Seems that McCain can’t get his story straight regarding civil unions. Event though he supported the Arizona ban that would prevent both gay marriage and civil unions, he first told George Stephanopoulos that he wasn’t against civil unions. Then, he changed his mind:

Host George Stephanopoulos asked McCain why he supported the measure, saying it “actually denied any government benefits to civil unions or domestic partnerships. Are you against civil unions for gay couples?”

First McCain said: “No, I’m not.”

“I think that initiative did allow for people to join in legal agreements such as power of attorney and others,” he said. “I think that there was a difference of opinion on the interpretation of that constitutional amendment in Arizona.”

“So you’re for civil unions?” Stephanopoulos asked.

“No,” he said. “I do not believe gay marriage should be legal. I do not believe gay marriage should be legal,” he repeated. “But I do believe that people ought to be able to enter into contracts, exchange powers of attorney, other ways that people have relationships can enter into.”

Later, he came back: “I just want to point out again: I believe that gay marriage should not be legal. OK?”

There are two possible reasons for this flip flopping position. First, McCain could support civil unions personally, but may believe that voicing that support could sink his support within the Christian conservative movement. In this case, he is just a dishonorable panderer.

The other, more troubling, possibility is that McCain was confused by the question and his short term memory couldn’t hold up to the admittedly simple line of questioning. Remember that earlier in the interview, McCain had to repeatedly refer to his notes in order to answer a straightforward question about his Iraq policy. Was John McCain tired? Is his old age catching up to him? Perhaps he should just stay in the Senate where he can take naps.

While being interviewed by George Stephanopoulos, Senator John McCain can’t say more than a few words without glancing at his notes. There’s nothing wrong with having an outline of talking points and I certainly would not begrudge an old man a cue card or two, but this is getting ridiculous.

As Senator McCain has aged, how much has his memory degraded? I don’t want to be mean, but we are talking about a man who wants to be President of the United States of America. We can’t afford to have a President who is losing his short term memory.

According to some campaign operatives in Ohio, 70 year old Senator John McCain just couldn’t keep up the demanding schedule set for him during the 2006 campaign season:

“He was tired, he was short, he went his own way.” “Nothing close” to the energy level necessary for a presidential campaign: “He was out of gas well before he should have been.”

The Presidency is an unimaginably stressful and demanding job, one that requires long periods of concentration and unending energy. If Senator McCain were to win the Presidency, he would be 72 when sworn in.

It seems that McCain isn’t physically up to the job.

Senator John McCain’s base of operations in Vietnam is headed for a well deserved retirement:

The former USS Oriskany left the Beaumont Ready Reserve Fleet for Pensacola, Fla., where it will become the world’s largest man-made reef, the Beaumont Enterprise reported in its online edition Thursday.

The 888-foot-long ship was home to U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., when he served in Vietnam.

Perhaps the Senator should take a hint and retire with grace and honor. Don’t forget that he is 69 years old and will be 72 when the 2008 presidential election rolls around.