August 28, 2008
Posted: 08:24 PM ET

From
McCain joked he has chosen Wilford Brimley to be his VP.
McCain joked he has chosen Wilford Brimley to be his VP.

DAYTON, Ohio (CNN) — John McCain appears to be comfortable with the selection of his running mate, whoever that person may be.

Upon arriving in Dayton, Ohio, Thursday evening, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate was asked on the airport tarmac who he has selected for the No. 2 job.

“Wilford Brimley,” McCain deadpanned.

McCain has been very coy in responding to reporters’ questions about his vice presidential selection process, most recently remaining quiet when asked, or simply raising his thumbs in the air. The candidate’s offbeat joke about Brimley, the 73-year-old actor known for his roles in Cocoon, Our House, and diabetic health commercials, likely reflects the state of ease he is currently experiencing as the months-long search for a running mate is over.

That is, if he was joking.

Filed under: John McCain


Cynthia   August 29th, 2008 12:02 am ET

He's just as good as any of the contenders. Senator McCain's jokes are just not that funny. We Democrats are going to have a good time next week watching their clown act.

Annette, Washington, DC   August 28th, 2008 11:54 pm ET

This guy for President, I know we can do better then this???

Mary   August 28th, 2008 11:41 pm ET

McSame the same.. and his super next empty week. That will be so funny to watch.

Republican for Obama   August 28th, 2008 11:29 pm ET

Mediocrity begets mediocrity. McCain will pick an uninspiring veep.

Bush and McCain are the best testimony for mediocrity in leadership. What a waste of the Republican brand.

Republican 4 Obama   August 28th, 2008 11:25 pm ET

HAHAHA thats thats the guy from the diabetes commercials.

This race is over Obama won.

reef133   August 28th, 2008 11:10 pm ET

Sad but old citizens trust Brimley. Why? Can he really make you 'live a better life'? Florida-based Liberty Medical really needs to be looked into as to their ties to Nixon and the birth of HMO's. Brimley's lack of appearances when elections are not held, and then his overly played crotchey commercials only during election cycles are scary. They are scary because they have worked in the past , subversively, to get old folks to vote for candidates that keep the status quo intact (read profits for Liberty and insurance companies). This USA is so screwed up because of what angry old white men have done and continue to do (and I'm 40 and white) – not from another background. Brimley and Liberty Medical: please just go away! Stop manipulating our population that is sick and tired of bent lies.

david kerbaugh   August 28th, 2008 10:57 pm ET

obamas speech was subpar at best. what a let down.

85000 people – 85000 idiots.

Tyler in Raleigh   August 28th, 2008 10:56 pm ET

PERFECT!!!!!!

Another old man that anyone 70 can't remember.

California Gold   August 28th, 2008 10:24 pm ET

Oh heck, McCain can't remember who he selected to be his VP. He's so feeble minded.

Patti   August 28th, 2008 10:06 pm ET

It doesn't matter who McCain picks, he doesn't need anyone to help him because he IS the leader whereas Obama needs Biden. I'm voting for a real leader.

McCain '08
and after Hillary's speech two nights ago she just might have what it takes now for me to consider her for '12.

Joe T.   August 28th, 2008 10:06 pm ET

Is that picture from an embalmer's convention? Wilfred looks a little stiff. Mccain is his wooden slef.

chitowngal07   August 28th, 2008 10:06 pm ET

FOR ALL OBAMA SUPPORTERS:

I am from Chicago and I can tell you Obama is all talk no substance…..
Chitowngal waiting for Change…………………………………..
waiting………………………………………………………………………..
waiting……………………………………………………………………..
still waiting…………………………………………………………………..
what's that Obama want to become President of the U.S. darn better get the rest of the chairs out of the basement so we call all "HOPE" AND WAIT FOR "CHANGE"…………………………………………………
STILL WAITING HERE IN CHICAGO WHERE HE SUPPOSSEDLY REPRESENTS US FOR A WHOLE FOUR YEARS AND TWO OF THOSE HE HAS SPENT CAMPAIGNING FOR PRESIDENT………………..

WAITING……………………………………………………………………..

alvino   August 28th, 2008 10:03 pm ET

If McCain picks Pawlenty, I am sure the disenchanted supporters of Mitt will be outraged. (did he not get more delegates than the other republican candidates?) Remember, if you are from Michigan what McCain did to a great politician's little boy.

NClaw441   August 28th, 2008 10:02 pm ET

3.3% economic growth for the second quarter, figures just out. Waiting for the media to give Pres. Bush credit for it, but not holding my nose…

I was glad Gore lost. I was glad Kerry lost. I think most of America feels the same.

You can like Obama. He seems like a nice guy. He is just wrong and inexperienced. I cannot vote for him.

jim, netcong nj   August 28th, 2008 9:57 pm ET

i bet old wilford says more with less words then biden and obama. plus he has accomplished more then obama and biden.he is however, not as good an actor as bill clinton.

george   August 28th, 2008 9:56 pm ET

At least McCain can laugh at himself and injoy himself . Of course he isn't trying to be something he's not. The more I see of the real Obama the more I fear for our country after 8 years of Bush /Channey do we realy need another untrained President being coached by a V.P. noone would ever elect president.

John Morrison   August 28th, 2008 9:54 pm ET

Can any one of you actually tell me what Obama stands for?

Seriously…. Logically…. Unemotionally….

We hear so much about "Change", but what kind of "change"?

And how exactly is this "Change" going to work for America as a whole?

RB from NH   August 28th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

Going with a younger man, excellent choice!

John's pick   August 28th, 2008 9:42 pm ET

Gee I am thinking Alfred E.Newman from Mad Magazine would be a great sidekick for the senator. McCain is as good at comedy as he would be at being president.. which is really, really bad.. Not everything is a joke McCain.. and you better rethink some if not all of your sick remarks.. America is not laughing.

SUE, Michigan   August 28th, 2008 9:40 pm ET

Brimley is probably a good choice-Americans see him all the time and trust him. Won't make a hill of beans difference anyhow-landslide to the Dems this fall.

I heard that Cheney is interested.

Michelle Cabral   August 28th, 2008 9:40 pm ET

Oy vey.

John Stamos   August 28th, 2008 9:39 pm ET

hahahahahaha. I might vote for McCain just for this! This is really funny.

Tom in CA   August 28th, 2008 9:39 pm ET

…and the GOP orchestrated the conflict in Georgia to benefit its presidential candidate – John McCain. The U.S. government encouraged Georgia to attack the autonomous region of South Ossetia.

Once again it was done to benefit a presidential candidate — John McCain. U.S. citizens were in the area of the conflict, they were acting to implement the U.S. government's position, and the U.S. government gave the orders from President Bush.

This fact Limbaugh-obots!

Jeremy   August 28th, 2008 9:38 pm ET

Reading this blog makes me think: "Man, there sure are a lot of Democrats in the world!" And "Wow! The Democrats really have got the vote locked up this year!" But then I look at the polls and realize that McCain is dead-even with Obama in a year that Republicans weren't supposed to compete on the national stage. It really makes you think…

Will, NJ   August 28th, 2008 9:36 pm ET

Is that the guy from the diabetes monitor commercials?

Geri   August 28th, 2008 9:34 pm ET

Has any one seen the ad McCain has out congratulating Obama on his official nomination. Very gracious of him. Hope Obama has the balls to do the same. (I'm a democrat). Tonight had better be good because I'm sitting on the fence of not voting. He has to prove to me that he can do the job. I really do dislike his wife. She looks mean & nasty.

Jason   August 28th, 2008 9:30 pm ET

I don't know if I should laugh or not – Wilford Brimley, America's archetype of The Old Guy, is only 2 years older than Sen. McCain? Really? Whew.

Brian   August 28th, 2008 9:28 pm ET

Where are your children McCain?????

Are they still holding a grudge about how you abandoned them?

YOU WILL NOT BE A FATHER FIGURE TO THIS NATION!

Monica   August 28th, 2008 9:26 pm ET

Pray first and then make the right choice! I will not tell anyone who to vote for, but we have to have something better than what we have! No more Bush!

DA   August 28th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

who cares!!!

45 year old white lady for Obama   August 28th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

To Wiliford Brimley, John Mccain is a young man.

Dylan   August 28th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

Wilford Brimley is still alive?
The guys is as old as dirt.
McCain's kinda guy!

just me   August 28th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

I don't know why John just don't pick HillBilly and show all of us he can really reach acroos the aisle!!!

Ken   August 28th, 2008 9:20 pm ET

Who Cares ? People are Sooo tired of McSame starting every sentence with "My Friends" which he took from Ronald Regan, who was also a "Celebrity" ! Poor OLD McCain, not ONE original IDEA. Same Old Politics of the past. Soon he will be part of History as the man who ran for the Presidency (How many times? ). Barak Obama will take his place in History as our next President !!!

Teknarik   August 28th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

Some of you guys are so serious @ commenting to this post. Just let go and enjoy the show. This is America after all, everything gets a Hollywood treatment here. Look at Barakapolis event tonight, you'd think this is MTV awards show or something….Just relax and go with the flow. Enjoy it as much as both of the candidates are enjoying.

Joe   August 28th, 2008 9:14 pm ET

ALL men and women of good faith must rise up for a change enough is enough. Gop and all blood suckers must go!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a challenge to Humanity!, no doubt.
ALL the lies, ALL the spining, all the blood spill, ALL THE KILLING MUST COMES TO AN END., ALL the war mongers must be stop and put to their place.
"Whatever goes up must come down" The time is here!
RISE UP, RISE UP, RISE UP TO HUMANINITY.
No going back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!now or never

Slater   August 28th, 2008 9:13 pm ET

It is about time this nation took a hard stand on diaBEEtus. Also, Alan, keep in mind that in this capitalist country "need" should have nothing to do with it. Anything but a flat federal tax (% or straight dollar amount) was illegal until the Constitution was changed about 90 years ago.
I'd much rather the family with the ill child look out for their own while I do the same. You say collective responsibility (with those wealthy few composing the collective), and I say personal responsibility. I am no fan of the current administration, but the solution isn't to start clammering for another New Deal. People need to provide and support for their own, not demand state sanctioned hand-outs based on fuzzy concepts like "need" and "elite".

Hope   August 28th, 2008 9:13 pm ET

BRAVO!!!!! Alan BRAVO!!!!!

Pat   August 28th, 2008 9:06 pm ET

I used to live in MN…Pawlenty is a joke. The king of "Rob Peter to pay Paul"… Cuts support to local governments which lowers the state's take in property taxes. Then the local governments are forced to raise their taxes to make up for that shortfall. Don't tax Paul so that you, Peter, look really good. Why people think he is successful is beyond me. Even though I cannot stomach John McCain, Pawlenty would be a stupid choice. He is by no means a good choice for any one…..

TRUTH   August 28th, 2008 9:05 pm ET

Wilford Brimley huh, McSame really bringing out the youth vote. Maybe they can compare their "diabeatus"

OBAMA/BIDEN 08′ and 12′

Jeff Brown   August 28th, 2008 9:02 pm ET

Wilford would be a great choice! He is old, feeble, out of touch and sickly… Just like the GOP!

Pat S   August 28th, 2008 9:02 pm ET

Would in the world even KNOWS who Wilford Brimley is — except perhaps the elderly population? McCain is SO out of touch! At least the elderly answer the phone to answer political polls AND they do go to the voting booth!

Maurice, an Ohioan not named Clarett   August 28th, 2008 8:59 pm ET

Hahaha, Wilford Brimley….

Not a McCain supporter, but that was hilarious. I love those Brimley commercials.

IF YOU HAVE DIABEETUS…..

KATHLEEN   August 28th, 2008 8:58 pm ET

Pawlenty is his selection!! for Vice Pres. No one can help McCain except for
Rove, Hannity, Ann Coulter, Bush Cheney and Limbaugh.
That jerk Rove is commenting on FOX. Get the hook!
The above are bad people as far as I can see. I don't know
how FOX can last after this election.

FES   August 28th, 2008 8:56 pm ET

No, he was not joking. Sounds like ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE has set in already!!

Jim   August 28th, 2008 8:55 pm ET

Maybe McCain forgot who he picked.

Jim   August 28th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

What's wrong with my comment?

Emma, San Jose, CA   August 28th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

The Democrats have selected a VP who operates at a higher level of competence as a statesman than McCain or any of his VP prospects.

James   August 28th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

Well, at least there will be good oatmeal and lots of glucometers if they win. :-(

steve guttenberg   August 28th, 2008 8:53 pm ET

They're joining together in curing diabetes with quaker oats.

Dave in Illinois   August 28th, 2008 8:53 pm ET

Isn't great to see the Democrats showing they're the same party they were when Gore and then Kerry ran. Forget about new style politics. Forget about issues. Forget about compromise and working with the other side. It's really all about slinging the mud to get the power so you can stay in power.

Now that all the loyal Democrats like Hillary have fallen on their swords for the sake of party unity, let's start bashing the Republicans and moving the cattle herd towards the voting booths.

Joe Reg   August 28th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

Who cares?

repubs doomed, doomed and doomed.

Obama/biden 08/12.

Michael   August 28th, 2008 8:51 pm ET

This will be Obama's night, he will shine I have no doubt.

But next week is McCain's convention where he will be showing his superior stuff. And then the debates where McCain's rock solid ideas for the future of America will drown out the Rockstar's empty refrains that he sings over and over again.

McCain/and who ever he names 08!!!!!!

Minnesota against John McWar   August 28th, 2008 8:47 pm ET

One House One Spouse – Obama / Biden '08

onedatewonder   August 28th, 2008 8:47 pm ET

DIABEETUS!!

Tom in CA   August 28th, 2008 8:45 pm ET

…at least John will be getting plenty of fiber with Wilford at his side! After all John has no backbone – he flips and flops like a pair of flip-flops!

John where's your condemnation of all 527s? When they help your anemic candidacy you're all for them! What a hypocrite!

Peachy Keen   August 28th, 2008 8:45 pm ET

Frankly, it doesn't matter who McBush picks. Neither of them are going to be elected.

Alan   August 28th, 2008 8:44 pm ET

I hope that McCain makes a VP pick that costs him the election in November. Remember something John, are you running for you, or are you running for the people? Are you running for the family with ill children who can't afford healthcare? Remember, you voted against the children's healthcare bill along with bush. Are you running so you can be President, or are you running for the people? While you can't re-call how many houses you have, most people are struggling to keep just one house, John, just on account of the dozens of times you sided and voted along with bush, and the effect those policies had on all of us. You talk about experience. Is that experience, what you have demonstrated over the past years by going along with bush on everything and the damage it has done to those of us who work for a paycheck. is that leadership in your policy of giving all the tax breaks to the wealthiest americans while giving none to those of us who really need it. is that leadership about your deceptive and twisting campaign ads and dirty campaign tricks. think about that the next time a family has a sick family member and can't get adequate healthcare.
you took a mis-step when you said that we all have some form of coverage. we don't. that is a lie, john. we can go to the er, but if we don't have coverage, we get the big bill in the end. if we don't have coverage, we don't get the treatments we need. but you want to continue to send 10 billion dollars a month to iraq, when it has been demonstrated and proven that you are wrong. but you say you are ready to lead. your republican constituents were arrogant to go on live tv and denounce Obama and the DNC Convention after they stated the facts of the suffering caused by the GOP over the past 8 years. John, you are suppose to be running for the people, those of us who work everyday, not just the very elite.

Dan   August 28th, 2008 8:44 pm ET

No it's not the ticket… but I must say.. it's pretty disengenuous to stand there and laugh at Brimley and poke fun at him, even if he is older than Mccain.

Peter of Oregon   August 28th, 2008 8:41 pm ET

Well… the Republican "evangelicals" prayed for rain, and that rain may cause a delay of the RNC Convention…

Meanwhile here on a clear, sunny day in Denver we're celebrating our future President. What a beautiful day.

God bless America, God bless Barack Obama.

John Smith   August 28th, 2008 8:35 pm ET

Obama does not really need to give any great or small speech. If the American people are such big idiots as to vomit for McCain and thereby keep the Bush policies for 4-8 more years, let them do so.

Obama does not need to convert or convince any American about his ability to lead, and the dare need for change; it is America that needs a "thinking" leader as well as the need for change!

Obama does not need to work hard for the votes of women, Blacks, and other minority groups; it is those groups that need Obama. Let them go ahead and vote for McCain. They will wake up to 4-8 more years of more "hardships," hate," and loss of basic rights with their new and experienced (and bitter) president in McCain.

Denise   August 28th, 2008 8:32 pm ET

Just heard McBush cannot get enough Ohioians to listen to his speech tomorrow! Laughing my head off! The GOP is having to bus people in from other states! Laughing my head off!

Gustav has been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane! Heading straight for the Gulf Coast! I pray the residents will be fine and are prepared. But I am laughing my head off at the fact NOBODY will pay attetion to the RNC next week.

God has decided to rain on their parade!

James from Akron, OH   August 28th, 2008 8:31 pm ET

Yep. That sounds about right.

Anthony   August 28th, 2008 8:30 pm ET

An old man makes a joke.. Why is this news????
Where has serious reporting gone?
Enough with the games… theres a REAL convention going on as you waste time posting this "news", distracting from the real issues.

Sad.

Phil Menger   August 28th, 2008 8:30 pm ET

Can someone tell John King to not be rude and be on his blackberry while ON THE SCREEN NOT LISTENING TO HIS FELLOW COMMENTATORS?????

Laura   August 28th, 2008 8:29 pm ET

Might as well make it Karl Rove as that's who's running his campaign.

Peter of Oregon   August 28th, 2008 8:29 pm ET

Maybe he's waiting for around 3am Saturday morning to break the news. He usually tries to emulate Barack Obama, that's what a lot of fans do.

McCain may have been a good soldier, but he's no leader..

An Independent Hillary   August 28th, 2008 8:28 pm ET

McCain/Brimley 08. Sounds like lots of good old fun!!!

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