The Daily Background

It’s often interesting seeing when Presidential candidates defend each other. Firstly, because it’s a rare sight. Secondly because you always have to wonder what they have to gain.

When Vilsack and Richardson took Hillary’s side in the Obama-Hillary scuffle, it looked like they wanted to start being friendly early for Veepstakes (to me at least). When Hillary denounced Ann Coulter’s comments, she obviously wanted to be seen defending a fellow Democrat (though it would be unlikely to see the two of them on the same ticket).

It’s less clear what motivations are at play when Presidential candidates across the aisle praise each other, or more rarely, defend each other when they’re being attacked. When John McCain came under fire from some conservatives in late February/early March for saying that American lives have been “wasted” in Iraq, Obama came to his defense, saying “The one area I don’t think he can be questioned is his dedication to American troops… We have a duty, a sacred duty, to make sure we are honoring their sacrifice by giving them missions in which they can succeed. I’m positive that was the intent in which he meant it…”

Obama had made a similar statement as McCain at a rally in Iowa for which he was also attacked by conservatives. The Senator recalled “It was the same intent that I had when I made my statement, John McCain and I may have disagreements. The one area that I don’t think he can be questioned is his dedication to American troops. He’s been there. He’s done that.”

Now Senator McCain seems to be returning the favorable words.

When Obama came under fire recently for investing in two companies whose CEOs later contributed to his campaign, though there is some question over whether or not the investments were made by a blind trust, meaning Obama had no way of knowing where the money was going. “I do know that Sen. Obama is a very honest and fine person from everything I’ve known about him,” McCain told reporters when asked about it today.

So, what do both sides have to gain? Obama is often talking about how the country needs a “new politics” away from the current “slash and burn” political environment. What about McCain? He’s made no such statements… is he just returning the favor?

Filed under: Presidential election, Z-TDB Blog