SOTU: McCain -- Lack of self-control? An expression of contempt? Embarrassing in any case.

Posted: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:10 PM by Hardball

By Tucker Carlson

“We advance our own interests by helping reformers and advocates for democracy”? That was Bush’s position on the Middle East immediately after 9-11 and, remarkably, it remains his position. He said it again tonight. But can he actually mean it? Would it really “advance our interests” to have a democratically-elected government in Saudi Arabia? In Egypt? In nuclear-armed Pakistan? In every case, democracy would all but guarantee the election of Islamic lunatics who hate us. Those countries and others (Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar) would likely become dangerous enemies overnight. Bush’s democracy doctrine—it sounds good if you don’t think about it very long. And apparently he hasn’t.

Imagine that you’re John McCain. You’re running for president for the second time, and this time you’re widely considered the frontrunner for the Republican nomination. Knowing that, you’ve got to expect that whomever is directing the television coverage of tonight’s speech is going to point the camera your way. You’re going to be on primetime TV, no doubt. With that in mind, you’re going to want to stay awake. If you’re McCain, who will be over 70 by 2008, you’ll want to make doubly sure to demonstrate your alertness and vigor. You definitely won’t want to slump in your seat, out cold, when Bush starts talking about Iraq. And yet that’s exactly what McCain did tonight, napping on camera for ten agonizing seconds. Lack of self-control? An expression of contempt? Embarrassing in any case.

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Comments

Yes you are right on Tucker. McCain looks horrible and this is the frontrunner in the Rep. party? Speech same old stuff.

Shelley, Troy MI (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:16 PM)

Is Tucker Carlson now a Hillary Clinton operative? I thought McCain was reading something, perhaps a copy of the speech. By the way, I thought that it was a good speech by the President.

Philip A. Byler, Huntington, New York (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:19 PM)

It seems that McCain is reflecting the thinking of the GOP: tired and worn out after six long years under the current administration.

Jason Wolfe, Bowling Green, KY (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:21 PM)

And what's with all the winking going on by the Republicans? Do they know something we don't know?

Carol Pohorenec, Hurst, TX (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:21 PM)

I would have agreed with you Phillip, but it was pretty obvious when his head bobbed.

Teresa, Defiance, OH (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:23 PM)

i think mcCain's sleeping reading his blackberry or whatever, will hurt him big time. I can't believe that happened. I thought he was much more politically savvy. People still talk about Hillary's during the Presidential speech post 9/11.

Andrea Courtois (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:24 PM)

I can not help but wonder where we would be today if we truly tried to address fundemental islamic hatred toward us with our brains rather than our brawn.

Rober, Kingfield ME (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:24 PM)

Like 7 out of 10 Americans, perhaps McCain was as bored as the rest of us listening to Bush promise us a bunch of stuff that will never happen. SOTU is about a relevant as a campaign speech.

Kara, Palm Harbor, FL (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:33 PM)

So McCain was sitting slumped in his seat. NBC's coverage of the speech showed Barack Obama giving President Bush the finger when President Bush spoke of Iran funding Hezbollah. I expect more from someone who aspires to be president.

Kelly, Lubbock, TX (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:34 PM)

Since it appears that McCain wants to "stay the course", one could easily conclude that he knows the message that Bush wants the American people to agree with. Nap time?

J. Riddle, Concord, California (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:35 PM)

Tucker, your comments about democracies in the middle east probably have some credibility. I think it is arrogant to think that all countries and all peoples want to live as we do. However, the present governments of the countries of which you speak have fomented this hate in their religious schools for years and it has now come to fruition. Giving democracy a try was a noble effort and may be doomed to fail, but the governments there now are worse. They are dupicitous and untrustworthy on any level. I understand, now, why there were crusades in the middle ages. I think rather than burying our heads in the sand and buying into this Democratic/Socialist Party rhetoric that wants us to believe we can reason with this enemy and neotiate this threat away like Nevil Chamberlain, we should have a modern day crusade and put an end to their sick religious fanaticism.

Ralph Love (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:44 PM)

Ralph, isn't religious freedom one of the chief tennants of our government?

Jason Wolfe, Bowling Green, KY (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:48 PM)

It's called reading the text of the speech in his lap, just like half the politicians they showed. If you recall, Teddy Kennedy was doing the same thing when the camera came to him. You people really don't think he was actually sleeping do you? Come on. Grow up.

Brett Edgerton, Bristol, CT (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:00 PM)

McCain knows the same old, same old when he hears it, why not catch a few z's?

BL Gardner (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:01 PM)

I live in the south east, near a military town. This President does not understand the hardships the families are going through. Many of my neighbors are going back to Iraq for the 3rd or 4th time. This is not an honorable conflict. President Bush should have come to the country and said we will end this war this year, admit he made mistakes and make this country feel honest once again.

Ireen Julius (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:05 PM)

Sen. McCain's body language tonite paints a wonderful portrait of just the reason that Senator Clinton will be the next POTUS and not the Arizona Senator MAC. Sen. Webb's minutes were very thoughtful and to the point. Let's send the Iraq rebuild dollars to New Orleans and get this city back.

John, Woodbridge, Va (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:09 PM)

I can see McCain losing for nomination. I originally supported his views on healthcare but now I am going more moderate democratic. We just need to remove Bush first, and stop the war. Not worry about McCain let him go.

Eric, Notre Dame, IN (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:14 PM)

Isn't there something slightly more important for a journalist to speak to the public about during the state of the union speech than one scene of one audience member? I realize the news business is really nothing more than a tounge-in-cheek farce when it comes to "hardblogging" but man it still makes me sad. "Embarassing in any case"? Journalist, heal thyself.

Ryan Lufkin, Portland, Oregon (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:15 PM)

Chris, you are right!! Cheney not only smiled,but winked when Bush mentioned gas and oil conservation. It was very obvious. Please replay the tape!! Brokaw was wrong, you did read his mind as did I. Rep. Tim Wilkes,Retired

Tim Wilkes,103 S. Vanderhorst St., Winnsboro, SC (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:18 PM)

Tucker: I wait with interest when you are 70, listening to same old, same old and not getting a bit tired of the repitition. Will you be awake and attentive?

Denis Curry, Olympia, Wash. (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:26 PM)

If he's 70 and can't stay wake, how is he supposed to run the country when so much of it is the "same old"?

Teresa M, Defiance OH (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:35 PM)

I'm just glad none of the other Republicans startled him while in frame..Thats all we need is John McCain going for his Life Alert call button necklace on television or dropping his teeth . Yeah this shot-down clown has my vote in 2008.I'm also voting for the first kid out in dodge-ball in gym class for class president .Maybe Jessica Lynch could be his running mate...It's military loser week on Jeopardy

Trent Baldwin , Bramwell ,WV (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:38 PM)

Don't u think that Bush should have to buy back all the SUV's that Bush encouraged the American people to buy and drive after 911. What about all the things he said and did after 911 that the press seams to have given him a pass on. Why don't u dig back into the tapes and call him on all of the things he said and did. Why don't u invite regular people on once a week and ask them about the concerns we have on air.

Terrioh! (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:39 PM)

I thought Sen Webb showed guts at the post op. The next president will inherit a major mess in this country. It will take someone with pure honesty, passion, intellect and guts to fix it. Go Webb for 2008 !

Matthew, Sarasota FL (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:41 PM)

I am surprised that no one noticed, or has written about Cheney's cynical smirk when President Bush talked of a strong commitment to alternative forms of energy. It's hard for me not to think that he either disagrees, downplays or dismisses a move away from oil. It was like he was saying facially ... yeah, right, sure ... when pigs fly.

Arthur Cooper, Randolph, NJ (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:46 PM)

"whomever is directing...is going to point the camera?" Aren't Republicans who wear bowties supposed to be able use English correctly?"

William Pruitt (Sent Wednesday, January 24, 2007 5:36 PM)

I think McCain bored himself to sleep.

John Cobarruvias, Houston, Texas (Sent Wednesday, January 24, 2007 5:39 PM)

I'm disgusted, Tucker, that you would go so far as to lie about Senator McCain to make him look bad. Others have said it, but I'll reiterate: He was not asleep, he was reading a copy of the speech in his lap, just like Senator Kennedy, and several others in the audience. Get off his back. I understand making a joke, but I hope that's all you meant to do, because if you really thought he was asleep, you're dumb.

Taylor, La Mirada, Calif. (Sent Wednesday, January 24, 2007 5:53 PM)

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