Ah, but the strawberries! That's, that's where he had you! 
My John McCain (up close and personal) story, from the 2000 South Carolina Primary.
Greenville SC - the 2000 Presidential primary - John McCain had just beaten ‘W’ in the NH primary and the “Straight Talk Express” rolled into South Carolina.
I was a McCain supporter - positive that he was the real deal.
I drove to a McCain speech and public appearance. It was a day I will never forget as long as I live.
That day I witnessed John McCain behave unlike any appearance I had ever seen on TV - the man was unhinged.
After a 15 minute canned speech - he decided to address his competition in the primary - George W. Bush. He did so by beginning with, “I am Luke Skywalker, and my opponents are members of the Empire. Together we will form the rebellion and defeat Darth Vadar”. He yelled this - first pumping - his voice full of anger - his face - beet red - and his eyes - well - they were scary.
The crowd instantly went from supportive - to bewildered.
He obviously didn’t pick up on the mood change - because he went on for another 5 minutes - ranting and raving about how everyone was lying about his record - his views - and he, “wasn’t going to take it any more” (remember the movie Network).
It was surreal.
When he finished - and with the prodding of an aid - he left the stage, while we in the crowd just stood there - stunned - and honestly - completely confused.
I asked a woman next to me: “what the hell just happened?” She answered: “that man is freaking nuts!”
I came home - walked in the house - sat on the couch and just looked at the wall. I suddenly realized - the man pushed on television - was not the man at all.
I have told this story many times - to many people - and I have heard the same story told back to me by others who have seen similar John McCain episodes.
I am not given to criticize anyone lightly ladies and gentlemen.
I am sure John McCain is a good man - but listen to me - and please believe me.
JOHN MCCAIN is NOT FIT TO LEAD THIS NATION.
John McCain is unstable. John McCain is freaking nuts!
I never get tired of that story.
Bump
TT
Wow, McCain's a Republican Howard Dean. I've figured he's not quite right in the head for some time. He seems like the glue holding him together is very thin. Thanks for your story. Although, what would you do if, GOD forbid, it comes down to McCain vs. Hillary in 08? Sitting out an election is not an option for me.
Thanks for sharing Jake.
I have a cousin who has had direct contact with the man via the military/pentagon.
His assessment was exactly the same as yours. The television McCain bears absolutely no resemblance to the man in real life—He is completely and utterly unstable/unhinged/nuts.
He's Craaaaaaaaaazy!
John McCain has demons in his head.
I had the same impression of McCain at about the same time. We were in Hilton Head at the time of the primary and happened to be in the McCain hotel.
The lobby was crawling with aides and I was invited to a press conference early in the morning and I saw a man I wasn't prepared for. I got the same, instant feeling that I did the first time I saw Hillary.
I won't go so far as to call it evil but there was a strange, unsettling feeling. No vote for you.
Ah, but the strawberries! That's, that's where he had you!
Sort of how he acted in SunCity last week when confronted ie his stand on illegal immigration and the person asking the questions didn't back down or allow herself to be cowed by his obvious anger.