<p>The Keating Five allegation against McCain is BS.</p>
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<p>[FOXNews.com</a> - Bob Bennett Reacts to New York Times Story on John McCain - Sean Hannity | Alan Colmes | Hannity & Colmes](<a href=“http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,331651,00.html]FOXNews.com”>The New York Times | Fox News)</p>
<p>No, it was never BS. He was certainly a participant in those meetings with Keating, a questionable character and a close friend/major donor to McCain’s campaign. McCain knew it was wrong, was very uncomfortable with the influence-peddling aspect of it, and by his own admission called it an “asterisk” on his career.</p>
<p>Quote from The Arizona Republic, 2007:</p>
<p>On Oct. 8, 1989, The Arizona Republic revealed that McCain’s wife and her father had invested $359,100 in a Keating shopping center in April 1986, a year before McCain met with the regulators. </p>
<p>The paper also reported that the McCains, sometimes accompanied by their daughter and baby-sitter, had made at least nine trips at Keating’s expense, sometimes aboard the American Continental jet. Three of the trips were made during vacations to Keating’s opulent Bahamas retreat at Cat Cay. </p>
<p>McCain also did not pay Keating for some of the trips until years after they were taken, after he learned that Keating was in trouble over Lincoln. Total cost: $13,433. </p>
<p>When the story broke, McCain did nothing to help himself. </p>
<p>“You’re a liar,” McCain said when a Republic reporter asked him about the business relationship between his wife and Keating. </p>
<p>“That’s the spouse’s involvement, you idiot,” McCain said later in the same conversation. “You do understand English, don’t you?” </p>
<p>He also belittled reporters when they asked about his wife’s ties to Keating. </p>
<p>“It’s up to you to find that out, kids.” </p>
<p>The paper ran the story. </p>
<p>In his 2002 book, McCain confesses to “ridiculously immature behavior” during that particular interview and adds that The Republic reporters’ “persistence in questioning me about the matter provoked me to rage.”</p>
<p>“I don’t know how (The Republic journalists) would have reported the story had I been more civil and understanding or just more of a professional during the interview,” McCain wrote.</p>
<p>bz - I don’g know where you lived, but Clinton was very much liked abroad, and still is.</p>
<p>Oh yes - Obama has visited Iraq - once - back in 2006 I believe it was.</p>
<p>c45 - We lived in Southern Europe - during the operations in Bosnia. Clinton was not popular and not respected. And speaking from first-hand experience, the troop morale under Clinton was at an all-time low.</p>
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<p>So were you lying, confused, or misinformed?</p>
<p>BTH - none of the above: just old & absent-minded!</p>
<p>It would serve Obama well to make another trip lest others forget as I did. And a lot has changed since 2006.</p>
<p>BTW - while I will admit to getting confused or being misinformed occasionally, I NEVER lie.</p>
<p>At this point, Obama probably should plan another trip to Iraq. Goodness knows, there are plenty of eligible voters on our bases over there, and certainly they are worthy of a campaign stop.</p>
<p>To call international opinion of the country irrelevant to electing a president is foolish. Thats the exact mindset that causes the world to hold America in such poor standing today.</p>
<p>And people who want to see someone who represents American ideals with his background are not racist. That’s you choosing to single him out based on race instead of his whole background because that is what you’re used to doing. You’re probably going to respond by whining about your perceived double standard and victimhood, so I’ll head you off at the bridge so you don’t even have to say it. </p>
<p>Like it or not, this election is about Barack Obama, and the world knows that. Hardly anyone is voting FOR Mccain; They are either voting for Obama or against them.</p>
<p>More international poll results:</p>
<p>[World</a> poll: Obama more likely to ‘do the right thing’ - USATODAY.com](<a href=“http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-06-12-poll_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip]World”>http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-06-12-poll_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip)</p>
<p>Excerpt:</p>
<p>"Obama is heavily favored. In 21 of 23 countries, more people have faith in the Illinois senator than in McCain to “do the right thing” in foreign affairs. The two contenders were essentially tied in the United States and Jordan. </p>
<p>In most countries, Obama is also more trusted than President Bush. The contrast was particular steep in Europe, where Bush has been making his farewell presidential tour this week. In France, where he visits Friday, 13% say they have “a lot” or some confidence in Bush to do the right thing. Six times as many, 84%, say that of Obama."</p>
<p>Thanks, coureur. That’s a good article. I’ve forwarded it to everyone I know. Almost.</p>
<p>John McCain is making an uninvited (politically) visit to Canada next week and even our Conservative government is not pleased about it. Obama is heavily favored here by the general population, even in staunchly conservative Alberta. </p>
<p>By the way, Bill Clinton is, and always has been, very popular with Canadians.</p>