Rumsfeld Withholds Endorsement — Can McCain Recover?

The Hill reports that, in a recent interview, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld — a frequent target of criticism from Sen. John McCain — declined to comment on whether he would support the presumptive Republican nominee in November. From the article:

Rumsfeld told The Hill that he has not followed the presidential elections, but instead has been focused on work for his private foundation.

 

Asked whether that meant he wasn’t going to support McCain, Rumsfeld answered: “I have not been involved at all.”

Rumsfeld declined to comment any further. He also declined a follow-up request for comment on the issue to his personal office.

The Hill notes that according to FEC records, Rumsfeld and his wife "have contributed to about 100 Republican lawmakers or candidates since 1997. None of those contributions went to McCain." Rumsfeld has thrown his financial support behind Sens. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), and his wife donated to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s primary campaign.

McCain has largely blamed Rumsfeld for the mismanagement of the war in Iraq under his watch. Here’s a selection of some of McCain’s greatest hits:

“I said no. My answer is still no. No confidence." [Asked whether he had any confidence in Sec. Rumsfeld] 2/13/04

"Of course, the president bears the ultimate responsibility, but he was very badly served by both the vice president and, most of all, the secretary of defense.” 1/23/07

"We are paying a very heavy price for the mismanagement — that’s the kindest word I can give you — of Donald Rumsfeld, of this war." 2/19/07

"I think that Donald Rumsfeld will go down in history as one of the worst secretaries of defense in history." 2/19/07

No word yet from the McCain camp on how it plans to begin picking up the pieces in the aftermath of this devastating blow.