January 24, 2008
Posted: January 24th, 2008 09:44 PM ET

(CNN) - Republican John McCain brushed aside suggestions the emergence of the economy as an issue on voters' minds could harm his presidential chances.

"I am very well versed in economics," he said during Thursday's presidential debate. “I was there at the Reagan revolution. I was there just after we enacted the first tax cuts and restraints on spending. I was chairman of the commerce committee in the United States Senate, which addresses virtually every economic issues that affects the United States."

Long viewed as a respected voice on national security, McCain has not made economic issues as much of a driving force in his presidential bid. Political observers have questioned whether the issue's new prominence in the campaign may shift votes towards successful businessman Mitt Romney - who has made economic policy a centerpiece of his run.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Filed under: John McCain


Big Brother 2008   January 25th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

John thinks War is great for the Economy,since most of what we manufacture here are guns and bullets.

deepak   January 25th, 2008 2:10 pm ET

Mccain made a food of himself last night.
He lied about saying that economy is his not his weakness
He lied saying that he as much knowledge if not more on economy than anyone else on stage.
Then he made up an answer to a question from Ron Paul without having a clue about what he was talking about.

When it comes to Economy it comes down to two people
Ron Paul and Romney , but I would trust Ron Paul more because he has more experience and knowledge about Macro Economy and monetary policy than Romney who is mainly a micro economy person . Romney uses vicious and dirty tactics against his American opponents.Who knows how he will be with foreigners and what kind of false ads he will try to sell us to get to do something his masters desire ???

Ron Paul is the only person that can bring peace and prosperity to America and the world

PS: If you want to elect another Liar go for McCain or if you hate Ron Paul for no reason go for his copycat ( Mike Hike) who still think Iraq is hiding WMDs under hussine 's cousin's rug lol

Cheers

James, Houston,TX.   January 25th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

McCain is not too weak on the economy; Only on Guts and Principle! in addition to being in Self-Denial.

Wayne   January 25th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

With John McCain it's all about one issue and one issue only: National Defense. Which is a good quality for the President to have. But it shouldn't be the ONLY issue he/she is proficient in. Hillary is strong on Defense and Smart on the economy.

Bob   January 25th, 2008 12:20 pm ET

Why has John McCain consistently fought every effort to secure the Mexican border? He is senator of Arizona, one of the states hit hardest by illegal immigration. Why has John McCain backed George Bush on every issue, including the sale of American Ports to Dubai?

Is this the guy we want? I thought we were trying to get rid of George W Bush. So why would we want to elect somebody who has the same goals and plans?

Karen Kindel   January 25th, 2008 11:47 am ET

McCain lies again!

Debate question for McCain about quote in Times Magazine as he ststes that he knows little about the econmy and he denied making that quote

Since our econmy is in big trouble and to stay in wars forever as McCain wants, we will continue borrowing money

Do we need this Debt? NO

McCain also wants Amnesty but now says that he has heard and wants border first well he is from Arizona as I am and border agents are being attacked and murdered on our border Where is McCain?

948 lies from Bush and his croonies before Iraq war , hidden secrets and stuburn secret policies

2 lies from from stuburn McCain and he not knowing about the econmy

Do we need 4 more Bushy Senior years? NO!!!

War Hero does not mean he has knowledge how to run this Country

Broken Government = Change

David.....Nevada   January 25th, 2008 10:38 am ET

John McAmnesty and Stallone too should both take their old tired careers and ride off into the sunset and quit trying to milk the cow for more. Stop beating a dead horse to death Mc, because deep inside you know absolutely giltch about jobs or economics. Sounds like with Jack Kemp and L. Graham and your circle of friends, which u kept repeating, they'll make all ur decisions for ya. Hope you have the "Friends can call anytime" plan because it looks and sounds like you'd sure be dependent on it. NO thanks...

Tim, Minnesota   January 25th, 2008 9:50 am ET

I'm tired of hearing about the "bridge to nowhere". If you stopped it from happening, chances are you were doing your job. Why brag about what you were paid to do?

Jason, El Segundo CA   January 25th, 2008 6:44 am ET

McCain – you know squat about economics. Give me a break. The choice is clear people: with McCain you get 'old world' power, with Romney you get 21st century power. The world isn't ruled by guns and bombs anymore McCain! McCain is a product of the Cold War – it's all he knows. Romney is a product of the present.

dave   January 25th, 2008 6:31 am ET

I think John McCain was made out of the same mold as Rumsfeld he is a bully and a war monger. I think this country would be in for a rude awakening if he was elected President. I am a true democrat and I am voting for Romney any more ?'S.

Colby   January 25th, 2008 3:43 am ET

Where's the ticker post about McCain denying that he said the exact quote that Rustert read to him during a question about his lack of economic knowledge. No one should expect these guys to remember everything they ever said, but they caught McCain in a fib that time! Tonight was a bad night for McCainiacs

Rob   January 25th, 2008 3:35 am ET

McCain is a decent guy and he's been a great senator, but he is completely unprepared to be our president. He is a master compromiser, but he has never worked in the economy or lead any organization. I say let's keep him in the senate where he will be most effective. We need a true leader who understands financial matters and has experience in business, potitics, and international affairs. Mitt Romney is the most intelligent, capable, and experienced candidate from either party in years. A vote for Romney is a vote for a better America.

Foreign National   January 25th, 2008 3:23 am ET

McCain would be better suited for National Security Advisor or Secretary of Defense, but he might be OK with Huckabee or Paul on the ticket!

I agree Paul is the only viable candidate, but he does not look likely to get the nomination, so I could support McCain with Huckabee or Paul on his ticket!

The tax plan of Huckabe is genius and he has all the basis well covered, just the opinion of someone with an advanced degree in Economics!

But to suport Mc Cain or not would definitely depend who is on the ticket with him! He is so pro Bush and his policies, I am afraid we might have a diaster in Foreign Policy with McCain?

He is banging the war drums, and I would have loved to see Ron Paul ask McCain about Operation Cyclone, and I bet Ron Paul is the only Republican candidate that knows anything about it!

Geoff   January 25th, 2008 2:05 am ET

"At a recent meeting with the Wall Street Journal editorial board, Republican presidential candidate John McCain admitted he “doesn’t really understand economics” and then pointed to his adviser and former Senate colleague, Phil Gramm – whom he had brought with him to the meeting – as the expert he turns to on the subject, The Huffington Post has learned."

ED   January 25th, 2008 1:51 am ET

McCain will WIN anyway...........guaranteed.

McCain 2008!

Pedro   January 25th, 2008 12:28 am ET

I'm guessing that Mr. McCain could have done just as masterful a job at nailing Ron Paul on some of his weaknesses – particularly on foreign policy, national defense, trade, etc. etc. etc......to think that none of these guys have weaknesses would be like...well, like a fairy tale. Where have we heard that before?

Richard, FL   January 25th, 2008 12:27 am ET

McCain, responding to Tim Russert about whether he said he knew a lot less about economics than the military said, "I don’t know where you got that quote from."

"I'm going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues," McCain told Wall Street Journal's Steve Moore in 2005. "I still need to be educated."

It was like when Bush lied during his 2004 debates and claimed he hadn't said that he wasn't all that concerned about Osama bin Laden.

James   January 25th, 2008 12:15 am ET

the funny thing is that mccain first denied that he knows nothing about the economy saying that he has extensive knowledge of the economy and just as much or more than any other candidate. Then he looked like a dunce when ron paul asked him a question about the economy. So much for all that extensive knowledge he has.

Steve   January 25th, 2008 12:07 am ET

Typical of each of the candidates stealing from Ron's platform. Because the economy is the topic of the day, all of the sudden they bring up the same or very similar responses that Ron has been saying all along. Furthermore, now we have McCain stealing the "revolution" slogan (which wasn't a Reagan slogan at all).
Cheap imitators. This is pandering at its finest people. Use your brains! Look at the facts and not he smoke screen.

Carol   January 24th, 2008 11:56 pm ET

Ouch! That one didn't go so well.

What's Economy   January 24th, 2008 11:51 pm ET

McCain spells economey double U.. A.. arrrr..
that spells WAR

Who cares if you have a job we have lots of wars and go back to veitnam and find the people who tortured him.

Patty, somewhere   January 24th, 2008 11:49 pm ET

I also agree with previous posters that it was obvious McCain had no clue as to the question posed to him by Ron Paul.
Also I stated in another thread here that I almost choked when McCain started talking about the stimulus package and he was sorry Bush's tax cuts were not made permanent because those people who are planning their 2010 budget now will have problems. Tell that to the thousands upon thousands who don't know where next month's rent will come from.

David   January 24th, 2008 10:55 pm ET

Yes you are McCain....you are weak on the ecomnomy

Mark G., BBH, ME   January 24th, 2008 10:51 pm ET

He did not have a clue about the PPT, plunge team Dr. Paul asked him about.

best and most telling part of the night.

Doom   January 24th, 2008 10:19 pm ET

He sounds confused.

Lee   January 24th, 2008 10:09 pm ET

How many names is John McCain gonna throw around tonight. It is like whos who of who he knows. Speak about you not about all those you know. hello.'

Joe D   January 24th, 2008 10:09 pm ET

I thought that Ron Paul nailed McCain on the economic question. It's obvious McCain knows nothing about economics. Look at his face was like he got caught with his pants down. Better think of some general answer quick! lol He couldn't even answer the question. He'd rely on his circle of advisors? That means he doesn't know. lol

lynn R.   January 24th, 2008 10:07 pm ET

say what you want–McCain has the best chance to win.

Lee   January 24th, 2008 10:07 pm ET

Are they stating Clinton as the candidate to beat in the democratic race? Sure sounds like it to me. I wonder if the papers tomorrow will note how many times they used Hillarys name like they did with McCain the other night. I sure hope they do.

Hillary is the candidate thats in it to win it and the republicans obviously got it tonight ;)

Ed   January 24th, 2008 9:59 pm ET

McCain is ready to start drawing his Social Security check. He is too old for this job.

robert mitchell   January 24th, 2008 9:57 pm ET

I wish that John McCain would just shut up. I don't understand for the life of me how any of these dweebs with the exception of Ron Paul can get any traction at all. I don't understand what has happened to the conservative voice in our country any more. I have never seen such a lackluster group of candiates in my life. God help our country if this all we can offer up to steer our country forward. And the media is a party to it it is painful to watch the media carry water for these people.

wale azeez   January 24th, 2008 9:52 pm ET

paul got mccain fumbling with his question....mccain has no clue what he was talking about...i thought that was funny!!!! mccain is weak on economy and strong in iraq

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