Straight Talk, Strongly Worded

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the Straight Talker himself, is being up front about it: He doesn’t much like his rival for the presidency.

Yesterday’s choice comments by McCain, in response to criticism from Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) regarding his opposition to the GI bill providing education benefits for veterans, made it clear. “I take a back seat to no one in my affection, respect and devotion to veterans. And I will not accept from Sen. Obama, who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform, any lectures on my regard for those who did,” he said.

Later on — on the same day in which McCain had to throw Pastor John Hagee overboard and prepare the release of his medical records — he wanted to make it clear again. “For a young man with very little experience, he’s done very well. So I appreciate, with his very, very great lack of experience and knowledge of the issues — he’s been very successful,” McCain said. Hey, at least he didn’t call him a twerp.

Also, consider this long-forgotten incident: In February of 2006 Obama and McCain momentarily teamed up on ethics reform. Some back and forth between them caused McCain to erupt. In a letter dated Feb. 6, 2006, McCain wrote: “… I concluded your professed concern for the institution and the public interest was genuine and admirable. Thank you for disabusing me of such notions with your letter to me dated February 2, 2006, which explained your decision to withdraw from our bipartisan discussions. I’m embarrassed to admit that after all these years in politics I failed to interpret your previous assurances as typical rhetorical gloss routinely used in politics to make self-interested partisan posturing appear more noble. Again, sorry for the confusion, but please be assured I won’t make the same mistake again.”

Perhaps McCain doesn’t like or even respect Obama. But another thing I concluded from his 2006 letter is that McCain likes to let it rip. It is clear that in such moments no staffer, in any attempt to preserve an image of a calm, deliberative and presidential leader, can stand in his way.

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DOES BELITTLING OBAMA HELP MCCAIN? Ask A.B. returns Tuesday, May 27 — Please join my weekly video Q & A by sending your questions and comments to askab@digital-stage.thehill.com. Thank you.