sexism and character assassination in political campaigns, was told at a private gathering with supporters of John McCain’s 2000 campaign. Witnesses attest that John McCain said "Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?" followed by the punchline "Because Janet Reno is her father."

The McCain camp acted quickly to diffuse the controversy, with a spokesman telling reporters "John McCain unequivocally denounces John McCain and his unquestionably inappropriate joke. We have also heard that there is a published account that John McCain once called his wife a c*nt in front of reporters. He is obviously a disturbed man and John McCain personally rejects his endorsement. We hope that Clinton supporters who are sick and tired of hearing sexist and degrading statements like these recognize that John McCain is committed to defeating the evils of misogyny in America and will support him in November."

Posted by JMC | June 16, 2008 12:50 PM

EWard will be here in a moment to tell us how McCain and his "cunt" remarks are better than Obama's "sexisim".

McCain really will get some additional votes from these nutjobs. Maybe not enough to enable him to win, but he'll get them.

Posted by Richard Steven Hack | June 16, 2008 3:02 PM

The same old Yglesias.

Posted by Jennifer | June 16, 2008 3:58 PM

That should be "the same young ignorant Yglesias."

Posted by Richard Steven Hack | June 16, 2008 8:53 PM

Fighting for the right to choose...John McCain!

Women for John McCain - carrying John McCain towards victory in our Prada handbags!

http://www.womenforjohnmccain.com

Posted by Christina West | June 26, 2008 7:56 PM