Not Either Or

Almost seven years since his first presidential run, the press is still going around in circles trying to pigeonhole McCain.  Is he the fierce independent who refuses to be fit into an ideological box?  Or, is he the long-standing conservative who is now emphasizing those credentials in order to broaden his appeal?

Going back to this '99 cover, perhaps the most telling aspect in McCain's expression is its sense of coyness. In response to the camera's demand for character, it seems the reply is that he will never be framed.

(Revised 9:21 am EST)

(image: TIME Magazine. December 13, 1999. Cover)

Comments

[Quentin]

The picture of Mr. John McCain was taken by the same photographer who took the one of Ms. Maureen Dowd in her column in the Times of New York. The photographer become so conflicted by the outward and inward dichotomies of these most illustrious subjects that the only hope of curing the new mental state was to go into hiding. McCain and Dowd have since been reported to be hanging out at Washington dives like the White House.

[itwasnt me]

I am struck by the liveliness in McCain's face, it seems to move while being still. This is an interesting picture of an interesting man. I used have a good deal of respect for him, in the same way I respected (but disagreed with) Goldwater. I even dared to go to the Regan Library to watch McCain announce his run for president in 2000 (Nancy was there in pink Channel and I got free Carl's Jr. Hamburger cards from Carl himself when I sat next to him...typical Republican perks, I guess). But, of course, he wants it too much, so he's blown it big time by trying to get every vote possible from the wingnuts. Hillary is making the same mistake (flag burning "outrage") and their timing is just terrible. That was last years technique. I think selling out might make your skin look worse (just a theory) and I'd like to see a new pic with this great lighting to check for changes.

[Mad_nVT]

It would be great to have a photo of Today's McCain, as a comparison. Yesterday's McCain seemed to me to be direct, open and frank- which I think shows up in the Time photo.

Today's McCain is trying to appeal to the conservative lunatics, while still keeping the independents and deceived Democrats in the camp. Would a current photo show shifty eyes, un-directed gaze, cloudiness, a false smile?

(Regarding McCain, it is always worth remembering that for two months the Kerry camp considered McCain as a running mate, first month was behind the scenes, second month was right out in the open, but un-admitted. McCain thought this was all crazy. He was right.)

[mugatea]

Next week TIME should cover a fart in a wind storm.

[theorajones]

Mona Lisa smile.

[lib4]

Well McCain certainly looks a lot younger .......

The man has aged tremndously in the last 7 years

maybe it is all the capitulating to the radcal right wing of his party...

take a look...
http://www.epochtimes.com/i5/4083152511124.jpg

[margaret]

The halo around his head, created by backlighting: the "golden boy," "hero, P.O.W.," except...his ambition has come to outstrip his ideals.

Once, outspoken, now, following "the script." Very sad.

[readytoblowagasket]

This expression of clear-eyed certainty is how someone looks before he compromises on torture.

[jt from BC]

"clear-eyed certainty"-rtbag

From October 26, 1967 until December 13, 1999, I'm surprised that his eyes even look this *clear* having flown 23 bombing missions over North Vietnam in the A-4 Skyhawk a single-seat attack bomber aircraft, carrying 3,500 lbs. Now 3,500 X 23 = one hell of a rampage. Is McCain's principled stand on torture in some measure also a token compensation for the horrendous cruelties (torture/terrorism) he inflicted on gooks.

"your clear-eyed certainty" suggested also
"The eyes are the window to the soul " http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/31/messages/1165.html

If either of these propositions are true I'll still never be able to read this Politician a former torture victim, terrorist, war hero, now a gung-ho, Top Gun advocator of this GWOT thing.

[readytoblowagasket]

jt from BC said: "If either of these propositions are true I'll still never be able to read this Politician a former torture victim, terrorist, war hero, now a gung-ho, Top Gun advocator of this GWOT thing."

I didn't mean to imply McCain's *logic* was clear. (Or even logical.) I only meant his attitude back then appears clear and certain. The BAG described his look as "coy," but I read it more as "cocksure."

Now, however, I think he's entered Ditch 5 of the Eighth Circle of Dante's Hell: "Corrupt politicians (barrators), trapped in a lake of burning pitch (Cantos XXI and XXII)."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Divine_Comedy

[jt from BC]

rtbag, no problem, I knew where you were coming from, I wanted to do a retrospective of John McCain triggered by the words eyes & torture in your comment. He's also eligible for Ditch 4 "false prophets," with his prophetic vision of the US divine mission in The Middle East.

[readytoblowagasket]

jt, I figured you knew, I just wanted an excuse to refer to Dante. ;)

[Chiaroscuro]

I haven't gotten the impression that the press is trying to "pigeonhole" McCain, exactly. It's more like they're trying to find the frame that sells the storyline they'd prefer--"maverick", "plain-spoken", "heroic" and so forth. And McCain's own words and actions have been frustrating their efforts.

After all, he's flip-flopped on torture (he's against it but doesn't say a thing about Bush's signing statements), he's publicly embraced Bush despite the disgusting treatment he and his family received from Bush in 2000 (hardly adherence to higher ideals), and has now admitted on The Daily Show that he's prepared to pander to "crazy base world" by making nice to Pat Robertson.

I don't wish to make light of McCain's health issues with skin cancer, and certainly hope he's past it. But it is somewhat ironic that the deterioration of his features is a grim parody of the deterioration of his much-lauded ideals.

[Cactus]

Someone said (the Chinese?) that before 30 you have the face you were born with; after 30 you have the face you deserve. I take that to mean that what you are will eventually show in your face.

[DogFoNam]

In his eyes I see, "Listen to me now and don't look and see what I do later". Which when you think about it pretty much fits just about everything about him since 2000.
His courage was left in Viet Nam, his manhood was left behind in 2000, and his ethics have been scattered all over the country since "The Kiss".