Some conservatives are complaining that John McCain seems a little too eager to denounce Republicans who commit gaffes while campaigning on his behalf.
“Notice how quickly he throws Republicans under the bus?” lamented conservative radio host Chris Plante of WMAL in the District.
Plante was reacting to McCain’s recent effort to distance himself from surrogate Phil Gramm, who sparked an uproar by describing America as a “nation of whiners” suffering through a “mental recession.”
“I believe the mother here in Michigan and around America who is trying to get enough money to educate their children isn’t whining,” McCain told reporters. “America is in great difficulty and we are experiencing enormous economic challengesas well as others. Phil Gramm does not speak for me. I speak for me. So I strongly disagree.”
That stuck in the craw of some conservatives who noticed that McCain is often restrained in his criticism of his opponent, Barack Obama, a liberal Democrat. Last week, McCain went out of his way to praise Obama during a speech to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
“He is an impressive fellow,” McCain said of Obama. “His success should make Americans, all Americans, proud.”
In February, Cincinnati talk show host Bill Cunningham mentioned Obama’s middle name, Hussein, while warming up a crowd for an appearance by McCain. When McCain learned of the remarks, he immediately called a press conference to denounce his supporter.
“I absolutely repudiate such comments,” he said. “It will never happen again.”
Cunningham shot back that there was nothing wrong with mentioning a presidential candidate’s middle name. He withdrew his support of McCain.
“John McCain threw me under a bus — under the ‘Straight Talk Express,’ ” he said, referring to McCain’s campaign bus.
After the flap involving Gramm, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh suggested McCain turn his wrath against Democrats, not Republicans.
“Maybe Senator McCain will get around to Obama,” Limbaugh said, “once he finishes denouncing all his supporters.”
