McCain: I Wouldn't Have Nominated Justice Alito, Because "He Wore His Conservatism On His Sleeve"

A true Reagan conservative:

“Mr. McCain bruised his standing with conservatives on the issue when in 2005 he became a key player in the so-called gang of 14, which derailed an effort to end Democratic filibusters of Bush judicial nominees.

“More recently, Mr. McCain has told conservatives he would be happy to appoint the likes of Chief Justice John Roberts to the Supreme Court.

“But he indicated he might draw the line on a Samuel Alito, because ‘he wore his conservatism on his sleeve.’

“Therein lies the problem that many conservatives have with John McCain.

“It is the nagging feeling that after all of his years of chummily bonding with liberal reporters and garnering favorable media coverage from them that the Arizona senator is embarrassed to be seen as too much of a conservative. …”

At Hot Air, a McCain staffer claims that McCain fought for Alito's confirmation. But he doesn't deny the quote ascribed to him by John Fund.

Related is this new ad for Giuliani:

Many Republicans continue to write Giuliani and Romney as "RINOs" while supporting a man who has done more to thwart the conservative agenda than any Democrat alive, including Bill Clinton.

The Real Clear Politics average, by the way, continues to show McCain with a small lead in Florida. Although a new one showing Romney with a seven point lead hasn't yet been factored into that average.

Update: At the Hot Air link, McCain provides a stronger denial.

I guess we'll soon see if John Fund has proof of the McCain quote.

McCain, Conning Voters Into Thinking He's Changed His Position On Immigration: Obviously he hasn't, as he admitted on MTP yesterday.

Kaus notes this about McCain's lying on Romney's statements about timetables and withdrawal:

McCain seems to believe his wartime heroism entitles him to an unlimited moral bank account that he can withdraw from whenever it's in his self-interest to do something dishonest.

He likens it to McCain's admission of dishonest pandering in 2000 over the South Carolina Battle Flag controversy. He lies when necessary, then maybe apologizes later, and the press fawns over his remarkable Straight Talk.

posted by Ace at 03:13 PM

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