Is John McCain Really the Right Person to Make This Argument?

Apparently Mitt Romney had a flash of grandeur the other day and in a swipe at Rudy Giuliani announced, "I do speak for the Republican wing of the Republican Party…"* Now, we all know Mitt has his critics who will argue his past positions and statements make that claim questionable at best (remember his, “I’m not trying to return to Reagan-Bush”?) but does anyone think that John McCain is in position to argue with him about it?

Yet, McCain decided to do just that and interjected himself into this fight at the start of a campaign appearance.

When Governor Romney donated money to a Democratic candidate in New Hampshire, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans. When he voted for a Democratic candidate for President, Paul Tsongas, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans. When he refused to endorse the Contract with America, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans. And when he was embracing the Democratic position on many major issues of the day, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans.

So you'll understand why I'm a little perplexed when Mitt Romney now suggests that he's a better Republican than me, or that he speaks for the Republican wing of the Republican Party.

McCain obviously doesn’t want to let Romney and Giuliani run off and make this a two man race but it’s a little odd to see McCain get into a fight with someone over their deviations from Republican orthodoxy. It’s not as if he hasn’t strayed on more than one occasion himself and let’s not forget that he was more popular with Independents and Democrats in 2000 than he was with Republicans.

I am guessing we will be hearing from Fred Thompson on this ‘issue’ very soon.

*I am not sure adapting Howard Dean’s "I represent the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party" slogan for his own use helps Romney’s claim of being Mr. Republican. Kind of strange.

posted by DrewM. at 11:41 PM

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