-snip-
John McCain called his wife Cindy a "cunt" in front of at least five witnesses on the campaign trail in 1992, according to Cliff Schecter's new book:
http://majikthise.typepad.com/majikthise_/2008/04/straight-talk-e.htmlI had not heard of Cliff Schecter or his book,
The Real McCain (if it's been discussed on DU then I have missed it; a lot on DU is worth missing these days) so I poked around a bit. A few comments from the above blog post, concluding with a statement from the blog owner:
Regarding Cliff Schecter's qualifications:
"Schecter holds an MA in International Affairs from the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs and is currently receiving his Ph.D. in American History as a Dean's Honors Fellow at American University."Posted by: Eric Jaffa
To complete his qualifications (from Huffington Post):
During the 2004 election cycle, Schecter worked as the "liberal" pundit for The Sinclair Broadcast Group.... He has also appeared on CNN, CNBC, NPR FoxNews, The Canadian Broadcast Channel and Al Jazeera.
Schecter was a pollster for the successful reelection of President Bill Clinton in 1996 and fundraiser for former Governor of Virginia Mark Warner in 2001. He has also consulted for the DNC, DCCC and some other candidates he won't mention here because they lost.Posted by: The Phantom
Yes, he's a partisan. He makes no bones about that.
He's also got great connections in the media, having worked as a talking head and a political consultant for years.
He's got one foot in the established media, but he's not dependent on John McCain's approval, unlike the reporters who ride the Straight Talk Express and suck on McCain's baby back ribs.
If anyone's in a position to get the scuttlebutt on McCain from the reporters who cover him, it's Cliff.
I know Cliff. I trust his integrity and his judgment. He's a solid, conscientious guy.Posted by: Lindsay Beyerstein
Finally, here's more from Schecter's book:
Perhaps the most remarkable story of McCain's temper involved Arizona Congressman Rick Renzi. Two former reporters covering McCain, one who witnessed the following events and one who confirmed the facts provided by the first, relayed it to me as follows: In 2006, the Arizona Republican congressional delegation had a strategy meeting. McCain repeatedly addressed two new members, congressmen Trent Franks and Rick Renzi, as 'boy.' Finally, Renzi, a former college linebacker, rose from his chair and said to McCain, "You call me that one more time and I'll kick your old ass." McCain lunged at Renzi, punches were thrown, and the two had to be physically separated. After they went to their separate offices, McCain called Renzi and demanded an apology. Renzi refused. Apparently this posture made McCain admire him, as they became fast friends.