McCain jokes about killing Iranians with cigarettes

Reuters ^ | Jul 9, 2008 | Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by David Storey

[mdittmar]

U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who once sang in jest about bombing Iran, on Tuesday reacted to a report of rising U.S. cigarette exports to the country by saying it may be "a way of killing 'em."

McCain, known for acerbic comments and for sometimes firing verbally from the hip, was responding to a report that U.S. exports to Iran rose tenfold during President George W. Bush's term in office despite hostility between the two states.

A rise in cigarette sales was a big part of that, according to an Associated Press analysis of seven years of U.S. trade figures.

"Maybe that's a way of killing 'em," McCain said to reporters during a campaign stop in Pittsburgh. "I meant that as a joke, as a person who hasn't had a cigarette in 28 years, 29 years," he added, laughing.

He declined further comment on the report.

[mdittmar]

Well,that's just "Mean Spirited";)

[goldstategop]

I'll just await the outrage from the Smoking Nazis and Islamists.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[lormand]

Politically, this guy is smoother than Steve McQueen.

/sarc

[TheZMan]

And this asshat would have us believe he won’t push for a ban here in the states right after giving the country to Mexico.

[Carpe Cerevisi]

My friends, now that’s some straight talk.

[Brian S. Fitzgerald]

McCain had better get a new comedy writer.

[TribalPrincess2U]

Hahahahahaha, I get it.

Can’t you imagine how the White House will smell IF
NoBambo happens to get in it? Wheeewwwwwweeeeeeeeee

[Brian S. Fitzgerald]

[mysterio]

Wow, what a smart thing to say. Especially considering the Iranian people like us for the most part.

Way to go, RNC.

[unkus]

My friends, now that’s some straight talk.

---

My friend, you are right.

[Graybeard58]

Can’t you imagine how the White House will smell IF NoBambo happens to get in it? Wheeewwwwwweeeeeeeeee

I don't go there too often anymore, so I don't care how it smells. The smell of socialism bothers me a bunch more than the smell of cigarette smoke.

[dragnet2]

We're exporting cigarettes to Iran?

Is Budweiser exporting them beer too?

[Brian S. Fitzgerald]

[Brian S. Fitzgerald]

[Reaganesque]

Here you go:

[Krankor]

This guy is worse than Bush on the stump. He can’t give a speech worth a damn and now he appears to have no common sense whatsoever.

[Brian S. Fitzgerald]

[A_perfect_lady]

Slow news day.

[ncalburt]

Now this is a post the McCain haters and the Obama pests can really enjoy. Just read there posts. All working for the same cause. Helping a radical Marxist and the Weatherman make the country into a socialist hell.

[McGruff]

Oh look what you've done now John.

Death to the Marlboro Man!