McCain Rides to Kerry's Rescue: "John Kerry is Not Weak on Defense" (Today Show alert)

The Today Show

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Just when the Bush campaign had wrestled John Kerry to to the mat on his weak and waffling record on national security and defense, who leaps over the ropes and into the ring to revive him? Why, none other than the egomaniacal, sore-losing Senator from Arizona, John McCain.

In a just-concluded interview, the Today Show's Matt Lauer posed the question in the clearest possible terms: "is John Kerry weak on defense?"

On the first go-round, rather than answering the question at all, holier-than-thou McCain chose to decry the "negativism" of the campaign. He fretted that all the mean stuff will turn off young voters, and admonished the candidates to start talking about Social Security, health care and overspending (i.e., issues less favorable to Pres. Bush).

But Lauer would not be put off, and repeated his question squarely: "Is John Kerry weak on defense?"

Now, consider McCain's options in answering. He could of course told the truth: "of COURSE John Kerry is weak on defense!"

If he wanted to show some comity toward a fellow Senator, he could have gone for the middle ground: "however you want to characterize Kerry, it's clear that President Bush is much stronger on defense."

But instead, McCain chose option three - ignoring the truth and flatly defending Kerry. His answer "No, I don't think Kerry is weak on defense." He "nuanced" the rest of his answer "well, of course every Senator has to defend his votes, and I disagree with him on some things." But the headline quote remains - "McCain: Kerry not Weak on Defense."

Lauer then raised the question of whether McCain would accept an offer from Kerry to run as VP. He gave a classic Washington non-denial denial. He "wasn't running for VP." Yeah, not yet, you haven't been asked. He stopped far short of saying he wouldn't accept Kerry's invitation. "Have you had serious discussions with the Kerry campaign? "Not serious ones." Not serious? Has McCain had un-serious discussions with the Kerry people?

McCain went on to describe his GOP affiliation in this most curious way. "I'm a member of the party of Lincoln, of the party of Teddy Roosevelt." It seemed that he was about to add someone else. The obvious name would have been Ronald Reagan. But no, the most recent Republican with whom McCain was willing to associate himself was in office 100 years ago.

Thanks for nothin', John.

[Mr. Jeeves]

McCain is still trying to be "the noble statesman". For some reason, he has a very hard time understanding that the other side doesn't play the game that way - they'll happily accept his kind words then stab him in the back when it suits them (like on CFR).

[HungarianGypsy]

If these two clowns did run together they could be a match set of flip-flops.

[guitfiddlist]

Now I am convinced that McCain was shot down over Vietnam by someone in his own squadron.

Considering how it was McCain's plane that helped set off the USS Forrestal conflagration - there would be a lot of suspects.

More seriously, John McCain has a long history of firing on his own side. John Friggin' Kerry should keep that in mind.

[rabidralph]

Why are so many Naval Academy grads such a-holes and rinos?

[KarlInOhio]

Did Matt Lauer show McCain one of these?

[sgtbono2002]

From what I read on McCain he crashed two fighters in the US in training before going to Viet Nam and crashing on his first mission. Obviously he wasnt any better as a pilot than he is as a Senator.

[KantianBurke]

You vote "R" blindly, you get Jeffords and McCains. Show some taste when you pull the voting lever. Please.

[cynicom]

There were a lot of McCain supporters here on FR in 2000. I hope they enjoy "ketchup with crow"...

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Why are so many Naval Academy grads such a-holes and rinos?

"Hey, I resent that remark. No one ever called me a RINO!"

[kittymyrib]

Why AZ Republicans continue to choose Benedict Arnold McCain to represent them is a total mystery to me. He looks for new ways to destroy the Republican Party on liberal media outlets every election cycle. I suspect it's so they will always invite him back when they need Benedict to do their dirty work for them.

[ru4liberty]

Please put me on your ping list. Thanks!

And now a question to the good people of Arizona:

When are you going to dump this egomanical little nutcase and get a REAL senator???

< /end of tantrum>

[governsleastgovernsbest]

There were a lot of McCain supporters here on FR in 2000. I hope they enjoy "ketchup with crow"...

Bingo.

[chachacha]

I'll guarantee you those dumb dutchmen will re-elect Specter. Look who they elected for Gov. So far all he did was raise taxes and, he didn't even get started yet. There at least 10 other tax proposals on the table yet.

And, by the way, the PA republicans who are "pretending" to be fighting for the average Pennsylvanian "are all RINO's".

[chilepepper]

I guess Kerry uttered the trigger word given to him by the North Vietnamese to activate their asset?

[mass55th]

John McCain has no soul.

[rabidralph]

LOL. Thanks, for the chuckle. I was reading the Jan/Feb issue of Shipmate and there was a picture of Chuck Larson, Wes Clark (USMA) and John Dalton, yukking it up at some alumni party.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Manchurian Candidate was one of my favorite movies ever, but I admit I had forgotten about the trigger word and the Queen of Diamonds. Great stuff! So THAT's why Lauer had the deck of cards out!

[Diogenesis]

Is there a stolen FBI file on McCain?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Is there a stolen FBI file on McCain?

Hillary, dangling file, to McCain: "You will obey!"

Actually, if there were such a file it might provide some shred of justification for McCain's perfidy. But I'm convinced he is entirely self-motivated.

[conservativecorner]

McCain cannot be trusted, and this is nothing new. A few days ago is was "John Kerry is a good friend" and "I would consider being Kerry's running mate". The running mate bit lasted a few hours until his staff stepped in to say it wouldn't happen. The man is a complete lunatic!