McCain Tires To Slime Giuliani With Kerik
CONCORD, N.H. - Bernard Kerik did an irresponsible job training police in Iraq, presidential contender John McCain said Friday, adding to criticism of Kerik as Rudy Giuliani’s former police commissioner surrendered to face charges in New York.
McCain cited Kerik’s relationship with his Republican presidential foe as a reason to doubt Giuliani’s judgment.
Giuliani’s longtime associate, business partner and friend surrendered Friday to face federal corruption charges in New York, where he had been police commissioner when Giuliani was mayor. Kerik was also a failed nominee to head the Homeland Security Department, a post Giuliani recommended him for.
McCain, a Republican senator from Arizona, pointed to Kerik’s performance in Iraq, along with complaints about how Giuliani treated first-responders after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, as reasons why the former mayor’s presidential campaign should deserve greater scrutiny from voters.
“I don’t know Mr. Kerik. I do know that I went to Baghdad shortly after the initial victory and met in Baghdad with (Ambassador Paul) Bremer and (Lt. Gen. Ricardo) Sanchez. And Kerik was there. Kerik was supposed to be there to help train the police force. He stayed two months and one day left, just up and left,” McCain told reporters traveling on his campaign bus.
“That’s why I never would’ve supported him to be the head of homeland security because of his irresponsible act when he was over in Baghdad to try and help train the police. One of the reasons why we had so much trouble with the initial training of the police was because he came, didn’t do anything and then went out to the airport and left.”
Later, in talking with reporters, McCain alluded to his own ethical problems. McCain and four other senators were accused of trying to influence banking regulators on behalf of Charles Keating, a savings and loan financier later convicted of securities fraud. The Senate Ethics Committee cited McCain’s “poor judgment” but recommended no further action against him.
“Look, the thing I leaned from the Keating thing really was never do or say anything that you don’t mind seeing on the front pages of the major newspapers of America. That’s the key to it. … It still didn’t look good. It still harmed my reputation because of the way it appeared,” McCain said.
(AP)
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Come on, like everyone hasnt been involved with someone who is less than a boy scout, unknowingly at the time. This doesnt reflect badly on Guliani. Sure it makes for a great cheap shot, but Guliani wont take a hit over this
November 9th, 2007 at 11:40 amThere is no greater patriot in office or running for president than John McCain, may God bless him.
November 9th, 2007 at 1:22 pmKerik did a great job in NY. So he worked for Guliani? So what? Kerik’s troubles are of his own making…not Guliani’s. Another reason why McCain’s going nowhere fast. Although he may still end up as a VP candidate.
November 9th, 2007 at 1:22 pm