McCain Gets Facts Wrong Again And Even Mocked The reporter

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For a foreign policy "expert," McCain clearly has a pattern of getting the basic facts wrong. McCain insisted that ultimate political authority in Iran rests with Ahmadinejad -- even mocking Klein when he challenged him on it. In fact, according to the CIA's World Factbook, ultimate political authority in Iran rests with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, not the president.

Here's the exchange:

KLEIN: I've done some research, and um -

MCCAIN: I have too.

KLEIN: Also checked, also checked with the Obama campaign and he never, he's never sai -- mentioned Ahmadinejad directly by name. He did say he would negotiate with the leaders, but as you know - Ayatollah,

MCCAIN: (Laughing) Ahmadinejad is, was the leader.

KLEIN: But if -

MCCAIN: Maybe I'm mistaken.

KLEIN: Maybe you are, because -

MCCAIN: Maybe. I don't think so though.

KLEIN: The Supreme, you know, according to most diplomatic experts, the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is the guy who's in charge of Iranian foreign policy and also in charge of the nuclear program, but you never mention him. Do you, you know, um, why do you always keep talking about Ahmadinejad since he doesn't have power in that, in that realm?

MCCAIN: Oh I thin-Again, I respectfully disagree. When he's the person that comes to the United Nations and declares his country's policy is the extermination of the state of Israel, quote, in his words, wipe them off of the map, then I know that he is speaking for the Iranian government and articulating their policy and he was elected and is running for reelection as the leader of that country. Yes sir, go ahead.

NEW REPORTER: One more quest-

MCCAIN: I mean, the fact is he's the acknowledged leader of that country and you may disagree, but that's a uh, that's your right to do so, but I think if you asked any average American who the leader of Iran is, I think they'd know. Go ahead. Or anyone who's well-versed in the issue.
Let's be clear: Iran has a very complex system of government with varying institutions, but at the top of it sits Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who essentially has only accountable to the Council of Guardians made up of clerics, many of whom are appointed by Khamenei. So, Ahmadinejad is not the leader. And as the Council on Foreign Relations explains, especially in the area of foreign policy, Ahmadinejad has very little influence.

On top of that as Klein points out, the President's job is to educate the public on questions of policy. So if the "average American" thinks that Ahmadinejad is the ultimate leader of Iran, it's up to the President to dissuade them of this notion - not reinforce it. Back in 2002 more then half of Americans thought Saddam was responsible for 9/11 and President Bush did nothing to disprove this assumption (In fact, while never directly claiming that Saddam was responsible for 9/11 the Administration did everything it could to reinforce the notion). That doesn't mean our policy should be based on those false assumptions.

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[BrendanM4458]

He is an extremely arrogant and self-righteous man. He takes any criticism as a personal affront and unleashes his explosive temper at the drop of a hat. McCain is a very dangerous person to put in high office.

[Resendiz]

Give him power and he will use it. McCain has a temper and is a VERY stubborn and arrogant old man

[bevon17]

GOD!

Although obama fuckin up...... I'm happy this guy did not win

[eidius1989]

@juststudent3600

agreed and "asking the average American" does not help anyone not since 1/5 of them cant even locate their own country on the map

[JanetofAvalon]

Ahmadinejad doesn't even have security clearance to look at the nuclear program.

McCain is an embarassment.

[juststudent3600]

He is an idiot. Ahamdinegad had no power in comparison to the leader of the country. the reporter is RIGHT!

[xxx1suzuki1xxx]

go fuck your self obs504

[rba718]

You hit the nail on the head.

Isn't it sad that our politicians running for office have no knowledge of these things? Or maybe they do, but they'd rather sacrifice educating the public for some messily votes.

[kai0shin]

yessirrr

[FuckYouLetMeLogIn]

McCain: "...I think if you asked any average American who the leader of Iran is, I think they'd know."

Wow. What a dumbfuck this guy is.

If you ask a random sample of any group of americans, very few of them will have any clue about any nation other than the USA, much less know the name of the leader of Iran.

And, just for the record; The reporter was right: Supreme power in Iran rests with the clerics, not with their puppet politicians. It's not a secular state, it's a theocracy.

[bren9323]

You are so full of shit. I pity you.

[obs504]

Anyone voting obama should take a real hard look in the mirror and see how they are destroying America, once you cast that vote for obama your voting for the destruction of everything that makes this country great. you were sold a bill of goods by a conman, obama represents the first Anti-American to ever run for office. Once you vote for him it is the same as throwing away your citizenship.

Please vote to save America from OBAMA!! Please Save American Freedom

McCain 08