David again: “Your original point was that the Democrats would disembowel McCain for inconsistency. I am simply pointing out that Romney is much, much weaker on that point than McCain. For all of McCain’s bad positions, and his sour disposition toward conservatives (both good arguments for voting against him), he’s pretty consistent.”

McCain is dissembling as I said here. Do you want to answer the questions I raised here about two of McCain’s signature issues and his current incoherence on the subjects as he seeks votes from conservatives, or would you rather talk about Romney? I also don’t recall asserting that Romney’s record wouldn’t be attacked. But he admits his reverses. McCain dissembles. That’s a bigger problem not just in a campaign, but should he become president.

UPDATE: I haven’t had time to thoroughly research the McCain tax record, but it was just asserted that he never voted for a tax increase. But I did find this from George Will:

“Mr. McCain says, ‘I’ve never voted for a tax increase.’ Well, never, unless you ignore the huge — $516 billion over 25 years — tax increase in his 1998 tobacco bill. But that was less a revenue measure than an exercise of the McCainian righteousness that has so enchanted many of the people who are now becoming disenchanted.” (George F. Will, “McCain’s Media Unmasking,” The Washington Post, 4/9/06)

“House Speaker Newt Gingrich accused Senate Republicans yesterday of participating in a tax-and-spend ‘feeding frenzy’ on the tobacco bill that he said would be dead on arrival if it reaches the House. ‘It’s dead because we won’t take it up. There is no chance, none,’ Mr. Gingrich said in an interview with The Washington Times. He accused Senate Republicans of trying to strengthen and pass a ‘big-government, big-tax, big-bureaucracy bill’ that violates fundamental party principles.” (Donald Lambro, “Gingrich Declares House Won’t Even Look At McCain Tobacco Bill,” The Washington Times, 6/12/98)

UPDATE II: As for extending tax cuts, which McCain says he is for, there is this from NRO a few years ago:

“At home, On March 10, the Senate amended its 2005 budget resolution to reinstate pay-go restraints on tax cuts. Four Republican senators — Collins, Snowe, McCain, and Chafee — joined in the 51-48 vote. While the House will not likely agree on this provision, the Senate vote increases the uncertainty about President Bush’s ability to extend the 2003 tax cuts and adds importance to the November Senate races.” (David Malpass, “Is Risk-Aversion Back?” National Review Online, 3/15/04)