Mansions Out of Molehills

Just when you thought you were going to have to endure another dull August news cycle in the world of presidential campaign politics, Christmas came early. John McCain left a big steaming gaffe under the tree.

When asked how many houses he had during a Politico interview, McCain responded “I’m not sure. I’ll have my staff get to you.” McCain isn’t the only one who is confused. His staff said, “At least four.” New York Senator Charles Schumer says six. The Obama campaign, in an ad hoc ad, went with seven. And ProgressiveAccountability.org, which must be credible given the word “accountability” is in its name, has been quoted around the web with evidence that the McCains own “at least 10 houses.”

All of this is certainly problematic for McCain. It is going to be difficult for Republicans to paint Barack Obama as an elitist who is out of touch with the working class voter given the new focus on the McCains’ wealth.

The way this story has heated up on liberal blogs, there are probably a great deal of high-fives and “terrorist fist jabs” being exchanged among Obama supporters. Is this the “new style of politics” we were promised? It smells about as new as a month-old fish stick.

If the new politics were in effect, McCain would never have been asked such a question, and Obama would certainly have never put out an advertisement ridiculing McCain’s response.

In a hurriedly produced television ad, the Obama campaign precedes McCain’s latest gaffe with this quote: “I still believe the fundamentals of our economy are strong,” dated August 20th, 2008. The announcer follows with a “hmmm.”

It is upsetting that Barack Obama approved this message. Here’s the quote in context:

INGRAHAM: And now look: the dollar’s weak, we have serious competition from abroad, government is running a deficit. … What are the Republicans going to do if China ultimately overtakes us economically and does that matter?

MCCAIN: I still believe the fundamentals of our economy are strong. But we’re still the most innovative, the most productive, the greatest exporter, the greatest importer.We’ve got terribly big challenges now, whether it be housing or employment or so many of the other — health care. It’s very, very tough times. It’s very tough. (ThinkProgress.org)

Clearly, McCain is not so out of touch that doesn’t know we are facing very, very tough times. His assertion that the fundamentals are strong almost sound like the old man has got a hint of hope in the economy.

But back to McCain’s mansions … “How many houses do you own?” really is a “gotcha” question when you’re married to a baroness and real estate is a form of investment. Does it speak to his ineptitude that he wasn’t prepared for the question in the first place? Sure. Is his personal wealth relevant to how we feel about the man? Absolutely. But is it relevant to his governing, experience, or proposals?

McCain’s latest gaffe, while telling, is ineffectual to the “issues” the voters have been demanding solutions for. The dream of a civil, if not academic debate on these issues has long ago been abandoned. After all the problems brought to light during the seven long years of the Bush administration, the dialogue turns to McCain’s seven houses. At this point, the voter seems powerless to effect the debate.

The last person I want to be defending right now is a snake like John McCain. He’s run a disgraceful campaign, and he and his people have been the main catalyst for the ugliness we see now. Still, he never suggested he could change the way politicians campaign. Obama did. By jumping on this gaffe, Obama, who looks, speaks, and seems so much different, may be showing that he too is more of the same. Or to quote McCain, “That’s not change we can believe in.” Obama owes the people who have fought on his behalf better.