Posted on 11/15/2007 5:57:43 AM PST by OESY
Republicans and Democrats slammed John McCain yesterday for not slamming a South Carolina supporter who called Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton a "bitch" to his face.
"I think it's a huge mistake for us to show that kind of disrespect to any candidate," said Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC).
"We can't encourage this kind of behavior. We certainly don't need to get personal."
The Clinton camp declined to comment.
McCain, a practitioner of "straight talk" on the campaign trail, was caught off guard when a woman asked him at a campaign event, "How do we beat the bitch?"
After laughing and covering his face, McCain responded, "May I give the translation."
It didn't take long for him to understand whom the supporter was referring to.
"That's an excellent question," he said. "I respect Sen. Clinton."
McCain then talked about how he was beating Clinton by 3 points in a recent poll.
The event was caught on camera and posted on YouTube and other Web sites.
"Oh, Jiminy," said Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) about McCain's dilemma. "I think I'd say: 'Next question.' "
Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester), a key Clinton backer, called McCain's comments "inappropriate."
"It was unfortunate in my judgment that John McCain wasn't direct in saying, 'Your comment wasn't appropriate, next question.' "
McCain didn't backtrack.
He told bloggers in a conference call, "You would think I was guilty of this behavior, when, in fact, I said that I respect Sen. Clinton. I have an excellent relationship with Sen. Clinton."
His campaign slammed a CNN correspondent who reported on the story, and McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis, sent out an e-mail fund-raising appeal....
"Well, friends, we are on a comeback. We are the only campaign that can defeat Hillary Clinton, and CNN knows it."...
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Don’t confuse freedom of speach with personal insults. /s
I think the lady in question was planted by Clinton...that would fit into their M.O.
Oh, I almost forgot — Hillary is a bitch.
"Oh, Jiminy," said Sen. Elizabeth DoleThat explains the crickets.
Good point.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.