Fleischer Stumped When Asked How McCain Differs From Bush, Begins Citing Similarities
Fleischer Stumped When Asked How McCain Differs From Bush, Begins Citing Similarities
Last night on CNN, host Larry King — taking a viewer question — asked former Bush administration press secretary Ari Fleischer, “How would a McCain administration be different to Bush’s on foreign and economic policies?” Instead of answering the question, Fleischer diverted into how both McCain and Bush are similar:
FLEISCHER: Well, you know, on foreign policy, number one, John McCain will be a powerful supporter of Israel, just as George Bush was. So I’m going to go right to that where there is an agreement.
When King tried to steer him back on course, noting that “the question was different,” Fleischer finally settled on taxes and global warming and falsely claimed that McCain called on Bush to fire Donald Rumsfeld. Watch it:
It is rather odd that Fleischer cited taxes as an economic policy difference between Bush and McCain. While McCain did vote against Bush’s tax cuts, if elected president, he plans to extend and double those same cuts — giving most of the benefit to big corporations and the wealthy, while allowing the federal deficit to skyrocket.
Moreover, Fleischer’s example of a foreign policy difference between McCain and Bush isn’t even true. McCain never called for the firing of Rumsfeld, a fact that even the McCain campaign has acknowledged.
Fleischer does have a point in that McCain has differed slightly from Bush on global warming — if only to recognize that something needs to be done about it. But he isn’t the only McCain supporter who has had difficulty separating Bush from McCain. Top McCain surrogate Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has said that McCain’s policies would “absolutely” be an extension and enhancement of Bush’s.
Transcript:
KING: Quick question, Ari Fleischer, it’s a blog question from Amica who writes, “How would a McCain administration be different to Bush’s on foreign and economic policies?”
FLEISCHER: Well, you know, on foreign policy, number one, John McCain will be a powerful supporter of Israel, just as George Bush was. So I’m going to go right to that where there is an agreement.
KING: The question was different.
FLEISCHER: I really have a lot of worries — yes, but I want to make this point, Larry, because at the first debate Barack Obama was asked to name America’s three most important allies. He didn’t even name Israel as one of the three most important.
So when it comes to that, to turn the question around, I really worry about where Barack Obama is going to be on very important foreign policy issue. And that is America’s relationship with the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel.
On domestic issues, you know, John McCain, global warming has always opposed George Bush. John McCain voted against George Bush’s tax cuts. He’s got a pretty consistent message of taking on the Bush administration.
And on foreign policy, of course, he demanded that Donald Rumsfeld be fired. He was the first to say so and he said it frequently. This is where he’s been somewhat of a maverick and I think he does earn his credit there.
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I know. Bush is dumb and McCain is dumber.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:20 pmBush never crashed a fighter jet.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:21 pmThis is becoming a recurring theme for the GOP.
One day after proclaiming on Meet the Press that he and George W. Bush share a common philosophy, John McCain took to a stage in Cleveland Monday to attack the President’s economic policies. As it turns out, of course, when it comes to ideology and policy on the economy, John McCain and George W. Bush are virtually indistinguishable.
For the details, see:
October 29th, 2008 at 12:23 pm“McCain Attacks Bush for Economic Policies They Share.”
How ironic that American Jews prefer Obama 74% to 22% for McCain.
Ari Fleischer and his neocon Jewish friends (Wolfowitz, Frum, Kagan, etc.) are on the opposite side.
Ari does what most politicians do, ignore the question and say what they want.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:25 pmPolls show US Jews prefer Obama
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1222017612413&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
October 29th, 2008 at 12:26 pmFleischer: “John McCain DOES represent a third Bush term.
Freedom fries with your McBush?”
snark
October 29th, 2008 at 12:27 pmC’mon Ari, Israel the only democracy in the Middle East? What about the Cedar Revolution?
Lebanon wasn’t doing too badly until its democratic neighbor to the South savaged their country in Summer 2006.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:29 pmRunning on empty so Ari got to act fast and he’s not knewn to be a quick thinker. Look these guys will say anything now. This Obama Ad thing is scarying these guys. Now if only McCain has spent Sarah’s shopping spree money on an Ad at lease he could have a 6 minute Ad to compete with Obama. Ari is just as confused as he was when he had to tell idiot Bush the WTC was attacked. Bush kept reading MY Pet GOAT book up side down and Ari was looking at him as the idiot he is.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:32 pmAri Fleischer is a schmuck.
I especially enjoyed watching him argue that Senator Obama was going to abandon Israel because his response to an early question about “America’s three most important allies” was England, NATO, and Japan.
Israel’s been a strong supporter of US interests (when they coincide with Israeli interests), but that’s not the same thing as “importance.” Consider the levels of trade between the United States, and the UK, EU, or Japan — Israel is not even in the running.
I don’t know if it’s paranoia or partisanship, but this sort of crap is what keeps the US from having a sane policy towards the conflicts between Israel and its neighbors.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:35 pmOne difference would be the larger clothing and travel budget for the bloated families of both Palin and McCain.
¶ AIO
October 29th, 2008 at 12:36 pmThe only way to separate McCain from Bush is with a crowbar.
Now that makes for a very ugly picture, doesn’t it?
October 29th, 2008 at 12:37 pmFirst of all, Obama has declared often his support of Israel. Secondly, I wish someone will tell us HOW Israel is our greatest ally in the region. Are they an ally ONLY because they are democratic? I don’t remember soldiers from Israel ever assisting us on the ground in Afghanistan or Iraq, or even Vietnam. We give financial aid to THEM, not vice versa. Yes, I know their intelligence services are of help to us, but it seems apparent that their information is often self-serving.
Secondly, the “new” McCain has no differences with Bush except one – his opposition to drilling in ANWAR. Other than that, I can’t think of any.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:39 pmfreedom’s watch
indeed.
*
October 29th, 2008 at 12:44 pmBush got into politics with oil money,
October 29th, 2008 at 12:44 pmMcCain got into politics with beer money.
No more arrogant egotistical jet jockies for president.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:46 pmDid King ask Fleischer about McLellan coming out for Obama?
October 29th, 2008 at 12:53 pmThere is a difference–Bush Is going to be able to trot off to Paraguay and McJerk will have to stay disgraced in the senate and be recognized for leading one of the most racially hate-filled campaigns in recent memeory
October 29th, 2008 at 12:55 pmThe first difference he noted was that they both support Israel very strongly.
…. ummmm……. what?…..
The second difference, to clarify since the question was about ‘difference’, is that Obama does not support Israel.
…. ummmmm…… what?….
Why do republicans all feel that they can answer any question with talking points and smears? Is “pathological liar” a disease that accompanies republicans these days?
And WTF about Israel? Israel does nothing of value for America, and takes quite a lot (money, munitions). What has Israel offered to America to help with our fiancial crisis? Seriously. I amy have missed that bit of information: we are in an enormous financial crisis, so our bestest ally and friend in the whole wide world would certainly offer some help, no?
October 29th, 2008 at 12:57 pmOne word: mashugana
October 29th, 2008 at 12:59 pmWith John McCain sitting with Larry King tonight, I am dumbfounded that he would employ two ex-Bush officials for a cable news debate in the closing days of the campaign.
Hillary Rosen made a point to call them out, saying something about ‘taking foreign policy advice from Bushies’ – they didn’t even attempt to defend themselves or Bush policy.
Right, no defense.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:59 pmQUESTION: How does McCain differ from Bush?
FLEISCHER: Obama can’t even name our most important allies.
HUH?????
October 29th, 2008 at 1:01 pmI know the difference. One is an old maverick. That is, a swayback old nag who needs to be put out to pasture or sent to the glue factory.
The other is the cowboy who broke him and rode him to victory in the 2004 rodeo.
October 29th, 2008 at 1:01 pmWell, you know, on foreign policy, number one, John McCain will be a powerful supporter of Israel, just as George Bush was.
Nice plug. And an affirmation that McSame will contine with the same subservient policies toward Isreael’s desires (so, if they say, “Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran” McSingalong will do as he is ordered).
October 29th, 2008 at 1:03 pmI can’t say I blame Fleischer for having difficulty with this question, since McCain himself has difficulty with it. Whenever McCain is asked exactly how he differs from Bush, he either evades the question completely, or starts muttering vaguely about positions he had eight years ago, before he flip-flopped on all of them.
Still, you kind of have to admire Fleischer’s guts — he’s still willing to go shill for McCain when so many others are jumping ship.
October 29th, 2008 at 1:04 pmSure, he’s no longer the official apologist for the indefensible, but he hasn’t lost his uh, “talent.”
Ari Fleischer better watch what he says, to borrow a phrase.
October 29th, 2008 at 1:10 pmmisshusseinmolly Says:
Still, you kind of have to admire Fleischer’s guts — he’s still willing to go shill for McCain when so many others are jumping ship
Yeah, it does take a lot of guts, Molly. Shilling comes easy I guess, after swallowing down all those lies and BS over the past eight years for W.
By carrying McSame’s water, maybe Ari is hoping for a job with the Diva as she prepares for a 2012 run.
October 29th, 2008 at 1:12 pmHe can have a morning show with Joe the Plumber.
October 29th, 2008 at 1:30 pmThey’re different because…They’re The Same! Yeah, That’s how they’re different! Republican logic at its very finest. How their heads don’t explode from the cognivive dissonance I’ll Never know!
October 29th, 2008 at 1:39 pmImpeach, while There’s Still Time!
McIIIrd, welded at the hip to BushitCo, and paying for it daily.
October 29th, 2008 at 1:55 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says:
Who wants to bet Fleischer will be working for Faux in 2009?
You mean he isn’t already?
October 29th, 2008 at 1:56 pmIs it just me, or is the repuke campaign starting to sound like a wrestler in the faux WWE ring snarling and growling with fake rage at the staged bad guy??!?
October 29th, 2008 at 1:56 pmAmazing, simply amazing. Their doctrinaire is to regurgitate the “talking points”.
October 29th, 2008 at 2:22 pmAny deviation from the approved line is only met with blank stares, “I’ll get back to you” -nudge wink nudge wink, outright lies, attempts to change the subject, claims that Bill Clinton did it, etc. It makes for grand theater as expressed on radio or teevee, but it’s only transparent garbage.
He voted against Bush’s tax policies? What? When was that?
October 29th, 2008 at 2:32 pmYou’d think he’d have gotten smarter since leaving the press room.
October 29th, 2008 at 3:25 pm