Meghan McCain: Cajones, Chutzpah, and Sisu

Sept 15, 2008
Larry King Live Interview with Meghan McCain
CNN News Network

Today Meghan McCain appeared on the Larry King Live show to do something that our presidential nominee could not... be interviewed by old man Larry King. Chutzpah! Cajones! Sisu! That upstaging little.... The story goes that after a tough interview from CNN's Campbell Brown
of McCain spokesperson Tucker Bounds, the McCain camp decided to punish the liberal media by pulling their scheduled interview with, of all people, Larry King. (see the transcript of the Bounds-Campbell interview). I thought this was silly, but no big deal until I checked to see who was on Larry King, and it was someone named McCain, but not John! I would have normally flipped to analysis of Monday Night Football instead of watching some politician's book peddling daughter on Larry King, but NO. McCain had to dodge Mr. King thrusting untold and unwarranted relevance upon this crummy interview. In all honesty, I think that this single moment of sheer pain, even dare I say ... cruel and unusual punishment, at the expense of McCain's transference of all balls to his daughter is enough to make me reconsider my original view on John McCain. This is the man who would not leave the Hanoi Hilton before it was his turn; a man that volunteered to serve his country and nearly gave his life on several occasions in facing an unrelenting, vicious enemy. This is the man that can't face Larry King? The man whose daughter had no problem whatsoever facing Mr. King?

Senator McCain, this is a farce. I expect my president to face down any man, woman, or alien bent on destroying the earth... whomever! Can you not face the left via one of their major outlets, and at least attempt to convince the liberals that you can save our country? In all reality, what did you have to lose by appearing on Larry King senator? The independent vote?

*sigh* I feel better ... now, it's a bit unfair to say that McCain fears Larry King; in fact, the senator from Arizona has appeared on Larry King several times in the past. His latest interview was even as the presumptive nominee only 2 months ago (7/28/08). So, was that interview really tough? Did Mr King bring the tough questions about the economy and the Keating Five? No, he actually asked about a melanoma McCain had removed recently, and followed up with questions in McCain's strong suit of foreign policy. King's questions on Iraq/Afganistan lasted a brief two minutes; after that, King gets into the really really hard questions: "Who's your VP?, Will you tell us before the Olympics?" etc.... which brings us to an interesting exchange:

Larry King: "How close are you? [to selecting a VP]"
John McCain: "well I wanna say that that vice presidential candidate will be on your show, I will not risk the wrath of Larry King I assure you."

This was said with a laugh, but when looking at this from the context of the question, "why not take a Larry King interview?" begs the analysis: either they're friendly and both think King is a relatively soft interview, or we have the real reason Senator McCain dodged the interview. Now, let's not be silly, McCain has been on the show many times, and he obviously doesn't fear Mr. King or the content and voracity of his average interview. The only plausible excuse is that McCain really did want to punish CNN. If this is in fact true, then senator, you are acting like George Bush and I beg that you stop now! The "we're not going to talk to them because they're too mean," thing hasn't worked out very well for us recently. If you're out there somewhere listening to the regular guy senator, hear this loud and clear: "DO THE KING INTERVIEW OR ELSE YOUR DAUGHTER IS MORE FIT TO BE PRESIDENT!"