Rumsfeld Holds A Grudge

Looks like Rummy, not one to forgive and forget I guess, is McCain's latest endorsement holdout:

Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld recently declined to answer whether he will support Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for president.

McCain, the GOP presidential standard-bearer, has been one of Rumsfeld's harshest critics.

McCain has said that Rumsfeld will "go down as one of the worst secretaries of defense in history."  

The Hill talked to Rumsfeld earlier this month near his downtown D.C. office.

Rumsfeld told The Hill that he has not followed the presidential elections, but instead has been focused on work for his private foundation.

Asked whether that meant he wasn't going to support McCain, Rumsfeld answered: "I have not been involved at all."

Rumsfeld declined to comment any further. He also declined a follow-up request for comment on the issue to his personal office.

Oooh. Ouch. Not that this is really anything new for McCain, mind you. If you Google "won't endorse McCain" the results return several high profile entries including Tom Tancredo:

Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), who has been sharply critical of McCain on immigration, told The Hill in February, "I don't like McCain. I don't like him at all."

Tancredo spokesman Mac Zimmerman said Tancredo won't endorse McCain because he fears the senator would repudiate it like he did with the formal backing of controversial pastor John Hagee.

Reps. Virgil Goode and Walter Jones:

"The Hill," a political insider guide, reports that Goode, R-5th, is among at least 14 Republican representatives who have not endorsed McCain.

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., has said he can't back McCain until he has clear plans for the Iraq war, another representative has cited concerns about the candidate's various energy policies and in Goode's case, immigration is a sticking point.

Rep. Ron Paul:

Republican Rep. Ron Paul told the Tribune this morning he will not back Sen. John McCain as his party's nominee unless the Arizona senator "has a lot of change of heart."

"I can not support anybody with the foreign policy he advocates, you know, perpetual war. That is just so disturbing to me," Paul said. "I think it's un-American, un-Constitutional, immoral, and not Republican."

Senator Jeff Sessions...sort of:

Others, like Sessions, say they are supporting McCain but stop short of granting their endorsement, according to The Hill. [...]

"Senator Sessions strongly supports Senator McCain's candidacy for president. Senator Sessions has publically spoken in support of McCain and expects to continue to do that throughout the campaign."

And Senator Chuck Hagel:

Sen. Chuck Hagel, R - Neb., said this morning he is not ready to endorse Sen. John McCain, R - Ariz., for president.
Maverick Nebraska Republican not ready to endorse McCain.

"I think endorsements, at least when I endorse someone, or when I work for someone, or commit to someone, I want to be behind that person in every way I can," Hagel said in an exclusive "This Week" interview.

Hagel pointed to their differing views over foreign policy in explaining his hesitation. "I've obviously got some differences with John on the Iraq war. That's no secret.

Umm, so, who's the candidate who's having trouble uniting his party again?



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Re: Rumsfeld Holds A Grudge (none / 0)

I hope these guys continue to speak out. The more people get the idea that McCain's not a real Republican, the less likely they'll be to turn out for him.


should we go outside? / should we break some bread? / are you'nterested?
by Firewall on Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 03:18:26 AM EST

Re: Rumsfeld Holds A Grudge (none / 0)

Oh PLEASE let me turn on the TV some morning and see:

BREAKING NEWS -- Iraq War Architect Rumsfeld Endorses McNeocon.


Anybody's vote is worth having. But not everybody's vote is worth campaigning for.
by Freespeechzone on Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 03:48:17 AM EST

Re: Rumsfeld Holds A Grudge (none / 0)

If Rumsfeld really wanted to suck it to Mccain  he would do that lol.


Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.
by lori on Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 04:02:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rumsfeld Holds A Grudge (none / 0)

He should call a huge press conference to endorse Mccain , his poll numbers would plummet overnight .


Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.
by lori on Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 04:04:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

That's pretty pathetic... (none / 0)

He has had more than 3 months to unite his party and he has so far done a worse job than Barack Obama has done in two weeks.

McCain could have been the best candidate we could have gotten because he seems fundamentally adverse to placating his own party.  I'd be surprised if he gets anywhere near the support Bush received from the Republican base.  And we've now gotten more Democrats registered than we had four years ago.  This couldn't be better for us, because McCain is going to be pulled in two directions all throughout the election.


John McCain wants you to be poor!
by nklein on Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 04:03:34 AM EST

The GOP is divided fundamentally (none / 0)

The "Democratic Divide" is (massively overstated, but also) about which candidate with nearly identical policies is best.

The GOP Divide runs from the top to the bottom of the party.  Many rock-solid-reliable Republican voters disagree with nearly everything their candidate stands for.  Most of those same folks aren't going to be convinced by a sudden reversal to pander to them, either.

-chris


Motley Moose: Progress Through Politics
by chrisblask on Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 07:48:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rumsfeld Holds A Grudge (none / 0)

Democrats Divided--Film at 11 </MSM>

--Kibitzer


by Kibitzer 2006 on Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 05:25:31 AM EST

Rumsfeld wanted to be president (none / 0)

Rummy is bitter because the country did not "recognize his greatness."


by bakho on Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 09:10:57 AM EST


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