Did John McCain Say He Didn't Really Love America?

Talking Points Memo

Yes he did.

On his show tonight, Dan Abrams drew attention to a quote from John McCain in an interview with Sean Hannity that flew under the radar for the past 3 months:

HANNITY: -- and then I understand you didn't get any medical help for nine days. You spent two years of this five-and-a-half-year period in solitary confinement. What does that do to a person, to spend that much time in solitary confinement?

MCCAIN: I think it makes you a better person. Obviously, it makes you love America. I really didn't love America until I was deprived of her company, but probably the most important thing about it, Sean, is that I was privileged to have the opportunity to serve in the company of heroes.

In light of all of the political hay that the repubs have made out of Michelle Obama saying that seeing such enthusiasm in this election cycle had caused her to be really proud of America for the first time in her adult life, I think it is worth giving a second look. Does anybody think McCain didn't love America before he was a POW? No. It's interesting that both McCain and Obama used the qualifier "really" in their statements... although Michelle's comments are oft repeated without the "really." It's interesting how when lines fit or don't fit particular scripts the are or are not noticed. Obama's comment were pounced upon almost immediately, while McCain's comment wasn't noticed for 3 months.

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