CNN

Come on now: it's not strange for kids in high school do things to try to get a rise out of people, and, in turn, the "little jerk" comment was more of a poke than a punch to the face. McCain's got a dry sense of humor, and people need to lighten up a little bit.

i hate john mccaian!!!!!!!

I'm a Democrate all the way, but I thought the Mccain comment was awesome. He handled himself very well. And I'm sure the little jerk thought it was hilarious-the audience sure did. Anyone who criticizes Mccain has got a stick up their butt. Watch the video, its really funny. It was said in complete good humor, not snidely at all.

I'm a democrat all the way, I'll vote demo no matter what. But anyone who criticizes Mccain for his 'little jerk' comment has got a stick up their ***. Watch the video. It's funny, he handled himself very well, and the guy who asked the question probably thought being called a little jerk by Mccain was hilarious- the audience sure did.

I'm with those who have gained respect for McCain for playing along. We're travelling down a dangerous path when we're not able to speak our minds – or joke – without being chastised, criticized or worse.

There are 135 comments on this topic. What does that say about the topics that we chose to focus on???? Does it really matter that McCain made a harmless joke??? Anyone who takes serious offense to this really needs to get a life.

I'm fairly liberal, and I disagree with many of Senator McCain's political positions, and I also think he's one of the most intelligent and decent individuals in the current presidential race. High school students respond to humor, especially humor directed against fellow students. It's funny to make fun of people. The student was making fun of Senator McCain, and that was funny (and legitimate), and McCain was making fun of the student, and that was also funny (and also legitimate). Now McCain's stances on gay rights and abortion... those are not funny.

Slow news day, indeed.

Hey, McCain will bring back the draft...he wants ALOT more troops in Iraq!

The draft is nothing to joke about. He's made jokes about the war before which I find very distasteful. People are dying and suffering as he jokes...and he wants to be commander in chief. What a jerk!!

I say, Bravo, to the students for asking those questions. Thank goodness somebody is!

How refreshing. An honest and non-pc politician. I guess this kills his campaign. When does the kid announce his lawsuit?

"Dems quit trying to play politics."

What does this have to do with Democrat vs. Republican???

I am a Democrat and I think this thing is a non news issue...I see a few comments from liberals taking jabs at McCain and a few from neo conservatives like yourself taking jabs at liberals...The rest of us, both Democrat and Republican think this article is silly and know that McCain did not mean to offend the boy...Life in the "center" is much better here guys, care to join us?

McCain was right.The student deserved to be called a "little jerk" because he was indeed a little jerk. Kids and society in general needed to be taught politeness and respect. His rude questioning needed a rude answer. I would have called this kid a good-for-nothing nincompoop!

It was a joke, people !

Dear Senator McCain,
I don't really agree with your politics but you have my new found respects.
Thanks for putting that little jerk in his place, where he rightfully belongs. He was trying to be funny and cute, what a horse’s rear. No respect for anything, no home training. I bet he talks to his mom and dad the same way and they just lap-it-up because in their wayward minds they think he's intelligent. Poor kid, he acts as if he’s got a exclusive license to be a public nuisance. God bless you, keep campaigning and shut that border down.

It's usually the people who least deserve respect that are clamoring for kids to respect their elders. If kids don't respect them just out of this supposed duty, no one else will.

If you actually deserved it, you'd get it without a mandate.

Notice that McCain wasn't clamoring about how kids should respect their elders...

As for Sleaster, yesterday, I had no problem with his comment. Today, after having seen his interview, I have even less of a problem. Seeing that Sleaster is an open LGBT, McCain's response basically told him, "If I become President, I will discriminate against you and those like you...but I don't discriminate according to my interpretation of discrimination."

Seriously people. If you didn't find this funny, or his attempt funny, then you need to remove the device that is planted where the sun don't shine.

I don't agree with McCain, but he is a Senator, and I can't imagine living a few years in a POW camp like he did under those conditions.

The kid has every right to speak his mind, but he got in a cheap shot. Senator McCain simply fired back.

If this kid was REALLY smart, he would have asked another question about gays in the military without flinching... now that would have been equally funny...

Ahhh Another headline to draw us from the real issues... I have been called much worse.

Ha ha ha! That blog made me day! That's one of the funniest things I've read in a long time!

Lighten up people! He may or may not be suitable as president but any POW who still has a sense of humor like that should be admired.

You can't even make a joke anymore in this country without fear of offending someone. Why is everyone so sensitive nowadays? We need to learn to lighten up and laugh at ourselves. You build alot of character and confidence from not taking yourself too seriously.

Hey McCain, the jerk store just called. They're running out of you!

It was a joke, folks. And it was a cute one at that. Get over yourselves.

However, it would have been funnier had he have closed his response with, "Now sit down before I whack you with my cane."

I'm as liberal as they come, and I think it was a funny and appropriate response from McCain. It was a 'precocious' question he was responding to, and a little repartee is expected if you want people to see who you are, this kid opened the door, and McCain helped it hit him on the behind.

No harm done, it actually improved McCain's image in my eyes that he had such a witty comeback so quickly, but it still won't convince me he won't say or do whatever he thinks necessary to put his butt in the Oval Office.

It was a good question, reasonable and appropriate, and the response was precisely the same, kudos to you both in my opinion.

Get over it PC Weenies....

What is wrong with this country anymore???? Can't we even joke around? No lets write more laws and more restrictions. You go McCain.

Hi... I was the kid who asked about his age. I'm going to try to explain myself a little. First of all, this event was on much shorter notice than the rest of the presidential events that have happened at CHS. I had completely forgotten about the event until right before it happened, so I had like 15 minutes to think of a question. If I had had some more time to think about it, I probably could have framed it a little better. But still, age is something to worry about. Ronald Reagan had Alzheimer's while in office and it affected how he governed. I've had two grandparents die, one from Alzheimer's, and they were both only a year older than McCain. McCain may have a lot of energy and vigor now, but think four years down the road, or maybe even eight. I think the "you little jerk" comment was perfectly okay with me. I could tell that he was joking, and even if he hadn't been joking it would have been okay because I had asked him a pretty tough question. The bigger controversy around my high school was William Sleaster's disrespectful comment about McCain not being a good leader.

I have only been out of high school for 10 years, and I have called new generation of kids worse things then McCain did. I have never run across a more direspectful group in my life. They demand instant gratification, without having to work for it as well as they blame others for their failures. Bravo McCain!!!! You don't have to justify a comment that is truth.

There is a lot of talk in this blog about joking and being funny. The kid asked a reasonable question. McCain responded by calling the kid a name and threatening him with the draft. Nothing funny in any of that to me.

McCain has damaged his campaign if not his career. He has demonstrated that he is not fit for his current office, never mind the presidency. Say good night, John.

Get over it-for crying out loud if he had sayed that 20 yrs ago we'd all be laughing! The problem with everyone is that they've become too "politically correct" I'm not a fan of McCain BUT the man was trying to mix some humor on a rather strange question. Besides the fact that with ALL of the issues that plague a campaign, this teen picks a subject that has NO bearing on McCain's stand on more important subjects....face it McCain called it right-the teen was a jerk, oh and I'm not laughing.

I have to agree with the majority, the kid was being a jerk and asked an asanine question. McCain gave a much better answer to it than I would have!

It was a joke. If you're a Dem you no doubt think he's horrible. If you're Republican you think it was intended as a joke. I am a Democrat and I think it was a joke. You should see how kids talk to each other!

Can't believe the uproar over this continues. Those who attack McCain for mentioning the draft and make comments along the lines that all he wants to do is send kids off to war are really very disturbing. Umm, do you know anything about McCain's background at all? Did you miss the whole thing where he spent a lot of quality time at the Hanoi Hilton or are you so wrapped up in what Paris Hilton is doing that understanding the man's past just isn't important enough for you. If anyone has an idea of the kind of sacrifice that can be involved in military conflict and service I think it's John McCain. So don't vote for him if you don't like his positions but stop making accusations that he's a war monger. If you listen closely to the other candidates they are not that from from his position on Iraq. Think about it, the US cannot strategically just pull up and leave any time in the near future. Wish we could leave tomorrow, but it just isn't going to happen. I find myself more and more concerned about the future of our country because between it's citizens who can't think for themselves and the leaders who are happy to shovel what they know isn't true I don't know how we will manage the challenges of the future.

Have you all lost your mind? It WAS funny and appropriate. Someone should teach the little jerk some manners. Seriously...get a life.

Lighten up, America. You are not smart enough to be so serious. Not funny? You gotta be kidding me. I'm 70 and they are all little jerks! Draft em all, but leave that 29 year old alone: I need his social security contributions! You couldn't ask for a better judgment call: upfront and honest with young people and unafraid of being overheard on a national broadcast. God or not, the man paid the price; let him speak. Oh yeah, did anyone remember that it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of......age? Is the little twit going to ask Hillary if she's going to be competent to be President during that, you know, time of the month each month for four years? Or will Barack be able to see things from a perspective other than the color staring back at him each morning when he shaves? Bet the little jerk didn't think about that.

McCain is the jerk. The man didn't serve in Vietnam to preserve anyone's freedoms. Nor did he do anything spectacular to deserve any kind of special treatment or to spare him from "tough" questions like this. What would he do under real pressure if he cannot handle a simple question from a kid about his advancing age?

When you run for public office you put yourself out to public scrutiny. The young man asked a legitimate question: McCain will be in his late 70s at the end of his term. If elected, he will be the oldest person to be inaugurated.

It's about time that people in this country held the office of the President in higher esteem than what it is currently. Maybe if we would have asked our current President some "tough" questions, his answers would have given us a better idea of what type of leader he would have made.

I can't even read these comics. You people are so sick getting on John McCain's case for this. He's just trying to be funny and it was a good joke, in my opinion. Let him use some humor.

Get off your high horses and learn to laugh a little.

I don't like McCain. But, great question, great answer. People are trying to be way to politically correct. If you can not understand humor, get a life and grow up. Kudo's to the teen and McCain.

It's refreshing! Go John McCain! Little snit.

The man is 71 years old; not 71 years young, his social security benefits should be mature at this point! Probably $28,400.00 or more a month! He should just drop out of this contest gracefully and retire. Sit on a nice beach, go sailing, do some fishing, play some golf, take his vacations, paint some pitchers, play on his ranch, ride horses, grow a garden, enjoy his family, grand children, great grand children, any thing but what he is trying to do now! The guy will probably have a heart attach or stroke in office. He dose give to hoots about people he just displayed his true colors, and has no intentions of changes his traits at this time in his life. Besides; there is surly not enough time for that and a new retraining program for dummies that will cost the American tax payers!

I believe it was a valid question (especially coming from a teenager) and quite frankly I thought McCain's comments were funny!!

I like it! That's a good response.

Quick wit by McCain....At least he has a little personality

This is just another example of the press creating a story where non exists.
McCains remark was a non-issue and not meant as a hurtful insult as is clearly shown in the video.
I am no fan of the GOP but isn't it about time the press stop manufacturing these petty little soap operettas and start focusing on the real issues?
What happened to the days of Edward Murrow and real reporting?
How sad that everything can't rise above these "Paris Hilton-like" trivialities.

I don't think McCain was trying to be a crotchety old fart, but that's how his "humor" came across...I genuinely believe he THOUGHT he was being funny. But it just goes to show, if you can't even maintain a particular level of decorum when speaking with children, how the hell are you going to negotiate with hostile heads of state?

I guess it all boils down to what type of humor appeals to you. Some people think it is funny when a person in a position of power bullies and talks down to the less powerful (a la frat boy humor of Bush), so I'm not suprised that the faithful 28% would think this is a knee slapping riot.

In reality McCain probably meant exactly what her said, young life doesn't hold much value for him, and the rest of the Beltway bullies.

http://www.ronnierayjenkins.com

Another sarcastic remark from an old arrogant Republican? Just what the country needs. He's finished. He can barely go through the motions now.

Do you want your president calling your children "little jerks". It's a sick pleasure, but I love watching the slow decay of the republican party. It's long overdue.

Lillian et al: Get a life! It was a joke and a good one, as others have commented. As a Republican, I wasn't sure who I liked, but McCain moved up a notch in my book with that light-hearted jab. And the kid should be chastised, not for having his own opinion, but for lack of respect. I've seen too many people voice their opinion while almost spitting in other people's faces. It's almost like they feel the nastier they are, the more right they are.

McCain is hilarious. Just like when he sang "bomb, bomb, bomb...bomb, bomb Iran" to the tune of the Beachboy's song. Let's team him up with that other talented jokester Ann Coulter. America's sweetheart. You know, just like Lucy and Desi, Sonny and Cher, George and Laura. What a duo!

OH COME ON. McCain was BEING FUNNY. He WAS a little jerk, a jerk wit a perfectly valid question, and McCain answered it straight and threw in a little jab.

Look, I'm for Hillary all the way, but you gotta give McCain his props. On most issues (except, alas, the biggie) he's his own man, he's got spirit, he's got personality, he's got edge. He's tough and funny and smart and maybe mean sometimes. If he were a Democrat, he'd be just the kind of guy I'd want running, and representing, our country.

He's a real person.

Please, let's not try to beat that out of him.

There aren't that many left.

A stupid question deserves a stupid response!

McCain did not talk presidential. He reminds me of George Bush who would get Bin Laden "dead of alive".

This thread is a classic example of why people who actually become members of a political party shouldn't be allowed to speak in public. They don't even care about facts, just how they can bend the scenario to make one side look bad. Grow up, high school is over.

Ask a stupid question...get a great answer. Nice comeback John McCain!!!

Further proof of the wussification of America!

Thanks Political Correctness!

I don't really care that he called him a little jerk. But I don't think he should be joking about drafting anyone though. That is terribly insensitive!

I wonder if the "Little Jerk" realizes that the freedom to speak his views is possible only because of the sacrifices of Senator McCain and others like him. This young man has the right to his views but he does not have the right to be disrespectful to Senator McCain or anyone else. Grow up, you Little Jerk.

Seriously - people need to lighten up and stop being so sensitive! This PC garbage has gotten out of control. So he called the kid a jerk, and no one picked up on the joke. Wouldn't be the first time a politician tried to be funny and it didn't work out. And if he wasn't kidding – who cares? I'm so sick of turning on the tv or opening up the paper and seeing people whine about how someone called them a name. That's life, people. Get over it. I'm not crazy about the guy either, but if you want to hold his feet to the fire, try doing it over something else.

Oh geez, I'm pretty liberal – definitely no GOP supporter – and I thought it was a humorous, lighthearted comment. I'm curious as to how many people have actually watched the video of the incident. There was clearly a lighthearted atmosphere about the whole thing – the entire time he gave his answer, the students laughed. I highly doubt anyone thought he was being serious when he called him a little jerk or "threatened" him with the drasft.

This country better realize that the young people are the backbone of this country. We need new thinking in Congress and the Presidency. It is correct to challenge age. I am over 55 and think we need representation for all three branches of government by people over 35 and under 65. I don't care what their experience is. We need more provacative thinking in this troubled world, not what has always been correct.

too bad you can't vote twice! John McCain would get both of mine! It sucks that the bleeding heart liberals and the dems are stooping so low to make bad light of Mr. McCain's hilarious response to a young man that asked a serious, but funny question... Get a life and start worrying about the REAL problems of the world...

Anyone who is taking McCaine's statements serious is a dingleberry. Get a life and a sense of humor. I bet if you agreed with Mccaine's policy on gays and lesbos you could see the humor. Because you don't, you take obvious jokes and try to make them look like a rude insult and a vicious threat. And by the way, no one cares what your opinion is on McCaines comments. That's why this story is being run on a CNN's polital ticker and isn't making any headline news. Dingleberries; all of you!

The little jerk comment is no big deal, laughable. "you're drafted"??? You have got to be kidding me, this guy jokes more about war han Bill Maher does about George Bush.

As an independent who was probably going to vote for McCain before this all happened, its refreshing to see that he still has the "stright talk express" going, which was the reason many of us independents and even democrats voted for him before and will vote for him again. He is one of the only candidates from either party that will tell us how it is even if we don't like the answer.

You are all jerks! Big jerks, little jerks, it doesn't matter!

I'm not a Republican...not even a McCain fan....but the comment was simply funny, cool, playful, and harmless.
If you are up-in-arms about it...get a life, and please begin to base it in reality

While I maintain that Macain is just desperate for the head lines to keep his ever down ward spiraling campaign from bouncing off the pavement, I just want to know why he gave the kid such a hard time over asking a valid question. At his age physical condition should be taken into consideration for the position of president we need some one who will last long enough to fix the massive dept and the iraq blunder, that will take years. Thanks GWB. At least we found WMD’s right.

Clintion 08

McCain is like Bob Dole, a cranky old man why has been sprayed with too much agent orange in Nam (another joke war, started by a jerk from Texas). But to the bigger jerk-John in St. Louis-The AFL-CIO is a union [...]. The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations. You mean the ACLU. The American Civil Liberties Union. [...]as big an idiot as your crass statement. Think before you write.

Didn't we beat this topic to death yesterday????

Oh, I see. Today Senator McCain took his right foot out of his mouth and put the other (can't say "left" when talking about Republicans)foot in.

that was a good one, I wish more senators had that sense of humor...and he is right, these coddled little teens nowadays are all growing up to be panzies. They think they "deserve" certain luxories because they were born in the US. they need to be smacked around a bit if they seek to become real men and women one day.

Why should McCain be held at a higher standard than the kid? The kid can get away with asking personal questions about a man's own death and health but because McCain's running for president, he can't respond coarsely to a rude question? I don't think we should be critical of our leaders' manners and speech without considering the effect of what we have to say ourselves, if indeed we want to improve our country. I don't think my grandparents would feel comfortable if I started asking them about death.

It was a valid question on the questioner's part, whether it was known or not. Very Funny though. Did anyone ask what McCain's Stance is on poverty in our country and the world?

to those paragons of virtue who would "smack"or "pop" their offspring for asking a questionable question – get a life and don't teach your kids violence – there's too much of that already, just in case you didn't notice.

So who's a "young person" to McCain? Anyone under 70? What a jerk!

Why does the press give McCain such a free ride on this stuff?

jack jett

I'm a flaming liberal who cannot stand McCain, especially his support of the Iraq war. But this "little jerk/you're drafted" comment–well, it cracked me up. Gawd, some of you folks have so many sticks up your behinds you can't possibly sit down.

I also think Cain's response was great! There is such a blatant disrespect from teens and early twenty somethings towards adults in this day and age, and this comment is coming from someone who is just now 29! And people like Lillian, from Dallas, only encourage this disrespectful behavior. You disgust me!

Yeah...let everyone get a life–and take stock!

- How old was the "little jerk"?
- Was he perhaps only a young "jerk".
- So, a jerk verbalized the issue of age that most others refused to address.
- This darn CNN wont upload something else and shaffle this down and away;
- there is no teaching going on at the school today–students can't focus.
- The principal is consulting the oracles for a way out;
- posters are splattered all over the walls with students' comments;
- The night cleaners want the posters down;
- The students want them up–remove the posters and we will write on the walls;
- Mr McCain is explaining himself all day long;
- the spokespersons are spinning the humor;
- The Dems are spinning the insult;
- And the campaign manager, oh...yes...that manager...I wonder what is s/he doing;
- And, still, that darn CNN, broadcast worldwide, is not uploading something else!

I want to make one more comment. When Senator McCain answered the kid, the kid came back with a sarcastic comment as if the question he asked wasn't sarcastic enough. I'm glad it wasn't my kid that said that. He'd be performing community service for seniors for a very long time.

Oh, for Pete's sake! Being a Democrat, I'm no fan of McCain myself. But come on people, lighten up. McCain is a just a quirky guy with a weird sense of humor, no more no less. There are plenty more legitimate reasons to disagree with him than some goofy and lighthearted quip he made to a high schooler that asked if his "extreme age" of 71 would cause him to die in office or become senile.

Ask a silly question, get a silly answer. I would have done the same.

To Birdie,

So you'd "smack" your "kid" for asking an insensitive and aggressive question. I don't want to know what you'd do if he/she they actually did something wrong. Guess you'd probably call in an air strike. Ain't violence great?

Sen McCain himself is a joke with his straight talking express and asking for tough questions from students.
When the student asked a tough question, McCain made a joke of the kid in front of his peers.
This kid is not going to be a big supporter of McCain.
If you're running for president you should be especially respectful to young students asking questions of presidental candidates. This will foreever remembered and retold for generations from that school.
Will McCain come out a winner?
I doubt it.

If the 'little jerk' who questioned McCain had any social skills,he could have raised the same concerns without appearing rude,I doubt that thought even came to him. McCain's response was pointed, and many people don't like that. I suppose the 'little jerk' is not used to people responding in kind,as are the people who see this as an issue of restricting speech. Speak freely always,John McCain does.
While I don't always agree with McCain, I respect his right to participate in our political process if he is qualified(he is). Health could be an issue, but McCain does not,to my knowledge, have health concerns that any candidate could not have.
I would be proud of a son or daughter raising tough, relevant questions to a political candidate, I would not be proud if the same child only pointed out age,gender,race or anything else to question what? qualification? I might think they were looking for attention or just being , a 'little jerk'.

I've already commented on another post on the 17 yo student who was rewarded with disrespectful remarks to McCain by being interviewed on CNN: he is justifying his disrespectful statements to McCain based on McCain's lack of support for civil unions. Okay – let's everybody play "an eye for an eye" and we'll all be blind! Better yet – let's reward the youth of this country by giving them a lot of press when they are rude and disrespectful. McCain is not my favorite politician (don't have one), but he obviously was making the "little jerk" comment in good humor, albeit a bad choice of words. He sounded like a dad that was joking around with his son. Good for him that he can jest with "the Y Generation"! The "draft" comment was overdone for crying out loud, I admit, but the scenes I've seen have shown a group of young Americans treating a United States Senator with disdain. I don't think it hurts them one bit to be reminded that they do need to think about the potential for a draft, even if that was not the point of the comment. Perhaps it will increase the # of voters in their late teens/early twenties. I am usually fairly "warm and fuzzy", but I think that these students/young adults showed such disrespect that they could probably use a dose of bootcamp to let them know they are not "all that". I am a nurse that just moved from a school in an impoverished part of our city to one closer to my home that has a mixture of elementary students at various places on the "privilege" spectrum. It is embarrassing to say that the students in this new school act as though I am there to jump when they snap their fingers and that they can speak to adults rudely and sarcastically. If these are the future leaders of our country, we are in more of a state of crisis than we think. My daughter may likely be in a better group of peers in the "at risk" school than with some of the students that are now her daily peers. I agree, our children are not "made of paper". If they can dish it out with eloquence, they should be ready to engage in the type of conversation they are inviting upon themselves, especially when they are of voting age or close to it.

C'mon people, it was funny.

I'm a pretty liberal democrat, and I have to say that I don't see anything wrong with what McCain said. He was clearly just joking. I don't think it's that big a deal. Seriously, it shouldn't even be news. McCain has a good sense of humor. So what?

Yet another thing he has in common with George W Bush; the ability to make inappropriate jokes at the wrong time. Also the fact that the first thing in his head was 'drafted' is a little worrisome; it could show that such a thing is high in his thoughts.

If my son were ever to speak to a U.S. senator, Republican or Democrat, I would hope that he would do so respectfully. Frankly, I think the kid was being a little jerk and I find it sad that so many of our youth are encouraged to act the same.

That was hilarious whether you are for him or against him. It just shows he has a sense of humor and is a real human being. I can't understand why people would go out of their way to make a big deal out of this. I guess it is people with no sense of humor and don't get jokes. That's sad.

Rick and others, let's be clear: I'm not offended. Although I respect him, I think McCain would be a worse mistake than GW Bush so I'm delighted to see him sink his own battleship like that. Beaten in a debate with high school kids? Embarrassing. No wonder we're going down the tubes.

Kid was snide. McCain kept his sense of humor. McCain wins.

unfortunately, too many people in this world walk around with a chip on their shoulder and a stick up their butt. IT WAS A HUMOROUS REMARK, PEOPLE!! Lighten up, and don't take life so seriously. You ain't gonna get out of it alive...
Thanks, Sen. McCain, for adding a little humor. I'm sure the young man took it in stride, like most people would.

That kid's got a story to tell his grandchildren! (If he can legally tell his grandchildren without fear of scarring or emotionally damaging his grandkids). Hippies.

"Thanks for the explanation, you big jerk." Yeah, the you're-drafted joke was a real thigh-slapper. Milk came out of my nose. Laugh? I thought I'd cry.

There are a lot of people defending McCain simply because he said it was a joke and all in good fun. However, just because it is a joke doesn't make it appriopriate or excusable. Personally, I think the kid had every right to call out McCain about his age; age after all is a factor that many people overlook when electing officials. And like one poster mentioned before, how do we really know when Reagan started becoming ill? If it was indeed during his time in office, that goes to show why we need a man or woman who is of good health and experienced and energetic enough to lead this nation to a better tomorrow.

Everyone knew it was a joke, McCain, what everyone doesn't know is why you made a joke with such bad taste?

McCain is very well known for his quick temper and sharp tongue.
Was it funny? Who knows? We were't there, but this is who McCain is.
Will it help him in his quest to be our president or not? I doubt it. It is not a plus to even in fun insult young citizens asking serious questions. I doubt he made a fan of the young man. But does anyone take McCain seriously anymore?

It's hard to imagine how anyone could take McCain's "jerk/you're drafted" comment as anything but a joke. I suspect that the VAST majority of the audience there, including the kids, laughed. They got it. They have an actual sense of humor. Anyone who is offended is simply looking for an excuse to be offended, and any reason at all will obviously suffice. And I should add, I'm a moderate Democrat.

Meh, slow news day...

If some teenage boy asked Hillary Clinton how would menopause affect her presidency if she won every last person on here condemning McCain would be defending Senator Clinton calling him a jerk saying the kid is a sexist jerk. Meh... grow a sense of humour... it was cute, not funny but a cute exchange.

I'm more interested in the implied punishment of the "you're drafted" add-on

I guess CNN (Clinton News Network) cant find anything great to say about Hillary or Bill today, so they decide to make news out of nothing.

There is much to be outraged at today but a humerous comment to a student is not one of them.

If you are one of the outraged I say GET A LIFE.

If the teen questioner is old enough to ask the question, he is old enough to take the flack for it. If my child asked an elder a question like that I'd pop him in the mouth. Politically correct is not something that is taught in my house!

It was a valid question. If you can't stand the heat...get out of the kitchen McCain. We all know you want to draft all the poor young kids (leave the rich kids alone) to fight the Iraq war that you so fully support. You are an old man, and we do NOT need another Alzheimer's patient (Regan) in office!!!!

I really don't think the kid was being funny. He was poking fun at Senator McCain's age. This kid needs to be taught some manners. I wonder what kind of grades he makes in school and I also wonder about his behavior toward the older generation? He had no right asking such a question. This kid could be on the receiving end of his remarks. We must be careful what we say to others because in time, we could reap from those remarks ourselves.

Puh-leez! The kid was being a jerk and McCain was just being funny.

The left would be throwing a hissy fit if it was someone questioning a Democrat and calling their age into question.

And they call the Republicans hypocrits.

I'm glad McCain said what he did. At least he showed some backbone, and said what he felt. Any kid that would ask a question like that, deserved it.

I'm a Democrat so I wouldn't have been voting for McCain anyhow. That having been said, the uproar over this is just plain silly. I was a little jerk when I was a teenager. You and all of your friends probably were too. It goes with the territory. The kid had a valid question, but the way he asked it was just plain rude. Get over it already!

This is a non-story; some of you are too uptight and unable to take a joke.

Finally, a politician who dares to say what the rest of us would think. I think it's healthy not to be too sensitive.

The question of age and dying in office is a fair question... it was asked of Reagan as well.

McCain sounds a little sensitive about his age.

I would smack my kid into next Tuesday if he spoke to an adult like that.

the kid was blunt and a teenager. McCain was humorous. It was funny! I hate that everything has to be so perfect these days...so politically correct. If someone else said that to a kid it would never be an issue and everyone would move on.

What kind of question was that when CNN's kiran Cherty asked the kid," do you think thats the way to talk to a senator", i loved kids response-"he is not a god". and the whole time she was trying to make him feel bad about his questing a so called powerful senator. I think thats call great journalism!!!!! not wonder kids and young folks don't watch news and not interested in politics.

Dems quit trying to play politics. I know you have won 2 presidential elections in the last 7 cycles, but making a big deal of this is ridiculous. I'm voting for McCain for one reason in particular, I know where he stands, he speaks his mind. McCain '08

Seriously, folks, get a life and a sense of humor. I'm a Democrat and what my husband calls a "Liberal" – and plan to vote Democrat in the next Presidential election, but can appreciate Senator McCain's good-natured jibe at the highschooler. It was obvious from the laughter after his comment that the kids also thought it was funny. Believe me, kids call each other much worse while joking around with each other.

Senator McCain very respectfully and seriously answered the boy's question – then timed his punchline perfectly. From the news clip, it doesn't appear that anyone present thought his last comment was made seriously.

If you want something to have no sense of humor about, try the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Or Global Warming. Please.

Posted By Rebekah, NC: "To the people who thought McCains alleged joke was funny: "The draft board just called, it is time for you Bid Jerks to come and spill some of your own blood"

Some of us big jerks who thought McCain's comment was funny have already served our country. Have you?

I like how you talk about corrupt elders creating terror then turn right around and use the same type of tactic as if you are being clever. You failed.

Anyone who cannot see the McCain was joking definitely has a chip on their shoulder.

McCain's comment was a poor judgement call based solely on the fact that America has no sense of humor. McCain's failure is knowing when and what to say in a public environment. America's failure is taking itself WAY too seriously.

Too many people offended to easily. Same people that probably whined when H. Clinton made a joke about Ghandi and gas station ownership. Lighten up people.

We should certainly not focus on his response to the student who said he did not see a leader in front of him. I believe McCain told the other students not to boo him because he was entitled to his opinion. People are way too critical of every little thing, it's amazing anyone gets elected at all. Politicians on both sides of the aisle are rife with flaws, each side blasting the other while trying to make themselves look good.

Oh my gosh, this is news???

Some of the responses here that are reading Sen. McCaine the riot act over his humorous response show exactly what's wrong with this country. People just jump on a small part of a story instead of going to C-Span or You Tube for the entire video of the whole whole thing.

There are lots of things I see on the news channels or read about on the news websites and only a fraction is shown/written. But when you seek out the whole video/transcript, you'll see you see it's a different story.

I was disappointed that when CNN first showed it on TV, they cut the "you're drafted" part. That is what is known as "the punch line" folks.

I still prefer Dole (who would have been a good president) over McCaine, but I respect McCaine's honesty and humor.

In response to those upset on McCaine's successor if the "early death" possibility happens are jumping the gun. He has not announced who his running mate would be, so the argument is moot.

HOw come comments are not allowed on the the Ohio Congressman story? Sad he had to die a gay bigot. Maybe in the next life he will understand the fluidity of human sexuality. Be able to see homos as a true human reality, part of gods best work. As opposed to a freakish fetish. Later dude.

Unfortunately we live in a day and age where being indignant and offended is viewed by some as a superior position. It is certainly encouraged by the current media.

In reality indignation and being easily offended is an inferior emotion/character trait.

In light of what the kid said to McCain, it was meant to diffuse the tension. I wonder if all the tsk tsk ers on this post have ever said anything to anyone or are they all truly holier.

Come on people. I'm not a McCain fan in the least, but the youth was way out of line. McCains response was somewhat humorous, especially with the voice used and the gestures.

Wes in ATL.

That was great. Thank you. Even if you are a jerk.

Seriously folks, this shouldn't even be a story. The student was having fun with his question (which, while possibly asked in a semi-snide manner, was a valid question) and McCain responded appropriately.

We complain about politicians being too standoffish, dull, and well, boring, but then when a candidate comes out and shows personality and humor, we rail him.

Sad sad day that this is A) a news story and B) this controversial!

I think he handled it all very well. You know what? Even though they were being rude, he took it in stride and showed he can take tough criticism very well, and even make light of the situation. I found the "You little jerk... you're drafted." comment funny. Even if I was that questioner, and I was being serious about my question, or even trying to get a reaction from the Senator, and if he said that to me, I would have laughed. Why? Because he turned it around on me and burned me right back. Good job, Senator. Well done.

People need to lighten up, there are much bigger things to worry about.
There's no sense of humor in the world anymore.

Lets face it...this was funny. The good news is that young people don't vote, so no damage was done.

The one mark apparent in all extremists is the absense of humor. And, its sad to say, many people along the P.C. line are taking things way too seriously.

It's amazing to find that at least one candidate is human.

I thought it was funny, too, and i'm a liberal dem. People just take things way too seriously these days. Get over it.

This country has lost it's sense of humor, THANK YOU AFL-CIO!!!

Posted By John, St. Louis, MO : September 5, 2007 12:18 pm
Did you mean the ACLU? I'm having a hard time understanding how a labor union is affecting the level of humor in the country.

I agree with most of the comments. Is this really news worthy? McCain is acting like most of us would have.

Also, CNN, the picture you posted with the video... should be the story. McCain with a your "play arrow" over his nose makes him look like bozo the clown, what's up with that. I've heard complaints about Fox leaning "right" should we assume you're leaning left?

Haha. You people need to lighten up. It really must have been a slow news day for CNN. I don't see the problem here at all.

I find the vindictive, yet throw-away "You're drafted" remark much more disturbing than "little jerk." Republicans are setting us up for a draft with any talk of Iran or any other invasion. This is scary as hell, and that he giggles about it should make all parents think twice about his ultimate agenda. Silly talk? I don't think so.

Good for McCain!

It was just a joke. NOt even a story

I guess after all he went through in Vietnam, it seems stupid to worry about dying in office or becoming demented. I think his comment to the student were funny, since the student asked a stupid question. It is the student who should be embarrassed

Even though I'm not a huge McCain fan.. I think people are taking this out of its context. The young man appeared to intentionally format the question in an abrasive way, and I respect the way that McCain was frank about answering him. In fact, I like that he isn't afraid to come off sounding REAL, not like some robot reciting pre-recorded phrases.

The question should not be whether the jerk comment was funny. It was obviously made in jest and yes it had an element of humor.

The real question is one of good judgement. The jerk comment was not a good judgement call. I believe this is McCain's biggest character flaw. He does not have much control over his mouth. Even if the jerk comment was in jest and was funny it was not appropriate for the setting. Even though McCain was addressing students he was also being covered by the media.

Smart people do not always have a lot of common sense.

He's just too old and not Presidential material.

Would you prefer someone who is so "perfect", so politically correct that his personality, humor and wit are totally absent? I was far more offended at these kids' lack of respect for McCain. I would bet that they have no clue as to his lifelong service to this country.

I'm sure the young guy, and the whole school, are having a ball with this instant-notoriety. He should do well if drafted because he has guts.

That kid was a jerk. "do you think you'll die in office?" Come on kid, a 40 year old president could also die in office. He was being disrespectful asking such an idiotic and pointless question, in the hopes of getting a giggle from his buddies. I'm sure someone will step-up and file a lawsuit on behalf of the kid for emotional distress.

McCain's crack was pretty funny. Apparently, he's given up hope of winning the nomination and is just out there having fun. You have to give him credit for talking at a high school in the first place.

I am sickened by the corrupt elders of this nation who have created terror among all nations and left a nearly destroyed planet for our future generations to somehow mend in order for future mankind to merely survive.

To the people who thought McCains alleged joke was funny: "The draft board just called, it is time for you Bid Jerks to come and spill some of your own blood"

I'm 29 years old. I'd like to know that because of his age, what would happen if he dies while in office. Am I a jerk too? You should all be asking these questions. Lord knows we don't need another Bush or a Cheney to take over in his place.

That was a rude question. He was a jerk.

As a jerk, I am offended by McCains statement and believe he should send out an apology to all the jerks that might have been offended. To refer to us as "little" is defamatory and uncalled for.

Now remind me...when did society loose its sense of humor where something like this makes the news??

"Respect your elders doesn'exist anymore" Sen. McCAIN SPENT 5 1/2 YEARS AS A PRISONER OF WAR IN VIET NAM SO THIS PERSON WOULD HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, AND THE WAY THIS PERSON USED IT, WAS VERY DISRESPECTFUL.

Posted By diane ferguson–la fayette, georgia : September 5, 2007 12:22 pm

Hey Dummy, We had Freedom of Speech WAY before McCain was a glimmer in his daddy's eye. He served in Vietnam which was a rediculous war. His war time has nothing to do with our freedom of speech. You're an idiot. I served in the military. If your idiotic point of view holds truth then you all need to thank me for your freedom of speech. I'm 29. Do you think I'm old enough to take credit for your freedom of speech?

It kills me how some people just LOOK for something to complain about. What he said was obviously a joke and in fun. As a high school teacher I totally agree with his statement regarding the use of humor and exchange with teenagers. My students really enjoy when I am sarcastic and make jokes like that. They are old enough to understand that it is not serious and they are smart enough to appreciate it. Part of the problem with this country and its continuing problems with youth is the fact that we coddle kids and make federal cases about things that are simply not that serious. Lighten up!

The only thing funnier than McCain's comment is all the people that are so high strung about it.

Were is the respect from kids today? This high schooler had a right to ask questions, but do you think if his own grandfather was up there he would have asked that question? No way.
Its ok to ask questions, but with respect.

I'm embarrassed to be from Arizona. 71 years old and out of touch with everything ... We need someone with FRESH ideas, not the same rhetoric

Wenton – why do you assume Lillian from Dallas TX (mostly RED...I've lived there) is liberal? Your whole post does not speak well of you. There are many people who believe alot of different things that don't like McCain. Its people like you with snap judgements that are tearing our country apart – get a life.

I think John McCain was rather rude to both students as the crotchety old man came out in him. What if the kid had called him an "old jerk"? Furthermore, the other student tat was questioned by Kiran Chetry ran circles around her. He was thoughtful, inteligent and very composed as he answered her silly questions. Anyone with eyes and ears could tell John McCain was being condescending when he told the young man to in effect "go ahead, you're on a roll". And the fact that Kiran couldn't see that says a lot about her and her journalistic abilities. Does she really think McCain was giving the young man addl. time to speak his mind? I was totally dissapointed in Kiran's interview.

Come on. People need to grow a little spine and a thicker skin. Now, I don't like McCain for his positions, but I'm not going to hold this against him. It was a humorous response made in a very lighthearted tone of voice to a crowd that understood EXACTLY the message McCain was trying to convey.

It was a valid, if slightly disrespectful, question and it was answered fully by McCain in a manner commensurate with the question and the audience. Besides – how better to show a little life than being a bit "feisty"?

Please let's stop this microscopic look at everything that's uttered – does everything in this world have to be politically correct – the spice of life, what makes us interesting, is our individual personalities, our "off the cuff" comments. When everything has to go through a filter in our brain before coming out our mouths, we'll all sound like robotic clones – the media has done this to us – always trying to make a story where there is no story.

Come on people, get a freakin sense of humor!!!!! He refered to the kid as a "little jerk" because he was pointing out his age. It was said with a smirk, and intended to be funny!!! Even the draft part is funny! I am guessing that those who are attacking McCain, are either democrats or have zero sense of humor. Oh wait, that's redundant!

I hope Mccain realizes that he is now the jerk...

It's a valid question to ask when the candidate is over 70. If you look at what happened to Reagan in his time in office. When did his Alzheimer's symptoms start? There was a great deal of memory loss when questions were asked of his administration.

Young people today have valid concerns and I think McCain's short response shows that his age is a sore point and he knows it. In the race to the presidency, age does matter.

Telling it like I see it,
Wynter

Is anyone else SICK of our society? the guy has a sarcastic comment because the kid jabbed at the fact that he's 71!!! Why is this even a story? Plenty of people are sarcastically funny all day long. Are they all wrong? In the spirit of St. Stephen, don't criticize this petty crap unless you too are immaculate. GROW UP AMERICA!!

I've been asking myself the same question. Apparently, his judgement is already impaired.

But, seriously, it was a joke. What I find disturbing was the HUGH outpouring of comments here yesterday and today from people angry at the kid, and the administrator that admonished him for having his own opinion. Really, are people here so niave to think that children his age can't think of more lude, four-letter word laced comments that the kid could have voice. Sadly, many Americans let their teenagers watch TV with far worse language. And I'm betting that if the some event occurred involving Clinton, Obama or Biden, Republicans here would be howling with laugther and cheering the kid on.

Slow news day, CNN?

Hah, Lillian, libbies like you make me laugh. So, Lillian, are you worried that you're going to die soon from being too liberal?

See, how snide and asinine was that? That little punk was being disrespectful, Sen McCain called it like it was and put him in his place.

Didn't McCain pile on when John Kerry, a fellow Vietnam Vet, made a bad delivery on a joke about Bush being a C student & getting us stuck in Iraq? Now he's complaining about people misinterpreting his gaffe? No pity here.

Most teen age boys ARE jerks. The problem to me is people can no longer use humor or tongue in cheek remarks when addressing a question. No one seems upset about this teen questioning McCain's advanced age. What about this boys respect for his elder? Isn't what's good for the goose good for the gander?

You people are freaking ridiculous.
The kid got what was coming to him, and McCain proved again that he doesn't take crap from anybody.
You gotta be a real pansy to get offended by what McCain said.

I think it was very inapporate for McCain to refer to the young man as jerk.
He can try to call it a joke or trying to be funny if he wants to, but running for president is not a funny matter, or trying to through off a question from a voter or a high schooler.
I hope this young man remembers the remark and see the inability of man who seems to have lost all sense of being straight, honest, fair, truthful and just to all Americans since the Bush speech at Bob Jones University in South Carolina that called McCain just about everything but an upright honest man who gave of himself a 100 times more than Bush every has or will.

"Respect your elders doesn'exist anymore" Sen. McCAIN SPENT 5 1/2 YEARS AS A PRISONER OF WAR IN VIET NAM SO THIS PERSON WOULD HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, AND THE WAY THIS PERSON USED IT, WAS VERY DISRESPECTFUL.

Are the people complaining about McCain's comment serious? It was a lighthearted joke, and a funny one, at that. You politically correct losers really need to get a sense of humor, not to mention a life.

McCain is as out of touch with the people as Bush is. Maybe more so. This is just another example.

I can't understand how Arizona – the state affected most be illegal immigration – has a senator who wants to make illegals legal, and increase the number with a huge "guest worker" program. How much more out of touch can you get? McCain just doesn't get it. I think he lives in his own world – like Bush.

You can't expect people without much of a sense of humor to understand what's funny.

Puh-lease, that was hilarious! McCain would be doing better in the polls if he came across as more human and less PC. I'm glad he didn't apologize.

This country has lost it's sense of humor, THANK YOU AFL-CIO!!!

September 5, 2007

Because I'm a Republican, I felt that a little more sensitivity for a young man in high school in the US today could have helped ease the stress of responsible men and women of the U.S.'s common and disparate futures.

Although I disagree strongly with Sen. McCains' statement (the background differences between the student and Sen. McCain can be seen as enormous, though), coming from the X Generation that grew up in the 1980's, I also feel that communication difficulties between the U.S. generations will become more and more apparent if or when the students enter college or Senator McCain experiences bouts of forgetfulness on a daily basis, as I have, unfortunately, on approaching my 40's-smile. I both feel and think that the students reported about are genuinely concerned about their own futures and also Sen. McCains' – and so speaks highly of their caring and personal efforts at maintaining the meaning of our country's and our own personal values and ethics, as U.S. Americans, and concerned people. Good speeches from all of them, anyway, and thank you all for reading and listening!

Can you say "diplomacy skills"?

John McCain should realize that that "little jerk" is of voting age, and also of the age where he may choose to (or not) defend this country. I would not have any respect for someone who showed me none.

I guess it is better to be little Jerk than a Big Jerk wanting to be president.

I don't find it amusing when someone refers to me as "little jerk." It's one thing if you're on familiar terms with someone for teasing like Sen. McCain was doing with this teen, but a man in his position? Please. Meeting with a world leader, ie. Putin, and calling him "little jerk" how do you think that would be received?

Honestly, is this really considered "news?"

If the questioning kid had the confidence to ask a question, I'm sure he also could take a sarcastic comment in turn.

Please, our kids aren't made of paper and they won't crumple with a comment. Do we really need to coddle society, worried about being politically correct all the time. If so, we obviously give ourselves too much credit for being strong. Grow up.

The kid had a valid question regarding the age and health of Senator McCain, although perhaps not vocalized in the most eloquent way. Senator McCain's jab at the kid was unnecessary, and instead, he should have used the opportunity to state that many older Americans continue to work and participate in pushing the economy. Unfortunately, it was the Senator that came off as the old, grumpy "jerk" by pouncing on a young kid.

No explanation should be necessary.

I love McCain's sense of humor! He's a candidate that isn't fake as opposed to some other ones. I heard this and cracked up. If the kid has the guts to pull a punch like that on a US Senator, he should be ready for some teasing to come back at him.

Waddya expect from a dotty old fart?

McCain was right.. that kid was being a punk. Think it was pretty funny to have an honest (un-politically Correct) come back for once from anyone runing for president.

Why should he have to explain, it was called humor. Is there a National Jerk Society that will be up in arms about this? I sure as heck hope not.
Give the man a break.

McCain is a loser! How dare he threaten a child for voicing his opinion. I'm sorry, dear sir, after having seen what being "drafted" can do to someone, it is absolutly not a laughing matter. He disgusts me.

It was funny! What's wrong with you people?