McCain Threatens... Suicide?

Well, that would narrow the 2008 Presidential field...

Arizona Senator and probable 2008 Republican presidential candidate John McCain jokingly says he would "commit suicide" if Democrats take control of the U.S. Senate in this November's election.

McCain is in Iowa today (Wednesday), campaigning with GOP Congressmen Steve King and Tom Latham as well as Republican congressional candidate Jeff Lamberti. McCain spoke at a mid-day news conference in Des Moines, where McCain was asked what his reaction would be to a Democratic take-over of the Senate.

"I think I'd just commit suicide," McCain said, as the Republicans standing beside him burst into laughter. "I don't want to face that eventuality because I don't think it's going to happen...I think it's going to be tough, but I think we'll do o.k." A few moments later McCain turned to Congressman Latham and joked that Latham would probably commit suicide first, as polls suggest control of the House is likely to swing to Democrats in this year's election.

According to McCain, the current "tenor" of campaigns is too negative and he hopes the courts can help stop new groups called "527s" which are able to skirt campaign contribution limits. "The 527s are pernicious evil that needs to be eliminated," McCain said. "We have a Federal Elections Commission that will not enforce the law and they are an absolute national disgrace." McCain said.

I love the sense of humor. I just wish McCain, who's more grounded in reality than most politicians, would realize that the "tenor" of campaigns hasn't changed much -- just the level of disclosure we get in society on anyone's life has changed. A generation ago, we didn't have anything near the level of crap we do about celebrities. Is it so surprising that we can find so many negatives about our politicians?

And calling groups organized around the idea of creating political free speech (which is what a 527 organization essentially is) a "pernicious evil" is the worst part of McCain. There's a lot to admire in him, but I always find it funny when people characterize the Bush Administration as a threat to civil liberties and free speech. McCain has restricted, and wants to further restrict, the right of Americans to speak freely regarding political campaigns. Isn't that a tad bit dangerous?