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McCain: No kitchen table in Hanoi Hilton

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor August 25, 2008 08:52 PM

Appearing later today on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" John McCain refers to his time as a prisoner of war during Vietnam to explain his slip last week when he couldn't say how many houses he owns.

"I spent 5 1/2 years in a prison cell," McCain said, according to accounts of the taping on the political websites of USA Today and the Washington Post. "I didn't have a house. I didn't have a kitchen table. I didn't have a table."

Democrats jumped on the gaffe last week with ads and speeches to portray McCain as out of touch with the needs and worries of ordinary Americans. In his first speech as the vice presidential nominee, Joe Biden joked about families sitting at their kitchen tables and McCain having to "figure out which of the seven kitchen tables to sit at."

In his response, McCain is highlighting the core of his political biography, and at the same time alluding to Barack Obama's lack of military service.

In his Leno appearance, McCain also declared that he remains the underdog, despite national polls that show a dead heat, but predicted the November vote will be close. "You'll be up late" on Election Night, he told Leno.

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3 comments so far...

  1. Sad that his POW experience is his only weak defense left when asked a real question. The well is dry

    Posted by Nick August 26, 08 03:05 AM

  1. The Food Network Interviews John McCain;

    Interviewer: Presidential campaigning is a lot of long hours on the road. Are you able to make time for breakfast while on the campaign trail?

    McCain: As a POW in Vietnam, I wasn't served breakfast. Sometimes, I was lucky enough to find a bug. But, that was hardly a meal and less nutritious than what's in a small bowl of fruit loops.


    Interviewer: What's your favorite ice cream?

    McCain: There were no fridges or freezers anywhere to be found in jungles of Vietnam during the war. So, ice cream was not on the menu.


    Interviewer: How do you like your steak?

    McCain: I was once tied to a stake while being held prisoner during the Vietnam war. And, beef of course was not given to me.


    Interviewer: Do you like beer or wine?

    McCain: People may think I whine too much about my Vietnam POW experience, but it is uniquely part of who I am.


    Interviewer: Thank you very much for your time, Mr. McCain.

    McCain: I heard no "Thank You's" during my time as a Vietnam Prision of War

    Posted by Charles Grove August 26, 08 05:05 PM

  1. It is a stale story of keeping bragging of about POW. Obama is correct in his yesterday's speech, it is his judgment that is in question. I wonder his plane got shot down to fly so low shows his poor judgment.

    Posted by ajay shah August 29, 08 10:10 AM
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About political intelligence Field reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors covering the 2008 presidential campaign and the national maneuvering of Bay State politicians.

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