Conservative net ignores spat with wife in interview
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for the first time has personally addressed some of the more explosive allegations in a new book on him, although his Fox News interviewer did not see fit to ask about his the vulgarity he allegedly flung at his wife during a Senate campaign.
Speaking to Fox's Megyn Kelly Wednesday, McCain said reports of his explosive temper were "false or exaggerated," and he denied that punches were thrown during a meeting with fellow Arizona Republican Rep. Rick Renzi.
"No, in fact there were witnesses every time I have been around," McCain said. "The congressman is a good friend of mine, and we have a good relationship. ... Those reports are either false or exaggerated."
Kelly also had asked about McCain's reported "profanity laced exchanges with other lawmakers," but she made no mention of perhaps the most vulgar alleged exchange, in which McCain called his wife a "trollop" and a "cunt" during a 1992 campaign stop. Those reports all come from a new book, The Real McCain by Cliff Scheter. RAW STORYfirst reported McCain's tirade toward his wife Monday.
As he has in the past when questioned about his hot-headedness, McCain tried to turn his anger into a positive, and he railed against corruption in Washington.
"I have gotten angry when I see ... things like in the Abramoff scandal, which I investigated, which ended up with people in federal prison," he said. "I get angry when I see these cost overruns and the waste of taxpayers' dollars, and earmark and pork-barrel spending. And if I lose the capacity to be angry, then I don't think I should be president."
Lacking a follow-up, Kelly turned to asking the Republican president about The McCain Girls.
"I know one thing that will likely not make you angry," Kelly said, turning the discussion to the three pro-McCain crooners who have posted videos to YouTube.
"I think it's wonderful," McCain said. "I have watched the video several times."
This video is from Fox's American Newsroom, broadcast April 9, 2008.
