Arizona U.S. Senator John McCain used an interesting metaphor Sunday, calling on the media to end a string of “mud wrestling” Republican presidential debates.
“I think it could go on a while and it would not be to our benefit,” Mr. McCain said on NBC’s Meet the Press. “We’ve got to stop the debates,”
“They’ve turned into mud wrestling instead of exposition of the candidates’ views on the issues. We’ve had enough of that. And it’s time to recognize who the real adversary is and that’s not each other,” the Arizona Republican added.
Mr. McCain, who has endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, is the latest Republican to question whether an extended race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination could hinder the chances of Republican defeating President Obama in the November general election. Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, speaking earlier this month, also expressed concerns over potentially damaging attack ads.
Speaking Sunday, Mr. McCain echoed his earlier sentiment, hearkening back to the days of President Ronald Reagan and saying Republicans should unite around Mr. Romney’s campaign.
“I remember the fights between Ronald Reagan and Bush, who later chose him as vice president,” McCain said. “Mitt Romney was on a very short list of my consideration to be a running mate. These things, when they’re over, you’ve gotta get together and you’ve gotta be sure of what the objective is. And that’s victory in the general election,” said the Arizona Republican.
