July 19, 2008
Posted: 10:22 AM ET
McCain pretends to have a “senior moment.
McCain pretends to have a “senior moment.

NEW YORK (AP) – Republican John McCain has had another turn on the late-night TV comedy circuit, as a guest on NBC'S "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" last night.

Host O'Brien acknowledged that jokes about the 71-year-old McCain's age are themselves getting old. And as McCain pretended to nod off, O'Brien asked for some new material. Instead of "seniority," O'Brien wondered if maybe McCain has a kooky uncle or bad breath or webbed toes. To which McCain replied, "All of the above."

McCain also noted that at one point in his career he was able to "intercept a surface-to-air missile" with his plane. But O'Brien pointed out, "People don't really laugh at that."

Filed under: AP • John McCain


Rebecca From Toledo, Ohio   July 19th, 2008 11:59 am ET

I have to admit that McCain does have a sense of humor, unlike
the cocky OBAMA.

Brad - California   July 19th, 2008 12:05 pm ET

Intercepting a SAM with his plane. Quite humurous indeed. But a very expensive interception for the American people. If he can joke about his own stupidity, maybe he does have a tiny sense of humor, but he sure doesn't belong in the White House.

The White House should be temporary housing for TRUE Americans who place the needs of Americans above far internal corporate greed and even further above the expectations and demands of other nations.

Susan   July 19th, 2008 12:07 pm ET

He probably really was taking a cat nap. His lame attempts at humor or maore than dull, they are disgusting. McBush has no funny bone, only evil is in his heart!

Greg   July 19th, 2008 12:21 pm ET

Yeah, just like the media says, he never talks about being a POW.

THE O   July 19th, 2008 12:38 pm ET

I don't want a Court Jester I want a Commander In Cheif. I live in europe and I work for the US Military here in Germany. All of Europe think that we are a Joke, they do not have any faith in the US anymore
They can not belive that we elected the fool we have righ now not once but twice. Iam tired of America being a Joke, We need a serious President we need Obama….

BARACK THE VOTE!!!!!!!!

BARACK / SEBELIUS 08

Dan from Kitchener   July 19th, 2008 12:39 pm ET

Unfortunately John seems to think the people are looking for an amateur comedian in the White House. Doesn't he realize the resident clown there has not really endowed himself to the public?

Clowns have their place and can be quite enjoyable when performing in a circus but the White House doesn't need a three-peat performance for the next 4 years.

Tony, Miami   July 19th, 2008 12:56 pm ET

Oh boy he is so boring

Isidore Tamo   July 19th, 2008 1:07 pm ET

I think retirement is not a pusnishment but rather a well deserved rest. Mccain has served this country faithfully and it is time for us to acknowledge his sacrifices and comittments by giving his retirement certificate, which is overdue. The truth is that, I don't see how retirees (65…..70) will be comfortable being taking care of by an old 72 years man.

carrie hussein obama   July 19th, 2008 1:09 pm ET

yawn!

whiner   July 19th, 2008 1:10 pm ET

why didnt you ask about his forked tongue,conan?his bad breath must have kept you from wanting to see it.

Will, NJ   July 19th, 2008 1:12 pm ET

It'd be funnier if it weren't true.

NPA   July 19th, 2008 1:12 pm ET

"Stepped down" but still pulling the strings from behind the scene.

sarah   July 19th, 2008 1:13 pm ET

mccain is so cool he can laugh at himself and does not get offended by jokes at his expense. obama on the other hand starts yelping "it's because im black" if a comedian even dares to mention his name. too bad cause those giant dumbo ears are about the only interesting thing about this crybaby.

Tom Happ   July 19th, 2008 1:13 pm ET

I don't like McCain's policies but I'll give him credit for his sense of humor.

what are you thinking?   July 19th, 2008 1:18 pm ET

looks like he is looking for his integrity…"i know i dropped it somewhere around here."

Jeff in Dallas, TX   July 19th, 2008 1:20 pm ET

Here's what I don't understand. McCain himself makes fun of the stereotypes of elders, and jokes about his time as a POW all the time. And yet, if real concerns about his age are brought up, the people making them are accused of ageism, and if people dare question whether or not being held in the Hanoi Hilton qualifies him to be President or Commander-in-Chief, they're accused of impugning upon McCain's honorable service.

It's OK If You're A Repubican, I suppose.

William, from Cali!   July 19th, 2008 1:27 pm ET

Maybe he really has a bright future, in late night "sit-down comedy"…………………….

Coming soon = CHANGE   July 19th, 2008 1:27 pm ET

Give me a break Mcbush… That was a real sleep, not a joke… it´s weekend already, old man needs to rest every weekend. or is there need to go and rest in Chezslovakia Mcsleep…

Enough already!   July 19th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

Wow, and I was afraid there was nothing to report on.

Seyi   July 19th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

McCain: ‘I Received The Highest Award From Literally Every Veterans Organization In America"

The recognition McCain has received from veterans groups is not "high awards" but failing grades:

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave McCain a grade of D for his record of voting against veterans. (By contrast, Obama got a B+.)

Well, McCain, by the look of things, you are not for us Veterans.

Disabled Veterans of America noted McCain’s dismal 20 percent voting record on veterans’ issues. (Obama had an 80 percent.)

In a list of "Key Votes," Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) notes McCain "Voted Against Us" 15 times and "Voted For Us" only 8. (Obama voted for VVA 12 times, and against only once.)

Farrell, Houston, Tx   July 19th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

Why didn't McCain back our troops when the Generals on the ground asked for better equipment for our troops and Rumsfeld said "you go to war with what you have". McCain said nothing because he backed the Bush administration and not the troops. McCain didn't support the GI bill. McCain didn't support stimulous checks for veterans. McCain doesn't deserve to be supported by anyone. Think about it.

McCain = War   July 19th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

Think about every 71 to 78-year old person you know. Do they have the stamina to stick with and repair our country's critical problems and the ability to think 'big picture' as well as the minute details with close to 100% accuracy most all of the time? Do you think they would have a talent for exceptional, extended rigourous travel abroad while building, rather than antagonizing, foreign relations? What are negotiations and talks like with them?

ZeeMillah   July 19th, 2008 1:36 pm ET

I watched this. I found McCain to be pleasant, and the fact that he can laugh at himself is a good characteristic. The joke about his mother threatening to wash his mouth out with soap was hilarious. O'Brien did a good job walking that line of joking without going so far as to offend McCain.

These appearances are fun to watch, but I wish we could focus more on the issues, less on humor, slander, and rhetoric.

John G   July 19th, 2008 1:37 pm ET

I'm glad he can laugh at himself. I'm glad he isn't so full of himself that everything has to be about "the politics of fear" or "discriminatory".

Senator McCain will make an excellent president

caribbean admirer of OBAMA   July 19th, 2008 1:44 pm ET

He'd better go look after his campaign staff before they issue another ad that will fire back on him like the last one did!
For sure he will not be the next President, and by now he will never be!!!!!!!!!

Hey "mr read the prompter" and also you HRC-supporters, PUMA-mongols, watch after his return from the foreign trip.
There is nothing you can do to stop the landslide in november.

Go Obama '08

Carmen   July 19th, 2008 1:45 pm ET

There McCain goes, bringing up his POW status again.

The old jokes never get old, especially when McCain's actions fuel them.

Keith   July 19th, 2008 1:47 pm ET

He won't get my vote, but I have to admit that was hilarious.

Czechoslovakia does not exist anymore   July 19th, 2008 1:47 pm ET

Anything to get media coverage, even make a fool of yourself.

Phil, FL   July 19th, 2008 1:48 pm ET

Give me a break !!!! If I had his money I could laugh also.

Maybe he thinks it's funny that our kids are getting killed - maybe he thinks it's funny that he wants to do WORSE to us than Dumbya has.

Go Away McWarmonger.

Obama '08

Alison, FL   July 19th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

He doesn't have to pretend..does this country really think it is amusing to have a 72 year old president? Surely there can't be that many racists in this country for them to vote against their best interest???…

Ken Pittsburgh   July 19th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

the joke was that he wasn't joking

baracomama   July 19th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

Just what we need in these hard times…. Another Commander and Clown

Paul, Tampa   July 19th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Get your rest old man. Wouldn't want that gland to swell up too much.

Jack from California   July 19th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Not much pretending with John McGeezer, he can't even remember the lines on the teleprompter!

Time for "OLD JOHN" to consider a retirement home and we don't need to be adding wheelchair ramps to the White House!

texan   July 19th, 2008 2:06 pm ET

GOOD FOR MCCAIN OUR TRUE AND NEW COMMANDER IN CHIEF HE EARNED IT AND DESERVE IT. GO MCCAIN ALL THE WAY.

tjb   July 19th, 2008 2:07 pm ET

MCBUSH WAS NOT PRETENDING BECAUSE HE WAS REALLY WAS A SLEEP BECAUSE HE IS TO OLD TO BE PRESIDENT

outsider   July 19th, 2008 2:08 pm ET

is not funny old man, the job you seek is not for a man that confuses everything, a man at 71, loosing memories, just go retired already

Mike   July 19th, 2008 2:12 pm ET

Yep McBush does have a sense of humor. For instance, Bomb bomb bomb Iran is funny. Low income Americans whinning is worth a chuckle. I wish his grasp of reality matched his sense of humor.

shadman   July 19th, 2008 2:18 pm ET

Please tell me, did he wake up? (I missed the show)

Jeffrey G. Brown   July 19th, 2008 2:25 pm ET

Yawn…

LT for Obama   July 19th, 2008 2:31 pm ET

I once heard McCain tell a croud that to help him get to more voters, his plan is to do more shows like Saturday Night Live and be on more talk shows.

This man is so clueless that it is not even funny. His jokes at his so-called town hall meetings more often than not fall flat.

There was a previous article about candidates and humor. Well, I will take Obama's lack of humor and more serious attitude about where this country is headed over McCain's horrific jokes and flat one-liners anyday.

Steven   July 19th, 2008 2:32 pm ET

Go To Bed McCain

outsider   July 19th, 2008 2:36 pm ET

mcbush have it always, Czechoslovakia is a bomb taget, doesn't know the difference between viagra and birth control, America will never again go to war in the middle east because of oil when he is president, shia and sunni same

tigerakabj   July 19th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

You know what, McSenile is going to go down in flames (just like he did in the navy 5 times) in November.

This campaign pressure is going to get so intense on him, he'll be gaffing 10x more a day than he already is. I can't wait for him to break down like a baby in those debates when Mr. Harvard Law Review spanks his butt.

Obama/Sebilius 2008/2012.

Pete   July 19th, 2008 2:55 pm ET

I like McCain. But not for president.

Steven   July 19th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Thank You Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki For Backing Barack Obama's troop withdrawal plan.

The Warmonger will Hate This, He Knows How To Win Wars

Obama 08

Frank from Peterborough   July 19th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Trying to turn reality into a joke isn't all that becoming someone with aspirations of being the next leader of the U.S.

Does McCain really think the public wants to replace the White House's resident clown with another clown?

With Bush and now al malaki coveting Obama's withdrawl plan where does that leave McCain's plan of occupying Iraq for another 100 years?

K of TX   July 19th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Give me a break….

victor   July 19th, 2008 3:19 pm ET

PRETENDS

John Ret. Air Force   July 19th, 2008 3:25 pm ET

What, no more McCain jokes about a woman being beaten and raped by a gorilla - and liking it? Oh, that's right CNN won't report on that fact. It would be on 24 / 7 for 2 weeks if Obama had said it . Why not report it since his staff said it just showed McCains unscripted style (like that's a good thing).

The Independent One   July 19th, 2008 3:31 pm ET

McInane,
McInsane,
McSame,
the Mac must smoke crack,
if he thinks we're we're winning in Iraq
and if he's not smoking it
he must think the electorate's toking it
if he thinks supporting this war
is not something to abhor

because we do. anyone who wants to continue the agenda of the oil monsters who are like a succubus sucking this word dry should have their heads examined.

-Anyone but McCain '08

17 year old future politician   July 19th, 2008 10:38 pm ET

He has to get in the public eye someway, his speeches are not going to get him the ratings he needs…maybe you wouldn't need to seem like a positive person on these late night shows, if you weren't so negative in your day-time comments…try to lighten up on attacking Obama ALL THE TIME! It may prove to be very benifitting

Obama/Hagel 08′

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