John McCain

The McCain-Liddy Love Affair

Carl Bernstein:

In 1998, Liddy gave a fundraiser in his Scottsdale, Arizona home for McCain's senatorial re-election campaign -- the two posed for photographs together; and as recently as May, 2007, as a presidential candidate, McCain was a guest on Liddy's syndicated radio show. Inexplicably, McCain heaped praise on his host's values. During the segment, McCain said he was "proud" of Liddy, and praised Liddy's "adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great." From the program:

LIDDY: Your experience in the Hanoi Hilton is remarkable. I mean, I put in five years in a prison [for masterminding the Watergate burglary, and associated crimes], but it was here in the United States, and they didn't torture - the only torture that I had was being forced to listen to rap music from time to time.

McCAIN: Well, you know, I'm proud of you. I'm proud of your family. I'm proud to know your son, Tom, who's a great and wonderful guy. And it's always a pleasure for me to come on your program, Gordon. And congratulations on your continued success and adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great.

Which of Liddy's "principles and philosophies" was McCain referring to? Liddy's advocacy of break-ins? Firebombings? Assassinations? Kidnappings? Taking target practice with figures nicknamed Bill and Hillary?

I once saw G. Gordon Liddy slip on a patch of ice and crack open his hairless skull on the sidewalk. Good times. But that's neither here nor there. See, there's a rule in politics (and every other corridor of power). Old white Republican guys get to pal around with whoever the hell they want -- with impunity. Should we expect an around the clock cable news vigil in which they play Liddy's greatest hits on an endless loop? Nope. Will McCain deliver an address repudiating and denouncing Liddy? Of course not. Why? Old white Republican guys.