Apparently, his usage of that term was meant to be endearing.
I think it was a crass statement, disjointed from today's society.
Just because his calling a student a 'little jerk" wasn't done in anger shouldn't negate the sentiment behind the comment.

How else should this student take McCain's calling him ": an annoyingly stupid or foolish person
: an unlikable person; especially : one who is cruel, rude, or small-minded"

Are we to believe John McCain does not know the meaning behind the words he utters?

Sorta like Maccaca ?

__________________

So this is how liberty ends... with thunderous applause
In a Democracy, Silence is Permission