McCain: Santorum, Cochran 'Not Most Respected Senators'

Sore winner?

You'd think a man who might be on the verge of taking a giant step toward winning the Republican nomination would go out of his way to be gracious. But John McCain couldn't suppress his spiteful streak on this morning's Today.

In the course of his interview by Matt Lauer, the Today co-anchor cited criticism of McCain by former and current Senate colleagues Rick Santorum and Thad Cochran. McCain retaliated with a personal swipe at their reputations, and later declined to describe Mitt Romney as a fine man.

View video here.

JOHN MCCAIN: I have very close relationships [with Senators], close friendships, and so many of them are with me and campaigning with me. And in all due respect to a couple of those people who are criticizing me [as a scornful smile came to his lips], they're not the most respected members of the United States Senate.

A bit later, McCain managed to make a slyly invidious comparison between Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney.

MATT LAUER: If you get close to the number of delegates you need by this time tomorrow to win the nomination, do you expect any kind of magnanimous gesture from Mitt Romney, considering the tone of this campaign over the last several weeks?

MCCAIN: Well, I would hope so. I know there would be from Governor Huckabee if he doesn't win cause he's a very, very fine man.

Subtle, John, subtle.

Bonus Coverage: Early Show Mac Attack

Over on the Early Show, McCain took two particularly tough swipes at Romney.

HARRY SMITH: Momentum's on your side?

JOHN MCCAIN: Oh sure. And people are figuring out that Governor Romney had a terrible record as governor and they're figuring out that he's not good on national security.

Beyond the virulence of the verbiage, check out the nasty smile that comes to McCain's lips as he shoves in the shiv.

View video here.