This is … just odd. A current Time Magazine interview with John McCain — one held aboard his campaign plane.
[Your] campaign today is more disciplined, more traditional, more aggressive. From your point of view, why the change?
I will do as much as we possibly can do to provide as much access to the press as possible.But beyond the press, sir, just in terms of …
I think we’re running a fine campaign, and this is where we are.Do you miss the old way of doing it?
I don’t know what you’re talking about.Really? Come on, Senator.
I’ll provide as much access as possible …In 2000, after the primaries, you went back to South Carolina to talk about what you felt was a mistake you had made on the Confederate flag. Is there anything so far about this campaign that you wish you could take back or you might revisit when it’s over?
[Does not answer.]Do I know you? [Says with a laugh.]
[Long pause.] I’m very happy with the way our campaign has been conducted, and I am very pleased and humbled to have the nomination of the Republican Party.You do acknowledge there was a change in the campaign, in the way you had run the campaign?
[Shakes his head.]You don’t acknowledge that? O.K., when your aides came to you and you decided, having been attacked by Barack Obama, to run some of those ads, was there a debate?
The campaign responded as planned.
The whole interview comes off as … cranky is the least of it. Defensive. Vague. Resentful. Tired. Unresponsive. But, once again, really tired. And, I mean, it’s not like the Time guys ambushed him on his doorstep — this was an arranged appointment aboard his own plane. There’s a sort of weird bunker mentality about the whole thing that you’re not supposed to see until after a person’s been president for a while.
Though I’m also surprised to hear that Iraq is a “peaceful and stable country” and that the counter-insurgency “has succeeded.”
The text on the web page is an excerpt (though a substantial one). The full interview audio can be clicked on at the site. The excerpt is pretty accurate as to the overall tone.
(via J-Walk)
What was going through McCain’s mind during the interview? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-greenland/what-is-john-mccain-think_b_122160.html – Heh … (via Ginny)
I’m sure he’s tired from campaigning, but c’mon! Do we want a president that easily befuddled by a little lost sleep? Sheesh. This guy makes my 83 year old step father look exceedingly spry.
This reminds me of those old comedy sketches where an interviewee is reading the answers to the wrong interview questions. Except that this is sad and/or scary instead of funny.