In the December 29, 1999 issue of the
Idaho Mountain Express, former
Arizona Republic publisher Pat Murphy wrote
this editorial on the senator. The money quote:
If McCain becomes President, America will have more than a prickly president with a low boiling point. He carries grudges, fibs rather than admits mistakes, cannot endure criticism, threatens revenge, controls by fear, is consumed with self-importance.
He follows up with lots of details. The examples that stand out most are his intimidation of journalists, the Amy Silverman case in particular:
Upset about coverage in The Phoenix New Times by Amy Silverman, McCain phoned her father, Richard Silverman, general manager of the Arizona water-electricity utility Salt River Project to complain. McCain’s intent seemed clear—using muscle on the federally chartered SRP in hopes Silverman would pressure his daughter to cease.
"That reporter said mean things about me. I'm gonna call her dad." Yikes.
And McCain got a lot of press adulation during the 2000 race. Like Steak and Ale getting a PETA endorsement.