McCain out of touch about HIV

[jebbypal]

McCain stumbles on question about HIV prevention

Q: "What about grants for sex education in the United States? Shouldthey include instructions about using contraceptives? Or should it beBush’s policy, which is just abstinence?"

Mr. McCain: (Long pause) "Ahhh. I think I support the president’s policy."

Q: "So no contraception, no counseling on contraception. Justabstinence. Do you think contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV?"

Mr. McCain: (Long pause) "You’ve stumped me."

Q: "I mean, I think you’d probably agree it probably does help stop it?"

Mr. McCain: (Laughs) "Are we on the Straight Talk express? I’m notinformed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I’m sure I’ve taken aposition on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was.Brian, would you find out what my position is on contraception – I’msure I’m opposed to government spending on it, I’m sure I support thepresident’s policies on it."

Q: "But you would agree that condoms do stop the spread of sexuallytransmitted diseases. Would you say: ‘No, we’re not going to distributethem,’ knowing that?"

Mr. McCain: (Twelve-second pause) "Get me Coburn’s thing, ask Weaverto get me Coburn’s paper that he just gave me in the last couple ofdays. I’ve never gotten into these issues before."

And once again, I reiterate my desire to have every elected member of congress forced to sit through a weekend of "biology updates" every time they are elected. That is just inexcusable.