McCain fields question in town hall meeting re: alleged insult toward wife

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080501/NEWS/80501035

McCain fields audience question on whether he called wife an expletive

REGISTER STAFF

A Clive man drew gasps from fellow audience members at today’s presidential candidate forum by using a four-letter word in a question to Sen. John McCain.

A member of the audience, identified as Marty Parrish of Clive, asked McCain during the event at the Polk County Convention Complex about a rumor that McCain had once used a profane word referencing female genitalia to describe his wife.

A book, “The Real McCain” by Cliff Schecter, accuses McCain of using the word in an exchange with his wife, Cindy, in 1992.

Here’s a transcript of today’s remarks:

PARRISH: This question goes to mental health and mental health care. Previously, I’ve been married to a woman that was verbally abusive to me. Is it true that you called your wife a (expletive)?

MCCAIN: Now, now. You don’t want to … Um, you know that’s the great thing about town hall meetings, sir, but we really don’t, there’s people here who don’t respect that kind of language. So I’ll move on to the next questioner in the back.

The audience gasped at the question and applauded at McCain’s handling of it. Parrish was escorted from the event and questioned by Secret Service, but not charged. Parrish had checked in to the event as a member of the press.

Parrish, a 45-year-old Baptist minister and technology business owner, said he attended the event specifically to confront McCain about the rumor.

“This is about character,” Parrish said, when reached by telephone afterward. “And in a moment of intemperance, he called his wife the most despicable name a person can call a woman.

 

Re: McCain fields question in town hall meeting re: C U Next Tuesday

Assuming it's all true... Which it may or may not be...

He called his wife a name 16 years ago... Stop the fucking presses...

 

Re: McCain fields question in town hall meeting re: C U Next Tuesday

Good for that guy.

Deserves to be addressed.

 

Re: McCain fields question in town hall meeting re: C U Next Tuesday

Not A name.

THE name.

In public, for christ fucking sake.

Bitch? OK. Maybe.

Crappy, Unmentionable, Nauseating Taunt, though? No way.

 

Re: McCain fields question in town hall meeting re: C U Next Tuesday

Do you honestly believe Bill Clinton has never called Hillary the same thing?

I hate the word. It is a horrible, horrible word, but this was 16 years ago...

 

Re: McCain fields question in town hall meeting re: C U Next Tuesday

Guy was escorted from the place and questioned by the Secret Service. For asking a question. That's what we've come to? Jesus fucking christ, what a crock of shit.

 

Yet, equally shocking, other candidates (including McCain) are being held accountable for comments made by third-party people several years ago.

 

I have not seen an account where he said that in front of multiple non-family members.

 

The audience gasped at the question? What world are they living in? You hear worse language on TV and in the movies.

And why is the Secret Service questioning him? It's called the First Amendment.

 

I'm sure we've all been to hundreds, if not thousands, of news conferences. I've yet to hear that word in any of them. I'd hope if someone busted it out in one I was at that they'd be questioned on how the fuck they got in. Because, odds are, they snuck in -- like this guy.

 

"No, I meant 'aunt.' It was a typo! A typo!" -- For you Curb enthusiasts.

 

That's why it was a stupid question. That guy could have phrased the question differently. By using that word, he gave McCain an excuse to dodge the question.