John McCain's Temper

Back in February, when John McCain became the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party, my boss told be not to worry about McCain because he had an Achilles Heel (If you don't know what it menas, whatever you do, DON'T ask Sarah Palin). She claimed that his inability to keep his temper in check would lead to his inevitable downfall. McCain's temper has been well documented in the past. But for the most part, in this election, McCain has been able to keep his temper in check.

Yet, as the race has swung in Obama's direction in the past 3 weeks, there are signs that his ability to keep his temper at bay is waning. First, during the Presidential debate, McCain's obvious contempt for Obama was in full effect as he refused to even look at his opponent. McCain showed moments of frustration and contemption as Obama plaed the part of 'Mr. Cool.' Then, this week, just prior to the vote on the Bailout Bill, Obama approached McCain on the Senate floor. CQ has the details:

Obama crossed over into enemy territory.

He walked over to where McCain was chatting with Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida and Independent Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut. And he stretched out his arm and offered his hand to McCain.

McCain shook it, but with a “go away” look that no one could miss. He tried his best not to even look at Obama.

Finally, with a tight smile, McCain managed a greeting: “Good to see you.”

So, what's going on here? Is McCain genuinely mad at Obama? Is he just acting like a sore loser?

This morning, thanks to Talking Points Memo, we may have gotten some answers. Back in Feburary, 2006, when Obama was a rising star in the Democratic Party and (at that time) a potential vice-presidential candidate in 2008, Obama and McCain exchanged a series of testy letters. Although you are free to read the letters for yourself, it seems Obama's gracious and congenial (or, in the least, non-offensive) entreat was met with something just above sheer disdain from Senator McCain:

Senator Lieberman and I, and many other members of this body, hope to exceed the public's low expectations. We view this as an opportunity to bring transparency and accountability to the Congress, and, most importantly, to show the public that both parties will work together to address our failings.

As I noted, I initially believed you shared that goal. But I understand how important the opportunity to lead your party's effort to exploit this issue must seem to a freshman Senator, and I hold no hard feelings over your earlier disingenuousness. Again, I have been around long enough to appreciate that in politics the public interest isn't always a priority for every one of us. Good luck to you, Senator.

At the time, Talking Point Memo's John Marshall gave, what is in hindsight, an extremely clairvoyant analysis of the exchange (see here and here):

Wantin' to be president can go to a guy's head.

...

Obama is a rising star among the Democrats. Republicans want to lay a backstory for feature criticisms and character attacks against him. So, for instance, if Obama is the vice presidential candidate in 2008, they want to have a history of attacks on him banked, ones that allege he's a liar, or too partisan, or untrustworthy, whatever. It doesn't even really matter. What matters is that there already be an established history of them. Point being, that in early 2008, they want to be able to simply refer back to Obama's 'character issue', the questions about his honesty, etc. rather than have to make the case on its merits.

That's not surprising. One only needs to think back to the Gore story, etc.

What shouldn't be missed here, though, is that Sen. McCain is quite consciously and deliberately making himself a part of this. Why? Simple. Because he needs to get right with the GOP establishment in DC. (Indeed, he probably also wants to be the future beneficiary of the sliming.) Being loved by moderates and progressives doesn't cut it for getting the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.

Don't miss why he's doing this. It's the roll-out of the slime Obama campaign. And he's leading the charge.

McCain has another month to keep it in check, but the worse things get for his campaign, the more likely we can expect to see a blowup.

The following are some fun videos related to McCain's temper.