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That sound you just heard is another big-name political reporter rolling over for fear of creating a scene. MSNBCâs âFirst Readâ reported today on a back and forth between the New York Timesâ Elisabeth Bumiller and Senator John McCain, concerning an alleged conversation McCain had in 2004 about running as vice president on John Kerryâs presidential ticket.
McCain has always denied that such a conversation took place, but on a campaign stop this morning, pressed by a voter if he would consider Kerry as his veep in this election cycle, McCain changed his story. He said that he wouldnât consider Kerry as his running mate because Kerry is âa liberal Democrat⌠I am a conservative Republican. When we had that conversation in 2004, thatâs why I never even considered such a thing.â
Bumiller picked up on the contradiction, and when she asked McCain about it later, the presidential candidate got a little testy. The end of the brief back and forth went like this:
Bumiller: Can you describe the conversation?
McCain: No, of course not. I donât describe private conversations.
Bumiller: Okay. Can I ask youâŚâ
McCain: Why should I? Then thereâs no such thing as a private conversation. Is there (inaudible) if you have a private conversation with someone, and then they come and tell you. I donât know that thatâs a private conversation. I think thatâs a public conversation.
Bumiller: Okay. Can I ask you about your ⌠why youâre so angry?
McCain: Pardon me?
Bumiller: Nevermind, nevermind.
McCain: I mean, itâs well known. Everybody knows. Itâs been well chronicled a thousand times. John Kerry asked if I would consider being his running mate.
Bumiller: Okay.
Way to hold the powerful to account for changing the story, Elisabeth! On second thought, nevermind, nevermind.
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