A report by liberal blogger and author Arianna Huffington that John McCain had admitted to not voting for George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential race spurred a minor tempest and brought angry denials from McCain’s campaign Tuesday.
On her Huffington Post website Monday, the pundit reported that the current presumptive Republican presidential nominee had confided shortly after his bitter loss nearly eight years ago that he had not voted for Bush.
McCain had suffered sharp attacks from Bush supporters in the 2000 race, and his disdain for the tactics was no secret. But Huffington’s revelation, if true, would debunk the senator’s longtime stance as the loyal Republican who closed ranks behind Bush.
McCain adviser Mark Salter rejected Huffington’s assertion as “totally false.” “Arianna has a new book to promote,” Salter said Tuesday.
“Whatever her cause celebre of the moment is — and it’s always subject to further revisions with her — she will say anything to promote it and make anything up. That’s been her modus operandi for years.”
