McCain criticizes Romney's Dole remark

Posted: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 11:00 AM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy and NBC's Megan Marcus
McCain spent a few minutes before his plane took off this morning criticizing Romney over his comments about Bob Dole. Dole wrote a letter to Rush Limbaugh defending McCain's conservative record, and this morning on Fox News, Romney said that Dole was the last person he'd want writing a letter on his behalf.

McCain called Dole a "hero" who helped build the Republican Party and said that Romney should apologize. McCain's campaign also passed around a clip of Romney's remarks on Dole, as well as a full statement criticizing the former Massachusetts governor.

"Governor Romney's attack on Bob Dole is disgraceful, and Governor Romney should apologize. Bob Dole is a war hero who has spent his life in service to this nation and nobody has worked harder to build the Republican Party. Bob Dole deserves the respect of every American and certainly every Republican."

Yet here were Romney's full comments this morning:
Fox News' Steve Doocy: Governor, what do you make of the letter that Bob Dole wrote to Rush Limbaugh that says, lay off of John McCain, he is conservative enough? Do you buy that from Bob?
Romney: Well, it's probably the last person I would have wanted to have write a letter for me. I think there are a lot of folks that tend to think that maybe John McCain's race is a bit like Bob Dole's race. That it's the guy next who's next in line, he's the inevitable choice and we'll give it to him and that it won't work. I think the right course for a winning campaign against someone like Barack Obama is going to be somebody who can speak with energy and passion about the future of America -- not another senator who can say here's what I did on bill H1, 2, 3, 4, here's what I did on my committee assignment. The American people are so tired of listening to Senators talk about their bills and their committees.

When asked how he was feeling going into today, McCain said he as "feelin' good."

"I think we are doing very well," he said. "We need a big voter turnout. We always need a big voter turnout." McCain added that poor weather in California was concerning ,but he was looking forward to getting back to Arizona. He reiterated that he is a very superstitious person, which keeps him on edge.

"[I'm] always nervous," he said. "Always worried, worried about every state... I'm always a pain in a certain part of the anatomy to some of my associates."

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Comments

I agreed with Mitt about Dole, and I rarely agree with Mitt about anything. The new Mitt anyway, I didn't think he was that bad when he was a social liberal.

I don't think he's right about this being McCain's 'turn.' Dubya took McCain's turn, just like Clinton took Dole's turn.

Cheryl Chicago IL (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:05 PM)

That's how Mittard would run the U.S.---shooting off at the mouth(and shooting himself in the foot)same as Dubya--yeah,same goofy talk, same goofy mannerisms-his "morals" should tell him something about burning bridges--definitely not Presidential material.

Sara, Rochester, Mi. (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:06 PM)

Running the Armed Forces is'nt A Business.Rush saids,Dont let the media sway your vote??? He thinks Romney's the best & Lets everyone know it.I for one will not be a sheep for Rush.Vote McCain!!!

JK,NV (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:07 PM)

Romney was exactly right about his Dole comment. McCain is a Sr senitor who is just the next inline and if he is the Republican canidate will get demolished by the Dems. He brings no excitement and new ideas to the table. What does McCain say when the debate turns to "we need to fix washington" and McCain says I was a POW and has served my country in the Senate for 125 years. His response to every criticism on his record is you are unpatriotic becuase you don't like me, the war hero.

McCain talks about how he showed his love for the country while serving in Congress. Yea right! While in congress he made way more money than most Americans and has a retirement plan that makes yours look like a box of cracker jacks. How is McCain going to fix the washington that was broken by people like himself?

McCain is exactly like Dole becuase if McCain wins both will have turnedn over the white house to the Clintons!

Vote for McCain = Vote for Hilary (and he has even less chance against Obama)

Brent, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:07 PM)

I wish people would quit calling McCain a liberal. He is anything but. He is in the republican party and that is where he can stay. (Last I checked it was only republicans who were warmongers.) Those of you who really think that Mitt has your back and is a true republican you might be regretting that vote. He is just more of the same crap we have had for the last 8 years. Mitt is the scariest candidate I have EVER seen and I would rather keep GW than let him move into the WH. As for what Mitt said about Bob, he should watch himself, ol' Dole has a lot of tricks up his sleeves. I really don't think anyone should be listening to Rush anyway, what a piece of work that man is, I can't believe he is still on the radio after his lack of judgement when it comes to little Oxy pills. What a hypocrite!! Huck isn't much better, wanting to change our constitution to better fit HIS religion. It should be against the law!!

Montana in Montana (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:09 PM)

Its funny to me how Evangelicals think that God is going to just grant Huckabee the Nomination... "WAIT FOR GOD'S MIRICLE!" You know, I beleive in God, but God is not behind any of the candidates, other wise how do you explain Bill Clinton winning... at all? you see God gave us this thing call AGENCY and he expects us to use it, so if you want a political (AND I EPHISIZE POLITICAL) miricle you will have to perform that one yourself, God will take no part in it.

Doug (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:10 PM)

Well of course politicians will say anything to get elected, isn't that the point of running for office? Does one run to not get elected? For my money, the current crop of candidates on both sides of the aisle are nothing but professional political gasbags. If they are the best our country can do, we would appear to be in pretty sad shape. At any rate, get out the vote!!

Phred, NH (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:10 PM)

Tommy: "Let's face the real truth! Mike Huckabee is the only real deal in the race. We don't see him out bashing the other guys to make Himself look better"

Right, because he hasn't been bashing Romney at every chance he gets? Perhaps you don't actually listen to Huckabee, but he is constantly bashing Romney. He's just more subtle than McCain. It's obvious to most people that he's running now to hurt Romney and possibly gain a VP position with McCain... which would amount to one of the worst pairings in US political history...

Kira, Utah (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:15 PM)

Nearly every Presidential canadate has been against Romney from the start to include the main stream Media. Conspiracy? or just coincidence?

Dig, Richfield, Utah (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:15 PM)

Helped rebuild the republican party? Please! Bob Dole ran a poo poo campaign against Bill Clinton and was a miserable failure. Now he lobbies on behalf of the Saudis. He may have lost a hand in the war, but he uses the other one to support one of the worst interests we have working against us in the oil industry. Screw that noise.

K Love, Alexandria, VA (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:15 PM)

Good point there fiscal conservative in idaho...I would like to remind folks as they go into the booth today..keep this thought in mind..the market is down 300 points today...
California=Romney-land

Lynn san diego (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:16 PM)

I enjoy politics. I am a 61 year old Muslim, born in South Carolina. I am wondering why so many people are concern about Rush Limbaugh, a drug addict, who surrounded on a warrant in Palm Beach County in 2006 for doctor shopping for drugs. Prosecutors agreed to drop the charge if Limbaugh paid $30,000.00 to defray the cost of the investigation and complete and 18 month therapy with his physician. These is the man people listen too, and feel his views are most important, the man who said using drugs is a crime and the scourge of America. I have never used drugs, but our society does not forgive those who are charged with crimes or sent to prison, yet we (society) allow some hypocrites to be our voice.-Shame

Ahsan H. Raza, Denver, Colorado (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:16 PM)

Great, more lies from McCain. Just what we've all come to expect from him right before an election.

Aaron Larson, CA (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:18 PM)

Is there anyone out there that truly believes that had Dole sent the letter in support of Romney, Mitt would have stood up and said no thanks to his endorsement. Maybe he should have spent a few more millions to buy Doles support. This is the same cry baby behavior that we will have in the white house if Mitt is elected. NO THANKS

Lane Bodell 1593 Turtledove ln. West Jordan Utah (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:19 PM)

Is it really that big of a deal if someone served in the military or not when they run for President? Sure, I respect McCain for serving and being a POW, but that doesn't make him qualified to run the White House. I respect anybody who serves their country, their community, or their faith.

Matt, Houston (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:22 PM)

Romney's final flip-flop will be a flip-flop out of the race.

I can understand conservatives being concerned about McCain, but Romney is not the answer. In this case, the "cure" may be worse than the "disease."

Draft George Allen.

Chris, Peyton, CO (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:22 PM)

If you can believe Rush, Dole didn't write the letter as reported. The reporting, according to Rush, is another attempt by the McCain camp to discredit Romney.

Robert Kamish (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:22 PM)

Juan amnesty McCain does not represent me or the Republican Party. He is a ticking time bomb and we Tennesseans don't care for him at all! Mitt Romney gets my vote !!

Suzie Tennessee (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:23 PM)

Marie from San Antonio is right! Clinton or Obama will shred McCain in the general election because all he has to offer is MORE WAR, WAR, WAR. And his take on the economy....The good jobs are gone forever.

Face it folks, the majority of Americans are opposed to the war in Iraq and if John McCain is the Rupublican Nominee he will not win. He only differs from the Democrats on the war with nothing else to offer the American people. So, of course, they will elect the Democrat.
Mitt Romney has ideas for getting us out of the messes we are in and offers a choice that is DIFFERENT from the Democrats. He stands a chance in the general election! VOTE ROMNEY!

Fiscal Conservatice, Idaho (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:23 PM)

McCain is the right man for President - he has leadership ability and he can reach across party lines to get important legislation passed. He may not be the most eloquent speaker, but that is allright, he can tell it like it is without all the "pretty words" that some people are mistaking for intelligence.

Sharon Ridley, Nolensville, TN (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 2:56 PM)

VERY dumb comment by Romney. Politically, extremely stupid. He needs to realize, this battle isn't about him anymore. It is the Neo cons vrs McCain. Neo cons don't particularly like Romney. If neo cons win, romney will win. If McCain wins, he is out. Romney needs to just give a reason for people to vote for him and allow the Rush Limbaugh's of the world to do his dirty work

asher (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 3:01 PM)

Senator McCain did more than anyone to help G. Bush win a second term as President, which has led to the demise of the Republican Party (out of control spending, unnecessary foreign wars, sleazy politics, etc.). Unfortunately, Romney endorces G. Bush on all of the above. We need someone who will be President of all the people and who will use other than military power as a strategy in the war against Islamic Jihadism. That leaves us only Obama.

George Brainerd, Woonsocket, RI (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 3:03 PM)

After giving 5.5 years of his life as a prisoner of war held by the North Vietnamese, John McCain returned home and continued to honorably serve his country because he is a patriot. Eight years ago McCain got swift-boated-- ironically, by friends of a candidate who had strings pulled so that he might avoid facing the risks of Vietnam. Very unfortunate, as time has proven. Now here he is a target of others who would disparage him in efforts to promote their own candidate in this election. Shame on you! Vote for who you will, and endorse the candidate who most reflects your own values, but don't demean the process by again swift-boating this guy who has earned our respect.

Don Stretch (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 3:12 PM)

John McCain is no conservative and no war hero. The facts are:
-he was a party animal and philanderer during pilot training
-he was a terrible navy pilot(crashed 5 airplanes)
-while in captivity, he gave classified information to the enemy
-while in captivity, he signed a document denouncing the US
-He came home after Viet Nam and cheated on his wife with countless women, some under his command
-he dumped his wife, who was crippled in an auto accident while he was in captivity for a 25 year old wealthy woman who is now his wife, Cindy
-he has consistently ben against conservatives on core issues including taxes, immigration, free speech. He is disloyal to family, country, and party and is not fit to serve in any office as a Republican.

Mark, Boston (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 3:13 PM)

Mr. Grumpy Grampa is a cheap shot artist. The hard thing to figure out about McCain is whether he's a cheater or just stupid.

You really have to come down on the 'cheater' side given his amazing proclivity (Clintonesque, actually) for picking 'what're you calling my sister?' fights where none exist, which simply distract from the main issues (such as his own economic flip-flopping and incredibly inconsistent positions [doesn't want 'earmarks', but is happy to spend country into bankruptcy in Iraq...all while not raising taxes..hmm, a real genius...which sort of supports the 'stupidity' plank of the argument])

Romney may not be 'liked' by Rs, but I think the guy is decent and honest. Let 'em fight to see who'll be November's cannon fodder.

iowan (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 3:14 PM)

Romney gets on my nerves. He's a rich snake that pretends he's "the everyday guy" who has all the answers. I hope he loses Ma tonight because if he can't win the vote there, we should all really take the hint. I personally can't stand the guy. He's the guy you wish would just "leave the room" because he puts everyone on edge.

John, Dallas, Texas (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 3:53 PM)

my condolences to all the Republican supporters in your great United States. I would say, the choices are bad, worse and OH MY GOD! I am not an American (true Canadian), however, I would love the opportunity today to vote, "GO HILARY" , come on, REALLY, MCCAIN!

guerra, canada (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 3:58 PM)

Lynn San Diego (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 4:05 PM)

I agree that McCain and Dole's military service is invaluable. However, I don't understand how one's service in the military qualifies them to run the country. I'm tired of listening to McCain hype is military service and the fact that he was a POW. This seems to be what he is hoping gets him elected. How is his military service or him being POW going to help improve our economy, our education systen, reform social security, health care, etc? These are the things that matter most to American's.

Joe, Knoxville, TN (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 6:13 PM)

Those "full comments" are hilarious. So Americans shouldn't select a president who has actual experience working with other legislators to craft bills that might benefit us? We should simply choose someone who can "speak with energy and passion about the future of America"? Is Governor Romney suggesting that we should elect a talented high school debater as our next president?

This entire dustup is a charade. You'll vote for the person you believe will make this country a safer, better place to live and raise your children. I don't think this helped Governor Romney one bit, and seriously diminished his reputation among those who remember Senator Dole's outstanding service, despite his loss in '96, which some seem to want to exorcise by disparaging his reputation.

Darren Shupe, Amherst, Ma (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 6:33 PM)

AFTER ROMNEY kicks McCAINS DUMBASS AROUND-let's see him DELIVER THE WHITEHOUSE WITH TOM TANCREDO-vp. . .

jj (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 6:41 PM)

WHO IS RUSH KIDDING WITH 3 DIVORCES AND NO KIDS to spend CONSERVATIVE cash on?

jj (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 6:45 PM)

WHO IS RUSH KIDDING WITH 3 DIVORCES AND NO KIDS to spend CONSERVATIVE cash on?

jj (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 6:45 PM)

kathy never said i was a romney supporter havent voted yet but you can bet Yes i can Make a difference

Russ Maine (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 6:51 PM)

There is not one of these Senetors that you can beleive . Every person that runs for the presadent,all say the same thing how there going to help the working man havent seen it yet.Well they have they made it harder to get buy . But my thoughts on this are Obama and Clinton will defenetly run this country into the ground .Obama sowre in woth the coran and not the bible,he turns his back on the American Flag and the list just keeps going.Clinton check the track record trust her as far as I can throw her and she has tried the tears card ,that says enough . So the rest McCaine,Romney,any of them are better than the first two and the other three are going to do whats best for them and there freinds and partners.I dont care if your black or white,male or female,we just need someone who we can actualy beleive and wont try to hide actual human mistakes and will do whats best for the American peolpe.

Rick ,Blmg,N.Y (Sent Tuesday, February 05, 2008 7:39 PM)

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