There's been a few popular diaries concerning John McCain's appearance on the Daily Show last night. The video is available HERE, via theisnospoon's diary currently topping the charts.
There was so much meat in the 11 minute encounter, I think the most disturbing moment in the interview has flown under the collective radar: A Joke that bombed, not because this Senator misspoke, but because he didn't.
Near the start of the contest with Stewart, but after he confirmed he was seriously running for president, McCain announced he had something picked someting up during his market visit in Baghdad for Jon. Really?
"It's a nice IED to put under your desk!"
More violence after the fold, this time against animals
Mr. McCain, you have a bomb-joke problem.
And, as for jokes that offend the troops, you are in a class alone. Kerry has nothing on you. His joke, in any interpetation, may have hurt some feelings. I suspect the soldiers didn't have much time thinking about who was the intended target of the Kerry joke - they're far too busy trying to avoid McCain's "Nice IEDs."
Unfortunately, 1310 soldiers haven't lucked out. 49 lives have been lost to nice IEDs this month alone. Here a chart from ICasualties.
At the same time McCain was joshing and making pretend death treats on Stewart, 6000 miles away, hundreds of seriously stressed Americans on patrol are under the unrelenting stress that the random IED imposes on their psyches.
John McCain is very concerned about the message that our political debates sends to the troops. You know the talking points.
Well, here's a new talking point: John McCain thinks the bombs that kill so many, and maim for life even more, IS A JOKE!
It won't come as much surprise that he thinks beating animals is kinda funny too!
Transcribed by me, so errors are in-situ.
Stewart: So, uh, what do you want to start with? The bomb Iran song or the walk through the market in Baghdad? What do you want to start with?
McCain: Let's ee... which have I seen more of on your show? I think...
Stewart: I can tell ya. (laughter)
McCain: Maybe shopping... shopping in Baghdad. I had something really picked out for you, too!
Stewart: Did you really?
McCain: It's a nice IED to put under your desk.
Stewart: That's very lovely of you... thank you. (muted laughter) That's why we have the dogs here.
McCain: By the way, that dog wasn't there (gestures off set)... Chloe? I wanted to kick it.
Stewart: Oh, Polly, no!! Polly's the sweetest dog in the world...
John Kerry spent a week being skewered by the right for far less than what was said last night by Republican Presidental Candidate John McCain. If we aren't going to hold his feet to the fire, WHO WILL?