Carly Fiorina, former Hewlett-Packard boss and a John McCain supporter, says he's been unfairly bashed for his comment last year to reporters that he wasn't as educated on the economy as he should be.
"Frankly I think that comment was more a reflection of his natural humility," Fiorina, who is Republican National Committee Victory 2008 chairwoman, told reporters this afternoon.
As reported in the Boston Globe, McCain last year said: "The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should."
The comment has been used repeatedly to indict McCain's plans for the economy, and Fiorina was irked, saying that's unfair.
"I think his understanding of the economy is very strong. It's one of the reasons I signed on with him about 18 months ago," she told reporters this afternoon, adding his record in the Senate voting on economic matters is more extensive than either Sens. Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton.
— Stephen Dinan, national political reporter, The Washington Times
Comments (5)
I would much rather have a politician admit up front that he/she did not know or is not knowledgeable about a topic, than to try to give a pie-in-the-sky answer. I think too many politicians misjudge the intelligence of the American voter when they answer a question with some off the wall answer. Who ever is elected will have advisers to help him/her muddle through the maze of economics, and make an educated guess as to which decision to make. Too bad other politicians can't admit that they can't know every thing about every thing.
Posted by joe mcCulloughjoecarolyn@bellsouth.net | March 28, 2008 10:51 AM
I've heard it said you are most vulnerable when you think you are invulnerable. Complex systems have short foresight horizons and are only stable indirectly proportional to the uncertainty of the environment. It's like predicting the climate, all you can look for are periods of stability and therefore that's about the limit of predictibility. Any candidate who tells you they can control the economy is telling you they can control the weather. McCain is just saying he can't control the weather but he can build protection against it by decreasing government spending to keep a handle on taxes. The economy runs itself.
Posted by Larry Stone | March 28, 2008 2:51 PM
I see, so if someone admits they are an idiot.. better to elect him than the person who is smart. George Bush 2, no thanks.
Posted by wes | March 28, 2008 4:27 PM
Admitting you don't know something is better than saying you know everything.
Posted by Larry Stone | March 29, 2008 1:02 AM
He is smart enough not to talk bad about the NAFTA and say that it is bad for the economy like Hillary and Obama. They both said it was bad for the economy back in Ohio. Any economist will tell you free trade is the best thing for both economies because the good will out weigh the bad. And with Mccain you know he wont be just sweet talking everything and acting like he knows something that in reality he doesnt.
Posted by john | April 14, 2008 10:39 AM