"'¡Oh, madre!"

El Senador John McCain volvió a llevarse ayer a su madre de 95 años a la televisión. A Roberta McCain, a la que muchos llaman "el arma secreta" de su hijo, ya la conocimos hace tiempo en Meet the Press, y ahora los dos se han pasado por Hardball para ser entrevistados por Chris Matthews. La mujer guarda el encanto natural de esas personas que han vivido tantas experiencias en la vida que están ya de vueltas de todo. Además le sirve a John para demostrar que en su familia tener 71 años no es nada. Todo bien hasta que la señora puso en un aprieto a su orgulloso hijo al ser preguntada sobre Mitt Romney.

(...) During an appearance on MSNBC, Roberta McCain laid out why her son, John, deserves to win the Republican presidential nomination. But in evaluating McCain's primary rivals, she criticized Romney's Mormon faith and his time in Salt Lake City.

"As far as the Salt Lake City thing, he's a Mormon and the Mormons of Salt Lake City had caused that scandal. And to clean that up, again, it's not a subject," Roberta McCain said.

John McCain quickly stepped in: "The views of my mothers are not necessarily the views of mine."

"Well, that's my view and you asked me," Roberta answered.

The Salt Lake Organizing Committee had enticed International Olympics officials with lavish gifts and accusations of bribery mired the Games in scandal while resignations sullied the region's reputation.

Utah officials tapped Romney to lead the effort and as president and CEO of the organizing committee he pared the budget, boosted revenues and worked to repair the committee's reputation.

A Romney campaign spokesman said the McCains made a mistake.

"I would disagree with any candidate or any campaign surrogate that chooses to disparage someone based on the faith that they hold, and instead implore other candidates and their campaigns to make a case to voters based on the important issues facing the nation," said Kevin Madden. (...)