Sen. John McCain said on Sunday that he disagrees with Dick Cheney's efforts to publicize torture memos that show enhanced interrogation techniques working, calling such a move unnecessary.
The Arizona Republican did, however, add that Cheney is entitled to do just that, and then called a political pundit -- apparently MSNBC's Ed Schultz -- "shameful" for suggesting that the former vice president would feel vindicated if America were attacked again.
Appearing on CBS's Face the Nation, McCain was asked about Cheney's request for documents that would prove that the United States gained vital information from using torture techniques on detainees.
"Well, as you know, the vice president and I strongly disagreed on the fundamentals of this issue," McCain replied. "But the vice president of the United States has the right to weigh in on this discussion if he wants to."
"Do you agree with him?" asked Bob Schieffer.
"No, I don't think it's necessary, to be honest with you," replied McCain, who also reiterated his opposition to investigating the use of torture by the Bush administration. "But if the vice president feels it's necessary, then I think he's entitled."
Then, rather abruptly, McCain declared: "And when extreme talk show hosts say that he wants another attack on the United States, I think that's shameful."
The latter remark seemed geared towards Schultz who, this past week, argued that Cheney wanted the country to "get hit again for political gain" -- a sort of sad vindication that harsh interrogation techniques, including torture, had somehow been essential for national security purposes.
"I think that Dick Cheney wants this country to get hit again for political gain," Schultz said. "I believe that he thinks, in his mind, that if we can think, make them think - the enemy - that if we're weak, because Obama can't stand up for us, we're gonna get hit. And then of course we can paint the picture that the Democrats just can't get the job done on national security. I think Cheney is that mean."
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