Bush: “I probably won’t even vote for McCain”

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Bush: “I probably won’t even vote for McCain”

November 9, 2010 3:51pm

by Alex Barker

George W. Bush’s bombastic return to the world stage has reminded me of my favourite Bush anecdote, which for various reasons we couldn’t publish at the time. Some of the witnesses still dine out on it.

The venue was the Oval Office. A group of British dignitaries, including Gordon Brown, were paying a visit. It was at the height of the 2008 presidential election campaign, not long after Bush publicly endorsed John McCain as his successor.

Naturally the election came up in conversation. Trying to be even-handed and polite, the Brits said something diplomatic about McCain’s campaign, expecting Bush to express some warm words of support for the Republican candidate.

Not a chance. “I probably won’t even vote for the guy,” Bush told the group, according to two people present.“I had to endorse him. But I’d have endorsed Obama if they’d asked me.”

Endorse Obama? Cue dumbfounded look from British officials, followed by some awkward remarks about the Washington weather. Even Gordon Brown’s poker face gave way to a flash of astonishment.

To be fair, this wasn’t completely unexpected. The degree of enmity between Bush and McCain — particularly following their legendarily dirty fight in the 2000 South Carolina primary — is hard to exaggerate.

Indeed Bush is far from kind to McCain in the parts of his new book that relate his “complex relationship” with the Arizona senator. I’ve yet to see a copy, so I don’t know whether he mentions how he voted. But it might be worth asking. He was certainly wavering.

[Ban Hammer 13,429]

so you do have something in common with bush.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

so you do have something in common with bush.

apparently.

[scandal 951]

John McCain served his country honorably and with great courage. He has done so in uniform, as a POW under unimaginable conditions, and as a Senator from Arizona.

Today, Nov 11, Veterans Day, I think is a particularly suitable day to reflect on that.

I don't agree with all of his political positions, I probably disagree with him far more than agree. But I respect him and his service.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

John McCain served his country honorably and with great courage. He has done so in uniform, as a POW under unimaginable conditions, and as a Senator from Arizona.

Today, Nov 11, Veterans Day, I think is a particularly suitable day to reflect on that.

I don't agree with all of his political positions, I probably disagree with him far more than agree. But I respect him and his service.

I respected McCain until he quit respecting himself. I mean, he turned into his own staunchest opponent. I'm confused as to how to respect him anymore if he can't manage to respect himself.

[daboyz 36]

John McCain served his country honorably and with great courage. He has done so in uniform, as a POW under unimaginable conditions, and as a Senator from Arizona.

Today, Nov 11, Veterans Day, I think is a particularly suitable day to reflect on that.

I don't agree with all of his political positions, I probably disagree with him far more than agree. But I respect him and his service.

[Danno 1,228]

I respected McCain until he quit respecting himself. I mean, he turned into his own staunchest opponent. I'm confused as to how to respect him anymore if he can't manage to respect himself.

Get real Dude.. are you suggesting he endured 4-5 years in prison camp in Vietnam

but it only took a few months on the campaign trail to render him putty in the hands of the Far-Right?

As my wife would say... "He;s a national hero, Don't touch him!" (whatever that means)

Edited November 12, 2010 by Danno

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Not a chance. “I probably won’t even vote for the guy,” Bush told the group, according to two people present.“I had to endorse him. But I’d have endorsed Obama if they’d asked me.”

American to English tranlation, for the two anonomous sources allegedly present to hear the conversation: "I would have endorsed whoever the Republican nominee was at the time. It's just good form not to ridicule your party's candidate."

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

McCain is the Benny Hill of the political circuit.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Get real Dude.. are you suggesting he endured 4-5 years in prison camp in Vietnam but it only took a few months on the campaign trail to render him putty in the hands of the Far-Right?

Something like that. His lost election bid in 2008 did some damage on him, too.

[Peikko 1,575]

ApparentlyBush believes Palin is not suitable for the White House as well.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Of course some of us were calling Bush a "liberal" far before anyone else was..... Now looks like we were right