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McCain Camp: Duberstein Lobbied to Be Our Transition Chief; Duberstein Calls that ‘Bulls***’
October 31, 2008 6:03 PM
Reacting to the news that Ken Duberstein -- former White House chief of staff to President Ronald Reagan and an adviser to Sen. John McCain's, R-Ariz., campaign eight years ago -- today endorsed Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., four McCain campaign advisers tell ABC News that in July Duberstein unsuccessfully lobbied to head McCain's transition team should he win the presidency.
"Absolute, complete bulls***," Duberstein responded to the charge, when contacted by ABC News.
"Someone outside the McCain campaign approached me and said I'd be the ideal candidate to head the transition," Duberstein said. "I said, 'For what?'"
Four senior McCain advisers recall it a little differently. They say Duberstein reached out to someone affiliated with the campaign to throw his hat into the ring.
Either way, Duberstein's announcement -- he seems to have been most positively influenced by the Obama endorsement by his close friend Gen. Colin Powell (Ret.), most turned off by McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin -- is just the latest in a series of high-profile Republicans backing the front-running Democrat.
- jpt
UPDATE: A senior McCain adviser tells me that Duberstein in September also reached out directly to McCain after the Republican convention to ask for the job. Duberstein says that's not true.
October 31, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (73)
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The McCain camp is protesting too much. This must have really bothered them that Reagan's chief of staff has endorsed Obama.
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Probably not bothered by it, anymore than one of Obama's key speech writers, breaking ranks, and voting for McCain.
Posted by: Jeanie | Oct 31, 2008 8:13:08 PM
Somewhere McBush is wondering around in circles saying, my friend, my friend.
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That would be "wandering" not wondering. Use your tax rebate, and take a class.
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what will victory in iraq look like?
how many more of our brave men and women have to die?
how long will it take?
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Well less men, and women have died in Iraq, than have lost their lives in Obama's district, in Chicago. hmmmm
Also...when will it be over? Soon, I'm sure, and then off to Afghantistan. Obama as president, plans to move troops there! So who knows?
Posted by: Jeanie | Oct 31, 2008 8:10:28 PM
The McCain campaign is just stupid. The best thing to say in such cases is nothing.
Most voters aren't going remember who Duberstein is. By attacking Duberstein, the McCain campaign keeps the issue going. Now voters will learn who Duberstein is and why he's not supporting McCain.
Even if what the McCain campaign says is true, so what? The alleged interaction hapened before McCain picked Palin as his running mate -- Duberstein's endorsement of Obama simply emphasizes the stupidity of McCain's choice.
Posted by: Skeptical independent | Oct 31, 2008 8:01:14 PM
In the words of Jon Stewart:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Mr. Puddles, I've got some Snausages for you. Mr. Puddles, where are you?"
(LOL)........
Posted by: Brigette_J | Oct 31, 2008 7:53:25 PM
You are all believing the lies that the media is putting out. Americans will not put up with terrorists telling us what to do. Truth will prevail. The media would like to believe that they can control our country, but Americans will show them just how disrespected they are, and that we are tired of being told lie after lie, and tired of the truth being covered up in order to protect their candidate.
Posted by: tiaa | Oct 31, 2008 7:49:07 PM
Sorry McCain, but your response does smack of b.s. I am worried about the republican party though. What will be left when the last sane person finally leaves?
Posted by: Who will be next | Oct 31, 2008 7:48:03 PM
Nov.05,2008
12:01am
Somewhere McBush is wondering around in circles saying, my friend, my friend.
Ex Republican
Posted by: RGeier | Oct 31, 2008 7:47:59 PM
Oops! I owe everyone an apology.
In a previous post, I said that I'd seen McCain tell Larry King earlier this week that he did not believe that Obama was a "socialist."
Today, McCain called Obama a "socialist."
It's really hard to keep track of this stuff.
Posted by: Brooklyn Democrat | Oct 31, 2008 7:44:01 PM
Thanks Williams for your sentiments.
But, I'm afraid it's too late.
The handwriting's on the wall my friend.
Posted by: RubyRed Republican | Oct 31, 2008 7:37:31 PM
Ruby Red Republican, I understand what the last four years has done to the party. But I never found out right deception good for my company I was involved in for 37 years. I just do not feel that is the way to win an election as important as this one. We have the absolute right for the dark clouds around Obama to be cleared up.
Posted by: William | Oct 31, 2008 7:33:36 PM
William...
We Republicans stole the last 2 elections because we thought we knew what was best for America....
Since this War in Iraq, we have been damed, like Jeremiah Wright said. God is punishing us for the innocent blood we've shed and for our treatment of minorities.
NO MORE.
It's time for a change. Obama will lead us into a new day. After the last 8 years, there's no way The Republican Party can gain power.
Posted by: RubyRed Republican | Oct 31, 2008 7:27:44 PM
everyone wants a job...and when they don't get it, well....you know the rest of the story.
Posted by: ron | Oct 31, 2008 7:23:03 PM
William,
My apologies for using the word stupid.
Posted by: Jwench | Oct 31, 2008 7:17:51 PM
Sarah Palin believes it violates her First Amendment rights if you criticize her for criticizing Obama.
Posted by: Ed from MA | Oct 31, 2008 7:16:32 PM
Have no fear America. There are ignorant people in this country, but for the most part, Americans are not fooled by the media, and their desire to shove a candidate down our throats. Americans will come together quitely, peacefully, and with great dignity, and say no to the media, no to the terrorists, no to Hollywood, and no to everyone that is trying to tell us who we must vote for. Let freedom ring.
Posted by: tiaa | Oct 31, 2008 7:16:32 PM
Jwench, I understand just as well as you do the reality on political promises. My concern is the promises made that have brought new and first time voters into the picture who will not have done their homework and will be looking for his making good. I hope not but we could be seeing another 4 year term like Carter who was elected on promises and spite.
Posted by: William | Oct 31, 2008 7:08:21 PM
If Obama is elected and doesn't perform in the next 4 years then we vote him out. I say at least give him a chance to turn things around. I am afraid McCain is just an extension of Bush and his failed policies. McCain is not going to keep half of his promises either.
I respect what you are saying, but I think people are a lot smarter than the politicians give them credit for.
Posted by: Jwench | Oct 31, 2008 7:13:44 PM
Why do you suppose Obama is on TV in Arizona? Why do you suppose McCain isn't buying TV in Illinois?
Posted by: mudge007 | Oct 31, 2008 7:11:13 PM
Jwench, I understand just as well as you do the reality on political promises. My concern is the promises made that have brought new and first time voters into the picture who will not have done their homework and will be looking for his making good. I hope not but we could be seeing another 4 year term like Carter who was elected on promises and spite.
Posted by: William | Oct 31, 2008 7:08:21 PM
Why no post about the Governator appearance in Ohio for McCain?
Posted by: Stephen Gianelli | Oct 31, 2008 7:08:05 PM
After Nov. 4, the march of freedom and democracy which will leave McCain, Palin, and Joe the Plumber on the ash-heap of history.
Posted by: hamishdad | Oct 31, 2008 7:05:22 PM
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