[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/02/04/art.mccain5.ap.jpg caption=" Senator John McCain."]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
John McCain sounds confident that he'll be the Republican nominee for president.
But not everyone is ready to place McCain at the top of the ticket. The Washington Post reports several of McCain's Republican colleagues are warning that his well-known tirades on and off the floor of the Senate suggest a temperament unfit for the office of president.
Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran says, "The thought of McCain being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me." Another Republican, former Senator Rick Santorum, describes McCain as being "very rough in the sandbox", saying he hasn't built up a lot of goodwill. Witnesses cite several examples of McCain cursing and belittling senate colleagues in front of people.
But his supporters insist McCain's fiery personality is a good thing, saying his capacity to get outraged shows how much he believes in something. One top aide dismissed the idea that McCain isn't fit to be president and said most stories about his temper are "wildly exaggerated."
When it comes to House Republicans, McCain has had a strained relationship with many of them for years. But Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole says, quote: "You'll have more Democrats running away from Hillary Clinton than you'll have Republicans running away from our nominee." unquote.
McCain has been endorsed by 13 of the 100 senators. That's more than any other candidate, Republican or Democrat.
Here’s my question to you: What does it mean when some of John McCain's Republican senate colleagues question whether he has the temperament to be president?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Dave from Cloverdale, California writes:
McCain's temper has rumbled under the surface in some news interviews. However, I don't think we'll have to take other senators’ word for it. We might be able to see it for ourselves in later debates, with either an aggressive moderator or strong opponent.
Daniel from Eugene, Oregon writes:
That the followers of the drug-addled Rush or the Chicken-hawk Hannity don't like Sen. McCain is reason enough to vote for him. We've had a draft-dodger and a chicken-hawk for president and it's time we get one with a spine. If he makes the panty waste members of the Senate and house run and cry, that's just gravy on the potatoes.
Mike from Seaville, New Jersey writes:
Jack, So let me get this straight: Senator McCain's flashes of anger may be a sign of how strong his convictions are? Wonderful, just what the country needs after 8 years of George Bush: George Bush on steroids!
Dan writes:
I can't think of a better endorsement of McCain than to have dunderheaded "colleagues" like Rick Santorum whine about being scolded by John McCain. He doesn't suffer fools easily and that's just the quality a president needs to operate in the "yes man" environment of a White House.
Kevin from Plainfield, Illinois writes:
Well, my friend, this should be the least of our concerns about, my friends, Mr. McCain’s rhetoric. My friends, his tired, cliched expressions belie, my friends, a tired, cliched set of solutions, my friends.
Josh from Vienna, Virginia writes:
The fact that a group of congressmen are complaining about Senator McCain’s temperament only serves to validate his maverick credentials. I personally prefer a candidate who isn’t afraid to ruffle feathers to get things done. I only wish the Maverick McCain would select Cranky Cafferty as his running mate.