Usually, when a fight breaks out between a Republican and a Democrat, the typical “moderate” Republican takes the Democrat’s side.

Luckily, John McCain, even though the darling of “moderate Republicans” until Obama came along, has some “Maverick” in him – and sometimes, every once in a while, he comes to the defense of a Republican;

CIA Director Leon Panetta should immediately retract comments he made to the New Yorker magazine suggesting former Vice President Cheney is wishing for another terrorist attack on the U.S., Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) demanded Monday.

“I disagreed with the Cheney policy on interrogation techniques, but never did it cross my mind that Dick Cheney would ever want an attack on the United States of America,” the former Republican presidential candidate said during an appearance on Fox News. “It’s unfair, and I think that Mr. Panetta should retract, and retract immediately.”

Panetta suggested Cheney would like to see America attacked again to vindicate his beliefs that the Obama administration has made the country less safe.

“When you read behind it, it’s almost as if he’s wishing that this country would be attacked again, in order to make his point,” Panetta told the New Yorker in a piece published this week. “I think that’s dangerous politics.”

McCain said the remarks crossed a line, and said Panetta “knows better” than to level such a charge against Cheney.

I have to admit … I’m actually surprised. McCain is not usually so exercised about defending Republicans from attack as he is in chastising Republicans for attacking Democrats.

So, right now, I’m wondering who it is among our coterie of self-loathing unctuous quisling “moderates” that is going to be trotted out to defend Panetta; Brooks? Powell? Frum? McClellan?

PS: Note the ridiculous off-point “update” from Media Matters.