McCain And Graham - Past Their Prime

What happens when politicians have outlasted their usefulness?  They meddle.

Jimmy Carter is the champion of meddling even today but two Republicans are running a close second.  How can two be second?  Because you never seem to see one without the other.

Lindsey Graham, the oh so pious yet vague Senator from South Carolina, will at least have to face some challengers in 2014.  Failed presidential candidate and self anointed maverick McCain will be around for awhile yet.  I'm thinking if Graham goes, though, maybe McCain won't be able to find another willing partner.  I've always wondered that if these two are as right about things as they tell us they are, why more of their ilk haven't jumped on their bandwagon.

The administration has them pegged.  They can be used, rolled, whatever you want to call it as long as the reward is face time on camera.  Sometimes it works for them, sometimes not.

I'd say McCain and Graham's recent trip to Egypt to let them know what they must do to retain our favor might not sit well with the Egyptians and might do the administration more harm than good.  They went with the administration's 'blessing' but not at it's request.

Imagine the chutzpah involved in suggesting the release of Morsi and some of their political prisoners might be negotiated in return for concessions from the interim government.  They aren't even part of the administration, thank you very much.  We have a Secretary of State to handle such matters.  And making a joke about what is or isn't a coup.  Talk about abusing political correctness on a grand scale in another country! Let it go, John.  It's right up there with 'bomb, bomb Iran' on your top ten bad joke list.

So the Egyptians have now officially been warned by our twin mavericks that their aid money might be in jeopardy if they don't admit to our terminology then apologize for it and do the bidding of these two. Wow. Never mind what the Egyptian people want. Why are they there again?

I don't think the Egyptians are concerned.  The Saudis have offered them far more in aid than we have.  They have successfully made the administration look weak for having these two appear to be roving ambassadors even though it's another self appointed title.

It's bad enough when the administration makes blunders.  They don't need the help of two from the Republican side making it worse.  So what's the end result of this exercise in narcissism?  I can't believe I've extended the term beyond  the presidential persona, but I have.  In spades.  So, we have a failed trip at tax payer expense and the contempt of the Egyptian people and their interim government for having interfered where it wasn't needed or wanted.

And you wonder why the world looks at us as inept, weak and inconsequential.

McCain's Macaca Moment Compliments Of His Brother?

Remember when Virginia Senator George Allen was on the fast track to the Republican nomination? Then he tried to make a joke by referring to an East Indian supporter of fellow Senate candidate Jim Webb as "macaca".

Macaca translates a couple of ways. It could be referring to a monkey that lives in the Eastern Hemisphere or, as in some European cultures, it is considered a racial slur. Either way, it was demeaning to the young man and in spite of explanations that fell flat and apologies, Allen's Presidential hopes came crashing down around him.

Maybe the candidates and their surrogates ought to leave humor to the professionals at Saturday Night Live.

Though I do have to laugh at the lunacy that is going on around us.

John McCain's brother, Joe, while campaigning for John referred to the Democratic leaning counties in northern Virginia as "communist country". Do these guys ever think before they speak? Of course the campaign passed it off as his attempt at humor. I have no doubt that it was, but I'm wondering how the local Democrats like being equated with Communists!

If "lipstick on a pig" is always a referral to Sarah Palin and Obama is "pallin' around with terrorists" I guess this comment should not be blown out of proportion. McCain spokesperson Gail Gitcho passed it off with this, "John McCain and Sarah Palin are committed to winning the support of voters in Northern Virginia and understand the region's importance to victory statewide."

I know McCain/Palin are a pair of mavericks and I know negativity is supposed to be the most effective way of winning votes, but I have yet to understand the strategy of damning the opposition as a way to convince voters you are the best choice to lead the country! Especially if you need a portion of those opposition votes!