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

[UncleJimbo]

I was just thinking about a future debate in the general election...who would trip McCain's trigger quicker (in his eyes,not mine!) a uppity black kid or a snotty c*nt! Either way he's toast!

[peibossman]

John McCain's temper is certainly a concern to the American voters, it is imperative that the Commander in Chief be a level headed individual who carefully thinks things out before making any emotional actions that would be detrimental to the United States.

[aristippe]

"hey boy, get me a coffee."

[edelmira]

HIllary is 2 years younger than me. I have high blood pressure and forget things and get tired often. McCain is 12 years older. He's a cantankerous old man with a mean temper, a foul mouth and a poor understanding of foreign policy, diplomacy, real politik, economics, globalization, population explosions, food crises, energy resource depletion environmental change and it's scary as hell to think of him having nuclear weapons at his disposal.

[LostCause]

Of course, McCain's military skills got him captured and held prisoner for five years.

[DLSteinhardt]

He's a major head case and shouldn't be president, but let's get the facts straight:

He got shot down over North Viet Nam. After two years prisoner, he was offered release as a high-profile prisoner (he was an officer, plus the son and grandson of famous admirals), and declined to leave as long as his comrades stayed.

He was then imprisoned for another five years.

He's a lousy candidates, but no need to swiftboat the guy!

[LostCause]

Not only is he a physical dwarf, he is a mental midget as well.

[realpolitic]

If elected, McCain when he does not like a question at a press conference make take a swing at the reporter or may have a fistfight with a head of state he does not like. Of course, the secret service would have to jump in! McCain may then hit one of the secret service guys. What a melee!

[Kim445588]

All I want to know is was he wearing a flag pin when he was shoving.

As long as he wears the pin, I don't think it's really relevant who he knocks out.

[julessiegel]

He doesn't wear a flag pin, except sometimes in the Senate.

[eugenegerard]

This guy is loonier than our present idiot prez. Let'd go for two.

[better100]

mc cain can win the election
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GxRToIFwoU

[Probus]

I would like nothing more to see McCain debating Obama and then suddenly completely lose it and lunge towards Obama on the debate stage. I pay good money to see that. Knowing his temper it is not unlikely. He is a loose cannon and is unfit to be president. No wonder McCain jokes about bombing Iran. Democrats should leave no stone unturned to make sure McCain never becomes president.

[wittgene]

I hear a lot of liberals talking about, "oh what about McBush"! You don't hear the USSR talking lot this or China. I think the Democratic Party needs to get a back bone. One suggestion, the Democratic Party needs to spend one Saturday Night here in Detroit, MI and see how we do thangs here!

[ILliberalPedagogue]

I would say he holds his temper better than the most the cry babies on this site. Maybe Grassley deserved a shove, maybe he didn't. Fact is, we will never know.

[victoriajubilee]

McBomb , 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1,FIRE.............

[DannyEastVillage]

you got that ALMOST right: it's:

10, 9, 8, 7, FIRE!

[JuneCleaversBeaver]

Can't he take a pill for that problem?

[incontempt]

overheard: (10 , 9, 8,...5, 6...wait where was I?)

[Gilda]

1992? Like 16 years ago. Wow. McCain is one old dude now. Is it too late for anger management classes? Then there is the passive-aggressive Presidency of George W. Bush.
Maybe we should all start a prayer circle for John McCain? Bush can lead it for us.

[john85msy]

Hot Head McCain.