Reply #59: OH LOOK. Here's an interesting thing

[iverglas]

I thought I'd see whether this exchange had made it to youtube. I searched the site for

McCain jerk

and this is what I got, from 3 months ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkeNWqOLTjk

McCain greets a journalist who is off camera and says (as best I can tell), while shaking his hand and smiling:

"Good t'see ya showed up ya li'l jerk, I didn't see ya in Iowa."


Now, here's one that seems to be in reference to someone else:

http://blogs.thestate.com/bradwarthensblog/2007/05/so_thats_where_.html

Thursday, 17 May 2007
So THAT'S where 'that little jerk' was...

When John McCain was peering into the lights looking for "that little jerk" Lindsey Graham, his friend and ally was still on the way back from Washington.

I'm not familiar with the cast of characters myself, but here's some more:

http://jakers.wordpress.com/2007/05/18/was-john-mccain-wearing-flip-flops-or-crocs/

“That little jerk, Lindsey Graham…”–John McCain referring to the Robin to his Batman at the afterparty after the May 16, 2007 debate held in Columbia, South Carolina.

And from even longer ago:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19085-2004May11.html

Wednesday, May 12, 2004; Page C01

John McCain drives like he lives: with conviction, impatience and a willingness to cross dividing lines.

"JOHN, A TRUCK!" an aide yells from the back seat.

"I see it, I see it," says McCain, veering right, just missing the truck.

"Joe, you're a little jerk," McCain tells the aide. He means this lovingly.

But wait, there's more!

http://greenmountainpolitics1.blogspot.com/2007/03/on-bus.html

We know a grand entrance when we see it and so we said, "Actually Senator we're from GreenMountainPolitics1, which is a New Hampshire Primary Blog."

The good Senator, without missing a beat, stuck out his hand and growled in a most good natured way, "Oh yeah, how did you get on here you little jerk?"

And GreenMountainPolitics1, without missing a beat, growled right back, "Diaz let us on!" and shook the Senator's hand.

It's a term of endearment, about which no one who has ever been the butt of it ever seems to have pitched a fit. And there's the proof. Not that I needed any. I thought it was plain from the starting gate, and equally plain that very many of the people all over the internet and media pitching a fit about the incident in question are witless ... as in too dim to get it, or to disingenuous to acknowledge it.

The great wonkette acknowledges the joke, but strives to be in the witless category anyhow:
http://wonkette.com/politics/how-to-make-friends-and-influence-people-dept'/john-mccain-old-and-in-the-way-296233.php

forget the Youtubes and the Myspaces, the best way to alienate teens is right to their adorable, shiny faces!

The Boston Globe is made of, er, sterner stuff:
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2007/09/mccain_addresse.html

McCain addresses age issue with humor

Talk about not respecting your elders. ...

Gee; yeah, eh?