In Pennsylvania, McCain Tells a New Version of Heroic P.O.W. Story -- Subbing the Pittsburgh Steelers for the Green Bay Packers July 10, 2008 Yesterday in Pittsburgh, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., professed his love for the Steelers to KDKA-TV. Asked what first comes to his mind when he thinks of Pittsburgh, McCain chuckled, "the Steelers. I was a mediocre high school athlete but I loved and adored the sports but the Steelers really made a huge impression on me particularly in my early years." And then McCain told a rather moving story about his time as a P.O.W. "When I was first interrogated and really had to give some information because of the pressures, physical pressures on me, I named the starting lineup, defensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers as my squadron mates." "Did you really?" asked the reporter. "Yes," McCain said. "In your POW camp?" asked the reporter. "Yes," McCain said. "Could you do it today?" asked the reporter. "No, unfortunately," McCain said. Here's one reason he likely couldn't do it today -- the Steelers aren't the team whose defensive line McCain named for his Vietnamese tormentors. The Green Bay Packers are. At least according to every previous time McCain has told this story. And the McCain campaign just told ABC News that the senator made a mistake -- it was, indeed, the Packers. In McCain's best-selling 1999 memoir “Faith of My Fathers,” McCain writes: “Once my condition had stabilized, my interrogators resumed their work. Demands for military information were accompanied by threats to terminate my medical treatment if I did not cooperate. Eventually, I gave them my ship’s name and squadron number, and confirmed that my target had been the power plant. Pressed for more useful information, I gave the names of the Green Bay Packers offensive line, and said they were members of my squadron. When asked to identify future targets, I simply recited the names of a number of North Vietnamese cities that had already been bombed.” In 2005, A&E ran a movie version of "Faith of My Fathers." And McCain discussed that precise clip on CNN. The actor playing McCain, asked to name the men in his squadron, says: "Starr; Greg; McGee; Davis; Adderly; Brown; Ringo; Wood." Cut back to real life. The CNN anchor asks McCain: "For those who don't know the story, were those NFL football players?" "That was the starting lineup of the Green Bay Packers, the first Super Bowl champions, yes," McCain responded. But it's -- it was the best I could think of at the time." http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/in-pennsylvania.html
Snobama supporters looking down on McCain's proud military service. Proof positive that they have no shame, nor any respect for our troops. Keep in mind Barack was over in Indonesia studying in a madrassa while McCain was fighting on behalf of the USA.
McCain has been proven a liar about his own military service. He cannot be trusted with the office of the president. I'm sure the swift boaters would agree.
This is actually kind of disturbing. Either McCain sincerely forgot a major event in his life. Or he lied about it to pander to Pennsylvania voters, but his judgement is so impaired that he didn't realize that with the written record of this story in his memoir, there is no way he wouldn't be busted. I never gave much weight to age as a significant issue for McCain, but I'm starting to wonder.
Oh, McMark, this is the first time I've ever been ashamed of one of your positions. We often disagree politically, but that's healthy because that's how we hone or soften our viewpoints. You are an enthusiastic Democrat, and I've always viewed that as a real positive. However, let's stick to issues. Obama is going to win in a cakewalk so there is no need to jump in the mud and roll in it.
I really don't want to delve into this particular incident other than an analyst on MSNBC was talking about the overall topic of McCain saying something contradictory to an earlier comment. I can't remember the specific topic but McCain will refuse to admit a contradiction even when it is recorded somewhere.
I don't understand how these politicians are so careless in this media age. I'm a normal person that noone cares about, but even I make sure I keep my lies straight.
Pretty sad when you've got to go after the integrity of a POW of 5.5 years -- a man who refused to leave his countrymen out of honor. It's doubly sad when you consider Obama's ignorance on military matters... Obama would be wise to avoid any and all discussions of war, the military, and anything else well over his head. no cred...
its okay to lie about some random minor experiece but he lied about a major experience which he solely bases his campaign for presidency from.. what other details of his POW experience has he lied about?
No cred is you in this thread after the way you pimped the swift boater’s attack on John Kerry’s service. But I guess thumbs chooses to overlook that
Embarrassing, McCain's handlers should know better than this. The Steelers heyday and the Steel Curtain led by the DL was the 1970's - by that time Vietnam was long over and McCain was back home. I don't think ANYBODY, not even die-hard steeler fans, could tell you who played on the Steelers defensive line in the 1960's. The 60's were the era of the Packers - that context makes the story make a lot more sense.
Maybe tater j can tell us which of these two possibilities explains McCain's inexplicable behavior- 1. McCain sincerely forgot a major event in his life. 2. McCain lied about a major event in his life to pander to Pennsylvania voters, but his judgement is so impaired that he didn't realize that with the written record of this story in his memoir, there is no way he wouldn't be busted.
And where was Obama during McCain's POW time? Oh that's right, living with the radical Lolo Soetoro in Indonesia. You guys sure you want to go there? The libs know they need to attack McCain's service to our country because when compared to Obama's lack of service and associations with people who literally hate America, it makes Obama look less than patriotic... That's damaging... Obama has been endoctrinated by Jeremiah Wright, Father Pfleger, Farrakhan, etc with a mentality that America (and whites) are to blame for everything. That's not going to sit well in October/November. Rest assured, friends.
let's go there, how old was obama during vietnam? i'm sure he told his family (because of course a 12 year old makes these decisions) that he wanted to live with radicals in Indonesia.
Why do you keep bringing up Obama? He has absolutely nothing to do with this story. Can't you defend McCain without bringing up Obama, or is this just a lame attempt at deflection?
Lying is bad...oh, wait you served in the military, then lie all you want. no cred... No one is "going after" his miliary service. People are "going after" comments he made in July 2008. no cred... Why are you even bringing up Obama? He is not relevant in the conversation. no cred... can't believe I fed the trolls...
I have more respect for someone who throws away his medals in protest, and stands up to reagan for the illegal wars of the 80s. But Kerry, a true hero, is labeled as a traitor by your party. I can see moral darkness lives on. Next we will hear how mccainy killed an entire platoon of evil commies with a boot's shoe lace and liberating 1000 pows. =/
