McCain & Palin & real questions
The actual article lives here.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
How an AMERICAblog reader asked John and Sarah real questions at a photo opp today. Palin notes that Stevens is under indictment.
John Aravosis (DC) · 9/07/2008 07:07:00 PM ET · Link
NOTE FROM JOHN: Joe just pointed something out to me, the part where our reader asks Palin if she's going to vote for Ted Stevens and she replies, "he's under indictment, you know." Yes, we do know, Sarah. But we find it awfully interesting that the GOP vice presidential nominee thinks that the appropriate point for Alasans to remember this fall when considering whether to vote for Ted Stevens or Mark Begich, that when it comes to considering Ted Stevens, "he's under indictment, you know."
NOTE FROM JOE: Jim, who sent us this post and photos, has now asked Sarah Palin more questions than the entire political press corps COMBINED. Nice work, Jim. If only the traditional media types could be so industrious.
___________________________
An AMERICAblog reader was having lunch in Albuquerque, New Mexico today, when who should drop in for a substance-less photo opp? John McCain and Sarah Palin. And you'll be surprised to know that when both of them were asked polite but substantive questions by our reader, they refused to answer. He's such a maverick, that John McCain. And she has so much substance, it's scary, that Sarah Palin. Here's our reader's first hand report from the afternoon that they made Sarah Palin confront a real question from a real human being:
Our family today had an interesting encounter that I wanted to share with you. We were eating at El Pinto restaurant in Albuquerque. It is the most popular New Mexican restaurant in town, a large sprawling compound with a number of dinning rooms and patio spaces.
We were eating outside in the patio closest to the main road and had just finishing lunch when I saw the McCain bus drive by! It was followed closely by a number of police motorcycles, secret service SUVS, and press vans. It was obvious they were coming to El Pinto!
We figured we'd head out and see if we could get a closer look. I decided this might be my one chance, to ask one question of each candidate. I carried Caterina (16 months) along with me to meet the candidates.
I worked my way through a number of other dinners and secret service and finally got to the patio on the other side of the restaurant. I could see John McCain ahead of me shaking hands with folks. Sorry the picture is so blurry. I had a baby in one arm and an iPhone in the other!
McCain worked his way up to me and Cat and as I shook his hand, I asked, "Sir, I respect your service but, why were you against the GI bill?" Senator McCain, paused, he looked a bit surprised at the question and then he said, "Nice to meet you." I repeated the question and he repeated his non-answer. He quickly worked his way down the line. So much for straight-talk!
I have been genuinely curious as to why he wouldn't support a bill so important to veterans (McCain opposed this bill from the beginning and then skipped the vote). Also, I was surprised at myself as I as I almost involuntarily prefaced my question with, "Sir, I respect your service but..." No wonder he's gotten a free ride by the press, I think this reaction is not unique and the press must feel the same pressure that I felt. Perhaps that explains why his poor support for veteran issues isn't well known.
Sarah Palin was next! I couldn't resist trying for a better photo. It is still blurry, but talk about a close encounter.
Sarah first looked at Caterina said hello, and I shook her hand. I asked, "Are supporting Ted Stevens this year?" She replied, "He's under indictment you know...his trial is in September." I replied, "But are you voting for him?" She walked away without answering.
I don't think this question will be answered until after Senator Stevens' trial in September and perhaps never. After all, Ted Stevens is still running for the Senate this year and a Republican vote, corrupt or not, is still a Republican vote. I was amazed that she offered up, "He's under indictment you know." She's going to need some serious handling before they let her into the wild!
I followed Governor Palin out and they stopped to purchase some salsa. This whole stop was just a photo-op and my questions, any questions were obviously not part of the script. No townhall meeting here.
After less than 15 minutes at the Restaurant the Straight-NoTalk Express headed out.
My wife Angela was at the entrance with my son Andrea holding up a home made Obama sign and shouting at McCain, Palin and the press. It made me very proud. A memorable lunch at El Pinto.
Jim, Angela, Andrea and Caterina
Corrales, New Mexico
Sunday, September 07, 2008
How an AMERICAblog reader asked John and Sarah real questions at a photo opp today. Palin notes that Stevens is under indictment.
John Aravosis (DC) · 9/07/2008 07:07:00 PM ET · Link
NOTE FROM JOHN: Joe just pointed something out to me, the part where our reader asks Palin if she's going to vote for Ted Stevens and she replies, "he's under indictment, you know." Yes, we do know, Sarah. But we find it awfully interesting that the GOP vice presidential nominee thinks that the appropriate point for Alasans to remember this fall when considering whether to vote for Ted Stevens or Mark Begich, that when it comes to considering Ted Stevens, "he's under indictment, you know."
NOTE FROM JOE: Jim, who sent us this post and photos, has now asked Sarah Palin more questions than the entire political press corps COMBINED. Nice work, Jim. If only the traditional media types could be so industrious.
___________________________
An AMERICAblog reader was having lunch in Albuquerque, New Mexico today, when who should drop in for a substance-less photo opp? John McCain and Sarah Palin. And you'll be surprised to know that when both of them were asked polite but substantive questions by our reader, they refused to answer. He's such a maverick, that John McCain. And she has so much substance, it's scary, that Sarah Palin. Here's our reader's first hand report from the afternoon that they made Sarah Palin confront a real question from a real human being:
Our family today had an interesting encounter that I wanted to share with you. We were eating at El Pinto restaurant in Albuquerque. It is the most popular New Mexican restaurant in town, a large sprawling compound with a number of dinning rooms and patio spaces.
We were eating outside in the patio closest to the main road and had just finishing lunch when I saw the McCain bus drive by! It was followed closely by a number of police motorcycles, secret service SUVS, and press vans. It was obvious they were coming to El Pinto!
We figured we'd head out and see if we could get a closer look. I decided this might be my one chance, to ask one question of each candidate. I carried Caterina (16 months) along with me to meet the candidates.
I worked my way through a number of other dinners and secret service and finally got to the patio on the other side of the restaurant. I could see John McCain ahead of me shaking hands with folks. Sorry the picture is so blurry. I had a baby in one arm and an iPhone in the other!
McCain worked his way up to me and Cat and as I shook his hand, I asked, "Sir, I respect your service but, why were you against the GI bill?" Senator McCain, paused, he looked a bit surprised at the question and then he said, "Nice to meet you." I repeated the question and he repeated his non-answer. He quickly worked his way down the line. So much for straight-talk!
I have been genuinely curious as to why he wouldn't support a bill so important to veterans (McCain opposed this bill from the beginning and then skipped the vote). Also, I was surprised at myself as I as I almost involuntarily prefaced my question with, "Sir, I respect your service but..." No wonder he's gotten a free ride by the press, I think this reaction is not unique and the press must feel the same pressure that I felt. Perhaps that explains why his poor support for veteran issues isn't well known.
Sarah Palin was next! I couldn't resist trying for a better photo. It is still blurry, but talk about a close encounter.
Sarah first looked at Caterina said hello, and I shook her hand. I asked, "Are supporting Ted Stevens this year?" She replied, "He's under indictment you know...his trial is in September." I replied, "But are you voting for him?" She walked away without answering.
I don't think this question will be answered until after Senator Stevens' trial in September and perhaps never. After all, Ted Stevens is still running for the Senate this year and a Republican vote, corrupt or not, is still a Republican vote. I was amazed that she offered up, "He's under indictment you know." She's going to need some serious handling before they let her into the wild!
I followed Governor Palin out and they stopped to purchase some salsa. This whole stop was just a photo-op and my questions, any questions were obviously not part of the script. No townhall meeting here.
After less than 15 minutes at the Restaurant the Straight-NoTalk Express headed out.
My wife Angela was at the entrance with my son Andrea holding up a home made Obama sign and shouting at McCain, Palin and the press. It made me very proud. A memorable lunch at El Pinto.
Jim, Angela, Andrea and Caterina
Corrales, New Mexico