Source: McCain camp claims Romney promised he wouldn’t preempt Mac’s concession speech — and then did; Update: Video added — Huck to Mac to Mitt
posted at 10:17 pm on January 15, 2008 by Allahpundit
Totally bush league if true, Mark Steyn’s half-hearted attempt at spin notwithstanding.
Is Barnett sure that the Mitt Romney he knows isn’t just the Mitt Romney he thinks he knows?
Update: It’s even more bush league, needless to say, if McCain’s camp is making this up to douse the flames of Romney’s victory buzz. But how would they arrange that? The concessions go first; they couldn’t preempt Mitt, only vice versa.
Update: I guess if they’re lying wholesale about there having been any agreement, that’d do it.
Update (Bryan): Here’s the moment in question.
Link: sevenload.com
Update (Bryan): But hold the phone. McCain pre-empted Huckabee and then got pre-empted by Romney. Here’s the proof.
Since the latter two pre-empted the first, this looks more to me like fouled up timing than a plot. Though there is a good case to be made for the latter.
Blowback
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Ditto.
Mcguyver on January 15, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Mega dittos!
davenp35 on January 15, 2008 at 11:00 PM
No, not McVain! He wouldn’t do something like that! After all he spent years as a POW!
TheBigOldDog on January 15, 2008 at 11:00 PM
My friends that stunt by Romney is hilarious!
I would love to be a fly on the wall wherever rage boy is tonight.
SimplyKimberly on January 15, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Nope. That’s when we break out the beer and popcorn. This year more than others, I think… certainly moreso than anytime I can remember.
We are at the edge of a flesh-ripping, soul-sucking, eye-gouging party for all to cheer.
wccawa on January 15, 2008 at 11:01 PM
That doesn’t make him very gentlemanly either, and we know how he can lose it. Actually, more than once, I worry about some of the yahoos who’d have their finger on that football. We know who they are.
Entelechy on January 15, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Wait a minute. Mitt has changed his mind. He’s going to do his speach later. Wait a minute. Mitt has changed his mind…………………..
oakpack on January 15, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Check the update, everyone. McCain clearly pre-empted Huckabee and then got pre-empted by Romney. Something in the synchronization between the campaigns got fouled up. So for once, questioning the timing my be exactly the right thing to do.
Bryan on January 15, 2008 at 11:05 PM
I wish Mitt Romney would change his mind about running for president.
froghat on January 15, 2008 at 11:06 PM
I vote that we tar and feather McVano and dump his “Absolute moral authority card” along with his sorry asno across the
Mexicican frontera.
Oh yes, and lets cut a big “Z” on his asno too. Or maybe a big “L” for lettuce.
MB4 on January 15, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Oh the Corner! I know them. Those are the guys who leaked bogus exit polls in the middle of the day during the 04 election that any moron could tell were completely bogus if they bothered to even take a nanosecond to look at it before publishing. Oh, ya, I believe them!
TheBigOldDog on January 15, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Yes, but Huey Lewis and the news pre-empted Huck
froghat on January 15, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Exactly…good move as far as I am concerned (if it was planned).
Vigilante on January 15, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Please don’t do that.
MikeZero on January 15, 2008 at 11:08 PM
I could almost tolerate watching McCain concede (just for the schedenwhatsis), but when that rat Graham joined in grinning on stage – the same Graham that called me a bigot while he was addressing LA
RazaRace – I had to close the IE window before I puked. Or threw a brick at my monitor.Two betrayers of the American people are two too much to watch at the same time.
fred5678 on January 15, 2008 at 11:10 PM
But I like Zorro, and those like him. So better an “L” or an “S”.
Entelechy on January 15, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Do what?
TheBigOldDog on January 15, 2008 at 11:11 PM
After taking a look at all the candidates, I’ve come to one conclusion. 2ND LOOK AT PRESIDENT BUSH!!!!
froghat on January 15, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Ace says:
Was it:
accidental?
deliberate?
or
both deliberate and fucking awesome?
McCain — chill. I think you’ve been on TV plenty, Buddy.
tlclark on January 15, 2008 at 11:11 PM
I have the opposite take from this:
The race isn’t over yet. Romney is still well behind McCain in South Carolina — why let him look gracious in defeat when you can give your victory speech and pre-empt a free-media opportunity for your opponent? Yeah, maybe it looks mean, but this is what you do if you want to win. Politics isn’t about making friends.
I see it as a way to knock the wind out of Mitt’s sails, and screw up his momentum going into SC. Mitt gains nothing from this.
Buy Danish on January 15, 2008 at 11:11 PM
You’re being waaaay too nice. :)
Good night, y’all. I’m hitting the hay.
pullingmyhairout on January 15, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Thanks for the update, Bryan.
It’s even sweeter than apple pie.
Mcguyver on January 15, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Decorum and tradition also usually allow Senate legislation, such as Shamnesty, to be viewed and debated for a reasonable time prior to the vote. Voters opposing legislation are not usually referred to as “loud folks” in public by Senators.
a capella on January 15, 2008 at 11:12 PM
He will change his mind about running ca. January ’09, where he will refocus on being president.
BKennedy on January 15, 2008 at 11:12 PM
McCain is a prick. ’nuff said.
Griz on January 15, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Guys, lets say it goes all the way to the convention in MN…. How do they pick the candidate? Do they fistfight for it? How do they doooooooo it?
froghat on January 15, 2008 at 11:14 PM
NOBODY CARES!
Good grief Allah. Why don’t we just pay your I-phone bill and get it over with, instead of trying to break the comments thread?
Mcguyver on January 15, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Why does Allah need a cell phone anyways? Does he even leave his house? I swear, he must have no social life. NONE!
froghat on January 15, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Note Lyndsay Graham on the back right side. If you support McCain you are in poor company.
Spirit of 1776 on January 15, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Big deal, everyone has said it, Mitt changed his mind…
right2bright on January 15, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Yes, I politely ask you to hold two thoughts in one head. I agree with both.
Entelechy on January 15, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Big deal, everyone has said it, Mitt changed his mind…
right2bright on January 15, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Nope. He’s changed his mind about that.
oakpack on January 15, 2008 at 11:20 PM
I thought it was pretty funny, personally.
henzou on January 15, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Ha! Michigan rules: if you leave the state before the final results are even in, you don’t get to make a concession speech.
But… acccident or not, I have to think this will work against Mitt. It will change the storyline from his win and comeback to this “controversy.” I have to believe that’s why the McCain camp is is trying to push this storyline, to deflate Mitt’s momentum.
Spolitics on January 15, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Don’t be so sure about that.
Besides being a gentleman is highly overrated and there is a time and place for everything.
Right now I would much prefer to be a bastardo.
Especially when I have a sucia serpiente like McVano in my guns sights
VT HE in effect.
Adjust fire.
Battery fire!
Shot over, shot out.
MB4 on January 15, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Hope so – it will make McVain’s whining look all the more petty.
thirteen28 on January 15, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Disagree with you there. The MSM cares, and McCain will be playing McMartyr to the hilt tomorrow.
That being said, I cannot join those of you who are so bitter that you go so far as to sneer at McCain’s past service to this country.
Buy Danish on January 15, 2008 at 11:24 PM
The rappers have fiffy cent.
The illegals have dolar cincuenta McShamnesty. (or whatever order it is supposed to be in)
csdeven on January 15, 2008 at 11:25 PM
Both parts, I agree.
Spirit of 1776 on January 15, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Are you sure it’s not you who is trying to do that on your blog?
Patriot33 on January 15, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Just the latest Romney faux controversy.
Patriot33 on January 15, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Wait, let me check.
Yep, I’m sure.
Allahpundit on January 15, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Exactly. That’s why it makes no sense for Mitt to have intentionally shut McCain out.
I agree completely about decorum and tradition, and I guarantee you that Mitt does too :-)
Buy Danish on January 15, 2008 at 11:27 PM
So…I take it you’re voting for Keyes?
RushBaby on January 15, 2008 at 11:28 PM
Whatever.
Huckabee/McCain for explorers, first men on Mars.
Their mandate is to report back to us when the temperature drops about oh… 300 degrees Fahrenheit….
Mcguyver on January 15, 2008 at 11:28 PM
I guarantee this is what happens, which is fine by me, it ultimately becomes a problem for Mitt, which has to help Fred, so I’m happy with this development.
doubleplusundead on January 15, 2008 at 11:31 PM
MB4 on January 15, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Put on another hat, please. We’re fighting together, and the same subjects.
Reel on, Springerle. Toughen your scars.
Entelechy on January 15, 2008 at 11:32 PM
I just listened to his speech, and I honestly like the line ‘Knowing how America works is more important then knowing how Washington works.’
Spirit of 1776 on January 15, 2008 at 11:32 PM
LEAVE JUAN ALONE!!!
HE IS A HUMAN BEING!!!
Besides I need the old fool if I am going to complete my diabolical plans.
BTW, APRENDER ESPANOL!!!
VinyFoxy on January 15, 2008 at 11:34 PM
I’m starting to think Romney is a real twirp.
bnelson44 on January 15, 2008 at 11:36 PM
Let’s hope so. But it is probably wise to keep an eye out.
bnelson44 on January 15, 2008 at 11:37 PM
The twerp is McCain for whining when he loses.
Always Right on January 15, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Just to add fuel to the fire…..
Michigan’s GOP initially sent out a press release congratulating John McCain. Perhaps some of the premption was payback for McCain supporters who prematurely gave the election to McAmensty.
highhopes on January 15, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Zorro: You recognize that famous sign?
Old Man: Si senior. It is a Two.
Zorro: That is a Z!
Old Man: But in the school, that is how they teach my granddaughter to draw a Two.
Zorro: I say it is a Z – For El Zorro!
Tuco on January 15, 2008 at 11:44 PM
As I mentioned to you before, my Spanish is ok, and getting better by the days. However, after tonight I might be able to take that effort easier. What’s your take on it?
I like the language because I adore romance languages, and grew up with one, but not because it s/b required here.
Entelechy on January 15, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Man, McCain’s speech — the 30 seconds we got to see — was painfully uncomfortable. He looked like a Jewish guy at a pig roast…all red faces and bad jokes.
Can you just imagine how pissy he got after he found out Mitt snapped it off in his tail? Heh.
Jaibones on January 15, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Chirp rhymes with twirp.
Buy Danish on January 15, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Mitt will apologize for the miscommunication and when no one is looking, he’ll give McShameless the tongue in cheek masturbating fist pump.
Well, Mitt is LDS, maybe he’ll just thumb his nose?
lol
csdeven on January 15, 2008 at 11:51 PM
I saw that.
FeralCat on January 15, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Oh hell yeah! I noticed that too. He was putting on the false courage wasn’t he?
csdeven on January 15, 2008 at 11:52 PM
I don’t think we are sneering at his service or POW suffering. Speaking for myself, I’m sick of listening to him exploit it. Like Kerry, it loses value when constantly flaunted, or used as a credential for foreign policy expertise. I honor all veterans, especially POWs, whether they come from ghettos or are the son of an Admiral. I also take the position that military service doesn’t automatically make anyone expert in foreign affairs, immigration matters, campaign finance reform, global warming, or even ethics. I refer you to Jack Murtha and Duke Cunningham.
a capella on January 15, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Seeing that smirk on Lindsey Graham’s face as he stood by that coward John McCain gave me violent thoughts.
CABE on January 15, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Then we’re completely copacetic :)
Entelechy on January 15, 2008 at 11:55 PM
giga-dittos
bigbeas on January 15, 2008 at 11:55 PM
I agree with Entelechy and a few others here. While I enjoyed Mitt’s preemption of McCain’s concession speech and wish that McCain had preempted Huckabee’s sooner, I think the average a-political American’s expects their leaders to demonstrate more grace in victory. For example, if a President successfully pushes a bill through congress against the wishes of his opposition, it would still be inappropriate for him to do a touchdown dance at the bill signing ceremony.
My point isn’t that we shouldn’t all enjoy this moment; only that average American’s, especially McCain supporters, may not feel the same.
Mitt may have diminished his victory in Michigan somewhat tonight, which isn’t a positive attribute in a leader.
FloatingRock on January 16, 2008 at 12:01 AM
You know what McCain did to the Constitution? Big Deal if Mitt Romney cuts that idiot off. More power to him.
CABE on January 16, 2008 at 12:05 AM
I agree completely that his platform is loathsome, and his military service does not enhance his creds as a CIC- and I have argued as much here at Hot Air.
But he is nothing like Kerry and Murtha, who don’t think twice about smearing our soldiers, and unlike those two losers, McCain has stood firm on Iraq.
Some of the comments rejoicing in his defeat are a bit over the top…
Buy Danish on January 16, 2008 at 12:06 AM
I wouldn’t be too quick to blame this on Mitt. We do not have the facts yet.
Buy Danish on January 16, 2008 at 12:08 AM
Stay classy, Juan, stay classy.
Countdown to McCain’s sore loser blow up redux, in T minus, 10…9…8…
See, this is what happens when you value the opinion of guys in the other party over those of your own. THIS is what happens when you value the rights and wellfare of non-citizens over those of actual citizens.
Via con Dios, Juan.
SuperCool on January 16, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Not only did Mitt NOT tarnish his victory by stepping on McLame’s toes, but he actually BURNISHED his victory by finally showing that he has some COJONES.
Always Right on January 16, 2008 at 12:14 AM
I am pretty sure I spelled COJONES wrong.
I shoulda just stuck with “BALLS”.
but its late….
Always Right on January 16, 2008 at 12:15 AM
I completely agree.
And at the same time I felt a pang of sympathy for McCain even though from a political perspective I can’t stand the guy.
Much of America, irrespective of their political persuasion, considers McCain to be a straight talking war hero.
Intentional or not, Mitt may have made a big mistake here tonight. But as they say, the voters will decide.
FloatingRock on January 16, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Nobody is sneering at McCain’s Military service.
We are sneering at his Senate service.
Always Right on January 16, 2008 at 12:19 AM
That’s what Mitt supporters always say.
FloatingRock on January 16, 2008 at 12:19 AM
McCain has not stood firm on
IraqGuantanamo, water boarding, etc.Shall we go on?
McCain had the lead in independent voters in NH who oppose the war.
What gives? You know what gives?
The indies knew that no matter who gets elected (that’s electable) there will be war. So they figured that voting for McCain they would at least get a concession on water boarding and Guantanamo, plus potentially a litany of other concessions with the libs.
The McCain VA credit card has expired. Nobody but loonies/indies can figure this out, and any repubs should be ashamed of their ignorance and glossing over of these matters.
What about McCain’s liberal, conservative-voter betraying principles do you not understand?
The loonies understand it just fine.
Tonight proved that McCain cannot win in a true conservative voting primary.
Stick a fork in him. Put him on the next mars rover. Retire him to the red planet.
His good genes will be a good first human experiment for Mars, and when the temperature drops about 300 degrees, I’ll join him.
Mcguyver on January 16, 2008 at 12:22 AM
What I mean by that is: is Mitt responsible for his campaign or isn’t he? Is it a runaway train and he’s just along for the ride? And if so, what does that say about his strength as a leader? Where does the buck stop?
FloatingRock on January 16, 2008 at 12:22 AM
That bodes extremely well for Fred in SC. And as AP put in the other thread if Mitt continues the trend of taking EC’s from Huck, also positive trend line.
With him. But in this case it may have been a simple mistake especially if Huck’s slowfootedness pushed the whole block back and Mitt didn’t know. It might be topic of the talking heads tomorrow and if asked in an interview, we might just find out. With live TV funny things happen all the time.
Spirit of 1776 on January 16, 2008 at 12:26 AM
OK, then we will just have to lower our aim.
Drop 50.
Fire for effect!
Shot over, shot out.
Got him that time.
MB4 on January 16, 2008 at 12:28 AM
I am pretty sure I spelled COJONES wrong.
Always Right on January 16, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Actually, you shot over, shot out. You had it perfect.
Entelechy on January 16, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Mcguyver on January 16, 2008 at 12:34 AM
For Mitt’s sake that had better be the case because simple denials from him may not be enough to assuage the feelings of McCain voters. If the press and disinterested third parties back up that story, though, then Mitt will probably be relatively unscathed.
But as somebody else pointed out, it seems hard to believe that the McCain and Romney campaigns didn’t have TV’s around to monitor coverage. Every political movie I’ve seen includes footage of the candidate watching the returns on TV.
FloatingRock on January 16, 2008 at 12:34 AM
Tuco, in another thread you said today “Much better ugly than bad like that serpiente McVain”. Whenever you post, I’ll imagine this picture, just for the eyes, if the rest is ugly.
Entelechy on January 16, 2008 at 12:34 AM
I feel no sympathy for him, because I think that the whole thing was a foiled plan for him to make his concession a bigger story than Romney’s victory.
McCain is starting to remind me of Ted Kennedy…all sound and fury, just in a quieter and less bloated way.
Priscilla on January 16, 2008 at 12:35 AM
So Jowles cuts off bible-thumpin’ son of the South and in turn gets cut off by LDSlick-ster.
Yawn….wake me when Fred! takes South Carolina.
omnipotent on January 16, 2008 at 12:35 AM
The buck stops where it stops. But if you’re trying to say that Mitt has a hand in every decision made then you’re just plain wrong. Mitt may have to scold a staffer or low level assistant, but that’s as far as it will go. Some things the candidate should take personal blame for and the rest is by extension.
Common sense. An admirable trait of the HA commenter.
csdeven on January 16, 2008 at 12:39 AM
I lost a lot of respect for Newt when he started playing footsie with the Seahag.
…what little I had left is now gone forever.
91Veteran on January 16, 2008 at 12:39 AM
omnipotent, how about if you get a little more omnipleasant.
Entelechy on January 16, 2008 at 12:39 AM
In fact I could have sworn that I saw people at one of the rallies, (probably Huck’s), who were looking off to the side, (off camera), and when they saw they were on the TV they started waving their signs around.
FloatingRock on January 16, 2008 at 12:41 AM
omnipotent…..the next Rip Van Winkle. :-)
csdeven on January 16, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Does it seem that Newt is heavily invested in the belief that the Reagan coalition is over?
csdeven on January 16, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Boy, that McCain sure is tough. Does he want cheese with that?
Grayson on January 16, 2008 at 12:45 AM
You’re right. I’ve noticed that in every report from all the primaries headquarters.
csdeven on January 16, 2008 at 12:45 AM
I agree that Mitt might himself have a mini surge in SC. What might happen is that Huck’s targeted base might go slide a bit to Mitt and some of Mac’s targeted base might slide to Fred. (Excluding everything that preceded tonight). Whatever exactly Mitt did TV wise in Michigan, it seemed to work much better than Iowa and NH.
I don’t think McCain voters matter honestly. I think the people that might be affected are undecideds. If you like Mitt (as we see in this thread) then what he did was great. If you don’t, it’s classless. In short, it only reinforces previously held ideas, so the only part that really matters are the undecideds.
To the second point: I don’t know, so at best it’s conjecture on my part. It seems inconsistent with his generous deference to his opponents on the campaign trail, so it seems a non-sequiter to me to be intentional. We’ll see.
Spirit of 1776 on January 16, 2008 at 12:48 AM
A leader is responsible for those in his command, not the other way around. If Mitt hired incompetent people to run his campaign it isn’t their fault, it’s Mitt’s.
FloatingRock on January 16, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Memo to McCain: Shut your yap!
(“‘Bitter,’ party of one!”)
D2Boston on January 16, 2008 at 12:49 AM
Dang, forgot to tag this onto the end of my comment above:
Common sense. An admirable trait of the HA commenter.
FloatingRock on January 16, 2008 at 12:49 AM
Oh, dearest csdeven, I saw some of yours, through all that fog the others couldn’t cut through with you…kidding. Sometimes we have it, and other times we need to be reminded of it, and often both. I like this milder version of you, but then I always knew you had it.
Entelechy on January 16, 2008 at 12:50 AM
I actually admired him for his intellect, in spite of his quirks, but given this, our affair is over.
Entelechy on January 16, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Easy there, tiger. Fred was shuffling a lot of staff at the beginning of his campaign!
Spirit of 1776 on January 16, 2008 at 12:53 AM
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