It is 3 a.m., and the stillness of the White House night is shattered by the ringing of the red phone. President John McCain, rousing himself from a deep sleep, turns on the light and picks up the receiver. A U.S. embassy in a Middle Eastern country, he is told, has been blown up, and al-Qaeda is taking credit.McCain made that claim on several occasions. Slip of the tongue? Once, maybe, but not several times. I think McCain is using a Bush/Cheny trick. He's trying to create an al-Qaeda-Iran association where one doesn't exist. Should he win the election, it's not much of a stretch to imagine him justifying a pre-emptive attack against Iran.
McCain takes a deep breath. "Character counts, my friend," he says. "Bomb Iran. Bomb, bomb Iran."
There is a rustling of blankets, and, brushing aside Cindy McCain, a concerned Joe Lieberman rises from the bed. "Not Iran, Mr. President," he says. "They hate al-Qaeda."
"That's right," the president says. "I remember now." He sighs with relief. "Good thing you're here every night, Joe."
But suppose, dear reader, that John McCain becomes president and Joe Lieberman doesn't bunk with the McCains on a nightly basis. How easily should the rest of us sleep? It's anything but an academic question after McCain's bizarre performance in Jordan last week.
There, he told reporters that he was "concerned about Iranian [operatives] taking al-Qaeda into Iran, training them and sending them back" to Iraq. "That's well known," he continued -- at which point Lieberman whispered a correction in his ear. "I'm sorry," McCain then said. "The Iranians are training extremists, not al-Qaeda."
So, for those of you thinking about voting for McCain in protest, Meyerson has this to say:
If you liked Bush's foreign and military policy, you'll love McCain's.
(Cross-posted at BFM.)
6 comments:
He's just too old to be president. Why can't people see that?
Frogette, hello! Are you related to Kvatch the frog by any chance?!
I wouldn't normally be concerned about McCain's age, but the fact that he keeps flip-flopping and making mistakes about important facts is disconcerting. We don't need another repeat of Reagan all over again.
Great post!
Remember the time late in Reagan's presidency, when he looked befuddled as the press was asking him questions, and Nancy had to whisper in his ear what he should say? Looks like we could be heading in that direction again.
McCheney could go from senior statesman to senior moment in a heartbeat, don't let him anywhere near the button!
Insane John McCain, thanks!
Abi, I do remember Nancy whispering in Reagan's ear. Didn't she also advise him occasionally based on information she got from her astrologer? Let's hope the stars don't favor McCain this year.
Lew, don't worry, he won't be able to remember where the button is!
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