Hillary Clinton has done it; now John McCain is doing it.
From Daily Kos:
I’m not sure whether it was because Tim Russert’s questions were so good or because John McCain’s answers were so woefully strained, but the otherwise insufferable Meet the Press this morning actually proved to be compelling–and telling–television…
Perhaps the silliest part of the interview came when McCain was confronted with his vote to extend Bush’s disastrous tax cuts. This after he initially voted against them. McCain’s explanation for his flip-flop: “I do not believe in tax increases.” So, any tax cut should be de facto permanent according to his philosophy. Pure silliness.
I have to commend Russert for confronting McCain about his decision to speak at Liberty University and his acceptance of Jerry Falwell … McCain again gave a non-answer, but he did say he does not believe Falwell is an “agent of intolerance” anymore. In a telling exchange, he said that the “christian right” has a major role to play in the Republican Party.
What we saw in that interview was the death of McCain the Maverick, and the birth of McCain the Chameleon. If there was any doubt that McCain is–with his eye on a presidential bid–a politician to the core, this interview should snuff that doubt out.
In this respect, at least, Republican and Democratic politicians are far more alike than different.
Actually, I found Russert’s questions really annoying. What would have been better for the country would have been a discussion about what we do now to fix Iraq, and in that vein I thought the interview with Zinni was much more compelling. Actually, I wish he’d run (Zinni).
I have always liked McCain so much, and considered him a rare example of a brave politician. That’s all out the window now — and I think it’s important that Russert exposed that.
You’re right, though — what to do now in Iraq is even more important.