I've never started a political thread before, but WOW

[punkin]

Now some wise guy is going to post a stone tablet.

but that doesn't have a delete feature.

 

[Michelle67]

Moses found a way.

 

[LaraK]

I try to research things, so I keep looking at more stories about this issue. I found a pretty good article on his computer literacy....looks like his wife is his adaptive equipment...

In an interview in January with Politico and Yahoo News, McCain punted on whether he prefers a Mac or a PC.

“Neither,” he replied. “I am an illiterate that has to rely on my wife for all of the assistance that I can get.”

But as he heads into a general election showdown with the hip and youthful Obama, McCain now says he’s trying to learn:

Q: What websites if any do you look at regularly?

Mr. McCain: Brooke [Buchanan, his traveling press secretary] and Mark [Salter, his top adviser] show me Drudge, obviously; everybody watches, for better or for worse, Drudge. Sometimes I look at Politico. Sometimes RealPolitics, sometimes.

(Mrs. McCain and Buchanan both interject [regarding his daughter]: “Meghan’s blog!”)

Mr. McCain: Excuse me, Meghan’s blog. And we also look at the blogs from Michael and from you that may not be in the newspaper, that are just part of your blog.

Q: But do you go on line for yourself?

Mr. McCain: They go on for me. I am learning to get online myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself. I don’t expect to be a great communicator, I don’t expect to set up my own blog, but I am becoming computer literate to the point where I can get the information that I need — including going to my daughter’s blog first, before anything else.

Q: Do you use a Blackberry or e-mail?

Mr. McCain: No.

Mark Salter: He uses a BlackBerry, just ours.

Mr. McCain: I use the Blackberry, but I don’t e-mail, I’ve never felt the particular need to e-mail. I read e-mails all the time, but the communications that I have with my friends and staff are oral and done with my cell phone. I have the luxury of being in contact with them literally all the time.

Source....
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11711.html

So it could be valid that Obama was going after the disconnect, however, it still bothered me a lot and I doubt most of America will do the kind of research I'm willing to do...my assessment currently...dumb move, like the lipstick comment, but not as evil as it first appeared.

 

[smartestnumber5]

I assume the commercial was might have been inspired by McCain saying things like this in interviews:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/us/politics/13mccain.html?pagewanted=all

He said, ruefully, that he had not mastered how to use the Internet and relied on his wife and aides like Mark Salter, a senior adviser, and Brooke Buchanan, his press secretary, to get him online to read newspapers (though he prefers reading those the old-fashioned way) and political Web sites and blogs.

“They go on for me,” he said. “I am learning to get online myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself. I don’t expect to be a great communicator, I don’t expect to set up my own blog, but I am becoming computer literate to the point where I can get the information that I need.”

Asked which blogs he read, he said: “Brooke and Mark show me Drudge, obviously. Everybody watches, for better or for worse, Drudge. Sometimes I look at Politico. Sometimes RealPolitics.”

At that point, Mrs. McCain, who had been intensely engaged with her BlackBerry, looked up and chastised her husband. “Meghan’s blog!” she said, reminding him of their daughter’s blog on his campaign Web site. “Meghan’s blog,” he said sheepishly.

As he answered questions, sipping a cup of coffee with his tie tight around his neck, his aides stared down at their BlackBerries.

As they tapped, Mr. McCain said he did not use a BlackBerry, though he regularly reads messages on those of his aides. “I don’t e-mail, I’ve never felt the particular need to e-mail,” Mr. McCain said.

I don't see any indication that when McCain referred to his lack of knowledge about computers and his lack of emailing skills he was referring to any physical inability to use a keyboard/mouse.


At first I thought the ad was a strange idea. But now that I've seen it I actually think it could be effective--especially if they included some of what McCain said in this interview about needing other people to get him online. It actually reminds me of my grandfather. For the last few years before he died he got very into using the computer. But it took him a very loooong time to learn at his age. For the first year or two after my dad set him up with an internet connection he would still need our help a lot because he would forget how to get to the nytimes online. (And sometimes he'd open a porn link and it would just start a cascade of pop ups he couldn't stop. )

Anyway, I assume this was exactly the connection the ad was intended to bring up for viewers. Think of McCain like you think of your dear old 80 year old grandpa who's just a little bit senile.

 

[TCPluto]

No he didn't. Where's the mocking there? If he can move his hand or arm at all, which we know he can, he can use email.

Shouldn't you tell him to just ignore the intense pain that these fine motor skills cause too???

 

[akhenaten]

How exactly are we supposed to construe it BHO's ad?

you know what..I have not seen the ad yet...
however my objection is acting like it was aimed at the physical disabilty...
It may be intending to make Mccain seem out of touch...but to use the pow/injury at the "intent" of the ad would be to misconstrue it...IMO

others have posted her on the validity of computer knowledge or ownership as a necessity for being a President...those may be valid points.... to be discussed....

 

[Michelle67]

Anyway, I assume this was exactly the connection the ad was intended to bring up for viewers. Think of McCain like you think of your dear old 80 year old grandpa who's just a little bit senile.

See, but I don't. I think of my mother who is McCain's age and not the LEAST senile, but who just isn't particularly interested in learning to use a computer. If she wants to talk to someone, she knows how to pick up a phone, just as McCain said. And she really isn't interested in hooking up with some guy on Facebook or playing WoW online.

*edited to add; that last sentence is a joke, just in case anybody didn't get that.

 

[Geoff_M]

There's a difference of not being able to use a computer (physically) an d not knowing how to use a computer.

There are many hardware and software adaptations for handicapped individuals. Technology is an integral part of our society - social networks connect us, help us form communities, and create opportunities that wouldn't otherwise exist (for better or for worse).

If McCain physically cannot use a computer but does through adaptive technology, then good.

If McCain literally cannot use a computer and has no technical skills or experience, then that is sad and he is missing a part of what shapes and influences our society. He may be able to have a theoretical understanding of it, but that isn't the same as experience. And in order to connect to today's users (notice, I'm saying users - not age specific here), he needs those skills and understandings gained through those experiences.

The world is a small place today, with relationships being built across borders. My DD has friends in Germany and Japan, DS has a college roommate from Cameroon who he was able to connect with via Facebook before meeting on campus. The nature of how we can build and maintain relationships have changed and I wonder if he really gets that.

While it's true that McCain may have been able to use modified computer systems, I think it's not asking to much to cut him a little slack on not taking the extra time to do so given his physical challenges. It's also possible to understand the implications of technology and its application in our lives without being a personal expert. I have no doubt that computer technology has been used in McCain's efforts and that he's aware of its impact... be it his web site, e-mail, rapid YouTube ads, press releases sent from the Blackberries of senior aides, or the like. I'm guess that McCain doesn't personally rely on snail-mail for correspondence... and knows it.

Obama is clearly looking for another bogus "he's a technical idiot" attack like the bogus one used successfully against Bush 41 and his supposed amazement over a simple barcode scanner.

 

[mickey2000]

Everyone in our home uses a computer !

 

[amyhughes]

I think Obama is just sour b/c McCain's running mate is getting more press time than his and she was introduced the old fashioned way. Whereas Joe Biden was released via text!


*seriously, I'm kidding and I am not intending to "slander" the Democratic Nominee. This post is in jest.

 

[amyhughes]

Everyone in our home uses a computer !

that is one cute dog. I especially like the Burberry collar.

We have a cocker as well, she is a black merle coat though.

 

[akhenaten]

Everyone in our home uses a computer !

what a cutie!!!!

 

[Geoff_M]

Update, here's an NYT interview that Obama may have missed from July... I looks like McCain isn't quite as computer clueless as they think and has been doing some learning:

Q: What websites if any do you look at regularly?

Mr. McCain: Brooke and Mark show me Drudge, obviously, everybody watches, for better or for worse, Drudge. Sometimes I look at Politico. Sometimes RealPolitics, sometimes.

(Mrs. McCain and Ms. Buchanan both interject: “Meagan’s blog!”)

Mr. McCain: Excuse me, Meagan’s blog. And we also look at the blogs from Michael and from you that may not be in the newspaper, that are just part of your blog.

Q: But do you go on line for yourself?

Mr. McCain: They go on for me. I am learning to get online myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself. I don’t expect to be a great communicator, I don’t expect to set up my own blog, but I am becoming computer literate to the point where I can get the information that I need – including going to my daughter’s blog first, before anything else.

Q: Do you use a blackberry or email?

Mr. McCain: No

Mark Salter: He uses a BlackBerry, just ours.
Link

McCain was also credited by Forbes for effectively leveraging the Internet in 2000:

This Internet-driven decentralization meant that the McCain campaign could organize down to a virtually block-by-block level for little cost. It allowed a thin organization to compete against the heavily financed and well-organized Bush machine, and it gave McCain campaign dollars an estimated 4-to-1 advantage over Bush greenbacks.

McCain himself was convinced early on that the Internet had to play a critical role in the campaign. Time and again it allowed him to leverage his money and his organization. "In the Virginia primary," McCain told me, "we needed a lot of petitions signed to get on the ballot. We had the form available to download off the Internet and got 17,000 signatures with very little trouble."

Ultimately, McCain realized he couldn't go the distance, but the message was clear to any political organization with hopes for the future. His Web team had played the Internet like a Stradivari. . . .

In certain ways, McCain was a natural Web candidate. Chairman of the Senate Telecommunications Subcommittee and regarded as the U.S. Senate's savviest technologist, McCain is an inveterate devotee of email. His nightly ritual is to read his email together with his wife, Cindy. The injuries he incurred as a Vietnam POW make it painful for McCain to type. Instead, he dictates responses that his wife types on a laptop. "She's a whiz on the keyboard, and I'm so laborious," McCain admits. Link

 

[PrincessPAC]

Man, I wish the election was over.

Seriously. I hate election season. It brings out the absolute worst in people. I had a close family member in politics (local), but even today, I still can't believe some of the cheap shots that his opponents' supporters still dish out!

I think both sides are guilty. Some attacks are worse than others, while each person may interpret the attacks differently. I just happen to be surprised, as the OP, that Obama would take such a cheap shot (and that's what I interpret it to be ).

It just scares me that I've been in middle school classrooms comprised of more maturity than is exhibited in some of these adds.

Lara, you're fine. Anyone belittling anyone else for physical difficulties is a cheap shot, no matter what job you have, or want.
And if the whole ad is about whether he can type his emails or not, what is the point. Many people hire people to do that for them.

BTW - My dad does type some of his e-mails, but he often has his secretary type/send them for him. He has bigger business to take care of.

 

[duckfan78]

I hardly think that I was belittling his service, rather I'm kind of shocked that someone would take this kind of shot. Quite frankly, I'd be surprised at someone his age being particularly computer savvy...just not indicitive of his generation. But if you already have the technology against you and you can't type (and if you can't comb your hair...think of how long it would take you to peck out this post)...why would you think that he'd send e-mails? It just seemed like a really cheap shot to me.

I agree with you. Why would you even bring up writing email and using a computer anyway? Obama mentioned he wants to get back to the issues of every day Americans, but instead he talks about McCain's email and computere ablities? It seems as the days roll on, the more Obama makes mistakes.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I agree with you. Why would you even bring up writing email and using a computer anyway? Obama mentioned he wants to get back to the issues of every day Americans, but instead he talks about McCain's email and computere ablities? It seems as the days roll on, the more Obama makes mistakes.

Yeah, Obama is the one who is out of touch if he thinks this is an important issue to the voters.

 

[breezy1077]

Yeah, Obama is the one who is out of touch if he thinks this is an important issue to the voters.

He's grasping.

 

[Geoff_M]

Yeah, Obama is the one who is out of touch if he thinks this is an important issue to the voters.

Hey, remember that he cites his leadership in running his campaign as one of his major qualifications for being President!

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

I can not begin to express how disgusted I am with some peoples idea that his disability is an excuse. If email is something you find sooo important in a president, perhaps we should put a 12 yo in charge. God forbid someone make a comment about a disabled kid on here....everyone goes nuts. But I guess you find McCain fair game. Yes....this is the newer, kinder DIS. I don't think so.

 

[DISUNC]

Did Obama really mock McCain not being able to send e-mail when McCain can't use a keyboard due to the injuries he received while a POW?

Yessssssssssssssssssss HE DID! Not too Elitist is it?

No, Obama stated that McCain is out of touch in new ad -The ad states that McCain is not computer literate and can't use email.

NEWSFLASH! Just because one does use a PC or Email, does not make themselves any better or smarter than the average Bear.

I spent 30 years as a IT expert (my words ), by Obamas own account ...I SHOULD BE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT!!!!

Yes... Obama can e-mail, but it appears he can't Google!!!

I guess I missed the part in poli-sci that said "Our President must be able to type 60 WPM, and also take shorthand. Microsoft Windows experience a plus."

From what I know abouts Obamas experience, thats all He believes one needs to know.

Presidents way back in the day didn't have e-mail. Gee, I wonder how they ran the country without a computer.

Or telephones, or faxes....Heck I Know very Successful CEO's who cant use this stuff.

I'm in my 40's and I know people my age that have no clue how to use a computer.

So I guess Obama just lost all votes from people who dont use PC's! He certainly lost the Senior Citizen vote. But hey who needs them, he got the College kids voting for him.

Sorry, there's no nuance is mocking the disabled. It's plainly evident for all to see. I can't imagine the ads Obama would have run against an FDR. "Stand up, Frank! Stand up! Oooh, my. Not ready to lead!"

Biden already did that 2 days ago! WHOOPS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRV5Y1JCGRI