Posted on 05/10/2008 8:23:34 AM PDT by FocusNexus
Two Hollywood actors who dined with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in early 2001 at actress Candice Bergen's home confirmed reports that he told the assembled group he did not vote for George W. Bush in the 2000 election, but McCain denied the claim at a news conference.
In separate phone interviews, Bradley Whitford and Richard Schiff -- both of whom starred in television's "The West Wing" -- said late Thursday night that the senator made the remarks after he spoke at length about his reservations about Bush becoming president. Liberal blogger Arianna Huffington first wrote about the incident Monday, asserting that neither McCain nor his wife Cindy backed Bush in his first presidential bid, and the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that an unidentified woman who was also at the dinner confirmed Huffington's account.
McCain's aides denied the allegations Tuesday, and yesterday McCain did so himself.
"I voted, campaigned for, worked as hard as I could for President Bush's election in 2000 and 2004," he told reporters in New Jersey. "It's nonsense."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
And if Johny hadn’t made such a big deal about being a maverick, floating the “maybe I’ll switch party” balloon, and the “ run with Kerry” balloon, this wouldn’t be at least somewhat credible. He’s sowing what he reaped.
Yes, so lets reward McCain’s liberalism by voting for him! Maybe the elitists who control the GOP will pick yet ANOTHER traitorous liberal next time! Good move.
Retired Adm. Roy Hoffmann, head of the Swift Boat group, said they respected McCain’s “right to express his opinion and we hope he extends to us the same respect and courtesy, particularly since we served with John Kerry, we knew him well and Sen. McCain did not.”
We need to remember that McCain joined with Kerry in restoring relations with Hanoi - opening up the search for, and recovery of, remains of Americans missing in Vietnam.
Kerry, of course, was viewed at that time as a true Vietnam hero - through the service manipulations of Kerry.
A U. S. Senator, as McCain, would not move readily to join a group who leveled very serious charges against a fellow Senator and colleague, especially one whom had earlier participated jointly with the Senator in a major undertaking - in this instance, the opening of Vietnam.
McCain would know:
1) that if the charges against Kerry were true the truth WOULD OUT no matter what position he, McCain, might take in regard to the group;
and 2) that it would be wise to let the truth come out without seeming to be a co-participant in the attack against Kerry.
Thank you for your kind words.
Thank you for your kind words.
1) that if the charges against Kerry were true the truth WOULD OUT no matter what position he, McCain, might take in regard to the group;
and 2) that it would be wise to let the truth come out without seeming to be a co-participant in the attack against Kerry.
That goal would have been much better served if Sen. McCain had simply kept silent. Instead, he wrongly smeared the Swift Vets as liars. Admiral Hoffmann's response, while courteously phrased, was a none-too-subtle rebuke of McCain's willingness to denounce eyewitness accounts by his fellow veterans regarding events in which he was not involved.
Yes, it's true that the Swifties didn't need McCain's help.
It's also true that they would have greatly appreciated his refraining from sticking a knife in their backs.
Have it your way then. If you believe there is anything more important then the physical safety, literally, of the people of this country then you are beyond reasoning with, IMO.
None. When I post about this issue I rarely get much debate, maybe it's just too boring. I do get a few private emails in support, that's about it.
I have had a couple knock-down, drag-outs with self-professed Social Conservatives.
I think it's because this really is the "elephant in the living room", a problem that is not merely intentionally ignored, but has become so profoundly embedded in the conservative movement that people don't see it.
"See what?", you ask.
That "conservatism" is not religious movement. It's a political movement based on limited government, limited taxation, and national self-defense.
If McCain had wanted to smear the Swifties, he would hardly have stopped with that.
To answer your contention(s) through another avenue:
Col. “Bud” Day - an initial and prime supporter of the Swifties, a MOH recipient, and the most decorated service man since Gen. MacArthur - and a cell mate of McCain's at Hoa Lo prison - has been one of the strongest supporters of McCain for President.
That says something to people with any sense of proportion.
Again you engage in mischaracterization: calling a group "dishonest and dishonorable" is hardly a perfunctory defense of their target.
If McCain had wanted to smear the Swifties, he would hardly have stopped with that.
Nor did he. McCain made similiar remarks on a number of occasions during the campaign.
To answer your contention(s) through another avenue:
In other words, to change the subject to a more comfortable topic...
Col. "Bud" Day - an initial and prime supporter of the Swifties, a MOH recipient, and the most decorated service man since Gen. MacArthur - and a cell mate of McCain's at Hoa Lo prison - has been one of the strongest supporters of McCain for President.
I know and have worked with Col. Day. There are no doubt a variety of reasons for his support of McCain.
My observations on McCain's unjust and damaging attacks on the Swift Vets stand.
Just because I hope McCain loses doesn't mean I'm an Obama supporter, you retard.
I happen to think that in the long run, the country and the party will be better off if McCain loses.
And I refuse to vote for a guy who speaks to the National Council of La Raza. Oh, and he's against drilling in ANWR. Oh, and he doesn't believe in the 1st Amendment. Oh, and he considered being Kerry's running mate.
Oh, and he's wrong on taxes. Oh, and he regularly criticizes his own party, but never the DemocRATs.
Now, genius, tell me why I should vote for someone like that.
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