Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., stood by his decision not to engage Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential campaign over his ties to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, as The New York Times reported a new GOP super PAC is considering reviving the controversial line of attack.
The Times reported that some GOP strategists chafed under McCain’s decision not to attack Wright’s politically incendiary sermons.
“I made my decision; I stand by that decision,” said McCain on Thursday. “I notice that the Romney campaign quickly issued a statement saying they repudiated that strategy as well,” he added.
Romney, in an interview with Townhall, a conservative website, distanced himself from such a plan within hours of it becoming public. “I repudiate the effort,” he said.
McCain said he was “proud” of the campaign he ran. As for the characterization of him as “crusty” and “confused” in a memo by his former advisers that was obtained by The Times, McCain said that “my life has moved on.”
“I enjoy being in the Senate, and there’s no reason for me to hold any grudges,” he said. “It’s a way for political operatives to continue to make money.”
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