McCain on Romney

From Byron York's piece on the senator, in the latest (not-online) National Review:

In the van, I bring up Romney's statement, made the day before, that as president he might order a "bombardment of some kind" against Iran. The word "bombardment" strikes the McCain group as somewhat quaint, and top aide Mark Salter, sitting in the back seat, says Romney must have just read a book about Francis Scott Key and the assault on Fort McHenry. With that, McCain breaks into open ridicule of Romney, bellow out mock commands:

"Bring up the mortars!"

"Don't tear that tattered ensign down!"

"All those forward, go aft!"

I just wish I knew what McCain said to his aides after Romney's "double Guantanamo" line.

Comments

I just wish I knew what McCain said to his aides after Romney's "double Guantanamo" line.

Hopefully, something along the lines of, "What a pathetic little chicken-hawk douche."

Posted by Bill | November 6, 2007 9:58 AM

I am so freakin tired of McCain. You'll have to forgive Mitt if he doesn't know the words to the "Bomb, bomb Iran" song. Sheesh! I used to really like McCain but his pandering is worse than all of the other people he's judging. You can't run as a maverick one year then send out mailers that you're the consistent conservative later. Of course, he doesn't get called on it because of his military service. I don't want to put down the guy's military service, but being in the military doesn't put a guy above scrutiny. Remember Kerry? Somebody needs to call this guy to task. No one will, though.

Posted by Mike | November 6, 2007 11:08 AM

Mike,
I think you're being a little too hard on McCain. His only point is that Mitt is an insufferable twit. Not a maverick position, true, because it's obvious to anyone. But still.

And yes, we remember Kerry. And the breathtakingly vicious, unfair, disgusting way he was 'scrutinized.' Are you suggesting that McCain be smeared and trashed, too, his record distorted and lied about, simply because of his military service?

Posted by Woody Bombay | November 6, 2007 11:23 AM

Go Romney!!!!

Posted by Steven Rinehart | November 6, 2007 11:38 AM

Woody,
I can see how you could take that from what I said. I don't think McCain's military service should be questioned the way Kerry's was by any means. I do, however, think that someone's policy positions can be questioned even if they were in the military. McCain has the same consistency problem all of the other candidates have, even if he was in the service.

Posted by Mike | November 6, 2007 12:28 PM

It's totally unfair to day, "McCain was acting the part of the maverick and now he's so pro-war!" He was *always* pro-war. The people who supported him most in 2000 were the Weekly Standard "national greatness" wing of the neoconservatives. To the extent he got a maverick reputation it was on other issues, like campaign finance reform (or "reform" if you prefer).

Posted by David T | November 6, 2007 1:44 PM

McCain openly shows disdain for Romney, like he does not do for any other candidate. That being said, he should soon reap his reward for attempting to ram the amnesty bill down America's throat. I am still astounded at the arrogance that he and the amnestry supporters showed toward regular Americans by trying to sneak that bill through without it seeing the light of day.

Ultimately, his gross miscalculation will be his downfall. Please, Senator McCain, finish your term, return to Arizona, and drive some senior citizen homeowner's association crazy.

Posted by Randy | November 6, 2007 2:39 PM

Hey people. We are Republicans who will be asked to support the eventual nominee. The Dems will take whatever is said about that man and use it against him. Getting the nomination for our guy is not the end game. Defeating Hillary and Bill is the end game. Don't give them ammo to use against us. Disagree about policy or preparedness or judgment. That is fair. But trash-talk comments like McCain is fond of making hurts the cause. Encourage your guy's people to keep it professional.

Posted by JLF | November 6, 2007 4:01 PM

It's hard to miss the obvious disdain both McCain and Giuliani aim at Mitt. Given there own personal (multiple failed marriages) and political (now McCain is against amnesty?) hypocrisy it can only reflect the threat Mitt poses to their campaigns. Giuliani has oft said that he would vote for McCain if he himself weren't running which is ridiculous since he clearly doesn't see McCain as a threat. The fact is that they (and much of the Republican establishment) resent Mitt for his success outside of their control. He is not an insider and without any skeletons to exploit, he will be that much more difficult to manipulate. He is not beholden to any lobbyists, and he is (ick) a family-centric Mormon. How dare he think he can just waltz in get away with it! What could this mean to those precious earmarks and pork-barrel projects? They've tried to undermine him throughout -- let's hope Republicans vote for the guy with the best mind for the job, the best leadership experience, and who can actually set an example for our politicians.

Posted by Taylor | November 6, 2007 6:30 PM

Taylor
Be careful about what you attribute to other Republicans. You may be asked to support or more of the other candidates come next August. Also, everyone has skeletons in their closet to one degree or another. Some are more egregious than others but Romney has his faults too. He says so. They may be different than the other guys but if put in a certain light they too can look pretty grim. So keep it professional. Focus on the real bad guys - the Clintons. Anyone thinking they would only get Hill and not Bill is delusional. Focus on that.

Posted by JLF | November 6, 2007 7:40 PM

JLF, well said.

Just say NO to Clintons' third term!

Go Mitt Romney!

Posted by Eric | November 7, 2007 12:59 AM

JLF, well said.

Just say NO to Clintons' third term!

Go Mitt Romney!

Posted by Eric | November 7, 2007 12:59 AM

Romney an "insufferable twit" you say? Actually everyone who has worked with, around, under and over, says that Romney is a stud. He engenders respect, even awe, from the lowliest of office staff to the most educated ceo types. Mitt's leadership is unquestionable and without equal in this campaign. While McCain is a war hero, being in the military (and knowing the lexicon), and being a prisoner of war doesn't mean he will engender that same respect and exhibit that same kind of leadership with top brass. I believe Romney will.

Posted by DLounsbury | November 7, 2007 2:01 AM

DLounsbury,

Everybody loves the guy who's willing to tell them whatever they want to hear.

Posted by keatssycamore | November 8, 2007 8:31 AM

keatssycamore
Exactly. That is why we have to look at what they have done in their lives. That is why Hillary is not prepared to be president. She has not done anything. At least our Republican guys who have a chance of getting the nomination have governed a state or been mayor of a city. All except McCain of course. Even Thompson was attorney general in Tennessee. Our people have actually done something to prepare themselves. Except McCain of course. But he is a genuine war hero.

Posted by JLF | November 8, 2007 12:22 PM