Posted on 05/21/2006 7:31:33 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
Holding a grudge in politics is particularly foolish, says Sen. John McCain, and taking an expedient political position usually does not turn out well.
McCain has been criticized for reconciling with the Rev. Jerry Falwell, with whom McCain clashed during his failed campaign for the Republican nomination for president in 2000. McCain, considered a leading GOP hopeful for 2008, gave the commencement address at Falwell's Liberty University this month.
"I think one of the stupidest things you can do in politics is hold grudges. It's a waste of time and it doesn't do anything for you or for your constituents," McCain said on "Fox News Sunday."
Critics of the Arizona Republican see the Falwell reconciliation as McCain's bid to win over right-wing conservatives. McCain, however, said he has found that political expediency can create problems.
For example, McCain said, in 2000 he supported flying a Confederate flag over South Carolina's Capitol to avoid alienating "a certain voting bloc" ahead of the state's presidential primary. Blacks and many others see the Civil War-era Confederacy as a symbol of slavery and racism, not merely an emblem of a heritage cherished by many white Southerners.
"I shouldn't be involved in it, it was a state issue. It was an act of cowardice," McCain said in looking back.
"We're all gifted, no matter how principled we are, with the gift of rationalization. But I knew it was wrong at the time, but I rationalized it: Well, you know, I can use this as a way to avoid a political, you know, downside. And it was wrong," he said.
Asked how he knows he would not do that again if he ran for president, McCain responded:
"Well, I've learned a lot of lessons in my life. I'm older than dirt. I've got more scars than Frankenstein, but I've learned a lot of things along the way. And that was a very strong lesson for me. And there have been other times in my life. But I can tell you that I know the difference between right and wrong."
Someone should tell johnnymac that grunge died with Kurt Cobain.
I will hold a grudge against McCain forever. I sent that man $2,000 in 2000. What a waste! I will never forgive myself for such stupidity!
"All the grudges are against him, so of course he would have that position."
LOL... either that or a serious case of projection.
I don't hold any grudges against McCain. He can kiss my @ss anytime he likes.
No. Not going to happen. McCain's the candidate I walk.
Hey, quit laughing at me. ;-)
Sorry John, I have Irish Alzheimer's....I forget everything BUT the grudges
No, not even if the rest of GOP candidates were stolen by aliens - I would write in my own name before I voted for mccain. There is nothing he can do now, nothing he can say now, no one he can try to affiliate himself with now....I am as the elephant and I have a long memory.
just laughing at the transparent duplicity, that's all. : )
It's not a grudge McLame, it's a PROMISE. You have reached the pinacle of your political career. It's over.
"But I can tell you that I know the difference between right and wrong."
After 8 years of Bill, that may have been sufficient, but hopefully we've raised the bar since then.
Agreed.
Though I would ask McCain hwhy, if he considers it so "stupid", he's exercised one against G.W.B. for six years and led a charge to screw conservatives for six years because he wasn't chosen.
No.
L
If it comes down to voting for McCain or Hiitlery....I'll take the prostitute.
Let me rephrase that, anyone in the republican party who polls show will thrash Hillary has my vote. Next?
I guess I'm stupid.
I have held a grudge againt this jerk since McCain-Feingold, his stand on gun show checks and the second Amendment, his ideas on internet political censorship, his teaming up with a bunch of leftist Dems to try to sabotage Conservative Supreme Court Justices, his stand on illegal invaders, etc, etc.
If this creep gets nominated - contrary to my vote to the opposite, I will vote for an independent candidate in the Presdiental election.
If I'm going to get screwed, I'd rather get screwed by somebody who is an open enemy than by some similing simpering Judas who claims he is my friend.
Well tough, I will always hold a grudge against McCain. He couldn't get my vote with a fistfull of twenties and I was living in a cardboard box.
NO. Nothing could get me to vote for McCain. I loathe him.
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