Boy, Drudge doesn’t like John McCain. He links to this YouTube video which shows half of McCain’s answer yesterday when asked about Hillary Clinton, a recitation of de facto pleasantries.

The whole answer, as provided by the McCain campaign…

CBS’ “Face the Nation,” 8/19/07:
BOB SCHIEFFER: Senator McCain, Karl Rove says it looks like Hillary Clinton is going to be the nominee for the Democrats, and he thinks she is a flawed candidate. Do you agree with him?
SEN. MCCAIN: No — I wouldn’t know. I think she has been very effective in the Senate. I don’t know the Democratic politics, but I see her in a frontrunner status right now. I have worked with her on many issues. But–

The YouTube video stops here. Read the rest and see if you think it’s a fair edit:

again, she is a liberal Democrat. I’m a conservative Republican. I look forward to that debate. This debate should be about issues. I have seen her shift on her position on Iraq from basically supporting to now seeking withdrawal dates – I don’t know when. So I will be glad to have that debate with her, but I think we should have a respectful campaign, with lots of debates.

Look, those of us who are not fans of Hillary would love to see McCain break out with a pirate-y “Arr, bring on the twisted she-witch, I’ll tear the marrow from her bones!“ but it’s just not going to happen. And not on Face the Nation — it would give Schieffer a heart attack. On a Sunday show, McCain’s going to use the polite formality that audience is used to, offering faint praise before going after her as a flip-flopper on Iraq.