McCain on HIV prevention: "I haven't thought about it ... I think I support the President's policy ... I have to find out what my position was"

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SOMEWHERE in NORTHERN IOWA — The unthinkable has happened. Senator John McCain met a question, while sitting with reporters on his bus as it rumbled through Iowa today, that he couldn’t – or perhaps wouldn’t – answer.

...

A transcript of the encounter follows. (Weaver is John Weaver, his senior adviser, and Brian is Mr. Jones, his press secretary):

Reporter: “Should U.S. taxpayer money go to places like Africa to fund contraception to prevent AIDS?”

Mr. McCain: "Well I think it’s a combination. The guy I really respect on this is Dr. Coburn. He believes – and I was just reading the thing he wrote– that you should do what you can to encourage abstinence where there is going to be sexual activity. Where that doesn’t succeed, than he thinks that we should employ contraceptives as well. But I agree with him that the first priority is on abstinence. I look to people like Dr. Coburn. I’m not very wise on it ... I haven’t thought about it. Before I give you an answer, let me think about. Let me think about it a little bit because I never got a question about it before. I don’t know if I would use taxpayers’ money for it."

Q: "What about grants for sex education in the United States? Should they include instructions about using contraceptives? Or should it be Bush’s policy, which is just abstinence?"

Mr. McCain: (Long pause) “Ahhh. I think I support the president’s policy.”

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."

Q: "I mean, I think you’d probably agree it probably does help stop it?"

Mr. McCain: (Laughs) "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."

Q: "But you would agree that condoms do stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Would you say: ‘No, we’re not going to distribute them,’ knowing that?"

Mr. McCain: (Twelve-second pause) "Get me Coburn’s thing, ask Weaver to get me Coburn’s paper that he just gave me in the last couple of days. I’ve never gotten into these issues before."

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03...hiv-prevention/

[Peikko 1,575]

I see, so he only knows what his position on a given subject is if he refers to his notes? How extraodinary.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

His memory doesn't seem to serve him all that well anymore.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

So he supports faith-based initiatives and abstinence-only programmes.

Better do some reading before he throws his lot in with the President.

[SnowyTater 0]

I'm gonna be so mad if we go through all of this K1 process and hunny-bunny gets over here in like October and we just have to turn around and LEAVE for Canada or something in January when this schmuck gets voted in

It's like the lolcats. DO NOT WANT another crazy out of it unintelligible old dude

[HAL 9000 96]

I'm gonna be so mad if we go through all of this K1 process and hunny-bunny gets over here in like October and we just have to turn around and LEAVE for Canada or something in January when this schmuck gets voted in

It's like the lolcats. DO NOT WANT another crazy out of it unintelligible old dude

Don't be so negative if the guy actually wins. Voters here deserve the elected officials we elect, unfortunately at times.

At least the current crazy alienated enough scientists by being openly anti scientific in everything from ethics through funding competitive progress. And that is stated calmly as the scientific community previous to this crazy was primarily oblivious to party politics.

I'm gonna be so mad if we go through all of this K1 process and hunny-bunny gets over here in like October and we just have to turn around and LEAVE for Canada or something in January when this schmuck gets voted in

It's like the lolcats. DO NOT WANT another crazy out of it unintelligible old dude

Don't be so negative if the guy actually wins. Voters here deserve the elected officials we elect, unfortunately at times.

At least the current crazy alienated enough scientists by being openly anti scientific in everything from ethics through funding competitive progress. And that is stated calmly as the scientific community previous to this crazy was primarily oblivious to party politics.

[nana_356 0]

McCain doesnt seem to know anything! He admits that he doesnt know anything about the economy, and now he says he doesnt know anything about aids policy! Oh my

The only reason he gets any respect is because he was a POW. I would rather anyone be president but him. They just want a war hero to lead us into the next 100 years of war.

Oh and by the way, everyone that says hes old, thats not true, he's more like an antique! I dont even trust my 60 YO fathers driving. And surely not a seventy something year old running the country!

[Sister Fracas 5]

The only reason he gets any respect is because he was a POW. I would rather anyone be president but him. They just want a war hero to lead us into the next 100 years of war.

ding! ding! ding! ding! we have a winner here!

[SteveLaura 0]

[SusieK 3]

lol on article - gotta luv politics - get me this get me that - hell if a nuke was coming - whats he going to do - ask for what his decision was on that issue also? Sad state of affairs we are in now.