Maybe He Didn't
Update: All right, all right, maybe John McCain said "coursh" (as if "of course") rather than "horseshit." But that's only because I've been told over and over that he said "coursh" -- it's the power of suggestion. Even if I still believe in my heart that he said "horseshit."
Earlier today: Thanks to HE reader George Prager for spotting the portion of last night's debate in which McCain said "horseshit" twice. I've listened to this MSNBC clip over ten times now and there doesn't seem to be any question about it. The first "horseshit" happens at 4:31, Obama says "Spain is a NATO ally" and the second "horseshit" is spoken right on top of this, just before 4:33. I've recorded it and copied it four times in this mp3 clip, but the video sound -- naturally, being a generation closer -- is more distinct.
The "horseshit" observation originally came from Andrew Sullivan, who has since backed off and is allowing that McCain may have actually said "course not." Listen to the clip again -- the second syllable of McCain doesn't have a "not" sound. The difference between "shit" and "not" is fairly distinct.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on September 27, 2008 at 9:29 AM
comment #1
p.Vice
says ...
That would be a great campaign slogan.
McCain-Palin: HORSESHIT!
Posted by p.Vice
at September 27, 2008 9:52 AM
comment #2
Krazy Eyes
says ...
What was McCain's original quote about Spain? I thought what Obama said in the debate was a pretty accurate portrayal of what I remember McCain saying.
Posted by Krazy Eyes
at September 27, 2008 9:58 AM
comment #3
gruver1
says ...
Wells to Krazy Eyes: As the MSNBC clip makes clear, McCain didn't raise the point about Spain -- Obama did.
Posted by gruver1
at September 27, 2008 10:01 AM
comment #4
corey3rd
says ...
Amazing how the pundits didn't catch onto this gem when discussing McCain's vulgar language and nasty temper.
Posted by corey3rd
at September 27, 2008 10:16 AM
comment #5
Krazy Eyes
says ...
I was referring to McCain's original quote from a few months ago about not wanting to sit down with Spain from a while back. I thought what Obama said during the debate was pretty accurate to this original quote and thus makes McCain's "horseshit" comment more baffling.
Posted by Krazy Eyes
at September 27, 2008 10:17 AM
comment #6
George Prager
says ...
I got it from Andrew Sullivan, who now says it sounds like he's saying "of course not" , but now he's wavering, maybe he said it,.who knows?
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/09/horseshit.html
Posted by George Prager
at September 27, 2008 10:22 AM
comment #7
MickTravis
says ...
And if you slow it down and play it backwards he says, "Turn me on, dead man!"
Posted by MickTravis
at September 27, 2008 10:24 AM
comment #8
Pinko Punko
says ...
Andrew Sullivan, master of the trivial and wrong. Except when he talks about torture, when he is correct. Too bad he spent 8 years enabling the obvious and despicable. Oh woops, mulligan!!!!!
Posted by Pinko Punko
at September 27, 2008 10:34 AM
comment #9
George Prager
says ...
"Too bad he spent 8 years enabling the obvious and despicable."
Wrong: Sullivan endorsed Kerry in '04.
Posted by George Prager
at September 27, 2008 10:38 AM
comment #10
Kristopher Tapley
says ...
I can't believe this made it this far. Obviously, McCain wouldn't say "horseshit" on the air in a political debate. But moreover, it doesn't even sound like "horseshit" in the audio. There's a syllable in there before the "orse" sound. First thing I thought was "of course not," and, thankfully, Sullivan has pulled back somewhat and admitted same.
Jeez...
Posted by Kristopher Tapley
at September 27, 2008 10:38 AM
comment #11
cinefan
says ...
I turned the sound up and listened very closely and he definitely said horseshit. You can definitely hear the h before the orse sound if you listen closely.
Posted by cinefan
at September 27, 2008 10:57 AM
comment #12
Kristopher Tapley
says ...
No way.
Posted by Kristopher Tapley
at September 27, 2008 10:58 AM
comment #13
deadre
says ...
this is important , if he says horseshit? who even cares if he 'forgot' Spain is an ally during a senior moment. What i don't understand is how he intends to take on his party. Is he going to flip on all of those who vote him into office? That's kind of what he's saying or is just a total liar? Can someone please explain.
Posted by deadre
at September 27, 2008 10:58 AM
comment #14
lazespud
says ...
Ummm, Jeff, this isn't even close to "Horseshit". It's pretty clear that he said "course not" or some approximation of that. I played it for a couple of people who didn't know that you were claiming it said "horseshit" and their first thought was he was saying "course not".
Posted by lazespud
at September 27, 2008 10:59 AM
comment #15
corey3rd
says ...
McCain is notorious for saying horseshit. Don't try to clean up the guy's act. He cussed like a sailor. He spent most of the night doing his fake throat clearing to screw up the audio on Obama's answers.
Posted by corey3rd
at September 27, 2008 11:03 AM
comment #16
BurmaShave
says ...
I think the reason McCain said horseshit/course not is because when he was asked that question a few weeks back he had no idea who the fuck they were talking about. Not that a candidate for President has to know who the Prime Minister of Spain is, but certainly the guy running on experience and knowledge does.
Posted by BurmaShave
at September 27, 2008 11:44 AM
comment #17
Craptastic
says ...
I just listened to the original MSNBC audio/video on a professional Mackie Mixer with HR824 speakers and I can go either way. The factor that leads to this is that McCain speaks through this teeth, making it almost impossible to say for sure.
The only thing that could help would be to take that split second of video footage before the camera cuts from a two shot to a song on Obama and slow it down to see if his mouth is creating an "H" sound.
Posted by Craptastic
at September 27, 2008 11:59 AM
comment #18
televisiontears
says ...
Does anyone really care if he said "horseshit" or not - other than late night comedy writers? This now has as many comments as the Jeff's post about the actual debate. Oh well - I guess it's kind of funny if he did.
This reminds me of that episode of South Park where the entire country is transfixed by someone saying, "Uhh... you got some shit on your face" on TV.
Posted by televisiontears
at September 27, 2008 12:16 PM
comment #19
Marcello
says ...
I'm hearing "cocksucker."
Posted by Marcello
at September 27, 2008 12:34 PM
comment #20
ZayTonday
says ...
This is what Keith Olbermann said about this (who would jump at the chance to slam McCain for anything):
"It was "course not, course not" -- with his sibilant "s" it sounds like "coursh not, coursh not" -- I heard it live, wearing an ear plug, and I have a pretty good ear."
Posted by ZayTonday
at September 27, 2008 1:09 PM
comment #21
berkguru
says ...
anybody else want to just slam McCain in his botoxed mug during that debate? guy is a focking scumbag
Posted by berkguru
at September 27, 2008 2:07 PM
comment #22
D.Z.
says ...
George: "Wrong: Sullivan endorsed Kerry in '04."
Given the mediocrity of Kerry's campaign, Pinko's not that far from the truth.
Posted by D.Z.
at September 27, 2008 3:02 PM
comment #23
MDOC
says ...
Berkguru,
Your comments are so refreshing and insightful. You truly have a grasp of the issues and have really brought something relevant to the table.
I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to hear more from you, I feel like I should be paying to read it.
Posted by MDOC
at September 28, 2008 8:17 AM
comment #24
MDOC
says ...
Just for the record, if McCain did say "Horseshit" is that good or bad? Or is it the kind of thing where if the guys on your side it's fine but if he's on the other it's proof he's unfit to lead.
Posted by MDOC
at September 28, 2008 8:20 AM
comment #25
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says ...
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at May 13, 2011 10:59 PM
comment #26
janee
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at May 18, 2011 4:14 AM