McCain denies altercation

Posted: Wednesday, July 02, 2008 3:53 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ’s Adam Aigner-Treworgy

CARTAGENA, Colombia -- After touring a local Naval hospital, a shipping port and taking a ride on a drug interdiction fast boat, McCain took questions before lunch this morning and responded to a story recently recounted by Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi about an altercation between the presumptive GOP nominee and an associate of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega in the 1980's.

"Twenty-one years ago?" McCain answered with surprise, taking breaks between his sentences so a translator could help local journalists understand his remarks. "I think that information…it's just -- it's simply not true.

“Let me remind you, Sen. Dole and then Sen. Mitchell appointed two senators, Sen. Dodd and me, to be the co-chairs of the Central America Observer Group. This special group was appointed because of all of the issues that surrounded Central America at that time. I made many, many trips and had many, many meetings with the Sandinistas and with other legions -- leaders in Central America. There is nothing ever -- I must say I did not admire the Sandinistas very much. There was never anything of that nature, and so it just didn't happen."

The story was first reported on the Sun Herald's website yesterday and was quickly picked up by the wires. Cochran has been vocal in his concerns about McCain's bid for the presidency, saying earlier this year that McCain's reputed hot-headedness should cause voters concern as they pick their candidate.

McCain's trip to Colombia was defended by one of his traveling companions Sen. Joseph Lieberman during his introductory remarks.

"Sen. McCain made the decision to come to Colombia, and it was a good decision because this has been a very constructive and encouraging visit," Lieberman said, also with a translator. "Because what we have found here is a government -- led by President Uribe -- that is at war with the drug cartels, the terrorists, the paramilitary groups to take back the country on behalf of the people of Colombia, and he is succeeding."

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Comments

So is he calling Thad Cochran a liar? This is just like earlier when McCain told Robin Roberts that he didn't say he didn't know much about the economy even though we have the video footage. When will the passes stop? Is McCain a liar or has he just lost his bearings again? Either one is bad and yet another reason why he is not suitable to be President.

C.K. Steele Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:01 PM)

Absolutely believeable. And the stump states: "I think it's untrue." McCain is not qualified for the position of president. McCain is unbalanced tempermentally and potentially dangerous when you think of the power realted to the presidency. He thinks it's untrue. The RNC better hope they can find a way to dump this guy and push Ron Paul or Romney or Donald Duck to the top spot because the old man is a loose cannon.

bill, okla (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:05 PM)

this story seems to be devoid of sufficient facts.

nuanced (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:05 PM)

the 'war on drugs' another miserable failure, mccain should shut up before the wealthy elitists even stop backing him

MK,MO (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:05 PM)

Remember when they tell you its a "global economy" you can kiss your job goodbye soon! Mine is about to be shipped to India, You think this govt will pay my mortgage for me when I lose my job? More corporate greed & the great US of A is becoming a 3rd world nation. Go ahead Repubs, start another war & steal more oil like we own the damn thing.

Obama for POTUS !!

Paul, Miami, FL (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:06 PM)

This is one of those definitive moments in politics.

It's one thing if the events recounted by Sen. Cochran happened. People lose their temper sometimes. It happens.

However, if Sen. McCain is stating that the event SIMPLY DID NOT HAPPEN, and it is proven to have happened, then he is UNFIT TO BE PRESIDENT and should be an immediate disqualification.

These politicians NEVER LEARN. It's not the original event, but rather, the LIE that ultimately dooms them. I don't know why they simply cannot tell the truth.

Now there's some maverick straight-talk.

Jeff C. (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:06 PM)

....and defended by Joe Lieberman

Ira, Freehold, NJ (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:09 PM)

the story is not true, just like he never said he didn't know much about the economy... Be wary, America, of electing John 'bomb, bomb, bomb, Iran' McCain!

bernadette (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:11 PM)

Robin emboldened the press to 'go there'. It is going to be great campaign entertainment this summer, watching L&L, Lieberman, and Lindsey, (I like that), eating fried eggs off McCain's amble forehead this summer.

donna (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:11 PM)

The media needs to probe this because McCain has put his credibility on the line against Cochran and the journalist reporting the story. Given the media reverence for McCain, will they give him a pass?

Robert in Virginia (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:11 PM)

Guess MSNBC is attempting to boost it's rating without having to do what they did below: ROFL

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6574974.html

me (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:11 PM)

So everyone lies except McSame!!!

jim (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:12 PM)

Lost john standing by the railroad track
a-waitin' for the freight train to come back.
The freight train come back but never made a stop
lost john thought he'd ride to the top
Well, he's long, long, lost john
yeah, long, long, lost john.

gpsburns, Santa Fe NM (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:13 PM)

Why is Senator Lieberman speaking at all? And people say Obama is a Manchurian Candidate? lol

I have never seen a Presidential candidate followed around as closely as Senators Lieberman and Graham are following Senator McCain. What is their role?

P.S. Michelle Obama needs charm school huh? Seems like I heard the same thing about another First lady about 7 1/2 years ago . . .

Nashville_fan (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:15 PM)

I haven't heard Obama come out against the left wing attack machines (moveon.org, Huffington post, code pink, etc). Obama will claim the attacks are racial.
Robert, Sacramento, CA (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 3:55 )

***********************************

Obama most certainly did instruct Move.on to knock it off 2 weeks ago. Where have you been? Please, don't post your ignorant conjecture.

donna (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:15 PM)

good point!

for more of this type of great thinking on this and other topics, folks shuld check out this new website that is slowly taking form: www.culturethreads.com

some of the content is stuff rough and the format is still under construction. But it already has some great commentary analysis, and its 3 times per day thoughts and questions series is great. Check it out: www.culturethreads.com

geo (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:16 PM)

"20 years ago..." Please people, McBush can't even remember what happened 20 minutes ago. How could we possibly expect him to remember something without his BFF Lieberman there whispering it in his ears.

obama 08 (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:17 PM)

I swear to God, Lieberman is a friggin' Nazi and a traitor to the USA.

He supports Israel to the detriment of the USA, so why am I not surprised that he supports a Nazi-liar-Machirian-Candidate like McCain?!?!?!

Matt, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:17 PM)

IS Senator McCain confused again?
Because either this happened or it didn't. I probably need to see and hear the video/audio of him responding to the question.
But to say "I think that information is just not not true." Heck, even OJ stood up and flat out denied it.
Scott Peterson stood up in court and denied it.

Come on J-Mac, have some cajones and admit that you did it, or call Senator Cochran a liar and say you didn't do it. But, I'm failing to see what exactly Cochran has to gain from saying this. Today of all times? He's not even up for election. Come on McCain.

Roofin Reality, Houston, Tx (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:17 PM)

Let's hear from the people who were present whether this is true or not. Of course, FIRST READ, you might have actually done your job before you posted this.

NObama (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:17 PM)

Say, FIRST READ, why have you never covered the stories about the two occasions when Obama had to be held back physically before engaging in a fist fight at the IL Senate?

NObama (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:18 PM)

My only question Did Cindy send him with her shopping list???? Well make that two questions is that MCBush's mom on the capital one comercials ??

Nutty B (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:20 PM)

What the heck is it going to take to get voters to think twice about McCain. What the heck is it going to take??
If this is not something out of K. Rove's playbook, deny,deny,deny, and keep denying until the denial becomes truth.

A.Brocco,Albuquerque,NM (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:20 PM)

So how much did Cochran get paid by Obama to say this?

E2 (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:21 PM)

McSame is nuts...period. Warmongering old coot. This guy shouldn't be near 'the button' anymore than Cindy should near a pharmacy.

Anyone but McNuts (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:22 PM)

Folks, McCain may not honestly remember. Another example of dementia. I'm not kidding. Keep an eye on this. I really don't know who is out there reading these posts. But for a candidate for President with memory issues is serious business.

Ron Indiana (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:23 PM)

Lieberman is there, why? To make sure that McCain gets on the right plane, or doesn't confuse Sunnis and Shias. Maybe to court the Jewish Columbian vote? Does John go anywhere without his shadow?

Al, KS (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:24 PM)

McCon won't own up now, and he wouldn't own up if he were elected. I would love to see the Nicaraguan's come out with a video tape of the incident...that would rule.

The more I hear of this guy, the more I think he's a pompous baby

GP Chicago (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:27 PM)

I wish McCain would do the same thing to his fellow congress people. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid could use a good smack or two up-side the head. (They would have to pull it out of their backsides first). Liberals and Democrats are stretching to find anything they can to pin on McCain to take the attention away from their sorry excuse for a candidate, who has enough to report on for both candidates. Stop being such whiney babies.

Derek, Waterloo Iowa (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:31 PM)

While people suffer from foreclosure, MSNBC cover up Obama sweetheart morgtage deal

MSNBC STINKS (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:32 PM)

McAngry

John, Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:33 PM)

"...that is at war with the drug cartels, the terrorists, the paramilitary groups to ..."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/02/mccain-fundraiser-oversaw_n_110354.html

The same paramilitary groups deemed to be "terrorist organizations" that McCain organizers are funding?

Those guys?

Mike, Albany (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:35 PM)

OMG. Now McLame is attacking one of his own. I guess Sen Cochran is a liar. Poor old demented McCain, your making a fool out of yourself each and everyday. What a disgrace you have become.

Ray N jax (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:35 PM)

Out of the mouth of two or three people the truth shall be established. Lets face it McCain is hot tempered and is not fit to be the commander in chief.

I'll be scared to have this guy as my President.

Bee, Manchester NH (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:36 PM)

Senator Thad Cochran is a Republican. As recently as January, he had this to say about McCain:

"The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine," Cochran told the Globe. "He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me." (--Boston Globe, January 2008)

Now Cochran supports McCain and says that McCain has overcome his anger issues. I don't buy it! Someone doesn't magically change their temperament that radically in only 6 months, especially at McCain's age. He is busy campaigning, not getting anger management counseling!

Beth, Denton, TX (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:37 PM)

Why is the media coddling McCain? I thought the media was supposed to be so liberal. Are they afraid of his temper?

Beth, Denton, TX (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:41 PM)

You libs will believe anything.

Case in point: that Obama is qualified to run the country. You bought it hook, line and stinker.

Tony, Anderson, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:44 PM)

See? I told you. McFossil. The gift that keeps on giving! He's Obama's BEST spokes person.......keep a microphone in front of face 24/7. He'll bury himself!
Did I say that? No, I didn't say that! When did I say that? No, I didn't say that! Did I say that? No, I didn't! What a joke.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:52 PM)

He also denied saying he doesn't know anything about the economy - even when the taped evidence is there. Can you believe anything McCain says these days? It sure doesn't look like it.

JDB, Houston (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:53 PM)

McCain doesn't remember this. He has alzheimers.

Billeedee, Michigan (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:55 PM)

Tomorrow will be a bit of a new experiment at culturethreads: A Day as A Typical American. I will go an entire day without looking at a political news website. I'll just checking my email, and watch the evening news and glance at the front pages of newspapers. I'll also listen to what co-workers at talking about, and glance at the fronts of the newspapers as I walk by them.

I will then write a report for Friday morning that gives my impressions of that day's political events from tht perspective. This may give valuable insight into what swing voters are seeing, as opposed to we would digest oodles on online newsbit every hour.

mo (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:56 PM)

It is amazing how the democrats are so hateful and negative. i noticed they have never been hard onObama for his drug use. What a bunch of negative losers. How about going after Al Gore for his new extra use of power to take care of his house?

Opus (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:57 PM)

You know, I am not a fan of McCain, but how are we supposed to believe something that happened that long ago by somebody who has acknowledged that McCain gives him "chills up his spine." The whole thing just sounds fishy.

Lexi, Mississippi (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 5:08 PM)

Nixon's...War on Drugs...nothing has changed.
Should read "War on Puppet Governments that
Hide our National Embarassment..."
NAFTA....the bigger lie...if it was so good for the United States of America why are being sold down the creek by Wall Street...Anybody check their 401K lately?
Security for the Homeland is getting worse...
War is getting unsolved, issues for food and fuel are getting worse...talk for healthcare is gone..Homes are being foreclosed, jobs are decreasing. Seems like bottom but it could get worse if the GOP works it somemore...
Let's get to work for change NOW...
Obama/Biden'08

BJ, CA (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 5:09 PM)

So what is with McBush and Leiberman? Is Leiberman his personal aide? It's just really odd that every time you see one, you see the other. Maybe they're 'buddies'...

Thomas, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 5:11 PM)

"Twenty-one years ago?" McCain answered with surprise. "Heck, son, I can't remember what I had for breakfast this morning. Was it Wheaties or Frosted Flakes? Which one do you like? Frosted Flakes? Ok, I had Frosted Flakes. And anyone who questions that is a unpatriotic commie."

DV, CA (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 5:11 PM)

McCain's memory is fading...
along with his prospects to be our next president.

Doug, Renton, WA (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 5:20 PM)

And you wanted to be my latex salesman.

Michael, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 5:21 PM)

Jeff C.

So what about Obama's "misspeaks" in his speeches? On plenty of occassions he's bent the truth to get a standing ovation, then just issues a statement later that says, "Oh, sorry, my fault." Obama says what will produce the most significant emotional reaction, even if it's not the truth. So he, by your definition, should already be disqualified.

Didn't you hear? His parents are time travellers! One of the biggest turning points of the black vote in this election was his Selma AL speech where he told awe-inspired black audience how the Selma marches, of 1965, inspired his parents to cross the racial divide and have him, and that was his tie to the people there in Selma --- what a beautiful and inspiring story! ... If Obama weren't 47 years old ... Do the math. That was the first in a long line, and I will not forgive it. He didn't say events like that one, he said THAT one. Because it connected with his audiences emotions, no matter that it was innaccurate.

Your Parents told You, Stay Away from the Strange Man with Candy (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 5:22 PM)

He's had enough violent arguments that HAVE been documented maybe he just can't remember this one.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 5:23 PM)

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