McCain Responds To Report That He Attacked Congressman

On Tuesday, The Huffington Post published an explosive excerpt from Cliff Schecter's new book "The Real McCain," alleging that Sen. John McCain once physically attacked fellow congressman Rick Renzi.

Perhaps the most remarkable story of McCain's temper involved Arizona Congressman Rick Renzi. Two former reporters covering McCain, one who witnessed the following events and one who confirmed the facts provided by the first, relayed it to me as follows: In 2006, the Arizona Republican congressional delegation had a strategy meeting. McCain repeatedly addressed two new members, congressmen Trent Franks and Rick Renzi, as 'boy.' Finally, Renzi, a former college linebacker, rose from his chair and said to McCain, "You call me that one more time and I'll kick your old ass." McCain lunged at Renzi, punches were thrown, and the two had to be physically separated. After they went to their separate offices, McCain called Renzi and demanded an apology. Renzi refused. Apparently this posture made McCain admire him, as they became fast friends.

This morning on Fox News, McCain was asked about the report (as well as other alleged profanity-laced tirades on Capitol Hill). He ostensibly denied the reports, but left plenty of wiggle room, saying they were "either false or exaggerated." Watch it:

FOX: There was an incident referred to in the book reportedly from 2006 saying you exchanged blows with Congressman Renzi. They talk alleged profanity-laced exchanges with other lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Is there any truth to that?

MCCAIN: No. In fact, there were witnesses every time I've been around Congressman Renzi, who's a friend of mine, and we have a very good relationship. But the point is that I have a record of reaching across the aisle and working in a bipartisan fashion, of getting things done in Washington. Those reports are either false or exaggerated. But the point is that these kind of things happen in political campaigns. I've been in office for 24 years, and I've gotten angry when I seen spending out of control. I've gotten angry when I see people who do such things like in the Abramoff scandal, which I investigated and which ended up with people in federal prison. I get angry when I see these cost-overruns and wastes of taxpayers' dollars, and earmark and pork barrel spending. And if I lose the capacity to be angry, then I don't think I should be president.

To read more from The Real McCain, buy a copy for yourself here.

Comments

[FawkesNews]

The McCain/Abramoff Scandal Cover-up

From the start, McCain worked overtime to keep a lid on the most damaging aspects of the Abramoff scandal and slow-walk the investigation.

He shaped the narrative. Abramoff became a rogue lobbyist who took advantage of his GOP pals to rip off some casinos.

McCain converted the scandal into Hollywood "heist/caper" film, knowing that American prejudices against Native Americans and tribal casinos would help hide the damning details of the Abramoff scandal:
* Jack’s role as a 25-year bagman for the GOP: hidden. * Jack’s close working relationship with the Bush White House: hidden. * Jack’s close working relationship with the Republican Congressional Leadership: hidden. * Jack’s role in dirty tricks and off-the-books money for the GOP: hidden. * Jack’s role in Medicare reform: hidden. * Jack’s role energy policy: hidden.

http://www.dengre.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/8/222648/0915/57/433195

[Neef]

I can't wait until McCrazy loses it on national television. No one has asked him the right question yet, but it's just a matter of time.

I bet if you asked him "Did you call you wife a c*nt", that would do the trick. Sadly, I doubt anyone wants to risk a black eye by asking.

[SmootyBooty]

Just ask him why he didn't go to prison for trying to get Charlie Keating out of hot water.
Or maybe ask him why he voted against funding veterans and then went in front of the VFW and criticized those who don't "support the troops".
Or ask him why he thinks America needs another doddering fool as CIC.
Any one should do the trick...

[JFB]

I tend to agree. He is the poster boy for a latter-day Captain Queeg.

[filo]

We'll call it McCain Mutiny

Ahh, but the earmarks that's... that's where I had them. They laughed at me and made jokes but I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt and with... geometric logic...

[gonavy]

Hey, Sam, I heard Rush gave you a shout out today, was talking about one of your articles. You have ARRIVED!!

Regarding McCain's response: So there!

John McCain Rocks!!!!

[marignymitch]

McBomb is god's gift to Republicans. They like their men butch. (Come to think of it they also like their women butch.) Unhinged and impaired is OK too as long as it enhances the butchness.

(We really got to keep McBomb away from those nice nuclear buttons in the Oval Office.)

[larstein]

McBush is in full throttle campaign mode right now, so he'll never answer a question straight on. All you'll get from him is rhetoric and bs. It's useless to think he's even capable of remembering what the facts were. But I think a more important question to voters is whether he called his wife a "cunt" in public. This has been alleged by 3 or 4 reporters who heard him say it. He needs to answer this, because it goes beyond whether he has a temper or not, to whether he is a decent enough person to handle the hardest job in the world. We don't want another traitorous creep like the present occupant.

[4wehttam]

He's got serious issues this man. We need to demand his medical records be released, but even that, if the right Dr's were involved could fudge clinical data here and there. It's been known to happen.

[mrdontplay]

Who won the fight?

See the important questions never get asked.

[2liveNdie]

I don't think McStupid could whoop anyone's ass! His arms are to short and stiff like his policies!

[zippywpinhead]

I get angry when politicians lie. Does that mean I get to punch him?

[sknapp9220]

Go ahead and punch him. He probably won't remember. He can't even get it straight between Shiite and Sunni

[zippywpinhead]

yeah, but it's bad form to hit someone when they're napping...

[NoahVail]

I can't wait to see Obama and McCain debate. It will be whoop ass vs whup ass....

http://www.spreadthewhoop.com/getwhoop/images/shoppingcart/can_large.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u138/ezdidit_2008/CanoWhoopAssLargeSize.jpg

[elr50]

I beg Obama and McCain will debate on the Comedy Channel. That is where McCain belongs.

[suekzoo]

This is not the man I would like to represent our country around the world. Period.

[ChrisS13]

WHat's wrong with attacking congressman? There are many I would like to attack myself.

[Grannysue]

He doesn't answer the question just gives his political spin, Since when did having a foul mouth and bad temper make it into the catagory of necessary traits to become Prez?? Bet, they don't dare ask him about the comments he made to the wife huh?

[majormoderate]

c'mon guys... he's going to chase bin laden to the gates of hell!

let him have his temper tantrums.

[HaveyouPerspective]

If he is, he is sure looking in the wrong place.

[radiojunkie]

"c'mon guys... he's going to chase bin laden to the gates of hell!"

McInsane will never find Osama in the beltway, lol.

[riverhouse]

Ask him again and he'll punch you in the mouth.

[sushi27]

Need to know why the MEDIA doesn't say a word to McCain? If this were Clinton or Obama they would be digging deep into the story. They all seem to give McCrazy a pass????? They need to tell everyone about his POW controversy too - many POW's don't think McCain is a hero at all - quite the opposite.

McCain needs help - oh yes - where is that physical exam (also should have a psychological exam too) that McCain promised to release???????????

The Media needs to start telling Americans more factual details about this man. By the way, that book just released is written by a fellow who likes/was friends with McCain, but worries about his anger management problem.

[NoahVail]

Does the term corporate media mean anything to you sushi? Did you know that the company that owns NBC makes nuclear reactors? Do you know just how much of a fascist Rupert Murdoch (FOX News Corp.) is? Does ANYONE know who owns CNN?

Seek the answers to these questions sushi, and you will have your answer.

[Pjsandiego]

Imagine what the media would do if Obama or worse yet his wife Michele had demonstrated anger in any fashion. Then they would be crazy unpatriotic black people bent on riots! This guy is nuts. He's obviously having many many senior moments- is not the person that ran in 2000- by a long shot- and needs to have people help him remember where he is. What an absolute joke!

[SubparDude]

:

To Hell with anger. The Dirty Little Secret is that Johnny's Not-so-smart.

As it reveals itself, his witlessness will be blamed on "Senior Moments" or the like.

Not so. Wait and see. "A mind is a Terrible Thing to Lose." -- Dan Quayle, scholar

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