John McCain, Charles Grassley Physical Altercation Confirmed By Washington Post

Sunday's Washington Post features a front-page story examining the notorious temper of Sen. John McCain, including a first-hand account of McCain's physical altercation with fellow GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley.

It was early 1992, and the occasion was an informal gathering of a select committee investigating lingering issues about Vietnam War prisoners and those missing in action, most notably whether any American servicemen were still being held by the Vietnamese. It is unclear precisely what issue set off McCain that day. But at some point, he mocked Grassley to his face and used a profanity to describe him. Grassley stood and, according to two participants at the meeting, told McCain, "I don't have to take this. I think you should apologize."

McCain refused and stood to face Grassley. "There was some shouting and shoving between them, but no punches," recalls a spectator, who said that Nebraska Democrat Bob Kerrey helped break up the altercation.

Earlier this month, The Huffington Post first reported on charges leveled in Cliff Schecter's book, The Real McCain, that McCain had physically attacked GOP Arizona Rep. Rick Renzi. At the time, McCain issued a non-denial denial, saying the reports about his temper were either "false or exaggerated."

But in the Washington Post today, McCain aide Mark Salter confirmed that Renzi and McCain had a very heated exchange:

Reports recently surfaced of Rep. Rick Renzi, an Arizona Republican, taking offense when McCain called him "boy" once too often during a 2006 meeting, a story that McCain aides confirm while playing down its importance. "Renzi flared and he was prickly," McCain strategist Mark Salter said. "But there were no punches thrown or anything."

Comments

[Maya2008]

John is a mean nasty old man! No wonder Hilary likes him. She's the kind of woman that would keep going out with the jerk instead of the nice guy.

[earthman1945]

never will get my vote. period!

[Gordon]

John McCain is a sweet, nice man.

[Jtt]

Thank you Cindy.

[Viper]

While I dont think this is a big deal, it is strange that repugs seem to be having a hard time finding anyone to run who both he and his wife were not committing adultry.

I mean with DEMs, they are not suppose to be the God Party... but if McCain wins we have a First lady which is admittedly an adultrist...


Then you have the DEMs, both of them in their first and only marriages.

Regards

[maxdenn]

If John McCain becomes president, he will then replace George W. Bush as the most dangerous man in the world. McCain is an extremist. Mr. McCain seems to be violent by nature.

[Viper]

Its not that he is bad, he sees the world through WW2 Eyes! He sees large military operations and occupations as normal. He sees a time when the U.S. post WW2 was 52% of the worlds GDP and thus could afford to spend its vast respources on having 750 bases in 250 foriegn countries. He sees and remembers a time when the U.S. made almost everything and are plants were full and busy..

He sees at ime when we were the largest creditor nation, when highschool dropout rates were much lower, when there were high paying jobs for immigrants n the steel plants. Alas none of that is true... and thus he is wrong for the job of restoring America's MFG power!
.

He is out of touch with the realities of a country that now is just 22% of the worlds GDP and makes almost nothing. He does not understand that to be a real super power, you need to be number one in MFG, in education, in healthcare and not on military spending.. Becuase if you cant be number one in MFG, its only a matter of time you before you cant afford a military. Just ask Russia.

Regards

[SharedHumanity]

This altercation was in 1992. This is so unfair. They have done a much better job with his meds in the last decade.

[GrandpaMcCain]

Right. That's why the whole "c-nt" wife episode happened.

[RichardD]

He is either worse now, susceptible to a "senior moment" or (when we actually learn) on medication for anger management.

But, I do not think he is a real good candidate to be close to the "button" in any event.

[PuaTahiti]

Here is another POW who has plenty to say about McCain.

"Why I Will Not Vote for John McCain"

(To access you need to cut and paste or it won't work)

http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,164859,00.html

[Puller58]

Here's a good one for you: One time Strom Thurmond grabbed him to prevent him from going to vote on the senate floor. An old, old man wrestling with an old man. Too funny. I'd like to see McCain try getting physical now. (And not with Iseman.)

[Mort]

Remind me again why McCain should even be considered for office!

[Jtt]

He is the least corrupt of the republicans? I donno, they have scrapped through the bottom of the barrel, floor, and are well into the basement now.

[EdRoberts]

Because Hillary has LOST her friggin' mind - Bosnia...and Barack (sadly) has turned out to be a Black racist...which leaves us with just McCain the douchebag - - a real shame that in a country of 300 million, we cannot do better than these three...

[ptarantino]

temper aside, there are a group of vet's that are against McCain for his ANTI POW stances..

http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/

[JulieSA]

FYI, that group is a bunch of liars and conspiracy nuts, and con-men. They have no credibility.

[JuneCleaversBeaver]

And YOU do?

[Viper]

What are they Swiftboaters?

Regards

[robodweeb]

They have to keep him tranquilized which ends up making him "confused" about things like who we're fighting in Iraq.

If he goes off his meds he starts yelling, "Hey you kids, get off my lawn!!"

[MichiganJFrog]

The BIG problem is he yells it at inanimate objects.

[serialcoma]

Before he gets to Iraq he has to leave Viet Nam....

[Insideout143]

If anyone has ever read McCain's biography info, it clearly states that all of the male members of his family, i.e. - father, grandfather, great grandfather, etc. had hot tempers and were heavy drinkers. It's in his blood; it's what he experienced growing up; it's part of him! And it's not going away.

[MtDavid]

Oooo! Another he-man!
Just what America seems to love.
Bush didn't swagger enough for 'em.
"My daddy can beat up your daddy." for President!

[kardwell]

Awww, c'mon, boys will be boys. I am still giggling about him calling his wife a C*NT in public.

What a typical republican jackass.

[Crozier]

But a rich one, that he will not soon lose. I would have several double entendres with his loose tongue, but I will resist my liberal tendencies. Besides I am gay,

[Counterglow]

Holy crap, I hadn't heard that one! I wonder how he got away with it. If I used that word on any female I've ever gone out with, they'd either have slugged me on the spot or gone looking for something heavy enough to do real damage.

Kind of makes me wonder whether Republican women have any self-respect.

[kardwell]

Um..haven't you figured out yet that anyone affiliated with the GOP has no self respect?

[BreakingnewsJustintime]

Ya'll got the word.

Don't mess with McCain.

[Noodlz]

The man apparently has a long history of anger and lack of respect for people....

A true Red, White and Blue Flag Pin Wearing Republican....