Today on NPR's Fresh Air, Terry Gross interviewed Douglas Holtz-Eakin, McCain's senior economic advisor. Terry asked about McCain's economic knowledge and Holtz-Eakin gave a very interesting answer:
Terry Gross - John McCain has said that the economy is not his strong point. That he doesn't know that much about the economy. Is that a fatal flaw for a president? Does it matter?
Douglas Holtz-Eakin: He has a phenominal grasp of the economy and the remark he made is self-depricating. That's John McCain in his truest form. But he is comparing himself to a standard of excellence on international affairs and national security that no one could meet. He's the preminent expert in those areas. He's been the chair of the commerce committee. He's a superb policy maker on economics and the US economy is in good hands with John McCain.
So you see? John McCain is an expert on the economy. But he's also a super-expert in foreign policy and national security. His super-expert status in those fields casts such a shadow, it's easy to forget how strong his economics are.
It's sort of like how Michael Jordan's baseball skills only look shabby compared to his utter dominance on the hardwood. Or how Keanu Reeves's ability to look perpetually stunned while playing music is only surpassed by his ability to look perpetually stunned while acting.
And isn't it just like McCain to be so self-depricating? That is his truest form. He's the most modest guy on Earth. He told me himself just the other day.
You can hear it yourself here. The exchange takes place around 9:35. If you do listen, also make sure to check out Jason Furman's response and Len Burman comparison of the two candidates.