McCain wets himself over Mitt’s knock on Bob Dole; Update: “Bob Dole is an American hero,” says Mitt
posted at 10:57 am on February 5, 2008 by Allahpundit
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“It’s probably the last person I would have wanted to have write a letter for me,” sayeth Romney of Dole’s missive to Rush Limbaugh, explaining that McCain surely doesn’t want to be associated with the safe choice/lamb to the slaughter candidate of 1996. The “straight talk” translation: Romney doesn’t respect Bob Dole’s war service. It’s as cynical and dishonest a distortion as Maverick’s twisting of Romney’s point about timetables was, but unlike Mitt, McCain knows what this election is about. Anything he can do to drag the debate towards military service and the surge, he’ll do. Even something as stupid as this.
That said, after reading this, my position on the Limbaugh/Dole dust-up is decidedly more nuanced than it was yesterday. Deep breaths, Rush.
Update: Tangentially related, I’m obliged to say that it sounds like McCain is getting a bad rap on this. He’s using the reporters’ words to tease the other candidates, including his pals Fred and Rudy (who may have been sitting there next to him on the bus at the time). No ill intent as far as I can see.
Update: Mitt covers his flank from McCain’s moronic smear.
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A purple heart in combat does not make a President! They are beginning to trivialize real war heroes!
A candidate does not have to allow himself to feel guilty due to his lack of military service!
We have a civilian government, not a military dictatorship! Our Presidents do not walk around the Oval Office wearing army uniforms with chests full of medals! Give these war heroes all the respect they deserve, but McCain is waving this flag of “War Hero” like it’s all that matters!
JellyToast on February 5, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Thanks for making me focus in better on this statement:
Bob Dole is a war hero who has spent his life in service to this nation and nobody has worked harder to build the Republican Party. Bob Dole deserves the respect of every American and certainly every Republican.
And nobody has worked harder than McCain to destroy the Republican Party, no Presidential candidate has even entertained the idea of switching parties, and nobody deserves less respect in that regard than Johnnie Mac.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 12:36 PM
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 12:33 PM
And what exactly are they telling you not to do? Should having sex with animals be legal? How about having three wives? Five husbands? Should we be able to kill whoever we want if they cause as an inconvienvce? should we be able to kill our parents/grandparents because they may cause us to quit our jobs in order to take care of them in their old age? Should we be allowed to have drugs on every street corner, next to our schools so an entire generation of Americans can get high and tune out? What exactly are these people stopping you from doing?
unseen on February 5, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Show moderation.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Thank God for people like Buy Danish who know more about the GOP than Bob Dole. Otherwise we might think he had a clue.
You’re unhinged by McCain DS.
funky chicken on February 5, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Rush reading letter now. Said Dole only said that when he knew McCain he was a strong republican who supported the party. He left Senate in 1997. What did McCain do after that? Anybody? When did his conservative rating start to plummet?
dish on February 5, 2008 at 12:40 PM
My guess is that this is no window into how highly Dole thinks of himself, and further that anyone that has ever run for President of the US thinks pretty darn highly of himself.
However, in this instance it likely is more indicative that Dole thought it was important that his defense of McCain get discussed before Super Tuesday.
MayBee on February 5, 2008 at 12:44 PM
CHOSEN c’mon. What exactly has GW Bush, who is very socially conservative, kept you from doing?
You all are unhinged. It’s just a primary election. Whoever wins will need our support.
Good heavens.
funky chicken on February 5, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Dole DS? Good God.
I’m grateful I’m going to be working for the rest of the day.
funky chicken on February 5, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Whaddya know - more fatuous statements from you!
1. I did not take it as a humorous comment, and I very much doubt you intended it to be a joke. Maybe you did not literally mean cookies and roller skates, but you certainly meant us to believe that Mitt bought elections and I, for one, do not take kindly to commenters who blithely smear the reputations of people like that. As such I’m not going to slough it off as a moment of silliness and let it pass.
2. I am not a social conservative.
3. Nowhere have I suggested how you should lead your life. You, on the other hand, are giving out orders.
Anymore clueless observations you’d like to make?
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 12:46 PM
I just heard that my congressman Howard Coble endorsed Romney. Looks like Chosen One for Congress 2010!
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 12:49 PM
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Moderates are simply people that like to have their cake and eat it too. It was impossible as a child and it is impossible as an adult.
unseen on February 5, 2008 at 12:50 PM
just heard that my congressman Howard Coble endorsed Romney. Looks like Chosen One for Congress 2010!
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 12:49 PM
That might and I use the word might be the first good thing that congressman has every done. now if only we could get rid of etheridge.
unseen on February 5, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Moderates are simply people that like to have their cake and eat it too.
unseen on February 5, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Finally, someone who understands.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 12:52 PM
MayBee on February 5, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Okay, my point is, that McCain might’ve been pretty conservative once upon a time. That time was Dole’s time also. If this was sooo important to Sen Dole, I think I’d just post an op-ed somewhere, not an email to a pundit.
and…funky chicken on February 5, 2008 at 12:45 PM - just so you know, I voted for Dole. Think he’d have been a damn fine President. I like his wife better—think she’d have been a better damn fine President.
dish on February 5, 2008 at 12:56 PM
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 12:52 PM
you do understand that it is an impossibility. right? There is always a price for an action.
unseen on February 5, 2008 at 12:58 PM
“It’s probably the last person I would have wanted to have write a letter for me.”
The LAST person? He would prefer a letter of support from Osama Bin Laden? Maybe from Erica Jong? How about Al Sharpton? Sheesh. Sorry Mitt-wits, but that was really stepping in it. If there wasn’t so much else going on, the statement would rank up there with his sons making their contribution to the war effort by campaigning for him or seeing his dad marching with MLK. If your first reflex doesn’t begin with the acknowledgment that Bob Dole is a great American and a great Republican - even before you notice how reasonable and unpretentious Dole’s letter was - then you really do need to start or join your own lunatic fringe party. Even Ron Paul might be too moderate for you. Or maybe primary politics have made you crazy. Or maybe, like Mitt, you’re willing to say anything and repeat any argument to curry favor with your new friends in the purer-than-thou wing.
CK MacLeod on February 5, 2008 at 12:59 PM
I have nothing but the deepest respect for Bob Dole as a man and a veteran, but the truth is he was not a good candidate for the Presidency.
I was making a point about how ludicrous it was for John McCain to be talking about the issue of party loyalty. Sorry that went over your head.
As for why McCain does not deserve acclaim as a Republican standard bearer:
1. CFR hurt the Republican Party in general and our rights as private citizens to free speech.
2. McCain and his ambassador, John Weaver, had discussions with John Kerry about switching parties.
Indeed, I care so much about free speech that I called up my town office today to complain because they were out with a truck taking down Ron Paul signs. (His were the only signs I saw out there).
I loathe Ron Paul but it’s Election Day and I see no reason why those signs (which were not by the polling area and were not obstructing anything) should stay up until tomorrow.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Limbaugh supports Hillary and Obama, in spite of them promising withdrawal from Iraq. This guy’s an imbecile - there are no principles this cretin will not ditch to serve his own fetid crusade of hate.
Sure McCain’s getting a bad rap from the loons over the insinuation - but his low blows are no worse than the cynical and dishonest Clinton=McCain smear pushed by Romney yesterday. Mac should take note that Romney’s negative camapigning has consistently backfired.
Pax americana on February 5, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Mitt and John went up the hill
They each had a buck and quarter
John came down with two and one half….
They didn’t go up there for water.
georgealbert on February 5, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 1:00 PM
“but the truth is he was not a good candidate for the Presidency.”
and I think that was what Mitt Romney meant all along.
dish on February 5, 2008 at 1:04 PM
McCain Derangement Syndrome = Right Wing Conspiracy
It is nothing more than a charge levied by those who cannot debate on the issues addressed.
McCain’s record is the problem. There is nothing wrong with using his very own actions in judging whether he will be a fit candidate for President of the United States. Unless, of course, blind partisan loyalty beyond all reason is something you consider admirable.
SimplyKimberly on February 5, 2008 at 1:04 PM
For you to say that Rush is an “imbecile” is not the smartest thing in the world to say.
If you actually read that article you’d see that the headline does not match the content. Rush has never “defended” Hillary or Obama on Iraq. He has made predictions that no matter what they promise to voters, once they got in office they would know how serious the situation is and how foolhardy it would be to withdraw.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 1:07 PM
This should be a fun general election. The response to any criticism of Hillary will be: “How dare you criticize a woman!” The response to any criticism of Obama will be “How dare you criticize a black man!” The response of any criticism of McCain will be “How dare you question my service to my country!”
Dudley Smith on February 5, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Exactly! It may not have been the most gracefully worded statement on Mitt’s part but it is a willful
distortionlie for McCain to claim that Mitt was disparaging Dole’s heroism.Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Hey Buy Danish, did you know McCain is a war hero? I think I read that somewhere…
dish on February 5, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Looks like genius romeny can kiss Kansas goodbye in like four days. think before you speak.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:14 PM
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:14 PM
How about link when you speak?
dish on February 5, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Look, I am not going to disparage his service or POW experience, and indeed, respect it completely for it.
However his desire to close GITMO and his position on waterboarding and other issues indicates to me that he is not the wisest or most capable candidate at a time when we are at war with barbaric Islamic extremists who don’t give a flip about Geneva Conventions or any other guides to civilized behavior.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 1:20 PM
ya know, that’s the second time I forgot the /sarc tag.
I agree, like totally.
dish on February 5, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Rush agrees with Mitt’s statement on Dole and so do I.
We do not need anything like the Dole Campaign in our history as a party ever again.
Dole ran an awful campaign and we got Clinton.
McCain will give us another Clinton.
This party better wake up before Chelsea turns 45.
And by the way, it is silly to think you have to say something kind about Dole every time you criticize his politics or his presidential runs.
Republicans generally like Bob Dole, the man, very much.
EJDolbow on February 5, 2008 at 1:35 PM
It’s time we grew out of the old war hero crap and dealt with the real world we live in, right now.
McCain can’t, and that’s why he is poison to the Republican Party.
TexasJew on February 5, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Rush is nailing McMaverick on the smear.
Rush is not buying any of it. In the arena of ideas and the ability to articulate he is unmatched.
McCain can fool the press, can fool voters, and can take opposite positions on nearly every position he either sponsored or spoke of 1 year ago. He can’t fool Rush,……or Michelle for that matter.
Starlink on February 5, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, George Wallace, Strom Thurmond, Spiro Agnew, Wendell Willkie, Phil Gramm, and Jesse Helms are some of the prominent 20th century politicians who have had tenuous relationships with their party.
McCain’s declining conservative rating may have something to do with the increase in party-line voting in 2001. McCain is a deal maker and he also probably saw himself not beholden to the White House given his primary fight against Bush’s team, Rove especially.
dedalus on February 5, 2008 at 1:46 PM
The idea that you can vote a mandate for withdrawal while your fingers are crossed that the mandatee will ignore you is reprehensible, an uncertain gamble with the lives of our troops, the future of our country, and our honor. It’s also an implicit trade with the terms never spelled out: Say Hillary or Obama fulfill Rush’s wishes on that score - what and whose pound of flesh are their leftwing supporters going to demand in exchange? And do you think that winning the war is a one-day decision? Bush has had to fight tooth and nail, day after day, with the crucial help of a certain presidential candidate who for now can go nameless, to protect a victory strategy against relentless attack. In order to prosecute the Vietnam War - badly, in the best Democratic tradition - LBJ had to enact the Great Society. What do you think Obama or Clinton would have to do when you consider that their real, most ardent supporters (as opposed to the Limbaugh-esque late endorsers) also happen to be the most ardent opponents of victory?
CK MacLeod on February 5, 2008 at 1:48 PM
No, moderates are people whose opinions aren’t defined by liberal or conservative. We’re not people who can’t make up our mind, we’re just not tied to one ideology.
SouthernDem on February 5, 2008 at 1:50 PM
You’re right! He’s a “deal maker” with squishy Republicans and Democrats. He is no Theodore Roosevelt.
There’s no way of knowing, but I seriously doubt that TR would not propose limits to the First Amendment, conclude that “anti-American” sentiment is a reason to close GITMO, or try to outlaw waterboarding, particularly in view of the fact that it has only been used 3 freaking times and Khalid Sheik Mohammed is sitting in GITMO thanks to its effectiveness.
Those are issues which transcend party loyalty and McCain’s positions on these issues are against the best interests of this Country.
As for his fight against the bogeyman, Karl Rove, please be specific.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Of course they do. Do you think rewarding bad behavior will lead to behavioral changes for the better?
a capella on February 5, 2008 at 2:06 PM
I honestly don’t understand what point you are trying to make, and what it has to do with the fact that the headline to that RS story was a distortion of Rush’s position (he has never “defended” Hillary or Obama) and did not match the content.
I am not endorsing Rush’s position, I am merely correcting the headline, which misrepresented what Rush has said.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Dedalus -
From the new Rush Limbaugh endorses Romney thread, this is a question posed by Bryan:
McCain’s “deal making” is a one way street.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 2:17 PM
McCain’s surrogates (Pataki, Brownback) sound like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi when we disagreed with John Murtha on the war. They also sound like all of the Dems during the 2004 election when we went after Kerry. What is it with war heroes and their supporters thinking that everytime you disagree with them in the public square you are telling them they are not patriotic?
“You should apologize for your remarks against Dole/Murtha/Kerry because they are great, patriotic Americans!” Wha! Wha!
Give me a break! McCain is a
turdpatriotic turd!JDH on February 5, 2008 at 2:23 PM
McCain’s campaign tactics are so greasy and dirty it isn’t even funny. His collusion with other campaigns is sickening.
Screw you McCain, I’m voting Obama or Hillary in November.
If there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s a man who parades his military service around like it’s God’s blessing to the earth and then has the gall to smear, dirty, and lie about his political opponents just to win political office.
Where the hell is McCain’s honor? Or is honor no longer a part of the McCain campaign?
BKennedy on February 5, 2008 at 2:38 PM
I don’t care about whatever headline. The point to me is that Rush’s idea that a vote for Hillary over McCain might not be that bad vis-a-vis the war is deluded and reprehensible.
CK MacLeod on February 5, 2008 at 2:40 PM
It was just announced that Huckabee wins WV after McCain’s people threw all their support behind Huckabee in the second vote to stop Romney. He and the Shuckster are disgraceful human beings.
We will see if West Virginia still votes Republican in the general election. I think 43% of the party should be pretty upset right now. This kind of behind the scenes collusion will not be forgiven. This is a kick in d**k.
JDH on February 5, 2008 at 2:44 PM
TR’s background was as a Governor not a Senator, the jobs are different. Still TR was a progressive who broke with many in the Republican party due to his attack on big corporations, support for labor unions and leadership on conservation.
It’s arguable whether McCain is the best of the 4 remaining candidates, but there are benefits when selecting a leader to have a guy who doesn’t run with the herd.
dedalus on February 5, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Not when they propose and enact laws which violate the First Amendment!
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Okay, fine. I never said that I agreed with Rush, although I don’t know that “reprehensible” is the right word to describe his analysis.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 2:56 PM
And the fact that you think a vote for McCain is a guarantee of FUTURE actions is just as deluded. McCain has said himself that if the surge goes south he is pulling out. Ignoring his words just to dump on Rush is hypocritical of you to say the least.
The new POTUS comes in on Jan 09 and I am certain that regardless who it is will make their choice at that time. If things continue to get better in Iraq the new POTUS will stay and claim victory/to have fixed war - esp. if it is a Democrat. If things are going poorly they will declare it a not fixable Bush failure and start to withdraw. Even McCain.
Voidseeker on February 5, 2008 at 3:09 PM
He wouldn’t be the first President to have a run in with Supreme Court.
dedalus on February 5, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Maybe the Line Item Veto Act would count as a conservative piece of legislation. Reagan originally asked for it.
dedalus on February 5, 2008 at 3:21 PM
After having read the entire exchange, I disagree with the headline to this post and the follow-on interpretation that McCain tried to turn this into an attack on Dole’s military service.
Mitt made a snotty, disprespectful comment about Bob Dole, and McCain called him on it. Mentioning Bob Dole’s war service was just part of an overall defense of Dole as an individual. It’s an important part of why he deserves respect. Bob Dole is a war hero and a good Republican, even if he wasn’t the greatest presidential candidate in 1996, and even if he hasn’t explicitly endorsed McCain.
HTL on February 5, 2008 at 3:39 PM
SouthernDem on February 5, 2008 at 1:50 PM
No, moderates are people that can NOT/ Will NOT make up their minds. They don’t want to offend people, they don’t want to take a strong stand. They are easily moved by the fad of the day. They want “everyone to just get along”. Usally the moderate will side with those that are the loudest just to keep the “peace” They blame everyone both Liberals and conservatives for the problems because they don’t want to pick a side and can not understand it is their inability to pick a side that has caused all the problems in the first place. The moderate is the biggest problem in America today. Since they can not/will not choose a fundemental underlying philosphy in life they allow the nation to drift with whatever breeze is blowing on that day. they are the John Kerry’s of the world. The people “that were for the war before they were against it.” The people that fall for the global warming scam. etc. moderates are the problem not liberals and not conservatives. You can argue/convert a conservative/liberal, a moderate you must bribe and then they fail to stay bought as the next fad comes down the pike.
unseen on February 5, 2008 at 5:50 PM
The people have voted and they do not want Mitt.
Chakra Hammer on February 6, 2008 at 2:43 AM
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