McCain Shoves Foot Down Throat, Swallows

John McCain: Is there any politician or public figure who thinks about what they say before they say it? Not knowing when to shut one's yap seems to be a growing problem in U.S. public life.

Not understanding what is appropriate to say or not say in the public forum (or privately either, for that matter) is a basic function of good judgement. Making a joke about "killing Iranians" isn't funny. But it's "just a joke," right? Really?

Such comments show a basic lack of good judgement -- and John McCain has a long history of making boneheaded statements, e.g, his comments about an adolescent Chelsea Clinton a few years back.

Poor judgement in this area means poor judgement in other areas. One doesn't sit around and decide when and where to exercise discretion and judgement.

He's not the only one. But we want someone with good judgement as president this time out, don't we? Someone who understands that other nations' opinions do count; someone who sees the USA a leader in the world community, but balances our needs against the needs and concerns of other peoples, other nations. We've certainly seen (and been horrified, some of us, at the results) when a president does not have the ability to think clearly and in the best interest of the nation -- or the world. America has the tragic recent experience of a leader who does not (and possibly cannot) grasp the consequences of his policies and decisions.

More and more, I wonder if John McCain has what I am looking for. I admire his honesty and his integrity. I admire his bent toward doing the right thing. But without thoughtful intelligence in making the right choices, and being enough of a clear thinker to recognize the results of those choices both within our borders and without, other attributes perhaps pale to insignificance.