Opinion: McCain won’t get slimed again (maybe)

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Eight years ago, the South Carolina primary campaign was a searing experience for John McCain and his kin. He not only got hammered by George W. Bush in the Republican presidential race, but was the target of a steady stream of smears by unknown groups.

One whisper campaign asserted that his wife, Cindy, had a drug problem; another spread rumors that he had illegitimately fathered a black child -- an attack especially hurtful to the McCains because they are the parents of an adopted dark-skinned girl from Bangladesh.

As this year’s GOP contest shifts toward South Carolina, site of a closely watched primary on Jan. 19, there have been no signs it will descend to such levels. But McCain wants to take ....

no chances this time. And besides, he has frequently complained that Mitt Romney’s criticisms of his voting record and policy positions have been distortions.

Even before the polls had closed in the New Hampshire primary that he won Tuesday, McCain announced the formation of a ‘truth squad’ in South Carolina that aims, according to a campaign statement, to ‘counter any negative or misleading attacks targeted at’ the candidate. You can read the full release here.

The squad’s members include South Carolina Atty. Gen. Henry McMaster. But here’s the member who impresses us: Adjutant Gen. Stan Spears. In his post -- an elected one -- Spears directs the 10,500-member South Carolina Army and Air National Guard.

Sounds like a good guy to have on your side.

-- Don Frederick