50 Top 10 Lists of 2007

Top 10 Campaign Gaffes

#4. McCain Bombs on Stage

Apr. 18, 2007

"Bomb, bomb, bomb ... Bomb, bomb Iran"
— John McCain, singing along to the Beach Boys tune Barbara Ann in response to the question, "When do we send them an airmail message to Tehran?"

He stopped short of supporting an invasion of Iran, saying only "I totally support the President when he says we will not allow Iran to destroy Israel." Later, McCain campaign spokesman Kevin McLaughlin told ABC News that the Senator "was just trying to add a little humor to the event." When asked if his joke was insensitive, McCain responded: "Insensitive to what? The Iranians?" Liberal organization MoveOn.org later used footage of the comment to create an ad arguing against "another reckless President."

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