From Think Progress: McCain Calls For ‘Respect’ In Political Dialogue, Ignores Time He Called Fellow Senator An ‘A–hole’

Today at a campaign event in Michigan, Sen. John McCain (R-SC) promised to clean up the political discourse. He argued that he knows how to “reach across the aisle” and treat Democrats with respect:

“I’m going to raise the level of political dialog in America,” McCain, R-Ariz., said at a campaign rally in central Michigan, “and I’m going to treat my opponents with respect and demand that they treat me with respect.” […]

“We’re going to get a dispute and a debate done, but in a respectful fashion,” McCain said. “And I know how to reach across the aisle to [the Democrats], and I’ll ask you to tell them to reach across the aisle to me.”

McCain’s record of dealing with his fellow lawmakers, the press, and members of the public, however, has been considerably less than respectful. In 2000, Newsweek dubbed him “Senator Hothead” for his vicious temper. Some examples of McCain lowering the level of America’s political dialogue:

– In a “heated dispute over immigration-law overhaul” last year, McCain screamed at Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), “F— you!” He added, “This is chickens- - - stuff. … You’ve always been against this bill, and you’re just trying to derail it.” [5/19/07]

– In a discussion over the “fate of Vietnam MIAs,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) asked McCain, “Are you calling me stupid?” “No,” replied McCain, “I’m calling you a f—ing jerk!” [Newsweek, 2/21/00]

– Discussing his recent trip to Iraq on The Daily Show in April, McCain told host Jon Stewart, “I had something picked out for you, too — a little IED to put on your desk.” [4/24/07]

– After Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) criticized McCain for his comment to Stewart, McCain told ABC News, “And all I can say is, to Murtha and others, Lighten up and get a life.” [4/26/07]

– Speaking to Fox and Friends in March, McCain noted that he allows “jerks from the media” to come on board his bus, the “Straight Talk Express.” [4/28/07]

– At a GOP meeting in fall 1999, McCain “erupted” at Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) and shouted, “Only an a–hole would put together a budget like this.” When Domenici expressed his outrage, McCain responded, “I wouldn’t call you an a–hole unless you really were an a–hole.” [Newsweek, 2/21/00]

– In September, a high school student asked McCain whether the senator was “too old to be president and too conservative to be respected.” McCain “jokingly” responded by calling the student “a little jerk” who ought to be drafted. [9/4/07]

After the dust-up between McCain and Domenici, a senator told Newsweek that he didn’t want McCain “anywhere near a trigger.”

He and Cheney have something in common, a foul mouth. If he ever said that to me I would probably put that old geazer thru the wall.

Rethugs and Fascists - what do you expect - a civilized debate.

Are you smart enough to keep from starving to death if someone moves your dinner plate six inches?

yes he is

and did you forget bomb bomb Iran

Yeah, he is.

McCain will be Swift Boated by the Republican establishment types just as soon as they get tired of him.

The weird thing about this is that the establishment actually believes that Mitt McFlipflop is what the party needs right about now, and that everyone should rally behind him; even though he's the most phony fuck that there is in modern politics.

McCain is a know-it-all SOB that has traded on his war experience for too long.

Getting shot down and taken prisoner means you were careless or just plain unlucky. It dosn't mean you are a hero.

It is way past time this old fart went home to his rocking chair and this comes from an old fart.

During the next GOP debate, have his opponents come out dressed like this.

Of course, one thing about McCain-- he's not the kind of guy to question the morality of traveling seven thousand miles to drop bombs on people he can't even see in a war predicated on lies. Perfect follow up to BushCo.

here's McCain reaching <link>

Good one julieboomer.

Hell NO! The janitor at the hotel wanted to thank McCain for reading his note McCain read in his victory speech.

And let's not forget how he laughed when someone in his audience asked "how do we beat the bitch"? Then he said it was a good question.

He is probably civilized enough to be president, but his age and his alliance to Bush's policies will bring him down.

Do we need another Bush in the White House?

McCain certainly wasn't "civil" enough to tell that woman who asked: "howdo we beat the bitch?" that he was not going to campaign on such a low level of discourse" or words to that effect. He's just as much a smear and sleeze person as Bush, Cheney, Rove, and Coulter!