WASHINGTON -
Days after he cracked that being rich in the U.S. meant earning at least $5 million a year, Republican presidential candidate John McCain acknowledged that he wasn't sure how many houses he and his wealthy wife actually own.
"I think... I'll have my staff get to you," McCain responded to a question posed by Politico, according to a story Thursday on the publication's Web site. "It's condominiums where... I'll have them get to you."
Later, the McCain campaign told Politico that McCain and his wife, Cindy, have at least four in three states, Arizona, California and Virginia. Newsweek recently estimated the two owned at least seven properties.
Associated Press

Is this the Straight Talk answer of a maverick? The above comment by Senator McCain is both troubling and insightful on so many levels. I have asked myself several times in recent days; Why would Senator McCain give this response to this queston? Why did he not give an immiediate answer? He is running for the office of President of the United States of America. The question was simple; "How many homes do you own? We are not talking about a question on the economy, the war in Iraq or healthcare. This was a simple question that any American citizen could answer without the slightest of hesitation.
In the fallout from this comment much has been made over the fact that John McCain and his wife are wealthy people. It has been suggested that with an estimated wealth of over 100 million dollars that the McCains lifestyle is grossly out of touch with the average American family. These facts are true. However, the fact that John and Cindy McCain are wealthy does not concern me or most Americans. That is part of the American dream. Being wealthy does not disqualify your ability to lead.
My concern is if John McCain truthfully cannot remember how many homes he owns we have to ask ourselves a very important question. Does John McCain need to be President? The President of the United States of America has to be able to think fast and demonstrate the mental capacity to handle any situation at any given time. Is John McCain who you want answering the proverbial 3AM phone call? In a crisis the President does not have the luxury to give an answer such as John McCain's response of "I think... I'll have my staff get to you," Why would Senator McCain need to check with his staff? Politics? Polls? A more important question we need to ask ourselves is; Who does John McCain have to ask? His wife? His staff? The RNC? His media consultants? Karl Rove? Is this the kind of response we can expect from a McCain presidency?Same old story.Same old song and dance. The President of the United States of America has to stand strong and be able to think for himself. Anything less is unacceptable.
I suspect that during this interview John McCain suddenly had an epiphany. A realization that his cronies have led him down the wrong road with their millions of dollars worth of negative attack ads designed to portray Barack Obama as a celebrity elitist. John McCain is uncomfortable with these negative attacks. You can see it in his eyes.You can hear it in his voice.These attacks are not the words or thoughts of the POW warrior or the straight talking maverick. These attacks on Senator Obama will continue to chisel away at the foundation of John McCains reputation.
When you cannot stand on the issues you sling mud. It is the oldest and most desperate of political tactics. However, John McCain and his well paid staff should remember the proverbial adages of "Judge not, lest ye be judged" or better yet "He who lives in glass HOUSES, should not throw stones".

Mark Reynolds
State Director Catholic Democrats of Alabama