McCain is actually loosing his bearings. He is not even saying anything about his pastor who has said many evil things about american people that even what Rev. Wright had said. Wisdom has been said to be something proportional to age, but McCain is acting otherwise.

I think McCain will be lucky to live for another four years. How does his campaign think that his age will not be an issue. They are just as crazy as the Clintons.

MCain is old Obama is inexperience and full of speeches is this my choice…. Oh Hiliary, I think I'm just going to stay home

No. McCain is just being a cry baby.

Okay with the nit picking….Cafferty you were there, you knew what he ment. Besides who hasn't takin' aim at McCains age?!

Nope but I am sure they will spin this one until November like everything else.

I think Salter is an idiot. Now, if Obama had said "senile," THAT would have been about McCain's age!

OF COURSE NOT!!

to even suggest it is absolutely rediculus!! Somebody can
"lose their bearings" at any age..it simply implies that McCain
is losing track of comments he made in the past about keeping
his campaign "free of any negativity"!!–something you can NEVER
expect from a republican candidate!

Dont get me wrong… im not saying age isnt a issue..!!
Surely McCain is so stupid to think that his age isnt an issue.
IT IS!!!

OH MY GOD… This is EXACTLY how non-issues begin. (with the offering of even one second of attention more than it deserves). Ok… so the answer is NO.

CAN WE NOW TALK ABOUT THE CANDIDATES POSITIONS AND DETAILS ON THE ECONOMY, IRAQ, IRAN, AFGHANISTAN, BIN-LADIN, NAFTA, CRIME, HOUSING CRISIS, THE DEFICIT, CHINA OWNIG US, SAUDI ARABIA OWNING US ….???

Bearings = mode or conduct. McCain has a complex with his age.

When I first read the comment, I thought Obama meant the remark to mean that McCain was deviating from a course he had set at the beginning of his campaign. To run a civil campaign. To run an issues campaign.

But now that McCain has brought up his age, it's an interesting point.

Obama is full of hypocrisy, and I will not vote my party this fall.

Reluctantly
McCain 08

No, Obama did not mean to take aim at his age. It was a slow day for the McCain campaign and they wanted a free press considering that Obama, the Senators buster was all over the news.

No of course not. All Obama meant by that is that McCain is losing sight of what he should be focusing on.

Are these guys IDIOTS?? Does everyone who loses their bearings are old? Wow! We are in deep trouble if this old guy gets elected. He is having basic comphension issues!

McCain is old…come on. It's amazing how people think they can throw sand and it not back fire. They struck a low blow with the fear monguring.

Absolutely not!

If McCain is sensitive about his age then that's something he needs to deal with. Senator Obama was correct in stating McCain was losing his bearings on the TRUTH!

If the McCain will flinch each time someone bring up dates, years or time span then maybe rather than dragging this silly season topic out maybe the McCain team should spend time focusing on why he wants to keep the troops in Iraq for another 100 years!

It's quite a stretch to read "you're too old" from "[you] lost [your] bearings." Losing your bearings simply means that you've lost your way. We all lose our way and then. It has nothing to do with age. The McCain people are stirring up controversy where there is none.

Who cares if he was or not? That's not the issue. The issue is that Obama feels he can say whatever he wants about the other candidates, but when they fire back, he plays "victim" of dirty politics.

Before McCain ever said a word about the support of Hamas leaders for Obama's presidency, Obama had repeatedly taken McCain's "100-year presence" comment out of context to suggest McCain wants a 100-year war. He jumped all over McCain's error when he interchanged the words "Al Qaeda" and "insurgent" to suggest that McCain doesn't know the difference between Shia and Sunni.

Neither of these things are true, and in Obama's own words, "He knows better." And although he continues to throw these lies and distorted perspectives around to mislead the American people, as soon as Clinton or McCain do it to him, he cries foul.

One word: Hypocrisy.

Nice spin to cover his outrageous and disgusting comment! What a spoof!

Absolutely not!

If McCain is sensitive about his age then that's something he needs to deal with. Senator Obama was correct in stating McCain was losing his bearings on the TRUTH!

If the McCain will flinch each time someone bring up dates, years or time span then maybe rather than dragging this issue out in the silly season maybe the McCain team should spend time focusing on why he wants to keep the troops in Iraq for another 100 years!

Glad this is FINALLY being asked. To lose one's bearings is not to suggest an age problem - it means that one has lost their way - and surely that is McCain in a nutshell… He is LOST and he will LOSE in November!

McCain is "losing his bearings" because he needs to maintain the maverick fiction while kissing the collective fat rear of the extreme right. A maverick dislikes dirty campaigning, but the extreme right loves it. Whatever McCain's principles may actually be, his party is insisting that he put them aside to win the election.

Obama wasn't talking about age at all, but I think the reaction from McCain's camp betrays a hyper-defensiveness about it that Obama would do well to exploit.

Maybe if he said "losing his marbles" or "going senile" they'd have had a point, but they're making something out of nothing.

Losing one's bearings means nothing more than getting off message and McCain's message has been that he's going to run a clean campaign.

NO! Doesn't ANYONE know what a "bearing" is????? A bearing is a DIRECTION, a COURSE.

Losing one's bearing means losing your way, or veering off course.

Stop trying to make something out of nothing (and next time, try checking the dictionary first).

No, Obama was not taking a shot at McCain's age. The comment was in reference to him losing his direction (bearing) on which way he said he was going to go in terms of how he was going to run his campaign.

Oh good grief - tempests in teapots - "losing his bearings" does not equate to raising the age issue. I agree with a poster on another thread who posed the possibility that McCain's senior advisor may in fact be "losing his marbles". Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

I waited for the interview…and watch you HYPE "Obama even gets angry.", but Obama's comment "lost his bearings" was not a dig to his age….and YOU know it, McCain knows it, its just more SPIN!.
Bearings are on the "staright talkbus"
Stop with the frigging spin.
Obama first was not angry.
and it was not a remark on age.
give me a break Wolf.

A person of any age can "loose their bearings". Unfortunately what Mr. McCain tried to do was attach Mr. Obama to a radical organization.

This should prove interesting..We can get the republicans to ask what the media are reluctant to ask. Michelles' thesis? The land deal with Rezko? His voting record or lack thereof as a US Senator? His fathers real job in Kenya? Was he born because of Selma? How could Kennedy have brought his father to the US? What is the real theology of the church he attended for 20 years..How much drug use is he refering to in his book? Where is his typical white grandmother? What are his dreams for his fattherland, Africa? Will he push for reparations for Slavery? If Obama is the nominee, write in Hillary Clinton in November…

I don't think Obama was taking aim at McCain's age. I think he was stating a fact that could apply to anyone of any age. We can all lose our bearings about things, especially when we are trying to swim in waters way above our head! McCain is going to make alot of news in the months to come. Bad news. He is a war hero because he got caught and imprisioned and lived through it. He has ridden through his career on that accomplishment. Until now. Now, he is going to have to have to THINK for a living.

Obama said nothing about his age. He was talking about his moral bearing, in trying to link Obama to a terrorist organization. Given that we have some people in this country who still think Obama is a muslim. It was a cheap shot and he was right to call him on it.

By the way McCain you are old, it does not take a high IQ to deduce that. You are 71, it is not the new 30, 40, 50, or 60. It's 71. If you are touchy about your age deal with it.

i can't figure out if McCain has gone from tough to sensitive or from straight talk to feigned outrage…

Either way he is not the man I supported in 2000.

Obama 08!

Obama and his camp are all hypocrites. They are the first to cry foul if someone takes a shot at their messiah, but they then turn around and pull these stunts. David Axlerod is the equivalent of political herpes.

i thought it was a pretty clever way, didn't even realize he was undermining the age thing until this thing blew up

"This is typical of the Obama style of campaigning."

This might fool people who didn't see the interview, but I did and it doesn't fool me. People at any age can "lose their bearings." In fact, I expect such a thing from the very young more than those with more years under their belt.

For myself, I'll take Obama's style of campaigning over the fear tactics that McCain chooses, or the race baiting that the Clinton camp is flirting with, any day.

This has nothing to do with age at all. I wonder if this is paranoia or just really bad spin from McCain's campaign. He either doesn't have a very good control over his campaign, or he is being duplicitous in having them raise issues which he later says are not issues.

Yes and he should, I wouldn't trust McCain to drive a car let alone have the most stressfull job in the world.

It's a pathetic attempt at spin on the part of Salter, who's desperately attempting to find ANYthing for John McCain to fight against in November. You can't run against Hope & Change, so you run against…insignificant gentle criticisms of your candidate. I predict that despite McCain's claims to dislike negative campaigning, he will do nothing but. He has nothing to run on but Bush's legacy. He can't run as a Republican maverick, because he'll lose the far right wing nutter base, and he can't run as a conservative because he'll lose the independents. So Salter has decided to run on tiny imperceptible glitches in Obama's speeches. Pathetic!

McCain needs to take his medications! I see an impending memory problem! What am I running for again? Oh, the presidency….Thanks for reminding me honey.

Suugested Titles of New books:

1. From The Cold Streets Of IOWA To The White House

2. Experience vs Change: The Case of Obama and Hillary

3. How A Young Man Changed Washington And America

Some sayings about how powerful Obama is after winning in IO:

2. Obama is a Senator Killer (Mitt Rommey, 200

3. Obama is an Excellent Campaigner (McCain, 200

When in life one loses one's "bearings", it means that you have lost your sense of direction….Just as John McCain has in this case.

It is something completely different to say 'losing his "marbles"'. That implies the loss of wits and mental faculties…And that is neither what Obama said or implied.

NOW, if Obama had said McCain was losing his MARBLES…..THEN IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT STORY….The media will try to make a mountain out of a mole hill.

but it's good to see the conversation move from clinton to mccain.
nobody wants clinton to be the president except herself,

I really don't like Obama, every time, i just see him put his hands in his pockets, which give me a feeling he is not a diligent person, and just stand beside , watching other people doing everyting. I really like Clinton (or John McCain). Really wish she will win. BTW, Obama heavily rely on black people, which can't represent the whole America.

I personally didn't see "losing his bearings" as an attack on McCain's age. Your bearings are sense of direction, but less literally, your moral or ethical guideposts. McCain has said repeatedly that he won't engage in negative or smear campaigning, and Obama was saying that McCain had shifted his direction, and now was doing something McCain said he wouldn't.

I think it is a stretch to call that comment an underhanded attack on McCain's age.

On the other hand, if a Hamas leader did say that Hamas preferred Obama, then Obama should expect that his opponent will bring that up. This is politics, after all, not a kindergarten fight over a jar of paste.

I think both candidates should toughen up, and stop crying foul every time someone opens their mouth!!!

Mr. Obama didn't say, "McCain is losing his marbles", which is what my folks like to refer to their aging issues! Is this a card that we will see more of from the McCain campaign? I hope not, as much as any candidate tries not to use their "gender card" or "race card".

The obvious answer is yes, of course he did. I keep hearing (from the usual left-wing children) how he's "too old" to make rational decisions. My grandfather lived to the age of 87 and was sharp as a knife until his last breath. I think I speak for many adults in here (not applicable to millions of Obama's "fans") when I say that age means experience, not just in politics, but in life. Besides, whatever happened to the old saying "respect your elders"? Apparently, Obama's supporters have no clue what that means since it's not coming from a video game or an ipod.

Well we should be used to this Republican style of mincing words and trying to make them be what they want - since Clinton has been doing it throughout this campaign.

I think this was a very feeble attempt at the McCain team to draw away criticism from the fact that their candidate and campaign has made a major blunder in trying to equate support from Hamas to how Obama will be as President. That was a ridiculous attempt by the McCain team and I think they are regretting, and they used Obama's comments as a way to deflect outrage over their tactics.

Obama routinely refers to McCain's Straight Talk Express "losing it's way" or "veering off course." To say that McCain is "losing his bearings" is clearly another way of using the same metaphor. The most appalling thing about this story is that this phrase is in no way synonymous with "losing his marbles," which is the phrase that Salter is pretending to take offense to.

I think McCain is self conscious about his age. When one talks about someone's bearings it could also mean their composure or temper.

I lose my bearings all the time and I'm only in my 30s.

Of course not. It is irrelevant.

People are saying it is time for a change and that has always been his mantra.

Go Obama Go!!!

Obamacan 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No he wasn't talking about his age! I think by now we know Obama - if he wanted to talk about Mc Cain's age - he would have!

He was saying how off track Mc Cain's statement was! And, I agree Mc Cain's statement was way-off track regarding Hamas!

Listen - Mc Cain is suppose to be tough - so come on!!!

how can you be talking to this flip flopper he has no convictions he can not stay with any thing for very long he is a has been

It has nothing to do with age.

Losing your bearings not the same as losing your marbles. I think the people who objected might have lost their way temporarily as did Sen. McCain.

Obama is in the process of 'losing his marbles' if he thinks he will be elected in November !

Go McCain 2008

First of all, I didn't take any inference to age in Obama's remarks. He went on to say, in the context of the interview that McCain was calling for civility and such while using underhanded inuendos against his opponents. When someone attacks your credibility and you defend yourself, that's not an attack, that's a response…McCain's staff is making it sound like Obama went after McCain unfairly when in fact, it's exactly the opposite…

is he ashamed of his age. if he is there is something to his age his hiding otherwise it shouldnt bother him if he knows he is fit mentaly. if he makes it an issue it will only make it worse for him.the fact is he is old.the rest is up to him to prove that he is up fr the job.

No not age. McCain bounces back and forth like the wind!

The McCain camp is grasping at straws. Thats all.

Well, Wolf, what McCain's people are failing to realize is that age is an issue. Race and gender do not impair one's ability to be an effective leader; however, given what we all know about aging and its deteriorating effects on the body and mind, it is obvious that electing a senior citizen should be concerning. Then again, this is a campaign that tried to raise money by claiming Hamas wanted Barack Obama to be president, so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by their ignorant tactics.

"Losing your Bearings" means to lose your way; in context it means that Obama was questioning McCain not living up to running a fair, antismear campaign.

The Rebulicans are claiming that Obama won't be able to withstand their attacks and they can't take this one without whining and misinterpreting…are they seeking Clinton's elderly vote??

I think 1 year from now people will be asking, "Obama who?" He is totally unelectable and if the vote were today he would not be in the position he currently is. I believe the Democratic Party will be hurt by his candidacy. Long time Democrats are disgusted and beginning to wonder if they are in the correct party if, in fact that party, is sponsoring a candidate with no experience to be in the most important position in the world.

I think McCain's campign is desperate for attention, any attention.

Wow. Sensitive aren't we McCain?? Now that you brung it up, you are old.

I'm pretty sure that Obama meant "bearings" as in "surroundings" or that McCain was out of touch. I don't think he meant McCain's ball-bearings were getting rusty, and I don't think he meant he was getting senile, which are the only two ways I can see that comment being age-related.

Also, "We have all become familiar with Senator Obama’s new brand of politics… It is called hypocrisy, and it is the oldest kind of politics there is." Talk about hipocrisy, that's like, double hipocrisy or something. Is it a new brand or is it the oldest kind there is?

He is old but I don't think Barack was intentially calling him an old man. Doesn't matter anyway McBush is TOAST in Nov!

Obama 08!

They are always trying to spin any words that come out of their mouth. It's really sad what the media has become. To me hearing Mr. Obama say what he said, the last thing on my mind was him being clever about Mccain's age, I saw it as Mr. Obama making a good point that he said one thing, and is loosing focus on what he said and is now doing the opposite. He says he will handle his campaign one way, but has now fallen victim to old politics and smear campaign's, and ironically now the Mccain camp is trying to say he was making fun of his age…you've got to be kidding me….

Losing one's bearings is clearly a moral jab, not an insult based on age. To imply otherwise is just a foreshadowing of what will come in the fall.

A not so clever way of trying to divert attention away from John McCain's obvious attempt to add the element of 'fear' into the campaign by suggesting Obama is somehow aligned with the radical islam faction. A typical Republican tactic that has been very successful for them in the past. Will it work again??

I listened to the interview and honestly I thought Obama was talking about losing his bearing about the straight talk bus or train or whatever it is..No way did i interpreted that in anyway to be about his age. In their eagerness to attack they missed the mark badly and look rather foollish.

"losing your bearings" dosen't refer to age it refers to being disoriented.

Mcain is old and since he twice held up the wrong end of the microphone you have to wonder if he is too old for the job. On the other hand maybe that is not so bad considering our current president is too dumb for the job.

Of course this is being too far read into. The comment clearly had nothing to do with age. What does age and 'losing his bearing' have to do with one another? The Republicans added something extra b/c they didnt have an intelligent reaction statement in return to Obama.

I think he meant MORAL bearings.

I love McCain, but I agree with Obama on this point.

Uhhhh….if you're stating the truth, it's not a smear. it's stating a fact. McCain is old as dirt. It would be like McCain calling Obama an African American, and Obama's campaign writing an outraged memo stating that it was an obvious slur to be called that.

My father is a psychologist who specializes in military delayed stress syndrome and geriactrics (old people). He's told me that delayed stress syndrome is often brought out by stress (it isn't always nightmares about combat…sometimes it's just odd behavior). He's watched McCain carefully, and says he is displaying both signs of delayed stress syndrome and the onset of senility.

McCain is an honorable man who has sacrificed a great deal for this country during his military service, and continued to do great things once he has returned. The fact, however that he's too stressed, and getting on in years, cannot be ignored. And if he and his staffers think the phrase "losing his bearings" is a slap at his age, then perhaps they are overly sensitive to the issues of age. Getting brittle about perceived insults at this point in the campaign (before it's even really started) doesn't bode well for the health of McCain's campaign in the long run.

They had nothing to do with his age. Obama was merely pointing out that McCain has been flip-flopping over some issues.

This is just another example of how people have been trying to spin everything Obama says.

Thats the way Socialist work- look every where they have gone in the World they destroy the people and the culture- be careful what you wish for America.

We may find ourselves in the position of having to take back our country by FORCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am tired of "waiting to be offended" crowd. The media should lambast McCain for such a gross over reaction.

Wow, McCain sure does whine a lot. He talks Reverened Wright, Hamas, no experience. But let Obama say anything slightly suggestive and McCain yells "foul". So much for McCain not going Negative, and that's what Obama meant about his bearings. Besides, McCain is old. I am ten years younger than McCain, and I am old.

Obama has no right to smear the reputation of ANYONE based on age. After what he did to my democratic vote in Florida, I want him to know, we Floridians do not forgive or forget.

Hello, is anybody there? He is old.

I think America has "become familiar with Senator McCain's old brand of politics, first he demands civility from his opponent, then he attacks him, distorts (him), sends out surrogates to question his integrity"…
It is called "McCain's presidential campaign, and it truly is the oldest kind of politics there is, because it is coming from one of the oldest politicians there is!

No I didn't link any remark with age.If someone acused me of backing terrorism I would be highly offended too.

Tell the Republicans that, complaining will not make Mcain young. He is old. 71 years old is not young. If they have a problem with that, they can change their nominee. He is old, he represents the past…. Obama didn't talk about Mcain's age, I think the Republicans themselves feel unconfortable with Mcain cause he is OLD.

This is a crappy issue and you should not dignify it with this question. And Leiberman has become a nutcase!

It sounds more like Obama was referring to McCain's tempers, not his age. Anyway, either appears to me to be a much more legitimate consideration to voters than race.

So Salters comments apply more to his own comments than to Obama's.

Looks like McCain's people are revealing their vulnerability before it need be addressed. I saw the interview, and I hardly think Obama's sentiments were "hypocrisy". However, McCain's side might really be losing their barrings now.

I think it's clear from the context that "losing his bearings" refers to McCain's loss of focus on the clean campaign that he said he was going to run. Interesting that the McCain campaign went this way with Obama's comments. Methinks the senator doth protest too much.

I give Sen. Obama credit for quick-wittedness, being Sen. McCain is a previous Naval officer, losing ones bearings in that context is more plausible than thinking that Sen. Obama does not know the difference between "marbles" and "bearings."

I think the McCain camp is reaching for something right now to discredit Obama. Unfortunatley It has nothing. They threw the first shat by suggesting that Obama favors Hamas. Obama merly responded to their initial attack. They say hipocracy. How can you call the other guy a hipocryt when you were the first to throw stones?

No I dont think so…

Oh, please. The only thing that is linked to "age" is that John McCain has obviously "forgotten" everything he learned as a military officer. He knows that we counsel young men/women every day on "losing their bearing". It means (in case John McCain is having another senior moment) that one has lost situational awareness and is not conducting him/herself as an officer, or military member. i.e. saying things that serve no meaningful purpose, which is what McCain did.

OBTW, tell "Lap Puppy Joe Lieberman" to go back and sit in his corner! He obviously doesn't know what loss of bearing means.

CT, is this the guy you voted for???

Losing his bearings means losing one's way or origional direction. I think that they are either confusing it with losing one's marble or just trying to pull a political misdirect. In the case of the former, it was origionally a nautical term, so you think a navy man like McCain would be familliar with it.

Wolfe, GIie me a break!!! I can't believe you are allowing anyone to make anything of this. What about the comments Hillary made about making the claim that she is the most electable because she is getting the majority of the white votes. That is a much bigger issue, something that should not ever come out of the mouth of a candidate that is running for the presidency!! Something that many people have taken great offense to. Give that some air time. Why you give Lieberman any air time at all is unbelievable, a total turncoat, who did so only to make sure he remained in politics.

It is old school politics at it's best, The McCain camp is trying grab on to anything they can smear Obama, I am 37 and I lose my bearing sometimes. The McCain should stick to issues, and stop grasping at straws.

What is the big deal even if he did aimed at his age. The guy is old and that is a fact.

I don't think it had anything to do with age. I believe he was refering to McCain being *off course* and needing to get back on track.

how did you take it at the time, Wolf?

I didn't think of McCain's age at all when Obama said that. I voted for the OLD McCain in the 2000 primary. This NEW McCain is a Bush in sheep's clothing…reminds me of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Very sad…

What do you think Blitzer? I don't think he stoops that low. He is not in the kind of business.

Hell no. I do not think so.

Yep, Salter had it right. That's exactly what Obama does! He did it
with Hillary and now with McCain. Obama's nothing but the same
'tired, old politics' to steal a phrase from Sen. Change, himself!

I tell my mother all the time that she is loosing her barings. She has no sense of direction and can get lost in a parking lot. The phrase has nothing to do with her age and I agree with the way Obama said it. McCain is looisng his barings if he thinks the economy is safe and the war efferts need to last 100 years. He has lost his direction and fr this I di not feel safe that he should be our president.

The response by the McCain campaign shows their sensitivity to Mr. McCain's age and that they know it will be a factor in the election. If they accuse Obama of making it an issue, then it makes HIM look like the biased bad guy. I watched your interview and when he made the comment, that interpretation never crossed my mind. McCain may be losing it after all.

To me, "losing your bearing" means that you have lost your direction. I have never heard that term used in relation to getting older… just going the wrong direction from where you need to go. Now if Obama had said that McCain was getting senile… that would be an insult. It sounds like McCain's staff is very uneasy about his age and looking for mention of it anywhere- even when it isn't there.

Duh? Wolf, you were interviewing the guy…then you are asking such a stupid question? The question should be…. Is John McCain for real??

No, simply put, he wasn't. Obama said "loss of bearings" which means directions. That does not imply an addled brain, rather Obama pointed out that McCain said he would not use smear tactics, and sent out mailers explioiting a Hamas statement.

Of course Barack doesn't need to lower himself to that level, what's the use of talking about his age ?? he respects McCain and he respects every American, Hillary including, he's not interested in the old politics of attacks and negative ads, he really doesn't need to talk about McCain's age, he doesn't need that.

McCain himself is not comfortable with his own age, especially now that he's running for the presidency, he's been waiting for that for so long, after the kitchen sink campaign Bush run against him in 2000…

wolf c'mon you and i both know what obama was talking about, he in no way was referring to mccains age, just his policies….mcsame is being silly…..

This has nothing to do with age - McCain has lost touch with what once made him appealling to voters. It seems rich (and not elite rich) that his surrogate is making these claims about Obama. I think McCain has done a good enough job of reminding people of his age and mental capacity - Obama doesn't need to do it.

Bearing is a direction. Although the comments from the McComplain people sounds like a squeaky wheel whose bearings need to be PAC'd with a little GOP grease.

It doesn't take reading between the lines, just an understanding of idioms…he was referring to John McCain losing his relative position on the issue. No surprise that words are being picked apart. It would be nice if those seeking the White House would have a basic understanding of the English language. Why should things change in the Republican Party from where they are now? Go Obama!

macain is out of his mind.

Was Obama taking aim at McCain's age? Was McCain taking aim at Obama's race? These are two questions we will ask ourselves many times till November.

McCain has flipped on many issues in recent years (tax cuts, torture, his vote for Bush) and "losing his bearings" means that one becomes bewildered. Age can be implied as a factor, but anyone can "lose their bearings". So the McCain campaign is being very sensitive about the age issue. We know McCain is old, and the McCain camp knows it will be an issue in the fall, so they are on the defensive at all times on this issue.

I didn't think he was attacking McCain's age… maybe McCain's team is over-conciousabout his age 'touchy… must we say'.

The old man is getting very grouchy…McCain is OLD

I didn't take it as an age comment. Although age is a real issue and I think it should be talked about.

That is reaching at anything to make a stink! I never once considered age as an issue with McCain until his campaign mentioned it. I actually don't think McCain is that bad, but c'mon… we're stretching here folks.

Whether or not Senator Obama was attempting to raise Senator McCain's age is irrelevant. McCain's age is a legitimate issue. McCain's rights and interests are also irrelevant. What must control in such cases is what is in the people's interest - and the fitness of any candidate for the presidency is a matter of concern. As people age health concerns accumulate and the people have a right to consider the facts of human mortality. John McCain may think he will live as long as his mother but there are no guarantees.

Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black to me. Oops, sorry — that metaphor could take CNN off on a month long racism investigation couldn't it!

So, cann't Obama respond to John't smear? Hello, John, could you tell us how you would respond to that kind of smear?

McCain/AARP 08

When you only have speeches to offer and no real solutions, the best strategy is to deride the opponent. This worked with Hillary, but it will not work with Senator John S. McCain (Decorated Vietnam Veteran).

Go ahead and bring up his age. Age equals Wisdom. Something Obama does not have. Age equals judgment.. something Obama does not have.

We are not as dumb as the Obama people think we are. The Hillary Democrats and the Moderate Republicans will put McCain over the top in every state.

I think this is more political games that simply mince words instead of talking about real issues. I think McCain and the media need to grow up and start focusing on what really matters.

I watched the interview live and I got the impression that Obama was referring to McCain's bearings along the trail of the positive campaign McCain insists he will run. From the rabid and rapid response McCain's camp you get a glimpse of the conservative political war machine foaming at the mouth for Obama.

I think McCain is losing more than his bearings.POOR CINDY.

If this is what the McCain camp think is going to derail Obama, there are really small potatoes compared to him and are in the fight of their life.

I heard the remarks Obama made, and I heard nothing that remotely sounded like a reference to McCain's age. What, does someone in the McCain campaign have an issue with his age–some kind of complex? People of all ages lose their bearings for whatever reasons; therefore, what does Obama's statement have to do with McCain's age?

McCain is loosing his bearings though. He is out of touch with todays Americans and economy.

Interesting …….Age Matters…If we have an age limit for example for commercial pilots how can we possibly elect the older candidate to the most powerful and stressful job in the world ..Common Sense ??

Why is the McCain campaign so upset about this ? Unless they are so sensitive about his age that they call attention to it …

Well that is Obama, when he is in truble , he start to said this is "offensive" look what he said to Rev. Write before he said he was family , then said he dishonered him, you never dishonored your family!!! point? Obama is not onest.

Obama today said he had been to 57 states. Maybe he is losing his bearings. 6 supreme court justices are over 70. Justice Scalia is older than McCain. Colin Powell is over 70. 23 U.S senators are older than McCain including Diane Feinstein. Ron Paul is older than McCain. Speaker Pelosi is only a few years younger than McCain and so was Bush Sr as president.

The truth of the matter is that Hamas DID make that statement.

Maybe McCain and camp thought Obama said…

'Losing His HEARING'

Now that would be playing the 'age-card'

Give me break, McCain knows Obama didn't mean to attack his age, I see the dirty poliTRICKS are beginning. *SIGH*

I think Senator McCain is being a bit sensitive about his age and has clearly overreacted.

OBAMA '08

Wolf, give it a rest. If this is all you can focus on from the broad interview, you have lost your bearing as well.

The mistake is Senator Obama's. I do not understand why he bothers to grant generious interview with you, a suporter of HRC, who at every turn looks for ways to hghlight non issues in to issues for Obama.

Gabe

Without thinking about his age at all, I agree that McCain has lost his direction and is caught up in pandering (gas holiday) and saying whatever it takes to appease his current audience.

Apparently his campaign is overly sensitive about his age and THEY are the ones that brought it to everyone's attention in this case.

Now if he said "Losing his Marbles" I'd think that was age related.

Losing his bearings relates to this piece in a way that suggests McCain is "going off track" in his effort to not run a dirty campaign.

Anyways McCain is old as dirt, Looks old as dirt, and sounds old as dirt. Don't tell me the media isn't going to bring it up daily. I mean come on this is America we want a handsome (or at least not ancient) and socially exciting president.

I never thought of it as a reference to age until the McCain campaign brought it up. I thought "losing his bearings" meant that he knows what a fine man Senator McCain is and that his Hamas comments are inconsistent with that kind of character. Senator Obama seemed to suggest that Senator McCain can change course and get back to a tone that reflects well on the kind of man he really is.

OBAMA IS A HYPROCITE WITH THAT STATMENT

AS HE WAS WITH CLINTON AND STATING TIME TO GET RID

OF OLD POLITICS…YET HE EMBRACES KERRY AND KENNEDY

WHAT IS NEW ABOUT THAT?

HILLARY OR MCCAIN

I believe it is a predictable reach by the McCain camp. Barack used the phrase in terms of McCain losing his ethical "bearings." He was criticizing McCain for making negative comments and fear-mongering, when McCain has gone on record as stating he wouln not campaign in that manner.

Clearly, Mr. McCain will try to win at all costs, just as Ms. Clinton did in the primary. It is for this reason that I am excited for an Obama presidency. It holds the promise of a new type of politician. One who tells us what we need to hear, not just what we want to hear.

McCAIN "Of course not. I campaigned all over this country for him" That right there my friends sounds like a man who has lost his bearings and that has nothing to do with his age.

NO, it was taken totally out of content and everyone is trying to make a big deal of it. They need to be focused on Hilary's "working, hard working, white workers, who are uneducated". If I was supporting her I would be very offended! But hey since I'm educated I guess I'm doing the right thing and not voting for her.

First off, I am an Obama supporter, so I am going to come across as biased no matter what. I can see how someone might interpret the term 'losing his bearings' as a reference to senility. Key word here being interpret. One can spin anything into a new meaning depending on how you load your retort. I too have lost my bearings on subjects from time to time and I'm 28. It's called a moment of weakness. Being unaware of that which we ought to be aware. Especially if you are looking to be president. McCain has shown us time and again that it's not his age but his lack of knowledge about key current events, that is his failing.

McCain has some strong political advisers working for him now. Key word there being Now. So these types of interpretations will come along at ever increasing speed as Obama or Hillary approaches the actual nomination. With the full force of the GOP machine behind him, McCain will be able to fair better as time goes on. With the full force of the Democrats' machine behind, hopefully the candidate won't have to resort to what Salter calls "the oldest kind of politics."

Sounds like the McCain camp is pretty sensitive to the age issue. His reference to hypocrisy sending out surrogates is certainly the "pot calling the kettle black!" as my mama used to say.

I watched the interview and didn't pick that out of it

He could have meant that, but I doubt he did

But then again Mccain is old as dirt

I thought Obama meant McCain's moral bearings, that he said he was going to take the high road in his campaign, but was now taking the low. I guess McCain and his camp are a little sensitive on the age issue. Or, maybe they just want to attack Obama…

Nothing to do with age, McCain camp is just using every opportunity to find an excuse to go back on their word when it comes to a "fair campaign"

I think your coverage of the subject is stupid. You are a tool to the so called senior advisor's spin.

John McCain's bearings seem fine to me. I find it interesting that the Obama campaign claims that Pres. Bush's endorsement of Sen. McCain means that they share the same philosophy. Let's see, didn't Hamas endorse Sen. Obama?

Americans United for McCain '08

losing his bearings? that could, I guess, be construed as doddering old fool. now if he had said that mccain is not fit to be commander in chief because he wears depends….

we had one president already suffering from the onset of alzheimers; we don't need another.

Did he know the questions in advance?

This is of course utter nonesense, and I can't believe there's anyone stupid enough to fall for it. It was WAY out of line for McCain to try to link Barack with Hamas, and it's just absurd for him to try to claim the "age card" is being played on him

John McCain is OLD and age is definitely a factor in the upcoming election. What does a WHITE, RICH, 70+-YEAR OLD MAN know about the needs of a young African American single parent? NOTHING……………

No one latches on to the comment that Hamas would rather have Obama as Pres.? That one is worse than anything Obama said and in fact, proved his point. We would expect this rhetoric from Bush/Cheney but not the 'maverick' McCain. In any event, it may have been a subtle hint that McCain is a doddering old man, but if the supposed predilections of Hamas is on the table, McCain's age is similarly fair game.

NOOOOO…MCCAIN IS JUST BEING SENSITIVE!!!!

AND TWISTING WORDS!!! WHAT'S NEW FROM THE MCCAIN CAMP

DEMOCRATS IN 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you really Wolf or do you want to make a non-issue an issue? CNN please post this, I'm tired of all my posts being rejected inspite of good grammar, etc.

He wasn't referring to McCains age, this is just something for McCain to try and capitalized on the age thing.

If Mark Salter thinks that statement is not a clever way for Obama to address McCains age, then it's not a clever way for McCain to suggest Obama in in bed with the militat Palestinain group Hamas. I am not in politics and don't support anyone as of yet, but I've seen McCain lose his bearing if not toughts a lot of times buy suggesting we went to Iraq for the oil and also when Joe Lieberman corrected him multiple time on Iran issue. Duh!! Mr. Salter get a grip.

Why is it racist or divisive for HIllary to state that whites in various states support her, but it is not racist or divisive for Barak to say African Americans in NC supports him? This is unacceptable journalism. CNN lacks critical thought.

When I heard it, Senator McCain age did not come to mind. I understood Senator Obama as saying that McCain was changing the way he was running the campaign.

Now that the McCain camp has bought it up, maybe his age is something to be concerned about.

I think it was an absolutely ridiculous jump for the McCain camp to make. I never would have even though about it until the McCain camp brought it up.

Everyone knows McCain is old, and everyone is going to consider it.

It's like they think he said "example of his senility as he pursues this nomination"

It had not occurred to me that Obama's comment was at all related to age. I saw it as reflecting more on something that seems to occur more frequently these days in heated campaigns where you will hear candidates say things that you would have previously thought unimaginable. No one really seems completely immune to this.

McCain is too old..what can I say.

I watched the entire interview yesterday; and, I do not believe Obama was referencing McCain’s age. In the context of the interview, Obama was simply stating that McCain is not holding true to his decision to not engage mud slinging. The McCain camp needs to remain focused on the issues. Mark Salter’s interpretation of Obama's words is delusional and reflects Salter “lost his bearings.”

American media is runing crazy .There are a lot of people that are very cray in this contry , the first is the useless , worthless and a brutish American media .Your support for Obama is finally destroying and will finally destroy the DNC. I will ever in my life regret being a member of this party . I am finally going away for ever from this useless party it is filled up with senseless people like Pelosi etc .

I agree with the McCain campaign. Obama was raising the age issue. Obama is very good at subtle smears so he can pretend he didn't intend his comments to sound like an attack.

I think that McCain's people really need to look up the meaning of "losing his bearings". It is used as a navigation term in which there is a deviation from a particular direction, such as claiming to not use negativity and then trying to connect Obama with Hamas. And I am very disappointed that you and the other media heads allow this to continue. If you truly want to appear unbias, it is your responsibility to point these things out instead of allowing misconceptions to continue.

Wolf,

I think 'losing bearings' is open to interpretation. I think Obama was implying that McCain used to have policy positions that were more in line with his but now is changing tone and message as the Republican nominee. There is nothing about age there. Salter seems a bit jumpy. If this is a sign of things to come, Obama's team is going to absolutely slay McCain. Whew!

The way the Obama and McCain campaigns are suddenly going at it, it's like the Clinton-Obama feud, but without the guilt!

I think the McCain camp might be hard of hearing. American's are ready new leadership and a new kind of politics. What has happened to the McCain of 2000?

Whether I believe Obama was talking about McCain's age or not is not important because there is nothing McCain can do to change his age and he can't hide it. Boy, if McCain is so sensitive about his age, I'd say he has some serious issues. By the way, where's his medical report.

Now THIS is rediculous. His own campaign is the one that just brought up and made an issue of his age. BUT HE *IS* VERY OLD.

"Bearings" means direction. Sen. Obama was saying Sen. McCain is losing his direction as he pursues the nomination. Obama has said this before as well, with McCain having to cater to the Republican base and President Bush for support.

But I suppose we should all thank the McCain campaign for reminding us that Sen. McCain is old.

Give it a rest, Wolf! Concentrate on the issues.

I doubt Obama meant it as an attack on his age, but it was a defensive gesture that could be considered a retaliation. Don't get me wrong, I don't like McCain anymore than the rest of America, but it was throw mud in my eye, I'll sling some at you. I think Obama probably was referring to the Senior Senators general unstable filp flop mentality which may or may not have anything to do with his age.

I think that the McCain campaign doth protest too much.

Obama meant mcCain is off track for someone who is not going to be negative– hamas comment was a smear by McCain who has lost his bearings –hes off track—how can anyone read anything else into that comment—thanks,karen

So what? John McCain has become a senile old fool. Call a spade a spade.

I don't think it had anything to do with McCain's age as well. Obama had clearly proceeded the comment by saying how McCain had earlier denounced the idea of running a negative campaign. His suggestion that Obama is the preferred candidate of Hamas was an absolute smear. So Obama responded appropriately. McCain's campaign is merely grasping at straws to say Obama was pointing out McCain's age. Salter's comments strike me as desperate and disingenuous.

Bearings has nothing to do with age.

McCain is "losing his bearings " meaning this guys doesnt know where on the map he is or where he stands. He says his campaign wont smear Obama then he goes and link Obama to Hamas.
Frankly i think McCain ought to be ashamed of himself for his double talk. He says one thing but does another, He accepts Hagees endorsement but conderms the man for what he said.
He writes the immgration plan with Bush then he goes against it because its no longer popular.
He is against the bush tax cuts, but to win over conservative talk show hosts now he is for the bush tax cut.
This guys is Yesterdays politician and Yesterdays News. Bring on Change to the White House.

Ok… so if we're going to say 'losing his bearings' is a reference to being old… you gotta look at the meaning of it, and also the sentence relevance of it.

Everyone is focusing on the 'losing his bearings' and ignoring the subsequent words 'as he pursues this nomination'. Anyone who thinks McCain is too old would think he was too old at this exact moment… not that we're watching him get older. Aren't we all getting older? So the tense of the phrase doesn't coincide with what Mr. Salter is implying.

Also, the phrase 'losing his bearings' is a navigation reference implying he's lost his way. Obama's reply to the Hamas comment is regarding McCain's behavior in ethical and amicable campaigning… or losing his moral way.

Now, if he said 'losing his marbles' or 'going senile' that's completely different as it refers to losing his mental capacity through aging… but 'losing his bearings' refers to a conscious shift in mentality regardless of the capacity. I could lose my bearings right now… and I'm 21.

Sen. McCain opened this can of worms by suggesting that Sen. Obama would be influenced by terrorist organizations because of his name/religious background. Responding to McCain's comment with a potential age-related comment of his own was perhaps not the most politically savvy move - but McCain et. al. should not be complaining when they threw the first punch.

Who cares this is not news good lord!!!! That is what most of Americans think

Wolf,
Obama's arrogance and discrimination against Mcain will be dished right back to him, as we all know he is inexperienced and is leading this country to believe he is the best to run this country. It has been over a year now and I still do not buy what Obama is selling. Mr Obama will not gain any votes by doing this because the democratic party has left a bad taste in some of the American peoples mouths. I am a Hillary supporter and after The Indiana primary I switched my registration back to Republican and am planning to vote for Mcain. I will take an older man's wisdom far before a young man's promises.

I think McCain's reply showed me all we need to know about him. The reply made me think of his age, not Obama's comment.

This is a case of creative hearing on McCain's part. How he gets "McCain is old" out of Obama's observation that McCain is "losing his bearing" is beyond me, but then again, maybe creativity increases with age…..

Seems to me Mr. Obama line "losing his bearings" is to equate Mr. McCain and his message to a ship that has lost its course on a rough sea of public support. For those who don't really understand that term "Bearing" should consult Mr. Webster. To equate the term to Mr. McCain losing his mind is not what he was implying.

Witty, but disrespectful comment by Obama.
Obama is just another politican, not a saint like he leads people to believe him to be.

Of course not ! people who are saying that are losing their bearings!!

Wolf,

I don't believe Senator Obama was making a reference to Senator McCain's age. He was simply stating that the senator was off his position.

Getting your bearings also, find one's bearings. You figure out one's position or situation relative to one's surroundings. For example, She's still new to the company and needs time to find her bearings, or I'll be along soon; just wait till I get my bearings. Naturally, one can also lose one's bearings, as in After we missed the turnpike exit, we completely lost our bearings. These phrases use bearings in the sense of "relative position," a usage dating from the 1600s.

This is just another attempt to make a mountain out of a mole hill by the media and the Republicans.

For heaven's sake! I "lose my bearings" on a regular basis, and it isn't because of age. The McCain campaign is so sensitive about his age, that they pounce on anything. Silliness!

Considering that McCain is working hard to become what he thinks "Conservatives" want him to be (at least in appearance), I think the phrase "losing his bearings" refers more to McCain acting outside of character to appease some people out on the right.

McCain's campaign is trying to hard to find their own "race" card to play.

Wow! The republician always seems to blow-up what Obama says. Tell McCain to get a back bone - and he got the nerves to say Obama is weak, it sounds like grand-dad McCain is the weak one. It sounds like McCain is the one who is self-consious of his age.

I don't believe that the phrase "losing his bearing" is at all suggesting anything about Sen. McCain's age. I think that it's supposed to be more in line with the phrase "losing your military bearing". Which means, losing your composure that you have been trained to keep. Sen Obama just meant that Sen McCain has a way that he likes to present himself, and briefly detoured from that normal behavior. If anything, the choice of wording was probably meant to connect to military personnel like myself, in terms that we can relate to. Kind of dig in to some of that military backing.

wolf dont mind them. you have to know the rebub attack machine is not a new thing for american people cos if there go on issues and policy obama will definitely win them, so there come on attack which americans knows. my advise for them is for mccain to change his policies like before he had not to change it as soon as he get nom.. and the fact was that's what make him win the nom cos he was running as a change candidate an that was why i vote for him then, but since he embrace bush i change my vote for obama.

Of course I agree that it has nothing to do McCains age. Methinks Mr. McCain is a little sensitive about the age issue.

First of all McCain is OLD, I don't think that is a secret. He even said he is older than dirt (of course a lie) but h