The real John McCain

Digby of Hullabaloo quotes from a story about McCain's sabotage of Democratic governor Mofford:

"Flabbergasted, I asked McCain why would he want to sabotage Mofford's testimony, when in fact the CAP was the nonpartisan pet of Republicans and Democrats — such as far-left Udall and far-right Goldwater — since its inception.

"His reply, as near as I remember, was, 'I'll embarrass a Democrat any time I get the chance.'

"The lunch continued in strained chit-chat. We then walked back to McCain's office, where a few reporters, all of them from Arizona papers, as I recall, were waiting. One said there was a rumor McCain had tried to sabotage Mofford's testimony, to which he said something like, 'I'd never do anything like that.'"

There was more. Another rumor, later reported in the Republic, held that McCain had brought in a private film crew to tape the proceedings, so that the tape could be used to embarrass Mofford in the recall election. At the time, Jay Smith, McCain's campaign media consultant, was quoted in the Republic as declining comment; he did not deny the rumor.

Digby continues:

He's always been a jackass. And he still is. This idea that St John McCain really doesn't want to go negative but is being forced to by his Rovian campaign staff is ridiculous and yet I hear it all the time from the MSM. Anyone who tells the mean, cruel jokes he tells is a mean man. He likes going negative --- he just doesn't like taking responsibility for it because that tarnishes his halo and makes him just like every other nasty Republican. His massive ego can't accommodate such ordinariness.

Gee, John McCain a jerk? Like telling rape jokes?

Telling people that the tanking economy is just mental?

Laughing about bombing Iranians or killing them with American cigarettes?

Like supporting eternal and unresolvable wars because of his memories of the Vietnam War, refusing to even consider a timeline?

Being ugly and rude to his wife in front of reporters?

Lying about his affair with Cindy while married?

Like having a renowned bad temper that has stunned even his own colleagues?

Saying that gays in the military is intolerable?

Lying about supporting the troops and expecting his prisoner of war experience cannot be questioned?

Keeping the press in his pocket with lies about his maverickness even though he's embraced the Bush administration and he'd clearly be a Bush third term?

Pretending he's not connected to lobbyists?

Expecting the press to ignore the fact he's forgetting too much, making gaffs, and mixing up countries and leaders even though he's been corrected?

Expecting the press not to report how many times he flipflops or says one thing and does another?

Bonding with hateful religious leaders?

Using fear to activate votes for his candidacy?

Refusing to let reporters really look at his health records which should be a big thing considering his age?

Being oddly superstitious?

Expecting people would ignore the horrible speeches he's made.

Like trying to make out that Obama is not American enough or not quite one of 'us'?

Pretending he's not absolutely fucking rich because he married Cindy and has more houses than he can keep track of?