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Talking to Spanish-speaking Union Radio yesterday, John McCain was asked about his stance on Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Stumped, McCain tried to wing it, rambling about anti-U.S. Latin American leaders. The text, via FP Passport:
Interviewer: Let's talk about Spain. If you are elected president, would you be willing to invite President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to the White House to meet with you?Looks like Palin's not the only one who needs to be brought up to speed. Kos and TPM are all over it.
McCain: I would be willing to meet with those leaders who are our friends and want to work with us in a cooperative fashion. And by the way, President Calderon of Mexico is fighting a very tough fight against the drug cartels. I'm glad we are now working in cooperation with the Mexican government on the Merida plan and I intend to move forward with relations and invite as many of them as I can, of those leaders to the White House.
Interviewer: Would that invitation be extended to the Zapatero government, to the president itself?
McCain: I don't...you know, honestly I have to look at the relations and the situations and the priorities but I can assure you, I will establish closer relations with our friends and I will stand up to those who want to do harm to the United States of America. I know how to do both.
Interviewer: So you have to see if he's willing to meet with you, or you'll be able to do it in the White House?
McCain: Again, I don't...all I can tell you is that I have a clear record of working with leaders in the hemisphere that are friends with us and standing up to those who are not and that's judged on basis of the importance of our relationship with Latin America and the entire region.
Interviewer: Okay, but what about Europe? I'm talking about the president of Spain.
McCain: What about me, what?
Interviewer: Are you willing to meet with him if you are elected president?
McCain: I'm willing to meet with any leader that's dedicated to the same principles and philosophy that we are for human rights, democracy, and freedom and I will stand up to those that do not.
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Orlando · 860 weeks ago
We're not Afghanistan! We're not Cuba! We just happen to be in disagree with Bush policies. Is this a crime? Do we have the right as an independent country to have our own foreign policy?
President of Govt. Zapatero withdrew our troops fulfilling an electoral promise. He said if he were elected we'd do that and he won. We wanted our troops out, and we voted him to do that.
We don't need to beg an invitation to visit the White House. All we want is RESPECT, and to be a reliable US ally, not a slave of the Empire.
If only we could vote for Obama...
Beryl 51p · 860 weeks ago
I agree with Karen Anne on this one. McCain just heard that the journalist was "Spanish". Quite a number of American idiots mix up Latin-groups so McCain just did what came naturally to him. After all, he didn't know the difference between Sunnis and Shiites. I don't expect him to know the difference between Mexicans and Brazilians. He probably thinks Brazilians speak Spanish. The man is an idiot.
The Globe · 860 weeks ago
Karen Anne · 860 weeks ago
I don't think McCain was saying anything about Spain. If you listen to the recording, it's quite clear he has no idea who Zapatero is.
He slowly fishes around in his brain and comes up with some campaign-speak about Latin America. He is just guessing that Zapatero is the head of a Latin American country.
I promise Obama remembers who the heads of various countries are, esp. our allies.
Jack · 860 weeks ago
uplandpoet · 860 weeks ago