Confident in McCain’s ability to fix economy?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/07/09/art.latino.mccain.gi.jpg caption=" McCain said he could balance the budget by 2013 by keeping taxes low and curbing spending."]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The economy is issue number one for American voters, and that has sent both presidential candidates scrambling to describe what they'd do to fix this nation's economic problems.
John McCain is vowing to balance the budget by 2013. He says he'll do it by keeping taxes low and cutting back on spending. McCain's plan includes a one-year freeze in domestic spending, entitlement reforms and reducing the growth in Medicare spending. He also says he'll veto any bill with earmarks.
A lot of economists suggest there's no way that McCain can balance the budget in 4 years. Remember, McCain wants to extend President Bush's tax cuts and he's committed to staying in both Iraq and Afghanistan. One group estimates that even if U.S. troop levels in Iraq were cut by 80%, McCain would still face an annual deficit of almost $450 billion.
The Arizona Senator also says he plans to create jobs by doing things like building nuclear power plants, and he says he'd make a bipartisan push to fix Social Security. But by his own admission, when it comes to the economy, McCain is not at his best.
Take Social Security. This is how McCain answered a question earlier this week about how he'd fix it:
“Americans have got to understand that we are paying present-day retirees with the taxes paid by young workers in America today. And that's a disgrace. It's an absolute disgrace and it's got to be fixed.”
Note to Senator McCain: older workers benefits have always been paid by the taxes put into the system by younger workers. When you're young and working, you pay into the system so that older retired people can collect their benefits. Where has Senator McCain been?
Here’s my question to you: How confident are you in John McCain’s ability to solve our economic problems?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Susan from Scotts Valley, California writes:
Confidence? Uh, no. Even a fifth grader can do the math and realize that you can't cut revenue and hope to balance the budget. The idea that it's all going to be fixed by cutting pork barrel spending while you're staying in a war we can't afford, and hoping that trickle down economics is suddenly going to work when it hasn't yet, is delusional.
Mike from Vancouver writes:
John McCain believes that younger working people should not be supporting the retirement benefits of older individuals. This is a huge disconnect in his thinking. That is the way it is set up. It is not broken and works quite well, I believe. If he wants to "fix" this one issue, he will undermine a core way of life in the U.S. There is something wrong with this boy. Mind you, Cindy will look after him in his retirement.
Troy writes:
I'm not confident with McCain or Obama's ability to fix our economy. I'm hoping that one of them will have enough sense to pick a running mate with good economic sense, such as Ron Paul. If it's up to these two, we're in a lot of trouble.
Geri from Mead, Oklahoma writes:
Having experienced 60 years of presidents’ economic policies, I think presidents don't fix the economy, they ruin the economy. I doubt that either McCain or his wife have to worry about Social Security, Medicare, or anything else and this is why McCain doesn't know anything about the rest of us folks or what to do about the economy. This is a sign that he would be just another Bush.
Marie writes:
Jack, I don't doubt his good intentions, but he clearly does not understand what he is proposing. The Republicans are using McCain as a Trojan horse. They get the "maverick war-hero" on stage to promote policies that would make any overpaid CEO giggle.
Will from Los Angeles writes:
As confident as I am that Joan Rivers has never had plastic surgery.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
I am not confident in either candidate's ability to "fix" the economy! It does not appear than either has very much knowledge along that line; the only US President who I would say fixed the economy was FDR, and he ain't here!!!
Not even close...
Jack, what are you smoking? McCain hasn't a clue on the economy and is being run by the same folks who spent the last 8 years running it into the ground.
There are two ways to improve our economy: T.Boone's way and getting out of these wars. Those things alone are our salvation.
McCain is just 4 more years of the Bush Regime, from war to filling the coffers of his corporate, oil industry and military "contractors" pockets.
I am confident that electing McCain is 4 more years for Dubbya.
John McCain doesn't know and apple from an orange so how can he fix anything?
None at all!!!!
Since John McCain has no real knowledge of economics, I have no confidence that he'll do ANYTHING constructive for this country's economic problems. But, once he starts WWIII, Halliburton, Blackwater and other war profiteers will be raking-in MORE taxpayer money than they are now.
I am confident that McCain would only add to the disaterous economy George Bush has foisted on us. His proposals could bankrupt us before his first term was done.
I knd of feel like a passenger on the Titanic when they found out it wasn't a life boat drill. And by the way, Welsy Clarke was right. Being an O-6 in the navy did not allow McCain to make any strategic decisions. He was at the Operational Level, giving direction to those that flew the tactical missions based on orders from those with the view of the strategic mission.
McCain, like so many Republicans before him, ascribes to the "trickle down" theory. Help the fat cats and eventually the common man will reap the benefits. Well . . . the only thing that has trickled in my direction could be used to fertilize the garden. I have zero confidence in McCain or his economic "wizards," Graham and Fiorina.
Are you joking? I don't think any Congress person passed Economics 101.
Not at all. Jack, since this is the same guy who came to my home state of Ohio and have the nerve to say economic problems in my state are psychological. I would love for him to try to live as a regular person in the state of Ohio for a few months under his own policies and see how he fares after an while. This economy is terrible and all I have to do look out from where I live to be reminded of the failures of the Bush and McCain's economic policies. We need Obama in the White House to fix the mess that George W Bush has caused.
Well if memory serves me right McCain almost went bankrupt in his primary campaign, he confessed to knowing very little about economic issues before he realized how bad the economy really was and he has no one to advise him on economics other than those responsible for the current mess.
I guess to sum it all up I would be as confident in McCain being able to fix the economy as I would be in a dope dealer being able to fix an addicts addiction by providing more of the same dope.
I'm leaving the country if he wins in November. If you love the economy now, wait until McCain gets into office. It will just continue or get worse during the next 4 years!!
Not confident at all, John McCain believes in the idiotic theory that if you give rich people even more money,they will create new jobs. The problem with that theory is you can't create new jobs if the average consumer can't afford to buy anything.
No one knows how the economy works, Jack.
All the politicians say they'll "fix" it, but you can't fix the whole thing at once. Some things only do well when everything else is doing bad. Like lawyers, for example.
I am not confident in Mccain at all. He was first conservative on economy by opposing bush's tax cuts in the middle of huge government spending; and now it seems he favors the bush tax cuts. I understand their premise that if the top wage earners do well then those at the bottom have a better chance to do well. However, over the last 8 years Bush has had to give out 2 stimulus checks, which to me seem like bush's attempt to pick up his approval ratings. If Mccain wants to get any confidence from me, he needs to show where he is going to cut spending, balance the budget, and pay down national debt- otherwise, to me he is just another typical bureaucrat who just creates massive debt.
If by solving our economic problems you mean selling the U.S. economy to China, then yeah.
McCain is fiscally responsible,remember McCain/Feingold?He freely admits that he isn't capable of micro-managing the economy,but he will reduce government spending and high deficits and those are they keys to improving the economy.
NO, not really.
McCain doesn't seem to get it when it comes to economic matters. He is newly adopting the Bush strategy of "tax-cut and spend" and not realizing that you can't buy your way out of recessions and depressions by lowering your incoming revenues.
Unlike 1929, it will be BOTH the government and the private sectors that will go under. Then there will be no safety net of any kind.
Jack, I have zero confidence in John McCain period. Almost the bottom of his class at Annapolis. My question would be, Was naval basket weaving his favorite course, or Phys Ed.? I doubt if Physics or Economics were on his class schedule. Another would be,How did you get accepted to flight school with your class standing? Dad's help? Just sayin'...
This is John McCain's second time campaigning for the presidency and is experiencing difficulty putting together a good staff. This is proof enough that John McCain is not ready to solve our economic problems.
If I was one of those people making a lot of money like the big oil folks, then I would say he can do it, but since I'm not one of "THEM" I'd say he is as weak on the economy as he is on our ability to force democracy in the mid east.
The question should be "Will John McCain fix the economy?" McCain has agreed with George Bush on 95% of the policies that has put the economy in the mess it is. He wants more of the same i.e. more spending in Iraq, more tax cuts, more "free trade" deals, etc. McCain's policies are the very definition of insanity with a "if some is bad maybe more will work" philosophy.
Republicans are great at creating jobs!
Although, the jobs they do create are in India. Just ask Carly Fiorina how many jobs she created in India for HP!
By his own admission he knows very little about the economy. If he trully believes he can cut taxes and balance the budget by the end of his first term, then he has become senile. History has proven this ideology to be false. Bush cut taxes and our national debt increased $3.7 trillion.
Ed Reed
Port Aransas, TX
Yep, as confident as Dubya with the Iraq mess !
I'm concerned that neither candidate is capable of fixing the economy. McCain wants to cut taxes (which we'll need to fix some of the problems) while Obama is looking to raise taxes and spending. I think we need a blend of mild tax increases and spending restraint until the economy fully recovers.
Well Jack by John McCain's own admission he has stated that he doesnt know that much about economics and still needs to be educated. With that said everything that comes out of his mouth about how he would improve the economy is highly suspect. My confidence in John McCain fixing the economy is the same as Mickey Mouse fixing it.
Little to none. My only hope is that in the unlikely scenario where John 'Don't know much 'bout the economy' McCain is the president the Democrats grow a pair and stand up to his stupid, gimmicky ideas.
Jack, he can't fix it. He doesn't even understand it. He thinks the economy is 'slowing down'. I guess if I had Cindy McCain's 110 million dollars as a cushion, I would be out gambling thousands of dollars away at the crap table too. But for American's we can't afford to let McCain play 'craps; with our economy and our children's futures.
He is going to cut taxes for the rich and increase spending for the military. I want to know what programs he is going to kill. I have no trust in him or the GOP. They have proven they cannot run the country's budget.
But this is McMcain. Just wait he will change his mind.
not all; his military experiance only taught him how to wheddle funds and spend them, not to increase production or efficiency.The military does not produce anything, except death
I would feel a lot more confident if he wasn't hiring every Bush lackey that he gets his hands on. What a great way to show that he's not running for Bush's third term.
Jack,
When a presidential candidate admits to not even knowing how to use a computer, I would not even trust him with my order at McDonalds let alone our economy.
Carlos
West Palm Beach, Fl
It appears that like Bush, McCain believes in this "trickle down" horse hockey that the Republicans have pushed since Reagan. About the only people that have benefited from that economic strategy are the Republicans, India, and China.
Ray Kinserlow
Lubbock, Texas
I'm confident that McCain will continue catering to the Rich ,Oil,and Big Business! To Hell With The Middle Class;Let Them Eat Cake!
I'm not counting on anyone to do that. And if that were to happen, it would be years before things have recovered. By then I will be in the welfare line.
Heck no. John McCain said himself that he wasn't knowledgeable about economics and would have to read Greenspan's book. Jack, on something like this – I take him at his word.
I have little confidence in someone who has been in Washington all these years and only contributed to the problem over and over again.
He has been a cheerleader of the Bush economic policies which have caused this mess. As usual, the Democrats will have to step in and pay the bills.
Jack: How confident I am........well McCain believes in exporting more cigarettes to Iran with the belief that it will terminate their existence and providing feathers to the US forces cut the throarts of the terrorist........I' m about as confident as you are Jack.
It will take 23 years to correct the incompetence of the Bush-Republicans destruction of the American economy. Unfortunately, only the poor and middle classes will suffer. When the candidates talk about "sacrifices" that Americans will have to make, they are not speaking about the wealthy.
Jack, he might be able to solve some economic problems if he adopted some of the ideas of economist John Kenneth Galbraith, but if he sticks to the Milton Freidman/Republican economic philosophy, then nothing will get any better. At this stage in the American economy, he needs to take a new tack.
Unfortunately, our economy is in such a mess there will be no
easy solution. And, it is going to take many years to undo the
mistakes made these last eight years.
McCains latest statement that it is not right that the workers
today are paying retiree's Social Security is just additional
proof the man is totally ignorant to the workings of our
society. Taking away the gas tax on gasoline is another
good example.
He just does not get it. His balanced budget milarky does not
include Social Security and Medicare. And probably not costs
of the war. He supported 95% of Bush's spending diasters.
The man does not understand anything beyond living his
millionaire life style. Certainly not middle class America.
Jack you must be asking this as a joke Right? McCain already said that he didn't understand the economy, so how can he be expected to fix it ? Besides, he embraces all of his twin George W's economic policies and look where that has gotten us.
I'm very confident in his abilities. He is going to discount the price of cigarettes and kill off those people thereby freeing up monies spent on them to fund other programs. That, or he'll stop taking tax monies from young kids to pay for social security for today's seniors and federally subsidize pancakes to feed those in need.
Jack,
Not at all!!! He says he will make us energy independent, he says he will grow the economy,well just how?He says he will protect the U.S. boarder, and fight,fight fight, for us all against terror. He is for NAFTA and goes to Canada and Mexico to tell them he will insure that all will be fine with NAFTA. He goes to Columbia to tell them we will always be behind them and send them money. I think all these things are all in McCain LAND and not the REAL WORLD.
Paul
Texas
His plan to give larger tax breaks to the corporate elite and trust the health insurance providers to lower their premiums and expand their coverage does seem a little off the wall but then this is the conservative way.
The fact is the cycle is now complete with McCain now enlisting the Bush cronies to run his campaingn to compliment his economic polcies being identical to Bush's policies.
If you like it now you'll love it in 2012!
I am sure he will be able to fix the economy Jack. He will get right on it as soon as he figures out how to use "the google"
debbie
mesa,az
I have no confidence in his trickle down theory where you give big tax breaks to the wealthy and hope they will trickle down the money to the working class, it hasn't worked for president Bush and will not work for McCain. Plus senator McCain's willingness to try and drill are way out of this oil crisis by drilling in everyone's back yard is no way to solve our energy crisis.
Jack McCain can't even remember what he said yesterday let alone fix the economy. Anyway why should he worry he is married to an heiress? He is too out of touch with what average people go through.
I have zero confidence in either one of their political blatherings about what they will do once in office.
Sadly enough, that being said, I have more support for McCain's views than I do Obama's plan to increase taxes for "the rich".
As a result of our current economy, I'm now retired, on a fixed income and lower on the totem pole than middle-class folks. I have no doubts that Obama's grand ideas and solutions will be pulled from my pockets along with the middle-class gun-toting peasants. His "change" will be coming out of our pockets for sure!!
kerry diehl
grosse ile, mi
I'd be a lot more confident if he would pick Romney as his VP and make him the economic czar.
Why are we depending on one man to fix the economy? Each one of us are responsible for the economy being the way it is. Why do we always have to put the blame on the president?The way I see it this bad economy was brought on by the greed of wanting too much and spending money that we don't have. Wanting a big house that we can't afford. Trying to impress people that we don't even like. Then we expect one man to come in and fix it all and give us what we want !Obama can't do it , that is only a pipe dream.We have become a very greedy and selfish people! The poorest person in America lives like a king compared to people in other countries. If we have nothing materially at least we have freedom!The freedom that our troops have fought and lost their lives for. We should be so thankful for what we do have by the grace of God.We are so blessed in this country. Have you once just stopped and looked up and thanked God for your freedom and that He has blessed you to have been born in this wonderful nation?
I am not confident in McCains ability to form an opinion of his own and keep it for any amount of time, whether it is about the economy or anything else. But with the author of the Enron Loophole, Phil Gramm, on McCains staff, I believe his economic credibility is far below criticism. Aside from that, the economy has been left in such a shamble by the Bush administration that who ever takes over after the election has a big flaming bag of poo on the whitehouse doorstep to deal with. Look for Cheney hiding behind the Bush's on that one. I'm calling his parents.
Mccain admitted that he 'is not an expert on economy' which says a lot about his indepth understanding of this issue. So who am I to trust him to be able to fix it? It is not about my confident in him but his own confidence in himself to be able to do it and then I can follow.
not at all confident...he cant remember day to day facts ie about Iraq and he admitted he know nothing about economics...we have had enough of a government that has done irreperable damage to our economy because they dont care and/or they do not know what to do...we need a change but it aint McBush
If the economy truly is self-regulating, I am reasonably confident.
Jack
I dont believe either canidate can fix our economy its too far gone, we are too involved in attempting to solve the worlds problems and its draining our ability to help our own people.
Slim to none.
"The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should. "
Senator John McCain, December 2007
I have no confidence in MCcain, to me he's more of the same. God knows we can't do that.
I think we need to stop trusting the goverment to fix everything for us. Sure McCain can fix the economy so could Obama if they hired the right people.
But...the best way to fix the economy is for you and (I) to stop spending. Cut back on grocerys, gas, clothes, etc. wait an extra year or two to by that car, house etc. Cut up your charge cards for one year. Shop at garage sales and meet your neighbors. Find out how they are managing. If we stop supporting the high cost of everything for one year watch the prices come down. Try it, we did several years back and it worked. We have been debt free since. Learning the hard way is sometimes the best way.
Gwinn
Jack, If McCain is following the same tax cuts, staying in the war until victory(what ever that means, I guess you would have to serve to know what that is) and all the things that have put us in the toilet , my answer is NO. I guess it depends on what Mrs.McCain balance is on her visa.
Connie from Indiana
Cindy McCain is an enormously successful business woman and philanthropist. Michelle Obama is a lawyer. Easy choice. McCain.
Jack,
The only thing I have confidence in with Mccain is that we are going to have another draft.
Fixing the economy is always a fight between wooing military, defense and energy industries to produce jobs with tax breaks, which McCain favors, and investing in domestic infrastructure (and now green energy) jobs to make things better here at home, which Obama favors. I'm sick of economic policies which count on the good will of big corporations to trickle down their profits for the needs of average people. So my confidence in McCain's approach is zero.
We've already seen McCain's economic plan put to great use in the 90's. Oh...wait...wrong candidate. Oh well, maybe I'm wrong and the average person really can afford a continuation of Bush's economic policy, I guess that's up to the American people to decide.
tampa, fl. i wouldn't trust this man to assemble a preassmbled bicycle, let alone trust him as president. he opened his own big mouth and admitted that the economy wasn't his forte'. if we don't elect the right, qualified, honest person this time, there may not be another chance for us a nation to vote again.
Until we put Ron Paul in the White House, no one is going to get the job done, as politicians apparently can't speak at all about the Fed destroying the dollar, and creating nothing but problems for the rest of us.
By his own lips he stated "I admit, I do not know much about economic issues, the economy is not my strong suit." Obama has shown a much better grasp on the issues and a much more workable, practicle plan to help get the economy going again. McCain wants to continue the trickle down economics, (less taxes on the wealthy) which has been proven these last eight years does not work. He keeps saying he will reduce spending yet he wants us in Iraq indefinitely which costs billions each month. He doesn't have a clue and his judgement is off.
I have more confidence in my ex-wife wanting to come back home than I have in McCains ability to solve the economic problems that he said we do not have.
How confident are you in John McCain’s ability to solve our economic problems?
“McCain: ‘The Issue Of Economics Is Not Something I’ve Understood As Well As I Should’”
Now he's come up with some golden goose plan?
I think he is clueless on this and all other issues of importance in our nation.
I have NO confidence in McCain for anything.
Jenna
Roseville CA
No, he does not give me confidence. This is a man that was against the Bush tax cuts for all the right reasons. Now he is proclaiming them to be beneficial and suggesting even more. That is not refining his position, that is a 180 degree flip-flop.
Harry
Ky.
I'm Confident that Senator Obama is going to be the next President Of The United States Of AMERICA!
Jesse Mehle
Duluth, MN
If John McCain becomes our next president, he will be subject to a political platform that embraces the conservative principle of investing resources in promoting corporate wealth with the intent that monies will eventually "trickle down" to mainstreet America. Regardless of who becomes president, that person will be faced with the challenge of appeasing the powerful and affluent elements in Washington. We have witnessed first hand what can happen to an individual when any attempt is made to address the plight of poverty without first gaining the approval of the corporate elite. Sad thing is, very soon there will cease to be a "middle class" and politicians will be forced to admit that America is no longer the land of opportunity for immigrants or even it's own citizenry. I have read a GOOD book that clearly imparts the impossibility of serving both the cause of the poor and weak and also that of "building bigger barns."
No. There is no way in which the debt can be reduced while we continue the Bush tax cuts. McCain supports the continuation of the cuts. He also supports offshore drilling for oil while he states that we have to eliminate our dependency. Remember the incentives we furnish to our Energy corporations that also serve to increase the deficit. You can't have it both ways.
Can you teach an old dog new tricks?
but if he would just listen to Rush, and Karl
He Would know That
Since most people think, that they are paying too much in taxation, and everybody else is a burden to them by paying too little in taxation, lets get rid of all taxes. when we do that we won't be able to afford the protections that We think We have. So We will have to create our own protections. So anyone who can afford a big Colt Hog leg to strap on will get justice. We could get rid of the minimum wage laws then we could compete for those low paying jobs that good American companies are sending to china, India,Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other places. Health Insurance? we don't need no stinking health insurance! If somebody dies, that just means a new job opened up and we have a growing Economy. Instead of our great Companies creating jobs Overseas, they could get America working again and convince the American workers why it is important to be loyal to them. and thats the bottom line folks
Jack, To find someone that is over 50% confident in McCain's ability to fix the economy would be like finding a 4-leaf clover in the Sahara Desert. We have no more time – We can't afford for this election to be about patience and continuing with the same old policies. If we aren't proactive and vote for change, our jobs and retirement savings will be lost.
Zero confidence in McCain fixing the economy. With all of his experience in government, he has had the chance to fix a lot of things, but didn't.
His own words will come back to haunt him unless he can find someone to explain to him how the economy works.
Doris
Ojai, California
I have ZERO confidence in McCain, especially when it comes to the economy. When was the last time tht he had to pay for college costs, medical care, or even pay for gas?! It is easy to brand yourself as a maverick when your wife is loaded and you don't have the same worries or concerns as the rest of us.
McCain or Obama–it makes no difference. Neither can solve the horrible economic mess that is the United States. It will take years and a Congress and Administration dedicated to work together. That just won't happen EVER.
Yes - he has some great minds in his camp and doesn't hesitate to say that he needs them.
Obama's economic agenda, on the other hand always strikes me as being founded in shallow political pandering - never any real substance. Always seems like he thinks I should feel stupid if I don't agree with his point of view. Well, at least I'm not stupid enough to vote for fantasy economics.
Give you a week off Jack and you come back with funny questiions. Hope you enjoyed your time off, and in answer to your question, I will give you an unfunny answer, Ah, NO, he is like the person who thinks everything is ok cause he still has checks left.
McCain is absolutely full of it. He's making such outrageous promises, I don't know how anyone can believe him.
Boise, ID
Let me add this up. He does not understand the basic concept of social security, but thinks its an outrage. He was an academic washout at the Naval Academy. He still believes in trickle-down economics. He likes the Bush tax cuts. He is concerned about spending and earmarks, yet totally oblivious to the out-of-control, wasteful pork-barrel spending in Iraq. According to my calculations, McCain would be a downgrade from Bush on economic policy. I did not think that was possible.
Just ask the thousands of workers who have been laid off because of outsourcing. Do we really need MORE free trade?
Hahahahaaaaa "ability to fix economy" PLEASE!!!
Jack, I don't doubt his good intentions, but he clearly does not understand what he is proposing. The republicans are using McCain as a trojan horse. They get the "maverick war-hero" on stage to promote policies that would make any overpaid CEO giggle.
John McCain believes that younger working people should not be supporting the retirement benefits of older individuals. This is a huge disconnect I believe in his thinking. That is the way it is setup. It is not broken and works quite well I believe. If he wants to "fix" this one issue, he will undermine a core way of life in the US.
There is something wrong with this boy.....
Mind you, Cindy will look after him in his retirement.
Having experienced sixty years of president's economic policies, president's don't fix the economy, they ruin the economy. I doubt that either McCain or his wife have to worry about social security, medicare, or anything else and this is why McCain doesn't know anything about the rest of us folks or what to do about the economy. Which is a sign that he would be just another Bush.
Geri – Mead, OK
Jack, if you mean John McCain’s ability to solve "OUR" economic problems where "OUR" is anyone making over $250,000 a year, he will probably do pretty well.........as for the rest of us..........he is not even going to give us a paddle to use in the creek that he and the rest of the republicans have sent us up...
John McCain has been living off the taxpayer of this country his entire work history....and that includes his naval training and service as well as the government offices he's held and that's not a disgrace. His wife is CEO of a beer distributorship and and both have been making millions of dollars for introducing our youth to the benefits of alcohol......and that's a disgrace. He hasn't a clue of how to get us out of this economic mess. He's been living off his wife and the taxpayer all his life. He knows no other way.
The only way to answer the question is to compare it with Obama's plan, which you did not supply....of course, most folks who write on this blog would say that McCain would be lousy at ANYTHING, so I wouldn't expect a well-framed question, because that might induce an insightful answer.
Boy of boy if this idiot ever manages to get elected are you people in trouble. He has clearly shown he is a bigger buffoon than the half wit currently in the White House.
What this jerk actually said was he is prepared to starve the elderly because he has absolutely no idea of how real people live. He married money and if you look at his history he hasn't accomplished anything on his own just like Bush!
The previous Republican administrations have already shown how fiscally irresponsible they were. How can McCain convince me he is any different when he continues to spout the same theories as those from the past? No thank you for more of the same, Mr. McCain.
Jack,
John McCain cannot fix what he does not understand, and, Brother, that's a lot! When it comes to economics, he is all rosy scenarios, pious platitudes, and hot air. What grade did he get in Econ 101 at Annapolis? Did he even take the course? Somebody should check.
Not every vet is an Eisenhower. Remember, many of our less than stellar Presidents were war heroes.
Pablo in Arlington, Texas
No confidence in McCain. Taxes have to be put back to the rates Bill Clinton left us with. Everything worked pretty well back then for everyone. Sure there are a lot of other economic issue too but there has to be a solid tax policy to work from. Obama take heed, the middle class has to do their part too.
Well I think Senator McCain has a better chance that the other candidate. I like more of his ideas and feel he is better qualified. He has the experience of several more years in politics to get things done. I believe he is more concerned with getting our "house and budget" in order. That will go a long way toward straightening out the mess we are in.
If McCain can't control his own remarks, temper and inappropriate jokes than why would anyone believe he can take control the "slowing" economy, especially after he's admitted that he doesn't know much about it. If he had at least taken the trouble to find out the cost of gas, instead of saying that he didn't know and that it didn't matter, then one might think that he actually cared. By his irratic actions and off-the wall remarks he's already caused more problems for the GOP than he's solved. The US doesn't need a continuation of that!
McCain is full of crap-oola. All of the economist are calling his plan to balance the budget in four years a "canord", especially while claiming he will lower taxes and continue to fight an endless conflict in Iraq.
There is a charlatan driving the "straight talk express".
The only thing McCain knows about the economy is that Cindy has provided enough trust funds that he doesn't have to worry. I wouldn't trust him with anything other than how to kill.
Jack it is wednesday and you are telling Jokes already Mccain and Econmy is hard coming out of my mouth I don't trust Mcsame on anything let alone the Economy this is the same guy that wants to drill drill drill but also thinks we can go green at the same time he admitted to the public that he doesn't know anything about the economy but this county is in one of the worst economic hardships of my time if it was Barack Obama said that he did not know anything about the economy it would be on the new constantly but because it is Mcsame it has not made a dent. Funny How the MSM can be bias
John McCain is living proof that a "senior moment" can become a permanent condition. The only way he could balance the budget is to eliminate education funds, highway and infrastructure funds and medical services. Don't even mention Social Security. That would mean only private schools or low low grade state funded public one, our freeways and bridges become undrivable and if you get sick, you're going to die. We all hate the concept of earmarks, but I think they do mostly create American jobs and we need a few right now.
I haven't seen anything in McCains "experience" that would make him able to solve our economic problems. It will take an extremely intelligent and deep thinker to do that. Fortunately, we have the opportunity for those qualities in Obama. When the republicans don't know the meaning of "refine", how can we expect them to run our country. Also, every newsperson should look it up in the dictionary or in "America the Beautiful" where it says "may God thy gold refine". That doesn"t mean flip flop it, it means make it better!!!
Nancy Moore, Colorado
Well Jack...Economists said Clinton could not balance the budget in 4 years either...so what do they know?
Jack,
John McCain is not going to have the problem.
Hays, KS
Jack, I have no confidence at all in McCain's ability to solve our economic problems. Our current problems are the result of government allowing big business practices that involve lying, cheating and stealing which have becoming the norms for big business in the US. Big business needs to be regulated which is not a Republican approach.
Is this a trick question Jack? Considering the fact that independent economists view McCain's economic plan as an extension ot Bush's plan, I give my level of confindence the same level as Bush's approval rating...about 26%
Very confident! I heard Obama say we have 57 states. If he can't do that simple math how can he run the economy?
Hey Jack,
Bill Clinton did it in spite of economists saying it could not be done...and at least McCain is pledging to....unlike Obama who wants to spend more money we don't have.
There is a better chance of me beating Tiger Woods in a round of golf than there is in McCain solving our economic problems........and I'm a 15 handicap.
Hmmm. So Mr. Cafferty is dubious about McCain's ability to balance the budget within 4 years by cutting back on taxes AND cutting back on spending (what a novel idea!). But he mentions nothing about Obama's economic plan to raise taxes only on the rich (which evidently includes anyone who has investments because those are the capitals gains taxes – that Obama plans to nearly double from 15% to 28%) and increase government programs such as the rebates for the middle class (those who earn under $50k per year). How does growing a bigger government stack up against cutting spending. To simplify: if it was your household budget how would you balance your checkbook? By spending more or by cutting back? OK, Barakiddies explain this math to me... Or Mr. Cafferty, how about you tackle this one?
You have to be kidding, McCain has to use spell-check to just to spell economics.
I was 17 when Bush first "won" and i was upset that i was that young and could tell he was a brainless twit. When McCain talks I see the same brainless twit. Its clear he has NO idea what he is talking about and get irritated when people question his version of things. When people use facts to show McCain is wrong he says they are not facts just opinions. Come ON people...
Jack , hope you enjoyed the holliday,
I think that most people are holding out for a better day. Its not going to come our way anytime soon, The choice we have is who is going to hold us up as we navigate these troubled waters. Im going with the guy who just paid off his collage loans.
There you go again, twisting McCain's words to make him look like an idiot. Of course he understands the system. But the average American doesn't. That's why he was explaining it, not having some 'revelation' as you'd make people believe.
Senator McCain has lost his 'straight talk' label. To claim he can balance the budget in 4 years is just plain silly. And John, lose the comb-over...
It's not just McCain Jack! The economy is in such a state of a complex mess that no one President can fix it. We are going through the correctional phase of Capitalism or better put, supply and demand-ism. As for McCain fixing it, you have to understand something before you can fix it....
No doubt you will get everyone to agree with you, Jack–so now it's McCain that you are trashing?! I have been away all summer–almost forgot that Obama is your hero! I went to France to speak French so he would not be EMBARRASSED!
No, and especially not with Carly Fiorina on his team–just ask Hewlett-Packard folks about her incompetence. The buzz is that McCain is considering Fiorina for VP, which is not surprising. Carly is quite a Marketeer, and that's the extent of her skill. If people think Bush-Cheney are a disastrous duo; they've not seen anything yet!
Considering Senator McCain's concepts are the same old stodgy Conservative ideas that have gotten us into this mess, I am certain there is little to no chance they will help us get out of it.
About as confident as I am in the success of his "Summer Holiday" break from the federal gas tax. That is to say: not at all.
I don't think anyone has addressed the real economic issues we face. Isn't NAFTA just wonderful thanks Bill. How many factories have closed in the U.S. to move south of the border? And as for it improving the Mexican wages and working condition I guess it failed because they're still crossing the border as fast as they can. Message to both parties do away with these polocies and lets bring the jobs back then we'll fix the economy. Can I please get a made in America tag again.
Jack,
I have 0 confidence in McCain's ability to turn the economy around. He may be able to help the wealthy, but they're not the ones who need the real help. McCain is taking money away from the people who really need the help.
The only way to fix the economy is to be come a green nation. Its proven that going green saves companies money all while saving the planet. Has anybody been reading what the world's top scientists have been putting out there??? We need to cut our dependence on oil in the next 10 years. Its possible folks. McCain is all talk and doesn't care about the environment. He cares about money first.
If he rehires Alan Greenspan as Chairman of the Fed, I'd have a lot of confidence.
Zero confidence! If Americans want four more of George Bush's policies as far as the economy then John McCain is their man. However, if he is elected they shouldn't cry when things either get worse or stay the same not to mention the fact that he would probably go to war with Iran.
none whats so ever, i can't tell you what McCain's specialty is but this subject isn't it. hell he has no idea how much a gallon of gas cost. he's always had economic things done for him. he's a politician on a string. if he didn't have Lieberman around all the time to tell him what to say, McCain would say it still cost 50 cents to get into Disneyland.
hell NO! I have heard this man say in one of his speechs that he does not understand how economy works. I don't trust this man with economy at all.
I think McCain was saying that todays younger people were paying directly to older people. In the past there was enough money in the system that there may be a generation between the money paid in and the ones getting it.
When our population goes down there will not be enough young people to pay for the older and larger population and that is what
Sen. McCain was refering to.
Thanks
Ken
Welcome back Jack, hope you didn't drive your car and stayed put.
McCain is so far out of touch with the economy he probably thinks that Leave it To Beaver and Ozzie and Harriet are still prime time shows.
John McCain makes complete sense when he says that it is a complete disgrace that younger workers' tax money is going to older Americans. The question is, however, how will he be able to fix this problem?
I think John McCain is a pretty cool guy – he has the cajones to go out every day and tell people what's wrong with the world, how he'll fix it, and why being in prison helped him prepare for such an occasion and doesn't afraid of anything.
Dear Jack:
I don't understand these candidates. All of them! They are all Senators. As I see it they are part of the problem, not the solution. I believe there is only one solution. Putting an emergency halt to sending our jobs over seas and producing "green" hi tech jobs here in America. We have got to start now. Almost everyone I speak to is having problems. Why is it now all of a sudden we are having all this difficulty and our Presidential candidates have the solutions. Where has McCain been for the last 20 years? If they are so powerful, why doesn't he get in front of George Bush NOW and make his changes, since he has such a close relationship with our President.
Hey Jack....
I have as much confidence in John McSame's ability to fix the economy as I have in a blind man's ability to drive a car in rush hour.
Rob
Savannah Ga.
If there was money to be made by going to war with Iran or keeping our soldiers in Iraq McCain might be able to fix the economy. That's not the case. McCain should take a spot on that 30 days show and go spend time with one of our military families (maybe even one of those NCO's he so wants to retain) that receives food stamps. He's a joke.
No trust whatsoever!
Nanuet, NY
Obviously not. Just look at how many Republicans Vs Democrats have been in office the past 50 years and you'll have your answer on the economy. Example: McCain has described the evolution of oil dependency from "alarming" to "critical" over the years. The Dems have not been in power most of that time. Like Hillary said, what part of Peace and Prosperity in the past Democratic Administration are the Republicans really rallying against?
He cannot. He has been in the Senate and helped to get out country in the situation. Why do he receive 22,000.00 per year from Social Security?? He should donate it back because he and his wife make to much money . With their salaries why not donate.
MCclain needs to get a McClue, if he doesn't understand how social works after 20 years then how can he expect to balance the budget in four years.
About as confident that I am in the belief that a golden arch will land pick up 4400 people and leave the rest of us here in hell.
John McCain cannot balance the budget by 2013 nor can he "fix" the economy. If he wants to win the election he needs to focus on what he is good at, start acting like his old self again and stop trying to be the Republican poster boy that he is not. He is fundamentally more like most Americans than he now appears to be. I want to see the old independent-like John McCain again. 🙁
Simply put: not very.
Jack- With all the pandering and flip-flopping McCain has done I wonder if he really knows what he started his campaign about. I think he has no clue how to fix our economy.
How can someone who doesn't know how to open an e-mail fix a 21st century economy? We use "Quickbooks" now, not an abicus.
Confident about McCain's ability to fix the economy– Not only no, but hell no!
Don't be concerned. McCain will flip/flop on this issue just as he did on off-shore drilling, the Bush tax cuts for the super rich and on and on.
I am afraid Senator McCain isn't any more qualified to fix the economy than my little cocker spaniel is.
Zero confidence. I am in his generation and feel he is struggling to respond and his suggested policies will be a set back to the US and a continuation of the abomination of the last 8 years.
I'm not confident that he could cross the street without help...He is so over...just listen to him...that is all it will take to convince anyone..He is'nt that sharp to start with..
I am an Obama supporter, but I don't dislike John McCain. However, statements like this that display his lack of knowledge about Social Security, his bomb Iran "joke", and yesterday's kill them with cigarettes comment are making me more and more worried that he is just not serious enough and lacks the knowledge someone needs to run the most powerful country in the world. After 7 years of an incompetent president its imperative we vote for someone who is really on their game - you know, someone like Bill Clinton.
Thanks Jim for being brave enough to take on McCain on the issues.
It seems to me that the press in general has been super soft on McCain since day 1, and I applaud you for simply telling it like it is in this situation.
He doesn't have a clue. It's all he can do to read the words prepared for him. The sad thing is that he won't have the instinct or expertize to put together an economic team to help him address the need of the nation. Pitiful Old Man. i don't wish him harm, I just trust him with our nations future.
I have absolutely no confidence in John McCain's ability to "fix the economy". Given the downturn America's economy has taken in the last eight years under George W. Bush, and given the similarities between Bush and McCain when it comes to the economy, then really... how could we expect McCain to make the economy better? Maybe McCain labors under the illusion that more wars will make things better, who knows? McCain is simply pedding more of the garbage Ronald Reagan peddled in the 80's and more of the junk Bush has foisted on us.
McCain is not a leader, he is truly a follower. He insist on running behind Bush with the broom and dustpan sweeping all of Bush's mistakes and saving them for himself to use at a later date.....
Zero, he is out of touch like King George Bush. The only way he could balance the budget was to stop ALL spending. That means SS, medicare, etc.
No confidence at all. He has already said he didn't know how. Just ask him..or look at the tape. I forgot about the flip-flop express..
Thanks Jack for being brave enough to take on McCain on the issues.
It seems to me that the press in general has been super soft on McCain since day 1, and I applaud you for simply telling it like it is in this situation.
After hearing his comment on fixing Social Security, I wonder if he can balance his checkbook. Oh, wait, his wife is the one with the money.
Love your show. Thanks! Deb, Jasper, IN
I am supremely confident John McCain can "fix us good". After all, he's a republican! Look how well they've done in the last seven years! We all know Bush inherited the bad economy from the democratic administration of Bill Clinton, and it has just taken this long for the full effects of the Clinton years to hit!
We don't need another democrat, or another six trillion dollar surplus!
typical statement from a person that doesn't have to worry about his retirement period(just depend on his millionaire wife) I think the voters are smart enough to keep him from destroying social security this coming november..............
Jack, everyday Sen. McCain shows me why he finished in the bottom 5 of his class of 900 in Annapolis. The republicans would do themselves well, if they could get a law passed, prohibiting McCain from getting within 50 ft. of a microphone. David W., Tampa Fl.
His only idea is to try to save the economy by screwing the poor.
I'm 60 years old and living on medical disability, and even I have a better chance of convincing Julia Roberts to leave her three children and husband than McCain has to balance the budget. This is no longer Reagan economics, but Tooth Fairy economics.
I am not confident that McCain will even be able to find the White House if he is elected, but like they say never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers!
Senator McCain isn't even confident in his own ability to fix the economy. He says that he wants to balance the budget by 2013, but by then I doubt that he would be able to keep himself balanced, let alone the budget.
Jack, the Social Security comment by McCain is really scary. He's now lost any chance I would vote for him. I retired early, but worked 36 years, contributing SS to then retirees and hope to to get SS when I become eligible. Does he just not understand or is that his proposed policy change?
McCain is the best candidate for the job and knows what is best for the safety, and well being of this country. He has a better since of everyday life then what Obama does. Look at everyone Obama is involved with, they are all people that hate America and would rather watch it be destroyed then fix the problems of this country. It also does not help when there is so many biased shows on this network such Lou Dobbs and even you Cafferty are always switching on issues, and it is so contridicting. Like the border problems you both say that the president needs to do something to fix these problems, which he did intergrate ideas and ways to fix but they cant get fixed because no can agree what is good and what is not. I would say look at both sides of the issue.
Why is everybody so worried?? George Bush said the same thing in a press conference that he did not know much about the economy; that he had people around him that knew.
See what good shape we are in now?
God help America! And God, please bless America.
America is broke. There is no way to fix that.
Nope
"0" Absolutely ZERO!!! as long as we do not address the problems we have with inflation drastically cut over seas spending cut spending big time by our federal govt. cut tax's BIG time and go back to a gold standard which is what the constitution states we will not fix this problem. Hey, federal reserve, just print more money. That seems to fix everything right? Give me a break!
I have as much faith that John McCain will straighten out the U. S. economy as Native Americans trust the government.
Bob Cumming
Cedar Crest, New Mexico
Sure, I have confidence McCain can fix the Social Security System. Just put everyone in Congress on it for retirement – or call in all the IOUs from past "Theft" from the SS funding to pay for other programs... Leonard in Oklahoma....
Jack, nol confidence..McCain and his wife could not remember to pay their own taxes, How then is he going to remember that the economy is in a mess. Charlotte NC
None Jack! Since Mcain is an extension of George Bush
and admits this is not his strong suit how in blazes can we
have faith in his ability to ballance the budget???
I consider George Bush to be deficient in every category, especially intelligence but McCain makes Bush look like a genius. McCain is either delusional or in the first stages of Alzheimer's and I shudder at the thought of him in charge of anything.
He admits to having little or no knowledge about the economy ,i don't think senator McCain can fix the economy ,he makes comment about bombing Iran and staying in Iraq for 100yrs,thats sad Jack.
We have no confidence in McCain's ability to assist the recovery of our economy. He will be soundly defeated in Nov. So far, T.Boone Pickens is one of the only Americans to come forward with a plan. Obama has suggested policies that make sense as well. Co-operation between the private sector and gov't will solve this major challenge. The American people are stirring from the coma they have been in for the last 7.5 years. We'll see in Nov if they have awakened.
Enjoy your comments. Thanks for your direct no nonsense approach.
DE
I have zero confidence in McCain to do anything that will benefit working class Americans, balance America's budget or repair Social Security. The man is a dottering old idiot that like Bush will continue to take his orders from treasonous Gatekeepers like Karl Rove, the British owned Banks & MultiNational Corporations to whom the National Debt is owed that care nothing about the average American.
Absolutely none. Has McCain learned nothing from the last seven years of the Bush tax cuts? The insane idea that simply cutting taxes and curtailing spending will fix our economy is akin to putting a bandage on an open-heart surgery patient. The red will continue to flow and the patient certainly won't get any better. Can we please have some grown-ups in charge for a change, telling us the hard realities that we face in this country?
If the Good Senator has the slightest clue on how the Social Security systems works, how is he then going to fix the problem? I Have zero confidence that Senator McCain as President could and would adequatly fix our Economy, let alone Social security.
It's political bluster. I know that McCain had virtually failing grades in high school, college and even the military academy but he can't be THAT dumb! Or could he? Maybe that's one of the reason he has the worse absentee record in the Senate...probably never knew enough about the issues to vote so he just never bothered to show up. I TRUST HIM NOT AT ALL!
i am as confident in John McCain's economic ability as I am confident that a newborn can solve a question on calculus. he has no clue and i would suggest that McCain should tell the truth as it is: He is too old to understand the dynamics of 21st century economics.
I'm as confident that John McCain can fix/handle the American economic woes as President Bush was confident that gas prices wouldn't increase to $4/gallon. Bush and McBush are as good at making predictions on the economy, the war, or any other major front facing America as I am that I'll win the lottery.
It hasn't taken you any time at all to villify McCain the same way you did Hillary Clinton. We all understand your slimeball use of the word "alert" to criticize McCain. You should have a great future in an Obama administration, where personal invective is the cowardly political attack method of choice. Your nose is browner than a dung beetle.
I place John McCain one slot behind George Bush. In summary, I have no confidence in John McCain.
Hey Jack, John MCcain is just blowing the same ole smoke george bush was blowing, he's looking for the same idiots that voted for george bush, he wants to get rid of social security just like george bush, he wants to balance the budget on the backs of working people in this country, if he gets in, im gettin out
Jack, I cannot imagine a McCain administration doing anything but increase America's debt. Do americans need four more years of Republican rhetoric?
Jack,
Surely.... McCain shouldl be able to handle any economic issues that come down the pipe.... After all, he was a prisoner of war during Vietnam.
Bobby Yarush
Baghdad, Iraq
Yes he can. They key to balancing the budget is not reliant on ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We need to cut spending. Cut all the earmarks for projects like the 'Bridge to Nowhere' and cutting many welfare, supplement, and support programs that are huge, bureaucratic, and inefficient. The problem is that the federal government was never set up to take on everything they are currently involved in. And Obama is the one I don't trust, he will have to raise taxes, because of his money hungry programs like health care, even when he outright ends the war and he will never balance the budget.
Not at all confident. I want McCain to explain how he would pay social security benefits to current retirees if working people put their money into investment accounts. As I see it, McCain would either have to cut social security benefits dramatically or run up the federal budget deficit considerably more than its current high level. I don't want him to cut my benefits; I can't afford it.
I notice nobody talks about Obama's plan or record on the economy. You know why? Because he doesn't have one!