Monday, August 20, 2007

JOHN MCCAIN, HILLARY CLINTON

Was McCain Really "Praising" Hillary? Or Just Offering Polite Boilerplate?

Boy, Drudge doesn't like John McCain. He links to this YouTube video which shows half of McCain's answer yesterday when asked about Hillary Clinton, a recitation of de facto pleasantries.

The whole answer, as provided by the McCain campaign...

CBS’ “Face the Nation,” 8/19/07:

BOB SCHIEFFER: Senator McCain, Karl Rove says it looks like Hillary Clinton is going to be the nominee for the Democrats, and he thinks she is a flawed candidate. Do you agree with him?

SEN. MCCAIN: No — I wouldn't know. I think she has been very effective in the Senate. I don't know the Democratic politics, but I see her in a frontrunner status right now. I have worked with her on many issues. But—

The YouTube video stops here. Read the rest and see if you think it's a fair edit: 

 again, she is a liberal Democrat. I'm a conservative Republican. I look forward to that debate. This debate should be about issues. I have seen her shift on her position on Iraq from basically supporting to now seeking withdrawal dates – I don't know when. So I will be glad to have that debate with her, but I think we should have a respectful campaign, with lots of debates.

Look, those of us who are not fans of Hillary would love to see McCain break out with a pirate-y "Arr, bring on the twisted she-witch, I'll tear the marrow from her bones!" but it's just not going to happen. And not on Face the Nation — it would give Schieffer a heart attack. On a Sunday show, McCain's going to use the polite formality that audience is used to, offering faint praise before going after her as a flip-flopper on Iraq.

08/20 09:44 AMShare