Matt Welch Talking About John McCain on CNN

Earlier this week, reason magazine Editor-in-Chief Matt Welch talked with CNN about presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), his role in the Keating Five scandal, and the muddy roots of campaign-finance reform legislation.

Watch Welch by clicking on the image and then buy his book, McCain: The Myth of a Maverick.

Comments

Chocolo | April 18, 2008, 5:37pm | #

He's still better than Obama though

Chancellor | April 18, 2008, 5:42pm | #

Matt's face says no but his eyes say yes.

Jamie Kelly | April 18, 2008, 5:43pm | #

Matt looks like he's about to give fellatio against his will.

BTS | April 18, 2008, 5:53pm | #

I believe that was the chancellor's insinuation, Jaimie.

Peter | April 18, 2008, 5:55pm | #

I know this may seem irrelevant, but being as how Matt seems to be set against the exposed brick walls of the quixotically located Los Angeles Reason headquarters, how come there are NO Reason Happy hour events in the LA area???

As a libertarian in LA (a rather lonely state to be in, as it were) it would be nice to have one here. While we may not be rife with political wonk types, I'm sure all the radical-capitalist entertainment industry folks otherwise shunned in Hollywood polite society would flock. I mean there must be some on these message boards, right??? Anyone ... Anyone ...

J sub D | April 18, 2008, 6:10pm | #

I just queried my local library about this book and the DPL website informs me

In Delivery from Technical Processing--NOT YET AVAILABLE

Mr. Welch, the good news is I'll be reading your book prior to the casting my ballot in November. The bad news is I won't be purchasing it.

Mustache American | April 18, 2008, 6:16pm | #

I think he's about to "Smoke out McCain with Gusto" if you know what I mean!

Regis Carnifex | April 18, 2008, 6:17pm | #

Peter-

Absolutely! I've been wishing Reason would have an event in LA for a while now.

joe | April 18, 2008, 6:18pm | #

This is so cool. I remember when Reason linked to Welch's Times column that grew into this book.

Travis | April 18, 2008, 6:27pm | #

Matt Welch,

Have you ever considered that by questioning John McCain's honor in your book that you might be responsible for creating another McCain crusade like campaign finance reform.

shrike | April 18, 2008, 6:32pm | #

"He's still better than Obama though" - chocolo



Not in terms of taxes, the war(s), and the Constitution. Other than those - you may be correct.

Remember, Bush popped us with a $5 trillion tax increase.

The slope-headed rednecks who waffle at a little charge of "bitterness" may call Obama an "uppity" Negro - but other than that I can find no constructive criticism against him.

joshua corning | April 18, 2008, 6:35pm | #

As a libertarian in LA (a rather lonely state to be in, as it were) it would be nice to have one here. While we may not be rife with political wonk types, I'm sure all the radical-capitalist entertainment industry folks otherwise shunned in Hollywood polite society would flock. I mean there must be some on these message boards, right??? Anyone ... Anyone ...

Screw all you elite cosmos...Reason should move its headquarters to america's heartland...SPOKANE WASHINGTON

johncjackson 3rd | April 18, 2008, 6:36pm | #

I am slope-headed and I agree with Obama.

Fin Fang Foom | April 18, 2008, 6:40pm | #

Uh, Peter. Matt Welch relocated to the DC area at the beginning of the year. That's the Orange Line Mafia HQ in DC.

Bill Lumberg | April 18, 2008, 7:10pm | #

Screw all you elite cosmos...Reason should move its headquarters to america's heartland...SPOKANE WASHINGTON

Umm, yeah. We need to make room for some real states in here so if I could just get you to move a little further back that'd be great. Yeah.

Peter | April 18, 2008, 7:46pm | #

In a neighborhood I jokingly call "Little Ethiopia Adjacent", where the front lawns either display Hillary or Obama signs, I had a Christmas party and several guests seemed horrified at my vintage Goldwater campaign poster in the kitchen.

If only THAT Arizona "Maverick" was ...

Your Good Buddy Johnny Clarke | April 18, 2008, 7:56pm | #

It's alright, it's alright, it's alriiiight...Spokaaaaane!!!

Sorry, just had to do that. You wouldn't understand.

jkp | April 18, 2008, 9:46pm | #

Shrike:

I'm sorry -- I thought that the Second Amendment was actually part of the Constitution. Thanks for the heads-up that it isn't.

As for war...well, politicians can say whatever they want prior to election day. But it's been my observation throughout history that those people most in search of peace often find themselves fighting the most, and on disadvantageous terms. Take that as you will.

Peace out.

The Wine Commonsewer | April 18, 2008, 11:38pm | #

slope-headed rednecks

Boy, there's a mixed metaphor of racially charged and/or bigoted epithets.........

The Wine Commonsewer | April 18, 2008, 11:42pm | #

but other than that I can find no constructive criticism against him.

I take it you haven't looked at his actual platform? It's on the website.

His plan to further socialize medicine could be called St Hillary Lite, differing only in scope and alleged cost. That's for starters. I believe jkp already covered the second amendment.

Baraknakov ain't uppity, he's just a left-of-center democrat and all that being one of them implies.

The Wine Commonsewer | April 18, 2008, 11:44pm | #

Excuse me, that would be a BIG D DEMOCRAT.

mk | April 19, 2008, 12:32am | #

Mr Welch,

McCain said that he was "satisfied" that his behavior was ok. Didn't you hear him?

If only Matt had heard McCain say that before he wasted all that time writing that book. Oh well.

bilgewater | April 19, 2008, 2:25am | #

Dern yer dern skin, Joshua, you live in Spokane? I was thinking of moving there. Now I've got to go back to the drawing board. Damn, damn, damn!

Matt Welch | April 19, 2008, 9:49am | #

Have you ever considered that by questioning John McCain's honor in your book that you might be responsible for creating another McCain crusade like campaign finance reform.

That's funny!

Exham | April 19, 2008, 5:59pm | #

Is it me or does Matt bear quite a resemblance to the PC from the Mac vs PC commercials?

The Wine Commonsewer | April 20, 2008, 1:28am | #

Is it me or does Matt bear quite a resemblance to the PC from the Mac vs PC commercials?

Matt Welch and this guy are never seen in the same room together.

joe | April 21, 2008, 9:36am | #

Review of Welch's book on the front page of Daily Kos right now.

R C Dean | April 21, 2008, 10:28am | #

Jacket and tie - good!

Knot on tie - hmm.