McCain the Pandermachine

So, Crooks and Liars posted a link to a Beliefnet interview with John McCain.  It's a revealing look at McCain's shallow view on religion an politics (not to mention history).   It's a ham-fisted attempt by a desperate candidate to curry favor with the Religious Right.  I wasn't impressed with Beliefnet's transcription because they cleaned up McCain's remarks (removing all of his bumbling hesitation and half-thoughts) so I went through and transcribed it from the video.  [It's below] 

The funniest (or saddest part) is McCain's use of Emma Lazarus' poem on the base of the Statue of Liberty as a basis for his assertion that the country is Christian.  First of all Lazarus was a sephardic Jew, and second of all she lived a hundred years after the founders.  It's astounding in its idiocy.  Amazing really! 

I told Pete that he sounded like an elementary school kid who forgot his oral report was due and is standing in front of the class pulling stuff out of his ass on the spot.  It's embarrassing and should hopefully put to bed all hopes on the deluded that McCain was ever a "moderate" or a "maverick." 

He's saying exactly what he thinks his captors want him to say.  Except this time, instead of the North Vietnamese it's the most rabid wing of the Republican party.  I mean those are the people who control the primaries these days.

Here's most of the transcript from the videos:

Beliefnet Question:  Most Americans believe the Constitution established a Christian nation.  Do you agree?

John McCain:  I would probably have to say yes.  That the constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation.  But I say that, again, in the broadest sense.  The lady that holds her lamp beside the golden door doesn't say, "I only welcome Christians."  Okay?  We welcome the poor, the tired, the huddled masses.  But when they come here they should, they know they are in a nation founded on Christian principles.

QUESTION:  Many Republican activists say that separation of church and state is a myth.  What is your opinion?

MCCAIN:  Well, I'd like to remind you that our founding fathers were concerned about church being part of the state such as it had been in England, and the imposition of a certain type of Christianity imposed on people.  They knew about the Hundred Years War and the Reformation and all the blood that was shed.  So, I think that our Founding Fathers believed in separation of Church and state and they stated it unequivocally

But they also continued to emphasize the Ju-- the Christian principle all -- "In God We Trust" we were created equal, every statement that they made had to do with belief in a divine creator.  So, they didn't mean, in my view, separation of church and state that there's no place for God, a superior being, a creator, in our discourse and in our lives.

QUESTION:  Is America exceptional because it's divinely chosen?

MCCAIN:  I think that America continues to be a noble experiment
I think that we are a nation which is uniquely designated in many respects.
But I think it was man implementing the teachings of Christ and Judeo Christian principles rather than quote divine inspiration.  I think these Founding Fathers were inspired before they began to uh uh began to uh formulate our our founding principles. And so, I'm not trying to quibble here.  But there's no doubt that they were endowed by, the..you know...we hold these truths to be self evident and they implemented those in the most incredible fashion.  Every time I read about'em I I know they were  divinely inspi..I believe they were inspired.  Maybe not God telling them "write this."  But they were inspired by their fundamental beliefs.

QUESTION: Has candidates' personal faith become too big an issue in the presidential race?

MCCAIN: I think voters need to make judgments about candidates and their character.  After all we don't know what challenges face the next President of the United States.  So a lot of it has to be based on their conviction that this is a person of character that they can rely on.
So I think questions about that are very legitimate.  And I think people can reach different conclusions.  I think it's entirely appropriate.

Everything is legitimate.  But I think number one issue that is in this selection with which people should make a selection of the President of the United States is "Will this person carry on in the Judeo-Christian-principled tradition that has made this nation the greatest experiment in the history of mankind?"

QUESTION: According to that standard, a Muslim candidate wouldn't have much of a chance.

MCCAIN:  Well, I admire the Islam.  Umm.. I think that there's a lot of great principles in it.  I think one of the great tragedies of the twenty first century is that these forces of evil have perverted.. uhh.. what's basically an honorable religion.
But no, uh uh I just have to say in all candor that uh, that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles that..look uh..that, I, I can't..that's a decision that the American people would make, but personally, umm.. that's, that's just n..I prefer someone who I know with a solid grounding in my faith.  But that doesn't mean that I'm sure that someone who is Muslim would not make a good president.  I just feel that my faith is..is probably a better...spiritual guidance, of better spiritual guidance.  But I don't say we would rule out under any circumstances someone of a different faith.  I just feel that's an important part of our qualifications to lead.

QUESTION:  Some say Mitt Romney's Mormon faith lies outside the Christian tradition...

MCCAIN: I believe that the Mormon religion is a religion that I don't share but I respect.  More importantly, I've known so many people of the Mormon faith that have been so magnificent.  I think that Governor Romney's religion should not, absolutely not, be a disqualifying factor in his, when people consider his candidacy for president of the United States.

QUESTION:  For years, you've been identified as an Episcopalian. You recently began referring to yourself as a Baptist. Why?

MCCAIN: One comment on the bus after hours. I meant to say that I practice in a—I am a Christian and I attend a Baptist church. I am very aware that immersion is part—as my wife Cindy has done—is necessary to be considered a Baptist. So I was raised Episcopalian, I have attended the North Phoenix Baptist Church for many years and I am a Christian.

Comments

[Eikon]

Oh I wouldn't have even read what the man has to say. It is about time for Senator McCain to be content with his current office.