Arianna: McCain told me he didn’t vote for Bush in 2000 (Maverick double-standard...?)

Hot Air ^ | 05/05/2008 | Allahpundit

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Neither did Glenn, neither did I. (I didn’t vote.) Granted, she’s a buffoon and a completely unreliable witness, but … do we maybe want to force ourselves to believe this one?

"At a dinner party in Los Angeles not long after the 2000 election, I was talking to a man and his wife, both prominent Republicans. The conversation soon turned to the new president. “I didn’t vote for George Bush” the man confessed. “I didn’t either,” his wife added. Their names: John and Cindy McCain (Cindy told me she had cast a write-in vote for her husband).

"The fact that this man was so angry at what George Bush had done to him, and at what Bush represented for their party, that he did not even vote for him in 2000 shows just how far he has fallen since then in his hunger for the presidency."

That our nominee is, shall we say, less than a fully devout Republican is something already well known to the base. A new tale of party betrayal will hurt him — but a tale of Bush betrayal, specifically? Dubya’s approval rating is 28%; according to the new Gallup, he’s a bigger liability for McCain than Wright is for Obama (although, surprisingly, only slightly). Conservatives who don’t want to believe the story can simply discard it based on the source and independents who do want to believe it can accept it as proof that McCain’s not the Bush clone the left wants him to be. Thanks, Arianna! Exit question: What did she hope to accomplish by mentioning this? Anything coherent? Bear in mind, this is a woman who convinced herself last summer that the conservative outcry against McCain had to do with his support for the war, not that little immigration matter you might have heard about. It fell to Glenn Greenwald, of all people, to set her straight

Update (Ed): I’m as mystified as Allahpundit about this story. McCain and Bush had hard feelings following the primary in 2000, so McCain’s reluctance to vote for Bush doesn’t surprise me at all. Arizona wasn’t exactly a battleground state in 2000, so McCain’s abstention hardly put the election at risk. The only takeaway from this anecdote is that McCain and Bush have two different approaches to politics, which undermines the McSame argument the DNC wants to sell this year.

And the “how much he has fallen” spin doesn’t work, either. McCain and Bush worked together on some issues and in opposition on others. McCain isn’t exactly running around the country on the Bush bandwagon. And doesn’t their rapprochement also negate the “McCain holds grudges forever” meme that Democrats pushed along as part of their focus on anger management?

Allow me to thank Arianna, too.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

A few quick comments, in order to head off the more predictable knee-jerk objections to any/all of this:

1.) This story comes from Hot Air, which is as unreservedly "in the tank" for John McCain as any RW site out there... period. So, plainly: NOT a "hit" piece," by any stretch of the imagination.

2.) Assuming that the core accusation at the heart of this story is true -- and, really: we already know that McCain openly flirted once (and possibly twice) with switching political parties altogether; it certainly isn't any great stretch of the imagination, therefore, to credibly imagine him withholding his vote during that same period -- then it does logically beg the question:

If we non-supporters of McCain are continually hectored and browbeaten by increasingly shrill declarations that "you owe the Republican party your vote, if only for the sake of our troops!"... then: why shouldn't be "Maverick" McCain be held to precisely that same standard?

... and, if he did vote for someone other than Bush, in 2000: then why would it be any less "honorable" or "conscientious" or "maverick" for any other conservative to follow suit, in turn?

Discuss. ;)

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Ping!

[SoConPubbie]

Well, if it is good enough for McCain, I guess it is good enough for me.

I won’t be voting for McCain since he has set the example.

I will write in the name of a Real Republican instead.

[psjones]

If you’d rather see hillary or obama be president, then by all means don’t vote for Mccain and go vote for the dem. That’s what it’s going to come down to, while I am no big fan of mccain, I find the dems to be even worse.

[AliVeritas]

Well gee, that means the left can step lumping McCain in with Bush now.

Works for me.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

If you’d rather see hillary or obama be president

Either find where I stated any such thing, or else cram it. Sideways.

Re-read Point #1, in Comment #1.

[NormsRevenge]

All’s fair since the dems crossed over and voted for McCain to get him the slot.

What a miserable situation the GoP has created. Even clothespins may not help some do as you said you will.

[Saundra Duffy]

I voted for George W. Bush TWICE and FReeped for him during the hanging chad fiasco and FReeped in support of the troops.

If it’s true that John McCain is such a small man that he refused to vote for the Republican nominee, that is REALLY disgraceful.

I won’t vote for McCain unless MItt Romney is the VP pick but I very seriously doubt McCain will pick Romney for VP because standing next to Romney, McCain would look old, ugly and stupid.

[Hildy]

Have you seen the email going around?

On one side, you have a bitch who is a lawyer, married to a lawyer, and a lawyer who is married to a bitch who is a lawyer.

On the other side, you have a true war hero married to a woman with huge boobs who owns a beer distributorship.

Is there a contest here?"

[HAL9000]

Has McCain answered this yet? If not, he will have to.

[Hildy]

Are you really going to take Arianna Huffington’s word? She’s a complete nut.

[Enchante]

"This story comes from Hot Air, which is as unreservedly "in the tank" for John McCain as any RW site out there... period. So, plainly: NOT a "hit" piece," by any stretch of the imagination."

NO, NO, NO, wrong! The "story" comes from the execrable Arianna Huffington, and it is simply repeated on Hot Air with a link to the unmentionable Huffington Post.

I don't have trouble believing it, knowing what we know of John McCain and considering the bad blood over the 2000 campaign, but Arianna is NEVER a reliable source so it has to be considered unreliable even if plausible.

[KoRn]

McCain needs to be replaced at the Republican national convention.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

NO, NO, NO, wrong!

Go back and re-read, please. The story most assuredly does come from Hot Air; a link has been thoughtfully provided for your convenience, should you feel like checking that out for yourself.

Arianna Huffington is Hot Air's source for said story.

The terminology used is correct. You are not.

And calm down, for pity's sake. ;)

[discipler]

McCain's a maverick jerk. I can't believe I'm saying that about the Republican. I've voted Republican since Reagan. McCain irks me almost as much as the two Democrats. He's supposedly conservative in some areas I am, but I don't think he is trustworthy. I'm going 'green' to save the planet. The symbolism is powerful.

[SoConPubbie]

If you’d rather see hillary or obama be president, then by all means don’t vote for Mccain and go vote for the dem. That’s what it’s going to come down to, while I am no big fan of mccain, I find the dems to be even worse.

Actually, I am hoping for the scenario that provides the most amount of gridlock possible in DC.

I know if McCain gets the nod, he will do everything possible to not offend his Democrat Buddies and remain in the favor of the MSM, thereby pushing many of the issues of the Left. I also know that the Republicans in Congress will go pretty much along with him just like they did with Bush. There will be, however, less of them because McCain has zero coattails.

Now, on the other hand, if one of the Marxists gets the nod, the Republicans in Congress will suddenly remember who they represent and grow a spine and will fight like wildcats everything that the Marxist tries to push through. This scenario is the best for the GOP.

Furthermore, as shown by his comments today, If McCain is elected, he will grant Amnesty to 20-40 million+ Hispanic illegal aliens. A voting block that votes reliably 70% Democrat.

This huge influx of Democrat voters into the electorate will wipe out the razor-thin margins between Democrat and Republican voters, the same razor-thin margins that the Republicans have been winning by in the last several election cycles.

Additionally, this will be the last straw for millions of conservative and small 'l' libertarians who have called the GOP home for decades. They will leave the party or simply check out of the process because the GOP stabbed them in the back for the last time.

[HAL9000]

Washington Post - McCain Denies Huffington Vote Claim

[taxesareforever]

Then McCain shouldn’t complain when voters, such as I, write-in their vote.

[SoConPubbie]

Washington Post - McCain Denies Huffington Vote Claim

I'll believe him when he admits that McCain-Kennedy was Amnesty.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Furthermore, as shown by his comments today, If McCain is elected, he will grant Amnesty to 20-40 million+ Hispanic illegal aliens. A voting block that votes reliably 70% Democrat.

Yup. Whoooooooooooooole lotta people hereabouts, lately, who (form all available outward appearances) feel just fine'n'comfy'peachy keen-o with that scenario, too.

Every so often... now and again: you have to stop and wonder why.

[Saundra Duffy]

“Are you really going to take Arianna Huffington’s word? “

No, it just sounds like something John McCain would do. True to form.

[HAL9000]

I'll believe him when he admits that McCain-Kennedy was Amnesty.

I'm not going to take Arianna Huffington's word for it. She should produce a more credible witness.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Washington Post - McCain Denies Huffington Vote Claim

I absolutely appreciate the link; seriously, don't get me wrong... but:

... you know. The guy lies a whole awful lot, after all.

Ultimately: my belief in any one individual's overall veracity is based upon how genuinely truthful (or otherwise) they've been to me in the past.

Juan's personal account is "in arrears," as they say. ;)

[Enchante]

The fact that the source is Arianna Huffington vitiates the claim that the story is not a “hit” piece. There is no evidence that Hot Air obtained any further substantiation, so the “story” comes entirely from Arianna, as repeated on Hot Air. Apparently you think that the willingness of Hot Air to repeat it gives it added credibility; I do not agree. The “story” so far depends 100% on the word of Arianna Huffington, a person known to be one of the most vicious and depraved opportunists in public life.

As I said, I find the story plausible, based upon what we do know about John McCain, but I do not regard anything coming from Arianna as bearing any credibility. Consider the source.

[1035rep]

Arianna is NEVER a reliable.

She's a flaming liberal kook.  Her boy Obama is taking a lot of hits,  she wants to change the subject.

[Bullish]

McPain makes me want to puke!

To think this is the best the Republicans could do is unbelievable.

[Bullish]

....because standing next to Romney, McCain would look old, ugly and stupid.

McCain would look old, ugly and STUPID no matter who he stands next to.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

The fact that the source is Arianna Huffington vitiates the claim that the story is not a “hit” piece.

For you...? Quite possibly. For those of us who are regular Hot Air visitors? Meh... not so much.

Apparently you think that the willingness of Hot Air to repeat it gives it added credibility; I do not agree.

Whereas I, on the other hand, do. We'll simply have to agree to disagree on this one, won't we?

I find the story plausible, based upon what we do know about John McCain

As do I; and that, ultimately, is the bottom line. ;)

[1035rep]

I knew this was coming. I liked the comment from Mark Salter at the end.

"Why would she make something up? Because she's a flake, and a poser, and an attention seeking diva. And that's on the record."

[Graybeard58]

I won’t vote for McCain unless MItt Romney is the VP pick

I guess we cancel each others vote because I won't vote for McCain if Romney is McCain's VP choice. Why would you vote for a ticket with not one but two liberals on it?

[Nam Vet]

I did the same for Bush. (and I am very disappointed in a lot of his downright leftist crap)

There are two reasons I WILL HOLD MY NOSE and vote for McVain. Possible strong Constitutionalists as a new Supreme(s) and a strong Conservative VP.

I'm an optimist, as you can see, but I must say that I don't trust that back stabbing son of a bitch as far as I can throw him.

Nam Vet

[NormsRevenge]

It’s OK, vote cancellation , that is.. (No, not really, but Im too tired to beat any more dead horses)

The crossover dems did much the same to conservatives votes in key early primaries and this is what we end up with.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Huffington has more gas leaking from her head than the Hindenburg.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Huffington has more gas leaking from her head than the Hindenburg.

No argument here. ;) Doesn't make the likelihood of a man who deserately wanted to be John F. Kerry's VP running mate in '04 refusing to vote for the Republican nominee for president any less credible, however, IMHO.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Damn straight. *omney would make a perfect running mate for Obama, both sleazy, lying left-wingers.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

"deserately" = desperately.

[DoughtyOne]

Listen up Republicans.  The Republican National Committee and Senator John McCain are looking for folks who are willing to let bygons be bygons.

Over the last twenty years, Senator McCain has taken on a lot of baggage.  Today he needs many of you to help him carry it.

If you're willing to help John carry some of the same baggage that Senator Ted Kennedy, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton have accumlated, please contact the McCain campaign and or the RNC at once.  It's going to take a lot of folks to carry this around between now and Tuesday November 4th.

If you're a Democrat in good standing and find some of this baggage to be appealing, you may find yourself compelled to help out, and we would welcome you.  We're asking anyone who doesn't mind carrying this baggage to contact us right away.

We have found a larger number of Conservatives unwilling to overlook what this baggage represents, than we thought we would, so we're reaching out to anyone that is willing to help out.

Please use the following numbers to offer help.  900-555-NUTS or 900-555-LFTY.


P.S. Arianna is a dinbat.

[DoughtyOne]

Ah, make that dingbat. LOL

[Defiant]

If you’d rather see hillary or obama be president, then by all means don’t vote for Mccain and go vote for the dem.

But don't you see the irony? The guy you want us all to vote, by your logic, wanted Al Gore to be President. That would have been lovely after 9-11.

[Defiant]

Operation Chaos2!!

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

But don't you see the irony? The guy you want us all to vote, by your logic, wanted Al Gore to be President.

Ah. The actual bleedin' POINT, at long and headachey last. ;) Bless and keep you, Defiant.

[mountainbunny]

If we non-supporters of McCain are continually hectored and browbeaten by increasingly shrill declarations that "you owe the Republican party your vote, if only for the sake of our troops!"... then: why shouldn't be "Maverick" McCain be held to precisely that same standard?

Yes. Thank you for this. Your comments (above) are particularly insightful.

I just can't bring myself to voting for McCain. Lots of reasons why, many/most have been or will be enumerated here.

I guess it boils down to the fact that I don't "owe" the GOP or McCain anything, especially not a vote for someone with the massive issues McCain brings to the table.

If anything, they owe me a candidate I can feel good about voting for. Or, if not good, then at least not sick to my stomach.

And yeah. If I owe it to America, or to the troops, or to future citizens, why doesn't the GOP/McCain owe the same, and more?

[newzjunkey]

If you refuse to support McCain you'll have to bare a measure of responsibility for Obama or Clinton winning. I don't like McCain, I don't trust McCain, but come November I'm not voting for either Democrat. Likely neither of our votes will decide the election just as either McCain not voting for W in 2000 didn't decide Arizona's electoral votes. The wife says she voted for her husband as a write-in meaning she voted for a Republican. There's no allegation of John McCain voting for AlGore only that he didn't vote W.

I did (grudgingly) vote W in two generals but I'm definitely not sorry I voted for someone else in the primary season.

[Aln in Eastern WA]

A big part of the anti-McCain argument is that the worst that can happen is, with Barack Obama, the US would have a slightly more liberal president. The reality, though, is that with a President Obama, radical Islamic extremists would have a neutral or even sympathetic president instead of one, like Sen. McCain, who has promised to take the fight to the terrorists and “never surrender.”

I attended a GOP county convention this year and was stunned by the number of appeasers (supporting Rep. Paul) who showed up, sounding a lot like Rev. Jeremiah Wright in their views on US foreign policy and on the men and women of the US military. I felt ripped off...if I wanted appeasement, I could have attended the Democrat caucus. But I understand this discussion much better, having talked with strongly anti-military conservatives (or appeasers) at that recent meeting.

There are real reasons to be frustrated with Sen. McCain. I found his interference on the Wright ads in NC last month difficult to comprehend. Many posters have pointed out legitimate problems with his record in the Senate since 2001. But it is beyond delusional to argue that the outcome of the presidential race doesn’t matter in 2008.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Yes. Thank you for this. Your comments (above) are particularly insightful.

Thank you, mountainbunny. I was actually beginning to worry that we'd go an entire page's worth of comments before people actually began responding to the original points/queries in #1, rather than simply drumming their collective heels on the linoleum and shrilling "NoNoNoNoNoNoNOOOOOOOOO!!!" in their most piercing registers. ;) 'Preciate it!

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

If you refuse to support McCain you'll have to bare a measure of responsibility for Obama or Clinton winning.

I would take this argument a good deal more seriously, I suspect, from someone who actually knew the simple difference between "bear" and "bare."

More to the point, however: horse apples. ;) Even baseline, grammar school-level logic should serve to (re-)(re-)(re-)(RE-)illustrate the inherent silliness of said assertion. To wit: if (by your logic) any ballot not cast on behalf of Juan McCain is, de facto, one to the benefit of Cankles and/or The Obamessiah... then what, pray tell, is a ballot not cast on behalf of either Obama or Hillary?

Logic 101: if "A" equals "B," then "B" (likewise) must equal "A"... or else your theory is, quite simply... welllllllll...

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

But it is beyond delusional to argue that the outcome of the presidential race doesn’t matter in 2008.

Great Galloping Guacamoles! I actually said that? REALLY -- ?!?

Where?

[calcowgirl]

"Why would she make something up? Because she's a flake, and a poser, and an attention seeking diva. And that's on the record."

LOL. That is good!

Will McCain be offering an apology for Salter's remarks?

[lkco]

At first when McCain was inevitable, I said “No Way. I'm writing in my guy in November no matter what.” Then after learning more about Obama and watching the battle between him and Hillary I thought “Okay. I just won't vote for President in November.”

Then I learned even more about Obama, and had the “pleasure” of listening to Hillary even more, and then came the possibility of a Ron Paul conversion to Obama (Ron wasn't my guy, but still had me curious for a while) so I've decided no matter what, voting for McCain is still better than voting for Hillary or Obama.

I live in Washington too. Sometimes the best vote is for the least left candidate ... not necessarily the most right ... just the least left. At this point I just want to make sure I can live to vote another day ... with Obama I can't even be sure of that. Just imagine what the world would be like with a Jimmy Carter presidency if Iran had nukes back then.