Besides a guest appearance on Saturday Night Live, one rally in April, and some hosting duties at home in Arizona, John McCain has taken the last 20 weekends off.
Each Saturday and Sunday he plans no campaign events and hides from the media. While out of the spotlight, McCain rests up, reviews policy, and privately meets with advisers and contributors, according to Politico. Since McCain admitted he doesn't know how to use a computer, we know he doesn't spend the time catching up on his email.
McCain's commitment to keep his weekends for himself, refreshingly deviates from the nonstop, and often empty, coverage of the campaign. But the Politico story explores the tightrope walk McCain's age (71) presents. By taking weekends off McCain opens himself up to criticism that he doesn't have the energy to be President, but if he gets sick that won't look good either.
While this conscious decision to take a weekly media break might have made sense during the Democratic primary, it may be difficult to maintain during the general election. That's probably why McCain's aides note that he won't be taking as many weekends off this Summer. Will the time off help McCain sprint to the finish, or give Barack Obama a head start?
To see a video of McCain chatting about his computer skills, read more.
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Jean Marie
Bric's
Free People
In reality, I think taking a couple days off is fine for both candidates, at least up until September. Then McCain might consider taking time off during the week, and campaigning on weekends when more people are able to go see him. I don't think anyone's going to forget who's running or not be able to decide who to support because the candidates weren't in our faces 24/7. And I doubt a third party will sneak in while their off and steal all the votes.
1McCain really did not need to work overtime since he had the nomination wrapped up.
2But he says in the interview that he's a computer illiterate. That is very troubling and surprising. I know people in their 80s who do email and search engines (and blogs).
What this means is that McOld thinks differently from almost every American, he processes things differently, his brain functions more slowly and in a more limited way. How could any working person who leaves the house everyday have allowed this to happen to himself?
janneth, i see what you're saying, but there are millions of Americans, including baby boomers, who don't use the internet. i think they might be a little insulted by that comment.(not that they'd be reading this blog or anything!) there are many different ways that people "process" in the world. That includes some brilliant minds. I'm not just saying that because I'm conservative and probably will support McCain, but in defense of oldsters everywhere.
It doesn't sound like McCain has much of a weekend anyway. Meeting with advisors doesn't really sound like taking time off. But that's why I'm not a politician I guess. I wouldn't really consider that a weekend.
3Lib - Do you mean "hasn't"?
4Sorry the title threw me off! I get it now!
Sorry, it was a hot day!
5Wow J thats a pretty big leap you made there... I don't think NOT using a computer shows any of those things. If anything it shows he is more patient than the average person and understands that sometimes you can't get what you want in 3 seconds.
6he is more patient than the average person and understands that sometimes you can't get what you want in 3 seconds.
My wife better get what she wants in 3 seconds, if you know what I mean...
7I think taking days off is fine. They are more likely to trip up their words if they are exhausted, and a well rested mind works better no matter how old you are. Goodness knows we don't need anymore word slippage drama!
I do think that not being computer savvy is a negative, but a minor one.
I totally respect your opinions Janneth, but I feel that calling him "McOld" is a little harsh and it is kind of instigating. Just my opinion, though.
8Kris, I understand your defense of "oldsters", really I do, but does he want to put himself in that category?
9I don't necessarily think that not using the internet means that you are patient. I don't think it means you are slow either. It just means you don't use the internet.
10Patience is a personality trait or a virtue, not something that comes to you if you avoid computers.
11Jillness you are right about the McOld moniker. Consider it removed from my vocabulary.
12wow. doesn't know how to use a computer and takes weekends off... i will side with everyone else here in hoping that he discontinues this practice real soon. there are no weekends off when you're president. besides he can just do what bush does and take massive vacations when he needs a rest!
as for the computer bit - i have to agree with janneth, even though she's apologizing for the McOld comment (which i think is funny!!) ... not using a computer in 2008 would be like refusing to watch TV in 1960. it's been around for over 10 years! also, just because some baby boomers are not computer savvy doesn't mean anything - they aren't running for president. someone get him a friggin' facebook page - STAT!!!!
13Awwww, this is such a non-story. I actually wish the candidates had a mandatory day off so they could rest. I have no problem with McCain taking some time off and hopefully Obama will do the same. Why not every Sunday? At least they could campaign on Saturdays when most people have off from work.
Having just quit my second job because i didn't have enough down time, i know how much of a toll working non-stop takes on a person and it really doesn't have much to do with age.
14Let me revise that...candidates should have a mandatory day off until September. After that, all bets are off! You better campaign like your life depends on it...
15i didn't even notice the McOld comment. Honestly, I think that's pretty funny! The only thing I took offense to was the notion that his mind worked in some inferior way. I mean, I'm 29 and I remember life before cell phones and computers, and I think that's a notably different perspective from a 21 year old, or a 41 year old. anyway, Oldster, McOld, whatever.
I call my dad an oldster all the time. It's better than what he called his dad, which was
"Old Fart."
16grrr am i the only one annoyed that him not using a computer and taking weekends off is news? who the hell is getting paid to tally up his days off and what the hell does that have to do with being president?
17Old Fart=cute.
18Kris, you remember life before cell phones but I bet you have one now. Not to use a computer as a US senator, it seems like denial and unwillingness to adapt. This is a man who wants a job that has the most power and influence of any on earth.
"if it aint broke dont fix it" most people have their own way of doing things, they had pre the information age and post. i think its unfair to judge someone based upon their lack of technological experience, you have to remember he had 71 years of doing something one way and now you expect him to change that so he can "adapt" but why should he if his way of doing things works for him?
19oh and ud, i think they have medication for that
20Well practically speaking he doesn't need to know how to use a computer. I also don't accept the notion that because he is not campaigning that he is taking the weekends off. Reviewing, writing, making telephone calls and holding meetings are not taking a weekend off. The article makes it sound like he's sitting in a recliner all weekend with a throw blanket sipping throat ease by goodearth teas.
21hypno I love your attention to detail baby!
22By his attmitting that he does not know how to use a computer he is just asking the media to give hime hell about it. Knowing how to use a computer should definitely be a job requirement for The President of the United States!!! I have to know how to use one for my job.
Taking off for weekends is fine but again it opens him up to the too old comments again. I think taking days off is a good idea but perhaps now is the time to put in some extra hours.
23Why wouldn't he take weekends off? He hasn't had an opponent to worry about till this point. Now that the real push is about to begin, he's well rested, and with $54 milllion in the coffer, he's ready to fight the good fight.
24Well, he's not really taking the weekends off as many have said, he's just not campaining. Did he take the weekend off from campaining during Primary season?
There are quite a few 50 year olds, and probably a good number in their 40s, who do not know how to use the internet, so I would be hard pressed to count this as a major downside. I'm sure there are plenty of people that will brief him on anything really important that can be found only on the internet anyways.
25Of course McCain has every right to take the weekend off from the media. The strategic implications are what interest me!
Do you guys think McCain or Obama is doing a better job at shaping the debate/ election narrative? Who looks offensive, and who looks defensive. Let me know what you guys think!
26I don't find it surprising that Mac doesn't know how to use a computer. If he needs anything done on a comp, he has people who can do that for him.
If he never made the effort to try to learn, I would find that disapointing, but some people, after
having tried it, just don't like it. I can understand that.
As for taking the weekends off, both canidates have children. I would like to see Obama and McCain, who has a daughter still in high school, take time off to spend with their families. Running for president is important but so is spending time with Sasha, Malia and Bridgit.
27In the press, I think McCain and the Republicans generally have driven the election narrative up to now, followed by Hillary Clinton. McCain's more media friendly - given to bigger, more emotional statements (the GI Bill, Iraq visits, eco-car prize) that make colorful copy. Obama's more focused and steady, doesn't react to the daily news as much as he presses the issues that he thinks are important. I think/hope now that the primary fights are over, Obama will be more on the offensive against McCain, call McCain out more and define himself more assertively.
28And the president doesn't really need to use a computer - if he wants to know something, he's got the entire government as a resource. He's not supposed to be googling stuff to see if what people are telling him is true. We've seen what the current WH does with emails, so it's better that he doesn't use it.
29So I suppose McCain, if president, won't be running the country by using Google.
30There are a lot of CEOs that don't use computers - that can't even type. I know a few in my company - that is why you hire people. You hire people to do the details for you while you focus on the bigger picture. So what he doesn't know the ends and outs of the computer, maybe he just has limited access - he may not know how to do html but I bet he knows how to e-mail. How much do you want him to know - should he be able to photoshop his picture, type in Microsoft, do a budget in Excel or PowerPoint.
I bet he is not fishing on Saturday all day in a boat (ohh how I wish I was), he is reading reports and having teleconferences. This is such a non story. Let's focus on real issues.
31OK another question. If McCain can't use a computer, a tool most Americans have some familiarity with, does that make it a bit harder to portray Obama as an "elitist." In 2008 does computer illiteracy make a leader a little "out of touch" with every day Americans? What exactly is an elitist, anyway?
32an elitist is a harvard grad
33i still think this is bad. everyone should know how to use a computer. sure he can hire people to do it for him -- but its not like computer's just popped up yesterday - to me this is him refusing to learn how to use a computer. kinda like how bush said he didn't read the paper, that he preferred to get his info from "objective" sources... like his staffers. we need a president who is curious about technology and things happening in the world.
34to quote the obama supporters - "this is not a real issue"
35Maybe MC definition of being savvy via a computer is different from yours. Sighs. I just don't see the issue. Will he really be spending his days e-mailing Senate.
36No, but he could be spending his days talking to us...
37
38Dave, I for one can't wait for my one on one cam with him. I am so looking forward to the contact.
39An elitist is anyone the media wants to tag as smarter than the voting public without making it known that they think the voting public is stupid.
40From Dictionary.com
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
e·lit·ism Audio Help /ɪˈlitɪzəm, eɪˈli-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[i-lee-tiz-uhm, ey-lee-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. practice of or belief in rule by an elite.
2. consciousness of or pride in belonging to a select or favored group.
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[Origin: 1950–55; elite + -ism]
—Related forms
e·lit·ist, noun, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
elitist
To learn more about elitist visit Britannica.com
© 2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This e·lit·ism or é·lit·ism Audio Help (ĭ-lē'tĭz'əm, ā-lē'-) Pronunciation Key
n.
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.
The sense of entitlement enjoyed by such a group or class.
41Control, rule, or domination by such a group or class.
If anything were to make McCain an elitist it would be his wife's vast fortune and not computer illiteracy. That being said, I don't think either canidate is elitist, at least not according to the definition bella has provided us with.
42I don't think it really applies to McCain or Obama either. Cheney maybe, but not McCain or Obama.
43
@ stephley. I swear you crack me up.
44It could also apply to Hillary.
45Dave, you so ruined my fantasy.
46Bella, you could still make mine
47Yeah, McCain's like Bush. He's one of us. You know, left his wife for a woman 18 years younger who also happened to have a hundred million dollars.
Just like us!
48Dave you're the biggest flirt.
@ Rac
49Dave you're the biggest flirt.
@ Rac
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