WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who spent much of the Vietnam War imprisoned in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton," recently told supporters he always felt he "was in the game of high stakes real estate” while he was there, due to the intense "negotiation-themed" internment, according to sources.

"To be frank," McCain said, "I learned what every man over there learns. We all have a breaking point. And you can in fact sell a buyer on a property for three times its worth, no matter what their objections."

Some of McCain's supporters were shocked that being beaten two hours a day was apparently nothing compared to taking a beating in a market downturn. "I'm frequently asked 'Which is worse? Housing recession or having your arms broken? I tell them the recession. Every time," he said.

His family and political associates over the years say this is just a part of the McCain personality.