McCain vague on HIV

[OrlandoMike]

This is something from the CB, a political thread, and I try not to bring up politics over here, but this one just makes you go !

It's John McCain on wether contraceptives stop the spread of HIV!


Q: “So no contraception, no counseling on contraception. Just abstinence. Do you think contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV?”

Mr. McCain: (Long pause) “You’ve stumped me.”


http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03/16/mccain-stumbles-on-hiv-prevention/

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

It's kind of an odd question, actually.
For the methods of birth control us girls use, they are ALL clearly marked that they do NOT protect from HIV infection. So from the standpoint of "Do contraceptives prevent the spread of HIV?" the answer is NO.
Condoms do provide some measure of protection, but it isn't a guarantee.
Since abstinence is working so WELL I'm not thinking that's an effective platform.

Education, education, education. Informing people isn't going to make them any more likely to engage in risky behaviors than they were before. It will either make them LESS likely, they will still engage in the behavior but might be more careful, or they will do what they were going to do in the first place. I don't think having correct info makes anybody MORE likely to go be unsafe.

The thing is, McCain is just as stupid as Bush. I certainly don't expect him to make things better than they are now. How can he be a proper Republican if he advocates teaching young people about HIV modes of transmission?

Edit:
Wow. I just read the link. So it started off NOT as a domestic issue, but as a question about the U.S. funding condom distribution in Africa. OK, I can see needing some time to think on that one. But then he couldn't come up with his own answer about a domestic policy? Yikes!

 

[npmommie]

He doesn't even recall his own position?? eeek!!
I agree education is the key.
I did a short stint as NP in a college health center, and I was shocked at the misinformation these kids have regarding spread of stds, and pregnancy for instance.
it was eye opening.

 

[rpmdfw]

After they continued to hit him with follow up questions he laughs and asks "Are we on the Straight Talk Express?"

WHAT!?!?!?!?

Is he implying that HIV isn't a "straight" issue?

GRRRR!

 

[npmommie]

“Are we on the Straight Talk express? I’m not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I’m sure I’ve taken a position on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was. Brian, would you find out what my position is on contraception – I’m sure I’m opposed to government spending on it, I’m sure I support the president’s policies on it.”

I just can't get over this. LOL....doesn't even know his own position.
I didn't even pick up on the straight reference.
If thats what he meant he is ill informed.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I took the "Straight Talk Express" reference to mean that you get straight answers - not hedging. Obviously he isn't giving very straight (meaning direct) answers if he has to have somebody go look up his position on the issues!

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

I took the "Straight Talk Express" reference to mean that you get straight answers - not hedging. Obviously he isn't giving very straight (meaning direct) answers if he has to have somebody go look up his position on the issues!

For what it's worth, it very likely was a weak attempt at at a joke -- the man can be very funny (not so much in this case ) and doesn't always do a particularly good job at self-censoring. In the past he's been quietly supportive of gay issues but in my opinion, sold a fair-sized chunk of his soul to the wing-nuts back in 2006 when he came out in support of the AZ state anti-gay marriage prop. Sad really.