GMA's Roberts did not challenge McCain's denial that he has said he lacks expertise on the economy

Summary: ABC's Robin Roberts said to Sen. John McCain, "You have admitted that you're not exactly an expert when it comes to the economy and many have said that they," at which point, McCain said repeatedly, "I have not." Roberts did not challenge McCain's denial, even though McCain has made repeated remarks acknowledging his weakness on economic issues.

On the July 2 edition of ABC's Good Morning America, anchor Robin Roberts said to Sen. John McCain, "You have admitted that you're not exactly an expert when it comes to the economy and many have said that they," at which point, McCain said repeatedly, "I have not," then added, "I said that I am stronger on national security issues because of all the time I spent in the military and others." Roberts did not challenge McCain's denial, even though, as Media Matters for America has documented, McCain has made repeated remarks acknowledging his weakness on economic issues, including at times doing so without mentioning what he says is his superior knowledge of national security issues. As the Boston Globe reported on January 26:

In fact, on numerous occasions over the course of the campaign, McCain has volunteered that he is unsatisfied with his lack of knowledge about aspects of economics.

"I'm going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated," McCain told the Wall Street Journal in late November.

In December he said, "The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should," as the Globe reported on its "Political Intelligence" blog at the time.

On at least one occasion, McCain has raised the matter himself. On Nov. 10, while traveling through New Hampshire on his Straight Talk Express bus, McCain was asked what he would seek in a vice presidential candidate if nominated.

After mentioning the ability of a potential running mate to replace the president, McCain said, "You also look for people who maybe have talents you don't, or experience or knowledge you don't, as well."

"What are those qualities that you don't - that you wouldn't mind complementing?" asked David Brooks, a columnist for The New York Times.

McCain paused. "Uh, maybe I shouldn't say this, but, somebody who's really well grounded in economics," he said.

"I think I understand the fundamentals, I talk to people all the time on economics -- it's obviously a vital part of America's future," McCain continued. "But I know there are some people who have literally immersed themselves on issues of economics, how Congress works on it, the tax code, that sort of thing. I would look for that kind of talent not in a vice president but in close advisers."

"They are complicated," McCain said of economic issues, "and I freely admit I am not an economist."

In addition to quoting McCain saying, "The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should," the December 18, 2007, Political Intelligence blog entry to which the Globe referred reported that McCain additionally said, 'I've got [former Federal Reserve chairman Alan] Greenspan's book.' "

Moreover, Roberts did not mention an exchange during the January 24 Republican presidential debate, in which moderator Tim Russert quoted McCain's statement that he knew "a lot less about economics" than "military and foreign policy issues," and asked McCain: "Is it a problem for your campaign that the economy is now the most important issue, one that, by your own acknowledgement, you are not well versed on?" McCain responded, "I don't know where you got that quote from. I'm very well-versed in economics." Following the debate, MSNBC's David Shuster noted McCain's response in a fact check, asserting, "John McCain was asked a question that included a quote about McCain talking about economics. And McCain denied the quote." After airing a video clip of the exchange, Shuster asserted: "Well, actually, NBC News got that quote from last month. John McCain was heard saying on December 17th in The Boston Globe and Time magazine, quote, 'The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should. I've got Greenspan's book.' " Following Shuster's fact check, Hardball host Chris Matthews asked Newsweek's Howard Fineman, "Howard, the 'Straight Talk Express': Did it stall tonight? Was it derailed by his denial of a quote that's on the record?" In his response, Fineman asserted, "You can't pretend that you didn't say something you said. You just can't wish it away."

In a July 2 article, The Hill reported McCain's comments about the economy from the Good Morning America interview:

Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Wednesday that the U.S. economy is in "terrible shape" and that Americans "are hurting badly right now."

The Arizona senator, in an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America," said he is "very strong on the economy."

"I understand it," he said, adding that he has "a lot more experience than my opponent."

He touted his economic recovery plan, saying that his remedies would include low taxes, less regulation and beginning to drill off the U.S. coast. McCain also argued that the country needs to "get to work" on nuclear and alternative energy and invest in clean coal technology.

In addition, the GOP standard-bearer said that the country must "stop distorting the market by subsidizing ethanol and preventing sugar cane-based ethanol from coming into the United States."

McCain spoke to the network from Colombia where he is discussing drug trafficking and a free trade agreement with the U.S.

The Hill article did not include Roberts' mention of McCain's admission that he's "not exactly an expert when it comes to the economy" or McCain's denial.

From the July 2 edition of ABC's Good Morning America:

McCAIN: I have town hall meetings almost every single day, and I have a plan of action to bring our economy out of the situation it's in today, and I don't believe increasing their taxes is the answer. I believe leaving -- leaving their taxes low, getting off this dependence on foreign oil and doing it quickly and we can -- I call it the Lexington project. We can, as we sent people to the moon, we can also get off this dependence on foreign oil and keep people in their homes and stop this job loss. We can do it.

ROBERTS: We can do it. You have admitted that you're not exactly an expert when it comes to the economy and many have said that they --

McCAIN: I have not. I have not. Actually, I have not. I said that I am stronger on national security issues because of all the time I spent in the military and others. Very strong on the economy. I understand it. I have a lot more experience than my opponent.

ROBERTS: People feel that it -- it is not a strong suit. You have other strengths, as well, but that if you selected somebody from the business sector as a running mate, that it could go a long way for you. Mitt Romney's name has come up again, very successful, of course, with -- with business ventures. Is he somebody that's at the top of your VP list?

—K.E.