When A reporter asked John McCain how many houses he has John "everyman" had to think about it and then his answer was I'll have to have one of my staff members get back to you. Are you kidding me!! He is such an elitist that he doesn't even know the number of houses he has. I don't know about you but I can count how many houses I have lived in on one hand. Hey but maybe his is not an elitist maybe he is losing his memory old age will do that to you.

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Dems jump on McCain's house gaffe « - Blogs from CNN.com (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/21/dems-jump-on-mccains-house-gaffe/#comments)

This is the best the Dems can come up with, criticizing McCain for not know every detail of his investments and such and petty insults such as that by potential Obama VP Tim Kaine who said, "He couldn't count high enough to know how many houses he owns." Really, and after all the whining about supposed petty attacks on Obama.

Kaine and Obama act as if the elite in his own party have some kind of understanding of the average American when their standard-bearer asks if anyone has "gone into Whole Foods lately and see what they charge for arugula” and another potential Obama VP, Chris Dodd, tries to escape the fallout (http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-rennie0817.artaug17,0,6806840.column) of $800,000 in cut rate loans from Countrywide.

McCain's response:


“Does a guy who made more than $4 million last year, just got back from vacation on a private beach in Hawaii and bought his own million-dollar mansion with the help of a convicted felon really want to get into a debate about houses? Does a guy who worries about the price of arugula and thinks regular people “cling” to guns and religion in the face of economic hardship really want to have a debate about who’s in touch with regular Americans?

“The reality is that Barack Obama’s plans to raise taxes and opposition to producing more energy here at home as gas prices skyrocket show he’s completely out of touch with the concerns of average Americans.” –McCain spokesman Brian Rogers

http://michellemalkin.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/snob.jpg

Nice Try speech but when someone has NO IDEA how many properties they own they are out of touch with us common folk. I make less then 50 grand a year and I eat arugula once a week it is very good for you. You should try it.

At least he did not buy them from Rezko.

I don't see a problem here . I'm sure his wife's beer business enabled them to purchase the houses. 4 years ago the Dems celebrated a candidate who had multiple houses because of his wife's inheritance.

But who is an elitist someone who has one house or someone who has 4? Or at least that is the number of houses his staff members say he has.

Arugula is great but it isn't easy to come by in my city of 200,000 - probably even more difficult in Adel, Iowa. In fact, it's so rare here I've eaten it once when a fairly well of friend of ours made us a salad, and when I finally found it in a store one time it was quite pricey. Maybe that's why it sounds elitist to us average Joes in flyover country who actually know something about agriculture.

I live in a really run down part of Philly (it's actually pretty dangerous where I live) and I can get arugula at any supermarket. And no I don't shop at whole food. Even the pizza shop down the street has it on pizza. But this isn't about arugula this is who is an elitist someone with 1 house or someone who's staff member has to remind him he has 4.

Yep like Tom said Rezko deal is worse and also Kerry, Edwards and Gore may be able to say how many homes they own but I would say much more deceptive they are.

Does anyone really think any of the presidential candidates we've had recently are actually in touch with the average American? Seriously now, who in Washington can we point to as being "in touch?" I've had it with Democrats and all their blubbering about wealthy, elite, out of touch Republicans and I bet if you asked any in this list how many houses they owned they probably couldn't give you an answer:

Lawmaker / 2006 Average Net Worth

Jane Harman -D / $409,427,000
Darrell Issa -R / $337,440,000
John Kerry -D / $267,790,000
Vernon Buchanan -R / $191,696,000
Herb Kohl -D / $171,423,000
Edward Kennedy -D / $102,823,000
Jay Rockefeller -D / $91,713,000
Robin Hayes -R / $82,552,100
Dianne Feinstein -D / $79,555,700
Frank Lautenberg -D / $79,051,100
Rodney Frelinghuysen -R / $49,515,600
Michael McCaul -R / $46,648,600
Elizabeth Dole -R / $43,867,100
Nita Lowey -D / $39,753,200
Nancy Pelosi -D / $38,539,600
John McCain -R / $36,431,100

9 of the 16 wealthiest are Democrats - including number one and 7 of the top 10. I don't see how this should be a winning issue for the Dems, especially when they want to bleed us average guys to death in taxes. Obama is grasping at straws and the willing media is playing it up for him - and none of it sounds very presidential. Just petty and whiney.

I agree Speech 100%
I have said for years that the politicians sit over their $250. Lunch plate discussing how we can afford to live on $5.85 or $7.50 minimum wage while we make less in one week than that lunch plate.

I go through the store

1 bag of potatoes
1 bag of onions
1 pk of peppers
1 bag of carrots
=
1 hour pay

1 package of hot dogs
1 package of buns
1 can of baked beans
1 mustard
=
1 hour pay

1 gallon of milk
1 doz eggs
1 package of cheese
1 margarine
=
1 hour pay

1 roast
=
1 hour pay

1 laundry soap
=
1 hour pay

gas to get back home

1 days pay GONE!

What the left is good at is despising the rich until they get their hands on the rich's endowments and charitable organizations the rich establish .Does anyone really think that Walter Annenberg really intended that his $500 million Annenberg challenge would be administered by a former member of the Weather Underground and his "community organizer" compadre ?
Ford would turn over in his grave knowing what the Ford Foundation has become.

I agree Speech 100%
I have said for years that the politicans sit over their $250. lunch plate discussing how we can afford to live on $5.85 or $7.50 minimum wage while we make less in one week than that lunch plate.

I'm not sure I could buy a roast for an hours pay unless it's on sale. Don't forget, Madame Pelosi upgraded the House cafeteria so they can now have locally grown organic bok choy and arugula, Chesapeake rockfish and cumin-scented leg of lamb for lunch while I eat my $3.00 frozen dinner or 79 cent chili cheese dogs from Weinerschnitzel.

It does bring back memories though, back to the days of John Kerry and John Edwards having their Wendy's fries before grabbing their 19 five-star lunches to go from Nikola's Restaurant & Bistro at the Newburgh Yacht Club... now if Obama can just get back to that 57th state maybe he could finish his waffle.

Yeah the roast I buy is like barely enough to feed my son and then I eat the hot dogs.
He gets the left over hot dogs for lunch the next day.

Obama may have accidentally said "57 states" but McCain does much more

He has the interview edited!

http://www.alternet.org/election08/92570/mccain_doesn't_need_a_fact-checker%3B_the_media_edit_his_mistakes_for_him/

Lets not forgot John McCain is the one who called Obama an Elitist during the primaries. And last time I checked the race is between Obama and McCain and funny enough Obama did not make your list. So the republicans had no problem calling Obama an elitist but now that it is proven that McCain is actually the elitist we are grasping at straws for saying that. Please explain to me how that works??

Please if you have a chance look at the Aug 14th edition of the wall street journal they compared both Obama and McCain's tax plans. Read that and tell me who is hurting the little guy. McCain wants to treat money you payout to insurance as taxable cash. Oh and of course give the wealthy another Tax break. Really nice

He brought the elitist comments on himself by going to a meeting of Hollywierd elitists and demeaning the working class of small town America as " bitter" etc.

So let's see I ask a simple question and I get all these answers except the answer to my question. Lets try again Obama has 1 house McCain doesn't actually know how many places he has to live so He has to ask a staff member and the staff member says 4. Who is the elitist? Here I will help you all out. McCain is the elitist.

Oh and beside's according to McCain if you do not make 5 million dollars you are not rich. Obama's 07 tax return showed he AND his wife made a combined 4.2 million so according to McCain Obama is not rich either. Boy talk about an elitist.

So let's see I ask a simple question and I get all these answers except the answer to my question. Lets try again Obama has 1 house McCain doesn't actually know how many places he has to live so He has to ask a staff member and the staff member says 4. Who is the elitist? Here I will help you all out. McCain is the elitist.

Oh and beside's according to McCain if you do not make 5 million dollars you are not rich. Obama's 07 tax return showed he AND his wife made a combined 4.2 million so according to McCain Obama is not rich either. Boy talk about an elitist.


I looked at a different article, which said he owns 7 properties!

"Newsweek estimated this summer that the couple owns at least seven properties"

McCain unsure how many houses he owns - Jonathan Martin and Mike Allen - Politico.com (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12685.html)

Elitist is an attitude ;not material wealth .

Side step that's all republicans can do. You know the more I think about about it maybe McCain is not an elitist . Maybe he is slipping happily into senility.

side step thats all republicans can do.

The truth is not a side step, tom was exactly right.

Elitist: "The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources."

Which fits the description? McCain for not knowing how many houses he owns or Obama and his snarky attitude? It's Barack - healer of the planet, fixer of broken souls, "we are the ones we've been waiting for" - Obama hands down.

I didn't ask for a definition. Actually now that I read what you wrote speech, you should have made Financial resources bold because if that also defines an elitist then yes McCain is an elitist.

Uh how is saying "we are the ones we've been waiting for" elitist? It includes all of us as "we". He was referring to those to donated to him, my family has donated and believe me we aren't rich believe me


And I have no comment against the "healer of the planet, fixer of broken souls," as I can't find it anywhere, so I'm not sure if you were saying that about him, or if he said it?

Fyi this site says McCain has 10 homes. The numbers keep rising and shows that his economic plans make him richer but the middle class poorer

Ari Melber: Obama Attacks McCain's Elitist Millionaire Mindset (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ari-melber/obama-attacks-mccains-eli_b_120014.html)

I didn't ask for a definition. Actually now that I read what you wrote speech, you should have made Financial resources bold because if that also defines an elitist then yes McCain is an elitist.

Well spit, if one wants to define something one needs to know the definition, and the operative words in that definition are "belief" and "perceived." Which one shows the characteristics that demonstrate a belief, a perception of superiority? Certainly not McCain... it shows in their attitudes, not their financial statements.

But what you are doing speech is taking words from the definition that fits the answer you want. And that's fine I will do the same thing. The definition clearly says or Financial resources but you left that out because we all know McCain and his wife have more financial resources then the Obama's.

And when Obama says WE (notice he didn't say I) are the ones WE have been waiting for. Simply put WE are tired of the way America has been run for the past 8 years. Obama clearly doesn't make it about him WE voted for him and WE have been waiting for someone to change the way this country has been ran. Very down to earth if you ask me.

Speech How many times have you forgotten how many houses you own? Don't you find it a little elitist that he is so rich he can't remember how many houses he has? I do. Like I said I can count on one hand Actually 2 fingers how many houses I have lived in my entire life.

uh how is saying "we are the ones we've been waiting for" elitist? It includes all of us as "we". He was referring to those to donated to him, my family has donated and believe me we aren't rich believe me


And I have no comment against the "healer of the planet, fixer of broken souls," as I can't find it anywhere, so I'm not sure if you were saying that about him, or if he said it?

Barack didn't say anything about broken souls, his wife described him as "the only person in this who understands" our problems, our broken souls.


"That is why I am here, because Barack Obama is the only person in this who understands that (http://michellemalkin.com/2008/02/16/barack-obama-soul-fixer/). That before we can work on the problems, we have to fix our souls. Our souls are broken in this nation."

If you'll look at my signature it offers Obama's quote about his ability to heal the planet, it's been there for quite some time.

So according to Cindy McCain a plane is THE ONLY way to get around Arizona. So does everyone who lives in Arizona get around by planes? She loved it so much she just had to buy one Boy that must be nice I would love it too. Maybe I will skip a vacation to save money to buy a plane, oh that's right I haven't been on a vacation since 2001. Because I can't afford to go on one.

When A reporter asked John McCain how many houses he has John "everyman" had to think about it and then his answer was I'll have to have one of my staff members get back to you. Are you kidding me!!!!!! He is such an elitist that he doesn't even know the number of houses he has. I don't know about you but I can count how many houses I have lived in on one hand. Hey but maybe his is not an elitist maybe he is losing his memory old age will do that to you.

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Dems jump on McCain’s house gaffe « - Blogs from CNN.com (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/21/dems-jump-on-mccains-house-gaffe/#comments)
I don't think McCain's answer to the question about how many homes means anything; perhaps he was thinking about something else; perhaps he was wondering what the definition of a "home" is. How about Robert Wexler: is he an elitist? He doesn't even live in Florida: Robert Wexler Florida Congressman lives in Maryland « Elect Jeff (http://electjeff.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/robert-wexler-florida-congressman-lives-in-maryland/)

Ok George How many times have you forgotten how many properties you own? I tried to play that clip but it said it was unavailable. But it is a moot point since he is not running for president. If you would like to open a new thread about him please be my guest.

But what you are doing speech is taking words from the definition that fits the answer you want. And thats fine I will do the same thing. The definition clearly says or Financial resources but you left that out because we all know McCain and his wife have more financial resources then the Obama's.

And when Obama says WE (notice he didn't say I) are the ones WE have been waiting for. Simply put WE are tired of the way America has been run for the past 8 years. Obama clearly doesn't make it about him WE voted for him and WE have been waiting for someone to change the way this country has been ran. Very down to earth if you ask me.

Speech How many times have you forgotten how many houses you own? Don't you find it a little elitist that he is so rich he can't remember how many houses he has? I do. Like I said I can count on one hand Actually 2 fingers how many houses I have lived in my entire life.

LOL spit, no, the first thing that always comes to my mind at the mention of 'elitist' is attitude because that's what it is. It's a state of mind, not a financial statement. I don't have to pick because the essence of the word is a "belief" or "attitude," NOT the basis for that belief or attitude.

e·lit·ism or é·lit·ism (-ltzm, -l-)
n.
1. The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.
2.
a. The sense of entitlement enjoyed by such a group or class.
b. Control, rule, or domination by such a group or class.
e·litist adj. & n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Elitism
Noun
1. the belief that society should be governed by a small group of people who are superior to everyone else
2. pride in being part of an elite
Elitist nadj

Collins Essential English Dictionary 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2004, 2006

Elitism
The attitude that government should be by those who consider themselves superior to others by virtue of intelligence, social status, or greater accomplishment.
See also: Attitudes

The belief or practice that government should be by a self-appointed group who consider themselves superior to those governed by virtue of their higher birth. — elitist, n. adj.

-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Synonyms: elitism

Snobbish, exclusive, superior, arrogant, selective, pretentious, stuck-up (informal) patronizing, condescending, snooty (informal) uppity, high and mighty (informal) hoity-toity (informal) high-hat (informal), chiefly U.S. uppish Brit. (informal)

Collins Essential Thesaurus 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2005, 2006

Obama may have accidentally said "57 states" but McCain does much more

He has the interview edited!

Yes, I'm certain Katie Couric protected McCain. :confused:

See the first thing that comes to my mind is being Rich. Here I can bold certain words also.

e·lit·ism or é·lit·ism (-ltzm, -l-)
n.
1. The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.
2.
a. The sense of entitlement enjoyed by such a group or class.
b. Control, rule, or domination by such a group or class.
e·litist adj. & n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Elitism
Noun
1. the belief that society should be governed by a small group of people who are superior to everyone else
2. pride in being part of an elite
Elitist nadj

Collins Essential English Dictionary 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2004, 2006

Elitism
The attitude that government should be by those who consider themselves superior to others by virtue of intelligence, social status, or greater accomplishment.
See also: Attitudes

The belief or practice that government should be by a self-appointed group who consider themselves superior to those governed by virtue of their higher birth. — elitist, n. adj.

-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Synonyms: elitism

Snobbish, exclusive, superior, arrogant, selective, pretentious, stuck-up (informal) patronizing, condescending, snooty (informal) uppity, high and mighty (informal) hoity-toity (informal) high-hat (informal), chiefly U.S. uppish Brit. (informal)

Collins Essential Thesaurus 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2005, 2006

According to this article (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/03/cindy-mccains-fortune-pro_n_94833.html), the McCains own "two condominiums along the California coast," they "may also jointly own a condo in Arlington, Va., assessed at $847,800," that "Cindy McCain, through a family trust, sold the family mansion in Phoenix for $3.2 million and bought a $4.6 million Phoenix condo in 2006" and their Sedona property is "owned by his wife's family trust and a real estate partnership in her name." "It's clear the rustic retreat is considered family property." That adds up to 4 homes plus "family" property. Seeing as how much of what he "owns" is part of Cindy's family trust it would be easy for him to not be clear on who owns what. Does that make him an elitist or senile?

See the first thing that comes to my mind is being Rich. Here I can bold certain words also.

I get it spit but I'm not highlighting words to pick a definition, I'm highlighting the actual definition - not the examples for the basis of the attitude.

John's very well off, but Cindy is loaded. I wonder if she made him sign a prenuptial knowing that John split with his wife and family after Nam?

The NRO blog tells us about Obama's ad response (http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NWJhMzM1YmM5MTU5YWQ4ZTgwNWY5NDY5NjQwOTU1M2Q=):


I Mean, It's Not Like There's a Map of What McCain Was Asked

Obama is running his ad on John McCain's confusion on how many houses he has.

My understanding is that this ad will be running in all 57 states.

LOL!

Someone tell Obama that Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, etc... are not counted officially as States, although Dubya's trying like hell to make it so. :)

Someone tell Obama that Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, etc...are not counted officially as States, although Dubya's trying like hell to make it so. :)
McCain's looking out for all 57. Let's add Georgia and Poland; how many's that, since McCain can't tell, and I can't either.

I wonder if she made him sign a prenuptial knowing that John split with his wife and family after Nam?

Correct McCain has absolutely no knowledge of his wife's holdings due to a prenupt agreement.They would always keep their finances apart and file separate income tax returns. As to her motives ;was that the same one Terry had JF Kerry sign ? It also serves to prevent conflicts of interests of course . Cindy had 160 asset sales during 2007 so it really should come as no surprise that McCain is not sure how many investment holdings the family has.

Really this is a non-issue and for Obama to jump on it just proves that the onion has been completely peeled about his above it all politics. Does he really want the issue to be Cindy McCain's holdings going into the hours before his convention ?

I thought about it and decided that Obama can't be an elitist. Elitists don't knowingly have brothers living in tiny shacks in Kenya making a dollar a month. Elitists instead go to 3rd world countries and bring back children in need of medical care ;later adopting the child. Yeah... there's the ticket

Correct McCain has absolutely no knowlege of his wife's holdings due to a prenupt agreement.They would always keep their finances apart and file separate income tax returns. As to her motives ;was that the same one Terry had JF Kerry sign ? It also serves to prevent conflicts of interests of course . Cindy had 160 asset sales during 2007 so it really should come as no suprise that McCain is not sure how many investment holdings the family has.

Really this is a non-issue and for Obama to jump on it just proves that the onion has been completely peeled about his above it all politics. Does he really want the issue to be Cindy McCain's holdings going into the hours before his convention ?


Sometimes the campaign advisers try to make it personal, and the candidates, perhaps, do so reluctantly (unless it's the Clinton's, of course). The Clinton's actually seem to take great joy in the nastiest negative campaigning possible. IMO Cindy questioned John's trust factor from the beginning and rightly so. I'm sure there was a "wait and see" phase in the early years of their marriage. Cindy, like Teresa Heinz Kerry, is a cautious women with tons of money. Cindy is no dummy, that's for sure. She learned from recent history and doesn't want the issue to be her wealth, or have the dreaded elitist label, that hurt Kerry's campaign.



I thought about it and decided that Obama can't be an elitist. Elitists don't knowingly have brothers living in tiny shacks in Kenya making a dollar a month. Elitists instead go to 3rd world countries and bring back children in need of medical care ;later adopting the child. Yeah ...there's the ticket

If John McCain is elected Americans won't have to travel to another country for future adoptions. The U.S. will be become a third world country.

Does anyone really think any of the presidential candidates we've had recently are actually in touch with the average American? Seriously now, who in Washington can we point to as being "in touch?" I've had it with Democrats and all their blubbering about wealthy, elite, out of touch Republicans and I bet if you asked any in this list how many houses they owned they probably couldn't give you an answer:

Lawmaker / 2006 Average Net Worth

Jane Harman -D / $409,427,000
Darrell Issa -R / $337,440,000
John Kerry -D / $267,790,000
Vernon Buchanan -R / $191,696,000
Herb Kohl -D / $171,423,000
Edward Kennedy -D / $102,823,000
Jay Rockefeller -D / $91,713,000
Robin Hayes -R / $82,552,100
Dianne Feinstein -D / $79,555,700
Frank Lautenberg -D / $79,051,100
Rodney Frelinghuysen -R / $49,515,600
Michael McCaul -R / $46,648,600
Elizabeth Dole -R / $43,867,100
Nita Lowey -D / $39,753,200
Nancy Pelosi -D / $38,539,600
John McCain -R / $36,431,100

9 of the 16 wealthiest are Democrats - including number one and 7 of the top 10. I don't see how this should be a winning issue for the Dems, especially when they want to bleed us average guys to death in taxes. Obama is grasping at straws and the willing media is playing it up for him - and none of it sounds very presidential. Just petty and whiney.

This shows an inherent problem with your election process in my opinion. Becoming president relies too heavily on how much money you have / make. Unless you have money, and bucket loads of it, in your own bank account and behind you, you have no hope. So much for democracy.

Give me our system any day!!

I thought about it and decided that Obama can't be an elitist. Elitists don't knowingly have brothers living in tiny shacks in Kenya making a dollar a month. Elitists instead go to 3rd world countries and bring back children in need of medical care ;later adopting the child. Yeah ...there's the ticket

I was wondering if anyone had noticed that Barry's brother has been found (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2590614/Barack-Obamas-lost-brother-found-in-Kenya.html). :D

If John McCain is elected Americans won't have to travel to another country for future adoptions. The U.S. will be become a third world country.

That could happen anyway. We have tried to enrich people around the globe for most of my life, without noticeable success, unless you count dictators that stash their stolen aid funds in numbered accounts. What we have accomplished is to undermine our economy and burden ourselves with unreasonable taxation, a la Marx. I doubt anyone is going to do much about it, sadly.

I am certain that Obama won't.

That could happen anyway. We have tried to enrich people around the globe for most of my life, without noticible success, unless you count dictators that stash their stolen aid funds in numbered accounts. What we have accomplished is to undermine our economy and burden ourselves with unreasonable taxation, a la Marx. I doubt anyone is going to do much about it, sadly.

I am certain that Obama won't.




Might happen? I provided information concerning the Marx view of Capitalism (a couple of times now). According to Marx, we are not escaping it's eventual failed conclusion with either the Republicans or Democrats. BTW, taxes, according to some historians, goes back to ancient Egypt.