McCain and the Bitch

This is yesterday's news, but the Associated Press is picking up on it today.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican presidential hopeful John McCain says he respects Hillary Rodham Clinton and that he said as much when a woman used the word "bitch" to describe her.

"How do we beat the bitch?" the woman asked Monday at a McCain event in South Carolina.

McCain laughed along with the crowd as he said, "May I give the translation?"

"That's an excellent question," he added. "I respect Senator Clinton. I respect anyone who gets the nomination of the Democratic Party."

On Tuesday, CNN's Rick Sanchez raised the question of whether McCain should have admonished the woman, and McCain's campaign criticized that criticism on Wednesday.

"Most people who have seen it are looking at it as a real mistake on his part in terms of the way he handled it," Sanchez said on the cable network's "Out in the Open."

McCain's South Carolina campaign manager, Buzz Jacobs, said in a statement Wednesday: "It not only reflects poorly on him, but on CNN. If Mr. Sanchez had even the faintest perspective on the race for the White House, he would know that Senator McCain has expressed his utmost respect for Senator Clinton numerous times on the campaign trail, as he did at Monday's event in Hilton Head."

I think McCain handled the situation extremely well.

While keeping the moment light, he responded by noting his "respect" for Hillary.

McCain is quoted as saying, "I have no doubt that Senator Clinton would make a good president." See the Wall of Shame, (right).

Actually, I think it's possible "the bitch question" was another Hillary campaign plant, looking for a gotcha moment.

That would make sense.

In any event, Hillary should wear the "bitch" label proudly.