Double Standard? Hypocrisy? Blame Canada!
Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 21:20(I have to apologize for the lack of a transcript - I'm posting this as I watch...all quotes are paraphrased.)
So, I'm watching Verdict on MSNBC, and Joe Williams is blasting Obama for speaking in Berlin, talking about how "candidates shouldn't be giving speeches, speaking for the American people, in other countries." Ron Reagan says, "So what about John McCain giving a speech in Canada?" Williams' reply--and this IS a direct quote--was "Yeah, Canada - on the same continent!"
I'll give you a moment to digest that defense. Canada apparently is not in the set of "other countries" because it is "on the same continent." It would seem that Joe Williams considers us (the viewers, that is) rather ignorant.
For those of you who may have missed it--and, heaven knows, there was no outrage about McCain giving a speech outside the US--here's a bit of history from MSNBC:
"I would rather speak at a rally or a political gathering any place outside of the country after I am president of the United States," McCain told O'Donnell. "But that's a judgment that Sen. Obama and the American people will make."
However, on June 20, McCain himself gave a speech in Canada -- to the Economic Club of Canada -- in which he applauded NAFTA's successes. An implicit message behind that speech was that Obama had been critical of the trade accord. Also, McCain's trip to Canada was paid for by the campaign.So, let's compare the two! Trip outside the US? Yes, and yes. Trip paid for by the campaign? Yes, and yes. Differences? None, and none. Sure, we know that the duck-and-dodge will be that McCain's speech wasn't "a rally or political gathering," but let's be realistic. Just as I said when discussing Obama's Berlin speech, any speech by a Presidential candidate is a "political speech," even if it isn't a "campaign speech." McCain's supporters have no standing whatsoever by which to criticize Obama's appearance in Berlin.
(If you really want to get into "campaigning overseas," shall we talk about McCain's London fundraiser?)
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Reader Comments (2)
It is wrong no matter which candidates does it.
But I do like the idea of blaming Canada.