By Yvonne Wingett Sanchez | The Republic
U.S. Sen. John McCain’s co-author and former Senate chief of staff tore apart an Arizona congressman who said he agreed with a gubernatorial candidate that McCain’s wife, Cindy, should not be appointed to her husband’s seat if it is vacated.
Mark Salter, frequently described as McCain’s alter ego, berated Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., on Twitter Saturday, calling him a “dumbass” for weighing into the conversation since McCain’s seat isn’t even vacant. Gosar, who has reportedly expressed interest in the appointment to McCain’s seat, told Salter to “piss off.”
The virtual brawl on social media puts into sharp focus the deep political divide within the Republican Party over McCain.
McCain, 81, is battling brain cancer and is at his family retreat near Sedona with his wife and daughter, Meghan.
Early Saturday, Gosar wrote on Twitter that Cindy McCain was not qualified to hold the seat and asserted that Gov. Doug Ducey or his team “floated” Cindy’s name to see how the public would respond. That claim is false, Ducey’s spokesman, Daniel Scarpinato said Saturday.
Gosar’s post came days after Ken Bennett, ignited a political firestorm by pledging to never appoint Cindy if he wins his long-shot bid to unseat Ducey during the Aug. 28 primary.
