I just want to make sure that I’m understanding this “house-gate” thing correctly.
The fact that John McCain’s wife owns seven houses is a scandal. This is despite the fact that his wife’s wealth has been public knowledge for the entire campaign.
There are two problems with this “scandel.” First, John McCain has never tried to portrey himself as an “ordinary guy.” Patriot, maverick, reformer, war hero. Not ordinary guy. So how does this undercut his message?
Secondly, the fact that he does not need money actually boosts his credentials in being detached from special interests. Self interest is meaningless to him, because his wife has so much money that monetary considerations are irrelevant to him.
Contrast this with Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Both of them own huge homes. Both of them have received sweatheart deals, though only Obama received his through a felon. Both of them have used earmarks to assist those who have boosted their candidacy or their personal financed. And both of them claim to be “average guys.”
What is the difference here. John McCain does not pretend to be a working class hero out to rob from the rich and give to the poor, and is focused instead on creating opportunity for all Americans. It does not matter whether he is rich or poor to do this, though being rich makes him more immune from special interests and personal considerations.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden do claim to be working class, and they do claim that the rich are evil and the poor are virtuous, and they do want to steal from the rich and give to the poor. And they also happen to live in mansions and derive less than ethical benefits from their elite political positions.
Who, then, is the real hypocrite here?
