Below is an updated version of the 97+ questions that the media should be asking John McCain. You will note from these questions that they are all fair and I have made the decision to remove some of the more controversial questions that could be asked such as "Why did you call your wife Cindy a trollop and a c*nt in 1992 in front of 5 eyewitnesses?"
There are 3 categories of questions below.
The open ended are designed to elicit information from McCain. Be prepared to follow them up.
The yes-no questions are simply that, yes-no. If asking a yes-no question from McCain, insist on a yes-no answer. Do it calmly. (Ex: Excuse me sir you are not answering my question, yes or no.) Repeat the question if necessary.
The short answer questions require simple answers and have a purpose behind them.
Let's see how many of these questions get asked from now to November.
Here are my questions. With subparts I exceed 97. He should be asked these questions by the media and at town halls. He can even try to prepare responses ahead of time.
- Do you think the American economy is better off now than it was 8 years ago? Explain why or why not.
- Define for us specifically what events need to happen in Iraq in order for American troops to withdraw from this country. I don't want spin. I want specific criteria.
- What role, if any, did Saddam Hussein play in the attack of September 11, 2001?
- Millions of Americans file legal documents called Statements of Net Worth which detail the assets of a couple. If you and Cindy both filed Statements of Net Worths tomorrow, how much would the total be?
- Why has Osama Bin Laden not been caught?
- Do you support NCLB?
A. What do you consider the strengths of the bill?
B. What do you consider the weakeness of the bill?
- Recently you said that you have a hard time being proud of your country. If your name was Michelle Obama and you made such a remark, what do you think Fox News would say about that remark?
- You received $300,000 from Clayton Williams, a man who compared rape to the weather and said that if a woman is getting rape she might as well relax and enjoy it. Have you ever returned the $300,000 to Mr. Williams? If not, why not.
- Two days after September 11, 2001, Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell said that America got exactly what it deserved on 9/11. Why did you actively seek the endorsement of these two men after they made these anti-American comments?
- Explain the cultural similarities and/or differences between Shia, Sunnis, and Kurds.
- How would your foreign policy differ from George W Bush's if at all?
- For over a year you solicited the support of John Hagee, who calls for the Jews destructions, who blames the Holocaust on Jews, said Hurricane Katrina was god's way of punishing the citizens of New Orlens for their sinful life, and who once referred to the Catholic Church as the Great Whore. Why did you solicit the support of John Hagee when all these comments were known prior to your solicitation?
- Two days after 9/11, Rush Limbaugh said that in order to believe that 9/11 was an act of God, he would need to know that all the people who died on 9/11 were abortionists and civil libertarians. How would you characterize and describe these remarks?
- What do you think of the Confederate Flag today?
- Do you believe that the United States should be bound by the terms and conditions of the Geneva Convention which it signed? Explain why or why not.
- Several months ago a Republican you know well said that quote "You can't unite the Republican Party." That Republican happens to be your own mother. My question is, what does your smart lovely mom know that your campaign manager and campaign staffers have yet to realize?
- How did you celebrate your 69th Birthday? Who were you with at the time and what kind of cake did you eat? What major event was occurring at this time?
- What is your favorite amendment to the Constitution and why?
- If government run health care is a bad idea, then why have you chosen to receive government run health care for the last 50 years of your life?
- Sean Hannity, a neo nazi white supremacist who runs for profit scam concerts exploiting military families, once said that preventing Nancy Pelosi from being the Speaker of the House is "worthy dying for," a man who agrees with Ann Coulter when she said she wants to kill billions of people and blow up the NY Times building, who had a long standing relationship with a Nazi named Hal Turner, and who sided with Jesse Lee Peterson when Peterson advocated that Hitler was sent to get the Jews, claims to be the biggest surrogate of what he calls the Stop Obama Express? Do you support the endorsement and support of the radical jihadist extremist Sean Hannity or do you want to denounce and reject this hate monger right here and right now.
- You are on record as supporting civil unions for gay couples. You are also on record as opposing civil unions for gay couples. What is the position of the Straight Talk Express on civil unions today?
- Approximately how many years ago do you believe the earth was first created?
- Why did you vote against emergency funding for the victims of Hurricane Katrina?
- Do you believe that HMO bureaucrats and insurance bean counters should be making medical decisions or are these decisions best left in the hands of doctors and patients? Explain.
- A few months ago you starting singing Bomb Bomb Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran to the tune of the Beach Boys. If you become President, when does this bombing begin?
- Your chief campaign strategist Charlie Black said that the assassination of Benazir Bhutto was helpful to the Republican Party. How was the assassination of Ms. Bhutto helpful to the Republican Party?
- Osama Bin Laden attacked America in 2001. It's now seven years later. Why hasn't George W Bush found Bin Laden?
- Do you believe creationism should be taught in science classes in public schools? If yes, whose version of creationism would be taught?
- Has the national debt increased or decreased under George W Bush's presidency? By how much?
- Do you think America should abide by the Kyoto Treaty? If not, what changes would you like to see implemented?
- In 2007 you said that you look to Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt and Eisenhower as models. Why isn't the name George W Bush on that list?
- According to the United States Energy Administration, if a law was passed tomorrow permitting offshore drilling in areas not already leased to the oil companies, the first speck of oil would not reach the marketplace until 2030, why risk destroying America's coastlines for a few drops of oil in 2030?
- In 2007 you voted against giving the citizens of the District of Columbia representation in the United States Senate. Why should the nearly 700,000 American citizens living in the District of Columbia be denied suffrage?
- In 1999 you said that Nafta has had an "unambigously positive effect on the United States." Do you still believe that to be the case in 2008? Explain why or why not.
- Did you ever curse at a Senate colleague while on the job? If yes, how many different colleagues have you cursed at?
- Have you ever gotten into a physical altercation with any member of Congress. If yes, how many physical altercations did you get into with any member of Congress.
- Going back to the Keating Five scandal, you said "I did it for no other reason than I valued Keating's support." Isn't this another way of saying that you are simply a politician for sale who will flip flop to the highest bidder?
- Do you think George W Bush did everything possible to prevent 9/11 from happening? If no, what do you think George W Bush should have been done differently?
- Senator, you voted against the Equal Pay Act for women. Please articulate your reasoning behind your opposition to equal pay for equal work?
- You once said that you wanted to expel 3.2 members of Moveon.org from this country. Regardless of this group's politics, do you think it is American to call for expelling 3.2 members of an organization from the country merely because you don't like their politics or approve of an ad that they run?
- What do you think of a presidential candidate who would, regardless of the context, go on record as saying that he or she finds it tough to be proud of America at times?
- Karl Rove donated the maximum $2300 to your campaign during the primary. He also has been an informal advisor for your campaign. If Karl Rove offered his services to be a campaign strategist for your campaign for free, would you hire him? Why or why not?
- What is your relationship with Richard Quinn?
- If you had a choice between voting for Barack Obama for President or Pastor John Hagee, who would you vote for and why?
- What do the terms strict constructionist and judicial activism mean to you?
- When talking about Asians, you said, "I hate the gooks." You also opposed the MLK Holiday, one of only a few members of Congress to do so. You also are supported by Chuck Norris and xenophobic groups like the Minutemen in Arizona, people and groups who harbor vicious hatred against Hispanics. Why do you think the Washington media has never told the American public about these extremist comments, votes, and associations of yours?
- Gas prices were under $1.50 when Bill Clinton left office, today gas prices are nearing $5 a gallon. Who is to blame for this if anybody and what do you feel are the reasons behind this massive increase in gas prices the last 8 years?
- Over the past 8 years, the Supreme Court has rendered many 5-4 decisions on important issues of the day. What are three 5-4 decisions of the past 8 years that you agreed with the majority and name three 5-4 decisions of the past 8 years where you agreed with the minority. Then please explain why you feel the majority or minority was correct in its judicial interpretation.
- In March of 2005 you voted against closing 11 billion dollars worth of corporate loopholes when that money would have been invested in education. If you could revote on this issue today, how would you vote and why?
- George W Bush has said that he will do anything to help you win his Third Term. What would you like him to do to help you?
- In 2004 you said that Aung Sun Sui Kyi and the people of Burma would rule themselves one day. In 2008 you hired a man to run the GOP National Convention who was also the CEO of DCI, a group that lobbied on behalf of the military junta of Myaanmar/Burma. Did you know who this man was when you hired him? If not, why not?
- Do you believe the bible to be the literal word of god, a book inspired by god but not to be taken literally, or a book written by man which claims to be that of god's? Feel free to elaborate.
- Who was a better President, Bill Clinton or George W Bush?
- Scott McClellan, Bush's former White House secretary, has released a book that alleges that Bush knowingly mislead the country into war in Iraq based on lies. Regardless of Mr. McClellan's motives for writing the book, I have a very specific question. If Mr. McClellan's allegations happen to be true, should George W Bush be prosecuted for war crimes?
- Do you believe it is proper for taxpayers to spend millions of dollars bailing out a company like Bears Stearns when ordinary small business owners who go out of business never receive such a subsidy?
- Why did George W Bush and Pervez Musharaf give safe haven to Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan?
- In October of 2004, you implied that an attack by Osama Bin Laden would help George Bush. In June of 2008, your chief campaign strategist Charlie Black said that a terrorist attack would help your candidacy for President. Do you really believe that an attack on American soil would help Republicans given that it was the Republicans who failed to prevent September 11?
- In 2007 you stated that 527s need to be eliminated. Will you condemn and reject any 527 that tries to run ads in 2008 on your behalf as Barack Obama has promised to do?
- How can you pay for a war, cut taxes for millionaires and balance a budget at the same time?
- How would you address the problem of global warming?
- What is your opinion of James Dobson?
- Explain the difference between Shia and Sunni?
- If a Democrat running for office said that he or she found it tough to be proud of America, regardless of the context, how do you think Fox News and right wing talk radio would react?
- Do you think the Dixie Chicks are owed an apology by those who attacked them a few years ago? Why or why not?
- According to members of your own party, the Republican party brand name is in the toilet. Only 29% of Americans have a favorable view of the Republican party. Why do you think the Republican party brand name is in the toilet?
- Do you think Ross Perot should be reimbursed by you for the medical bills he paid for your first wife's injury? Why or why not?
- How would you protect America's coastlines from erosion?
- If Roe v. Wade was overturned and a woman then had an abortion, what criminal or civil penalties would you impose on her?
- Should men and women be having sex before marriage? If not, why not?
- What kind of sex education do you believe should be taught in high schools if any?
- Describe your relationship with Rod Parsley over the past 5 years.
YES/NO Questions
- Were WMDS ever found in Iraq from 2003 through 2008?
- Did you ever say the following, "Chelsea Clinton is ugly, her father is Janet Reno."
- Can waterboarding ever be torture?
- Should abortion be legal in cases of rape or incest?
- Do you believe that torture has taken place at Guantanamo Bay within the last 5 years?
- Should abortion be legal in cases in which the mother's life would be endangered by further continuance of the pregnancy?
- Back in 2000 you described Pat Robertson as an agent of intolerance. In 2008 you welcome Pat Robertson's support. Is Pat Robertson still an agent of intolerance?
- Barack Obama says that his tax plan will cut middle class taxes. Is he telling the truth on this, yes or no?
- Do you believe that companies such as Exxon-Mobil or Shell should be given no bid contracts in Iraq to take over the Iraqi people's oil fields?
- Did you ever vote against emergency relief aid for the victims of Hurricane Katrina? Again, the answer is yes or no.
- Have you ever voted against a GI Bill for our soldiers in the last 3 years?
- Did you ever criticize Bill Clinton in 1998 when Bill Clinton tried to get Osama Bin Laden?
- Do you believe that HMO bureaucrats should have any say in the medical treatment or care of a patient?
Short Answers For Information Purposes
- Who was your bookkeeper when you were implicated in the Keating Five scandal?
- What score, from 0-100, did the League of Conservation voters give you in 2007 for your votes on the environment?
- How many homes do you own?
- How many of the 19 hijackers on September 11, 2001 came from Iraq or Iran?
- How often do you watch Fox News in a given week?
- Who did you vote for in the general election in 2000 and 2004?
- Mr. McCain, I have a short question. What major presidential candidate has had the most lobbyists working for his campaign in American history?
- Aproximately what percentage of the time did you vote with George W Bush in 2007 and 2008?
- Name all jobs you have held in the private sector since 1958?
- What was the value of the American dollar against the Euro prior to George W Bush being President and what is the value of the American dollar against the Euro today?
- Do you consider Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, and Bill O'Reilly to be part of the mainstream of American politics or outside the mainstream of American politics?
- What kind of car have you driven in the past 3 years?
- What was your nickname in high school?