A history of John McCain saying ‘nice’ things about Ted Cruz

Washington Post ^ | April 21 at 1:55 PM | Hunter Schwarz

[SoConPubbie]

John McCain and Ted Cruz haven't had the smoothest of relationships. The Arizona senator famously called Cruz and a handful of other Republicans "wacko birds," and he's walked it back ever since.

Today, McCain's comments on Cruz are much more nuanced, but if you read between the lines (and notice the frequency with which he calls Cruz a "valued member of the Senate Armed Services Committee") you'll notice McCain's just being polite.

Here's a timeline of some of McCain's comments on Cruz, along with helpful translations:

March 7, 2013

What he said: "It's always the wacko birds on the right and left that get the media megaphone," he told the Huffington Post. He clarified that he was specifically referencing Cruz, along with Republican Sen. Rand Paul and libertarian-leaning GOP Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan.

What he meant: Please stop giving Ted Cruz attention. He's not serious.

March 15, 2013

What he said: "[In] an interview I said that Sen. Cruz and Sen. Paul were 'wacko birds.' That was inappropriate and I apologize to them for saying that, and I respect them both," he said on Fox News.

What he meant: Wow, calm down. I'm sorry I said what I was actually thinking.

November 11, 2014

What he said: When asked by Salon whether if agreed "with the 'Ted Cruz's Senate' narrative," McCain said the class of 2014 Senate wanted to "go to Washington and get things done." "I think that you just saw a McCain-Graham injection into the United States Senate -- Joni Ernst, comes from the military; Tom Cotton, comes from the military; Dan Sullivan, comes from the military," he said. "I've campaigned for literally every one of them and I have not seen any indication that they are of that desire for confrontation."

[SoConPubbie]

"If we must have an enemy at the head of Government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible, who will not involve our party in the disgrace of his foolish and bad measures." - Alexander Hamilton "We don't intend to turn the Republican Party over to the traitors in the battle just ended. We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support. Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates wouldn’t make any sense at all." -- President Ronald Reagan "A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." - Thomas Paine 1792 "It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." - Samuel Adams "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." - Samuel Adams

[SoConPubbie]

    Ted Cruz Ping!

    If you want on/off this ping list, please let me know.
    Please beware, this is a high-volume ping list!

    CRUZ or LOSE!

[American Constitutionalist]

Beware of those baring gifts and nicesities

[conservativejoy]

All I can say about McCain is, GO KELLI WARD!!!

[hosepipe]

John Mclaim is an oxymoron..

[DoughtyOne]

No matter who McCain trashes, it makes me think they’re instantly more respectable.

Even when he trashes people on the Left, it’s generally because they are to the right of him.

When it comes to Conservatives, John is a great weather vane.

If he trashes them, they’re most likely good people.

McCain definitely works for the dark side. No wholesome thing comes from the dark side.

I liken him to Senator Palpetine. (sp?)

[TADSLOS]

Here's something nice for McStooge:

[Slyfox]

We Are The Whacko Bird Party

[RightGuy]

McLame isn’t just walking his previous comments back, he’s running them back as fast as he can because he’s afraid of Cruz supporters and other genuine conservatives in his upcoming re-election!