Posted on 02/13/2002 9:41:52 PM PST by churchillbuff
Roll Call
February 14, 2002
Strange Bedfellows. An irate Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) stood up at yesterday's Republican Conference meeting and accused Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) of being "in bed" with Democratic attempts to defeat Republican incumbents over campaign reform.
"This guy is so deep in bed with the Democrats on this issue that his feet are coming out of the bottom of the sheets," charged Pence.
Pence was angry because he believes that McCain adviser John Weaver is working with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to defeat GOP incumbents. He cites as evidence the fact that the DCCC sent out a press release Monday alleging that Pence was breaking a promise he made to McCain to support the House version of the McCain-Feingold reform bill.
When a reporter from The Herald Bulletin in Pence's district called Weaver for comment, the McCain adviser said that Pence "either directly or indirectly voiced support for real campaign finance reform" during the Senator's August 2000 campaign visit on Pence's behalf.
"I hope Representative Pence votes for his district," Weaver told the newspaper.
That was too much for Pence, who produced a June 28, 2001, letter he wrote to McCain stressing that while he appreciated the Senator's campaign appearance, the candidate never promised to support the McCain-Feingold bill.
"It's obvious to me that Senator McCain is working with the DCCC to make me look bad in my district," the Congressman told HOH. "Name me one Republican who has ever coordinated a press attack with the DCCC.
"It would be my last day on earth before I'd call the DCCC to give them bad information about a Republican," he added. "I just wanted people to know that that's exactly what McCain's office is doing. I wouldn't have any respect for a Democrat who went to work with the [National Republican Congressional Committee]. Pick a side, for crying out loud."
Pence said several Members came up to him Wednesday to thank him for speaking out about McCain at the Conference meeting.
"I've been approached by Members all day saying that was a big deal - they appreciated knowing that" information before the reform votes, he said. "They know he's a maverick, but to be in cahoots with the DCCC is a whole different deal."
Weaver did not return a call seeking comment, and McCain spokeswoman Nancy Ives said the Senator was too busy to respond.
"Senator McCain has neither the time nor the inclination to respond," Ives told HOH. "He's busy trying to pass campaign finance reform February 14, 2002
McCain's attempt to develop a legacy makes Clinton's efforts look pathetic by comparison. I don't think he'll be with us much longer, but hey, I was wrong the last time I said it.
I have a hard time respecting a man who won't come clean and switch parties. I don't know of a single issue he agrees with conservatives on. Switch John. Spend you last days doing what you feel you must, but at least be honest with yourself and your constituants.
Couldn't have said it better. He is not a patriot and certainly not a hero.
Ask those in the know why he remained in the Hanoi Hilton. What one good thing has he done as a public "servant?" Funny, the Indians will save him for his CFR although he always speaks with a forked tongue.
You will never be President
And all your doing now is burning your bridges by getting into bed with the Rats
McCain .. you can push people to a point .. and then they start pushing back ..
And it looks like this Rep. is tired of McCain's crap
Sad, isn't it? As it is with most RINOs.... they run Republican because they know they wouldn't win as a Democrat or Independent. The recall of JM needs to be resurrected and followed thru...at all costs. Time to clean house, in EVERY state!
I've been trying to make this point for years, but evidently hard heads are impenitrable by reason and irrefutable facts.
Maverick is a word that can be used to describe an individual who freely agrees to a covenant sealed by an oath, openly set forth, but recants when these rules require him to sacrifice himself, if called upon, for the good of all parties to this covenant.
Yes, McCain surely is a "maverick".
His word is worthless and he is a risk to all who trust in or support him.
Mark
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