Flashback: McCain Said That Rudy, His Chief National Security Surrogate, Had No National Security Experience
Okay, this Rudy-as-counter-terror genius story just keeps on giving.
The latest: It turns out that John McCain himself even said that Rudy has no national security experience.
As we've noted here repeatedly, the McCain campaign -- for reasons known only to itself -- has made Rudy the front man for the campaign's national security message that Barack Obama isn't equipped to defend America from terrorism.
But here's what McCain had to say about Rudy's expertise, or lack thereof, on national security last September:
"I think the nation respects the mayor's leadership after 9/11, and I do, too, and I think he displayed leadership at a time that Americans needed some steady hand, and I think that his conduct was very laudatory following 9/11," Mr. McCain said, when asked why so many voters identify Mr. Giuliani with the issue of terrorism.But he went on to say: "I don't think it translates, necessarily, into foreign policy or national security expertise. I know of nothing in his background that indicates that he has any experience in it, with him or Romney."
If even McCain himself knows full well that Rudy has no "national security expertise," then why is the McCain campaign making Rudy its voice of authority on the question of who can best defend America?
The talking points -- not to mention the gag lines -- write themselves on this one.
Late Update: There's more! Here's McCain on Fox News in November, questioning Rudy's decision to quit the Iraq Study Group and attacking his paucity of national security experience...
McWorse's campaign is comic relief. Nice work, Greg. Now this is what I call TPM reporting.
June 18, 2008 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg, this is the kind of work we look for out of a reporting blog, good job.
You seem to be having fun today.
June 18, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
yeah this is really good work finally someone points out the irony, flip flops. and falses of the mccain camp
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Heres_A_New_Way_2_Smear_Obama
June 18, 2008 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
BANG! Great post Greg!
Take that Rudy! Even McFuddle thinks you don't know jack!
June 18, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
C'mon, John, more Straight Talk like that! You were on a roll last September! :)
Man, someone get the 'before and after' thing going on YouTube, please!
June 18, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chug, chug, chug, whoo, whooo the straight talk express is chugging along. Tooooo freaking funny. Mcbush meltdown coming soon. Too funny.
June 18, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
comments were temporarily disabled. apologies, all
June 18, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg, Great reporting!
June 18, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, man. Now, if the mainstream media actually followed up on what you're reporting, McCain's campaign would take a huge hit.
June 18, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really hope some staffer from the Obama campaign reads Election Central...
And hey, what about those New Hampshire poll results? I thought NH was McC's stronghold?
June 18, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was really suprised to see those results after hearing all of the talking heads blather on about how New Hampshire loves John McCain so much.
I've finally come to the conclusion that pundits don't know s**t.
June 18, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've finally come to the conclusion that pundits don't know s**t.
True, that.
Do you know about the mighty struggle Obama is having with Latino voters?
That's all we've heard with respect to Latino voters: Obama is going to have problems with them.
Until you actually look at, you know, data.
June 18, 2008 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
They're basically just relying on preconceived notions about relations between Hispanics and African Americans. Also, they're under the impression that losing a state or a demographic in a primary means you'll never win it in a general election.
June 18, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not just on the slam of Rudy but I like how McCain hit Romney too. Yeah, the guy that most say is his #1 pick for VP. I forgot just how much McCain seriously hates Romney.
June 18, 2008 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're right, Greg!
You simply could not make this shit up!
Keep the flashbacks comin'!
June 18, 2008 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
And if the Obama campaign doesn't read Election Central, here's hoping Jon Stewart does, because this stuff is comedy gold.
June 18, 2008 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
see the update we added, all. video of another mccain-attacks-rudy moment!
June 18, 2008 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fantastic Greg! Just fantastic! Great work today.
June 18, 2008 3:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg you are single-handedly tearing McLame a new one today.
Have I told you sufficiently how awesome you are?
If McLame gets any lamer, he's going to be crawling on his belly like a reptile. lol
June 18, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
My friends. I find this utterly astounding. All obama has to do is sit back and let mcbush implode. Too freaking funny. It's like the keystone cops. What have they been doing for the past three months? Playing crazy eights? Too funny. Thank you.
June 18, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg, I have been critical of you before but I've truly been enjoying your reporting as of late.
June 18, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Any minute now, I expect to receive a Times News Alert that McCain has fallen ill and the Repubs are huddling to name a replacement candidate.
Seriously, such shenanigans would not surprise me from the Repubs. The polls that show Obama winning BIG TIME in New Hampshire and down only four points in Alaska (!!!) are shocking.
June 18, 2008 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
If I were McCain I would avoid any hunting parties with Cheney, that's for sure...
June 18, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Naaah. Mcbush is the sacraficial lamb this year. No republican with a political future would want to go against the headwind against the party. The republican establishment gets a twofer, mcbush is the lamb and they wanted to discredit him anyway because he was against some base causes.
June 18, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
She's baaaack!
http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/h/n/1/rudy_in_pink.jpg
June 18, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bless you for that. I cannot stand to have the subject of Rudy come up without at least one drag picture getting linked to.
Bravo!
June 18, 2008 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
But don't people know that these comments came during the Republican primary? Don't people expect primary candidates to hit each other on these topics? I'm all for undermining Rudy's credibility as a "terrorism expert" (as if he ever HAD any), but I'm not sure using comments McCain made during their primary contest will have anymore traction than some of Hillary's will against Barack.
June 18, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
If McCain had such doubts about Rudy and his national security expertise, then why did the campaign send Rudy out?
And if he thinks Rudy has sufficient national security expertise to attack the Democratic opponent, then why did he make those comments during the primary?
Was he lying then, or now?
Or will he just say anything to get elected?
None of these reflect well on McCain.
June 18, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Point taken. I think it will be interesting to see how McCain's campaign responds when Hillary starts campaigning for Obama. I think it will be difficult for her to be a credible advocate for him given her primary campaign against him.
June 18, 2008 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
If McCain were bringing in Giuliani to advise or be a surrogate for a subject that McCain had previously praised him for, you'd have a point. Even if it were a subject that McCain had never commented on, I might credit your argument. The thing is, McCain himslf already exposed Giuliani's complete lack of authority in terrorism and National Security; he already told us that Giuliani doesn't know what he's talking about.
June 18, 2008 3:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Except that those comments of Hillary's did have an impact - McLame started using them.
Dude - how can you possibly complain about this? McLame started it and Obama is using his own words against his campaign. This is how the Democrats should have been campaigning all along - all of them lined up and ready to take down the bullshit from the Repugs.
How is any of this a less than effective tactic? So what he said in the primary - he fucking said it.
June 18, 2008 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wish Obama were saying it. For now, it's just Greg.
June 18, 2008 4:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not complaining. I'm just not as convinced as some that it will be an effective counter to ordinary folks in the general given the nature of the primary battle amond the candidates.
June 18, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let's not kid ourselves. If it wasn't for Cindy McCain, John would be a retired vice president for some defense contractor. Her money and her family's Arizona influence made him.
June 18, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is weird. I thought I was posting on the Cindy McCain thread.
June 18, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg:
Great reporting- thank you.
June 18, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dear American Voters, reporters and political professionals,
Hon. Senator McCain and Obama, besides each having many attributes and characteristics. The critical differences between the two of these presidential presumptive nominees are as under:
1. Presidential "Temperament and Composer".
2. Little Washington "insider Versus outsider" experience.
3. "Vision and mission" for our nation future rather than past.
4. American policies, " first U.S.A Centric" than any other country [ ies ] centric.
In my professional opinion Senator Obama leads in all above qualities.
Senator Obama and his administration along with congress will address all the critical current and future domestic and foreign issues, challenges, and opportunities in coming years.
Let us remember and recite following concepts:
" Family, Friends, Fellows, Faith, Funds, Foundation [s], Fun, with Freedom & Fairness and without Fear, Favor, & Failure" . It applies to every citizen of our Greatgrand Nation.
Please stay involved, stay engaged, and stay informed. Please do not allow any seduction, deception, and or confusion by some partisan media and leaders effect your vote [ Psychological Terrorism ]..
Yours truly,
COL. [retd] A.M.Khajawall
Disabled American Veteran
Forensic psychiatrist, Las Vegas
PS: Please talk about the " Presidential Temperament And Caliber " of our presumptive presidential Nominees.
Thanks.
June 18, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, you are officially over the line into spamming and stop it, please.
You've posted this enough.
thxkby
June 18, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've just got this feeling that McCain simply will not go the distance, that he will not make it to November, not because of health or age, but that he'll sort of slink away into obscurity due to the unbridled lameness of his campaign. Maybe they'll find the Straight Talk Express parked next to bridge with "Suicide Is Painless" written on it in dust.
June 18, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, I finally found something I totally agree with McCain on, that Giuliani is an empty suit, particularly on terrorism.
June 18, 2008 3:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
He doesn't even come up to "empty-suit" status in my mind. He's just a worm.
The way he treats women is unbelievable and then he goes and dresses like one with such panache, such obvious enjoyment. I don't have a problem with transvestites - I adore Eddy Izzard and wish he'd go back to being one. He was sexier as a transvestite, IMO.
The same does not apply to Rudy, who looks like a worm no matter whether he's dressed in a suit or an Oscar de la Renta cocktail dress and mink stole.
He's just a wormy little worm.
June 18, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I fist bump!
...in Greg's generals direkshuns.
June 18, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have to dance! Can't stay put I can't!
FL ..... 47-43, +4 (Quinnipiac 6/18)
OH .... 48-42, +6 (Quinnipiac 6/18)
PA .... 52-40, +12 (Quinnipiac 6/18
MI ..... 45-42, +3 (Rasmussen 6/9)
VA .....45-44, +1 (Rasmussen 6/12)
IO .... 45-38, +7 (Rasmussen 6/10)
Electoral Votes (http://538.com)
Obama 339
McCain 204
Much mischief can occur in the 5 months until the election. I agree with the previous poster who suggested a swap-out at the GOP convention, and the problem they would have finding anyone else.
The GOP that emerges from this will be.....what?
Behind bars, one hopes.
June 18, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
The thing we all forget on Sites like TPM is that the median I.Q. in the good ol' U.S. of A. is 108 . . .
That means there is about 150 million folks that will just eat this fascist BS up.
June 18, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm totally down with that.
Richard L. Adlof - don't start with the "Americans are stupid" thing please. It makes me crazy - it's anti-thetical to democracy to believe that most people are too stupid to govern themselves. And forgive me in advance, but it comes off as terribly arrogant and elitist when liberals start this shit about stupid Americans. It makes me grind my teeth - either you believe we are capable of governing ourselves and therefore believe in democracy, with all the controls and checks and balances our constitution provides for against stupidity and cupidity, or you agree with Ayn Rand - we should be governed by superrich supermen - I don't see the alternative in that viewpoint.
June 18, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Didn't he just say Americans are smart?
IQ tests are (supposed to be) normalized around a score of 100 with a standard deviation of 10. For 300 million people to lean almost a full standard deviation higher than the global average is pretty darn smart. I'm not sure how much the median differs from the mean, however.
Of course, without more background on where it came from, that number is meaningless, but such is the way of quoting random statistics.
Reminds me of the great quote, "Half the population is dumber than average."
June 18, 2008 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Question? How did Rudy coming out and making a claim against Obama turn into Rudy is McCain's Cheif Anti-Terror Surrogate? Y'all are getting out of control.
June 18, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Really? You voting for McLame? What do you care how far this goes?
June 18, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Really, the only reason I can see for them dragging Rudy out is so the Republicans can see him again and remember what a crap field they had to choose from this year.
June 18, 2008 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd agree that the headline calling Rudy "his chief national security surrogate" is misleading. That being said, why the hell would they trot Rudy out to speak on national security anyway?
June 18, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wallass, Shouldn't you be movin your sufurous troll hole over to the National Review Blog? That is the heart and soul of the the conservative intellectual. Never Mind... I forgot that they have an IQ test that you need to pass in order to post. AMybe you can try republicanoperative.com That is a classic collection of foxfed morons blathering about girl scout cookie thievery and the honor of using the koran for target practice.
June 18, 2008 9:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another shinning example of the inclusive party of ideas' tollerance for all opinion.
June 19, 2008 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
If only the great 'unwashed' knew half of what is reported here. But what can one expect from the liberal media?
June 18, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
If only people wouldn't refer to humanity as "the great unwashed."
June 18, 2008 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
He was talking about humanity? I thought he was referring to his anatomy. Keep it clean, dude.
P.S. I'll bet it's not that "great."
June 18, 2008 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cap'n Dan... you and SFC Wallace need to move your unwashed asses along and rejoin your troops in the GWB travelin shitshow of the confused and stubborn.
June 18, 2008 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Eh, just a senior moment.
June 18, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
New name for McLame campaign bus: "The Train Wreck Express"
June 18, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK, OK....close your eyes and visualize these 3 faces....
McCain, Lieberman, Giuliani. Now imagine these 3 leading your country.
June 18, 2008 6:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Dirigible of the Dazed and Confused
June 18, 2008 8:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think what is becoming apparent with John McCain is that he is going to flip flop on every issue he can in order to please the republican base. HE has flip flopped on his opinion of Rudy, his stance on offshore drilling, his relationship with the religous right, etc. etc.
June 18, 2008 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, McCain's entering the pathetic zone.
His campaign is becoming positively bi-polar.
I thought it would take until the first debate for Obama to pull away but McCain may be attempting to avoid that rush.
June 18, 2008 11:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whether Giuiani is McCain's "chief anti-terrorism surrogate" or not isn't the issue here. The issue here is how can McCain use Giuliani as any kind of surrogate at all, since he's already dismissed Giuliani's claim to expertise or even experience in the subject: "I don't think it translates, necessarily, into foreign policy or national security expertise. I know of nothing in his background that indicates that he has any experience in it, with him or Romney."
June 19, 2008 4:26 AM | Reply | Permalink