During a town hall meeting in Des Moines, Republican presidential candidate John McCain was asked about a claim made in a book that’s critical of McCain.
“This question goes to mental health and mental health care,” the man in the crowd began. “Previously I’ve been married to a woman that was very verbally abusive to me. Is it true that you called your wife a ____?”
A huge, collective gasp went up from the crowd.
“Now, now, you don’t want to,” McCain began in reply, “Um, you know that’s the great thing about town hall meetings, sir, but we really don’t, there’s people here who don’t respect that kind of language so I’ll move on to the next questioner in the back. Yes sir. I see you.”
The crowd applauded and McCain answered other questions for another 40 minutes.
Later, another man called upon to ask McCain a question instead apologized for the episode with the four-letter word and told McCain that kind of conduct is “not what Iowans are about.”
“Thank you again for coming to Iowa and again, I sincerely apologize,” the man said in conclusion.
“I understand. I understand. I understand,” McCain said to the man who identified himself as Tim. “I understand and most importantly, you do, too.”