McCain and Obama flacks share shots — of alcohol

ST. PAUL — Spokesmen for the Barack Obama and John McCain campaigns may take plenty of shots at each other during the day, but that doesn’t mean they can’t share a drink together at night.

Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor and McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds were seen downing shots, posing for photographs and chatting extensively at a Minneapolis party on the sidelines of the Republican National Convention.

Both made it clear they can sometimes leave politics at the door.

{mosads}“Tommy's a good guy,” Bounds wrote in an e-mail when asked about the bipartisan partying. “Truthfully, every Obama staffer I've ever met has been nothing but respectful and friendly — Tommy is a classic example of that.”

Vietor took a slightly different approach.

“Lies and distortions,” Vietor joked in an e-mail. “People from different political parties cannot hang out and put politics aside for a night. That would be an outrage.”

Bounds and Vietor were seen at a party co-sponsored by the Distilled Spirits Council, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and The Hill. It’s one of dozens of parties and receptions taking place in the Twin Cities during the convention.

Bounds might have needed the shot; he had a tough exchange on CNN with anchor Campbell Brown earlier in the day.

In the e-mail, he indicated that while he and Vietor might differ on taxes, energy policy and the war in Iraq, there are some things only another flack for a presidential candidate can understand.

“On the campaign trail, we share some things in common, like political differences — but most notably sleep deprivation,” he said.