John McCain’s campaign today blasted Barack Obama‘s claims of bipartisanship, arguing he doesn’t meet the true definition of the word. But what’s curious is how they define it: bucking your own party.
This is the question posed in a memo sent to reporters today: “If anyone can name an instance of Barack Obama bucking his party to lead on an issue of national importance, I’d love to hear it.”
And this is the basis of the argument, from campaign advisor Steve Schmidt today:
“There has never been a time when Barack Obama has bucked the party line to lead on an issue of national importance. He has never been a part of a bipartisan group that came together to solve a controversial issue. He has never put his career on the line for a cause greater than himself. Even as a state Senator, Obama voted ‘present’ on controversial bills. We have seen Barack Obama forced to choose between principle and the interests of himself and his party. He has always chosen the latter.”
So McCain’s concept of bipartisanship has to include angering your own party?
— Stephen Dinan, national political correspondent, The Washington Times
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