How not to win friends and influence Republicans

What won't John McCain and Mitt Romney find to fight about?

Yesterday Bob Dole -- wounded World War II vet, long-serving Republican U.S. senator from Kansas, failed presidential contender -- sent out a letter to talk radio host Rush Limbaugh defending McCain's conservative credentials, much in challenge by Limbaugh and other conservative microphones.

This morning in an interview on Fox News (that the McCain camp ensured political journalists saw), Romney was, shall we say, dismissive of Dole's going to bat for McCain. And you have to wonder about the wisdom of insulting a tribal elder on one of the most important primary days of your political career.

So as our colleague, Maeve Reston, reports, McCain wandered back to the press gallery before his chartered plane took off this morning from New York to San Diego and went to bat for Dole. McCain said he was "saddened and disappointed to see that kind of comment about a person who is an American war hero, who built our party, who served our party so well for so long.... Bob Dole has served his country in war and in peace in a way that all of us admire, and to disparage that, or criticize him in such a way, is just not appropriate, I think, in the minds of most Americans." Then McCain demanded an apology on Dole's behalf from the former Massachusetts governor.

Lo and behold, he got one, sort of ...

... though you just know the Romney campaign will insist there was no cause-and-effect.

Speaking to reporters -- including our colleague, Seema Mehta -- a short time ago, Romney said his remarks about Dole were incomplete. He said he had tried to call the former senator to explain himself but couldn't get through. (He was overheard by reporters making the call, Mehta reports).

"Sen. Dole is an American hero, a war hero, a fine man and a great leader of our party," Romney told the press gaggle after delivering a primary day talk to West Virginia Republicans in Charleston. "What I’m pointing to, and pointed to in my comment, was that the selection for our nominee based on someone having served in our senate a long time, and being seen as the person who deserves the nomination, did not do well for us in that election. It is that aspect, not Sen. Dole, that I’m referring to, both that aspect of choosing the person who’s been in the senate the longest and giving it to them out of a sense of obligation that I think was the error."

So, is that clear now?

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Paula]

Just vote for Hillary!

[Gloria Poole, RN]

Also, add this to this message. As of 11:32 am MT, the FEC [Federal Elections Commission that oversees federal elections] website for the Public Integrity of the US Dept of Justice, that is supposed to be a place to report suspicious election activity is also down from their usual site at:
http://usdoj.bov/criminal/pin.html, FYI. Please read the entire message as I am making all efforts to document what I believe to be election fraud in Colorado, as it happens today,in the so-called super Tuesday. Read on please. . .
signed gloria poole,RN

"Gloria Poole, RN" wrote:

From Gloria Poole, RN Tue Feb 5 09:19:45 2008
Received: from [67.102.59.59] by web30104.mail.mud.yahoo.com via HTTP; Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:19:46 PST
Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2008 09:19:45 -0800 (PST)
From: "Gloria Poole, RN"
Reply-to: gloriapooleRN@yahoo.com
Subject: SOS & Denver Post: Sec of State of Co website for voters is DOWN
To: Secretary@sos.state.co.us, johntemple@denverpost.com
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0-701136703-1202231985=:62033"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Content-Length: 4907

FYI, Sec of State Mike Coffman and Editor John Temple of The Denver Post:
just so you know, the Secretary of State of Colorado website that was listed in the Rocky Mountain News today to help voters find their precinct caucus this evening is DOWN. I tried twice to find the site listed in the online news as:
http://www.sos.state.co.us/Voter/voter.home.do/
and it is down. And the Colorado GOP site is down also. How is that possible? More shenanigans from the demoncrats? The manipulation of the internet with Bill Gates help via the Microsoft domination that violates the anti-trust laws of the US? The Hillary's paid hackers at work again ? For proof scroll to the empty blog entry, then scroll to the next following after entry on my blog at http://lifemedia-publishing.us/ for proof : see the little red words 'Hillary's hackers on the job' in the scrambled blog entry that her staff did to my private computer and blog. The illegal and abuse of power via the Patriot Act that she has available to her as a US Senator to hack websites and "radaremit"* to destroy hard drives?
The more I witness or experience government by democrats the more I hate socialism and government oppression and censorship! signed gloria poole, RN
*According to computer repair places, the US federal government is the only entity that has the power to use radaremissions to 'jam" computers of privately owner aircraft or privately owned computers.

[Monica]

When Romney speaks straight talk he is said to be rude and mean spirited. When McCain speaks straight talk he is said to have dedication and sticks with his principles. McCain is a liar and I am fed up with the media constantly holding McCains hand through this election process. McCain record speaks for itself. He is a self-serving person who wants the presidency for personal gain and power-trips. He shouldn't be trusted and is handing out favors to all the endorsees and to Huckabee. When the favors are repaid it will be a the expense of the American public. Huckabee supporter- ask yourselves one thing. If Huckabee really wants to be president and thinks he has a shot, why does he bend over backwards to please McCain andnever says anything to contrast himself with the 'front-runner' McCain. He is washed up, but just wants McCain to win so he can get some favors from him.

[Jeugenen]

AMERICAN PEOPLE TO BE JUDGE AND JURY IN THE TRIAL OF MC-CAIN FOR GOVERNMENTAL INCOMPETENCE AND DISLOYALTY TO HIS GOD AND CONSTITUTION

Amnesty for Illegal Aliens?
Sacrifice American Wealth and Blood for Israel?
Demonize the Christian Conservatives?
Sacrificial Killing of Children by Abortion?
Neo-Con News Media Propaganda against Conservatives?
Dirty Tricks to Defeat Romney?
McCain-Feingold Suppression of Internet Freedom of Speech?
Early Caucus for Neo-Con Advantages over Conservatives?
Un-Constitutional Wars to “Occupy Iraq for 100 Years” and “Bomb Iran”?
Tax and Spend Opposition to Bush Tax Cuts?
No Grasp of Looming Recession and Inflation Threat?
No Record of Any Significant Social or Economic Accomplishments, in his long and scandalous and contentious political career?

If Neo-Con McCain is such a pretentious Christian and patriot, insanely dishonoring his God and his Constitution, how can he ever be trusted to cherish and honor the American People?

That the Republican Party so justly stripped Neo-Con dominated New Hampshire and Florida of half of their delegates, as punishment for trying to trick the American People into believing that insane McCain is the leading candidate, is the first step to his final appointment with the Republican firing squad.

Google: Mearsheimer Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy; Stricherz Why the Democrats are Blue; Wall Street Journal McCain-Feingold; Human Events Ron Paul Interview; Who Would the World Elect.

[Shawn]

Hillary is NOT the answer either! All she is going to do is further empower those who do not deserve anything: Illegals and freeloaders (of all origins). I don't want to pay for health insurance for an illegal immigrant (who by being illegal is breaking our laws if we haven't forgotten), and I would hope you would agree!

Ron Paul is the answer, but unfortunately he has less than a snowball's chance...

[Dan]

I read Romney's retort at least twice and still didn't understand it. Looks like he dug himself into a hole here.

[Jes]

"Sen. Dole is an American hero, a war hero, a fine man and a great leader of our party," Dole told the press gaggle after delivering a primary day talk to West Virginia Republicans in Charleston.

So, Dole said that, or did Romney?
Sorry, but it's even less clear now.

[Matt]

Typo: "Sen. Dole is an American hero, a war hero, a fine man and a great leader of our party," Dole told the press gaggle after delivering a primary day talk to West Virginia Republicans in Charleston."

I'm guessing that should be "Romney told the press," despite Bob Dole's famous penchant for speaking in the third person.

SM: Yes, it should -- and does now -- read "Romney." thanks.

[Mike]

Oh my goodness... Isn't it amazing when a candidates true personality comes through? Rather than recognize Bob Dole for the hero he is, and for his years of dedicated service to the nation- Mr. Romney decides to focus the question on himself- dismissing Sen. Dole as "... the last person I would want to write a letter for me..." I wonder how many people have re-thought their support for Mr. Romney? In my book, Mike Huckabee and John McCain have a great deal more clarity and candor than that.

[Robert]

Vote for Hillary? The Clintons are the ones who have made this election about race and gender issues. Like we need that in America.

[jamie]

Actually, if you would bother to examine the subtance of the letter, Dole was not endorsing McCain and disagreed with many of his positions.

[Rich G.]

I don't see any help in the name calling, it just takes away from the issues at hand, I don't want a beauty contest I want a United States.

[Josh]

Worship at the feet of war heros.

[Rob Gilbert]

Clearly Romney said that and "Dole" is just a typo, but it's funny 'cause Dole does indeed have a tendency to speak about himself in the thrid person. SNL used to make fun of this back in the day when Dole was running for president.

[Randy Burrell]

I have been a republican all my 60 yerars. I have never voted for a democrat. I will however vote for one this year if John McCain is the Republican Party nominee. McCain is a dangerous, deceiving individual only interested in obtaining all the power that he can. Any American who loves this country should never consider for a moment voting for him. Before voting for him I urge you to do extensive research.

[Dave]

Is anyone even paying attention to these arrogant morons. These republicans so called plan is literally bankrupt. They had 8 years with Bush to do whatever in the hell they've wanted to. They've dropped the ball in every single way. They let terroists attack us and kill thousands. They let the perp Osama get away! They invaded a nation that did not need to be invaded because it was not a direct imminent threat. They destabilized the middle east and forced the price of gas to over $100 a barrel. Bush and you stupid racist inbred republicans are costing Americans $200 million a day and more in Iraq alone. You are neglecting our roads and bridges. You neglected people during Katrina. You are cutting funding for firefighters. You are cutting education. You are the most bankrupt group of arrogant fools on the planet. It's time for you to shut up and get out! It's going to take an Obama to catch Osama. It's going to take Obama to clean up the mess that Bush will leave behind. You had your chance republicans.

[MM Cooper]

Romney is just more of the same: politics of hate, raw ambition, selfishness and entitlement, and wimpy hair gel.

[D.B. Troester]

The writer has incorrect attribution in the eighth paragraph that starts "Sen. Dole is an American hero,..." It's attributed to Dole, when it is clearly a Romney quote. Oops!

[Justin]

While upsetting that Romney would blatantly insult Bob Dole, he has a point that what the former senator says isn't really relevent to this election. Romney comes off to me as an angry old man, very rigid to the old republican ideals that have not served our country well in the last decade. If I had to vote for a Republican, I would vote for McCain, he recognizes the mistakes made by the current administration and seems set to repair them while staying true to the core conservative ideals. That said, Obama 08.

[Nannette]

It is so simple. Tired of the lies, backbiting, computer hacking, cheating, name-calling, etc. etc., not to mention the war and the crashing economy, which are the real issues?

VOTE RON PAUL!

It's so simple.

[kaye]

Wow! I 'm from Arizona so I'm used to McCains "straight talk" that seems to come out of both sides of his mouth. The way he McSpins Romneys words are classic! And here he goes again with the Dole nonsense . Pullease don't fall for the McCain/Huckabee smear machine

[Skull Dugger]

Of course now the Repooblicans are self-destructing with petulant in-fighting - they can't handle the pressure. Time for a new face, a new vision, who will be able to sit down and negotiate peace with terrorists. Honestly, can you see the hate-filled Romney and McCain sitting down with those who are fighting the US? It won't happen with them. It will only happen with Obama.

[Tim Singleton]

McCain is like a Chihuahua who gets all trembly legged and tail wagging when the liberals and Babylon(Hollywood) lavish praise on him.

He lies. He is pro-amnesty, pro-tax and anti-free speech. Compromise on right and wrong is no virtue. Dole, unlike McCain, did not run about saying vote for me because I am a war hero. His record as a POW does NOT make him the better choice for president.

McCain can beat neither Clinton nor Obama.

[Link]

The American people were smart enough not to elect just because of being a war vet. Lets hope that we are smart enough again. Our country cannot stand another 4 years of Busch like deplomacy or mindset.
McCain would be the 3rd Busch in the White House.
Link

[Nick]

Mitt Romney insulted Bob Dole, got caught, and is trying to back track. Romney's key failing is that he's not a likable person- a trait that makes you a wonderful businessman, but make for a poor presidential candidate, especially if he were to become the nominee in a general election. Personality matters, just ask Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and even Barack Obama come to think of it. Voters like to vote for people, not just policy.