Posted on 02/26/2008 11:37:45 AM PST by indcons
CINCINNATI (AP) — Republican John McCain quickly denounced the comments of a radio talk show host who while warming up a campaign crowd referred repeatedly to Barack Hussein Obama and called the Democrat a "hack, Chicago-style" politician.
Hussein is Obama's middle name, but talk show host Bill Cunningham used it three times as he addressed the crowd before the likely Republican nominee's appearance.
"Now we have a hack, Chicago-style Daley politician who is picturing himself as change. When he gets done with you, all you're going to have in your pocket is change," Cunningham said as the audience roared.
The time will come, Cunningham added, when the media will "peel the bark off Barack Hussein Obama" and tell the truth about his relationship with indicted fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko and how Obama got "sweetheart deals" in Chicago.
McCain wasn't on stage nor in the building when Cunningham made the comments, but he quickly distanced himself from them and the talk show host after finishing his speech. McCain spoke to a couple hundred people at Memorial Hall in downtown Cincinnati.
"I apologize for it," McCain told reporters, addressing the issue before they had a chance to ask the Arizona senator about Cunningham's comments.
"I did not know about these remarks but I take responsibility for them. I repudiate them," he said. "My entire campaign I have treated Senator Obama and Senator (Hillary Rodham) Clinton with respect. I will continue to do that throughout this campaign.
McCain called both Democrats "honorable Americans" and said "I want to dissociate myself with any disparaging remarks that may have been said about them."
Asked whether the use of Obama's middle name — the same as former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein — is proper, McCain said: "No, it is not. Any comment that is disparaging of either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama is totally inappropriate."
McCain said he didn't know who decided to allow Cunningham to speak but said he was sure it was in coordination with his campaign. He said he didn't hear the comments and has never met Cunningham, but "I will certainly make sure that nothing like that happens again.
Well Said !! I will never forgive McCain for attacking the Swift Boat Veterans...He had to take up for his A$$ wipe friend Kerry.
Apparently, in your book, “Conservative” now means: irrational, sputtering, angry people with out a strategy...who will call the Canidates office to complain that he was too polite....I hope that’s not the case. It’s like a scene from Young Frankenstien, with the town people at the gate.... The game has just begun and already many are trying to trash the most conservative canidate in the bunch. Not very good thinking is one want to win the ultimate race....
I see that you are still an anti-Mormon bigot. sad.
This is going to be as dull as Ford vs. Carter.
A couple of real lemons.
BTW: McCain destroyed 5 aircraft in his Naval career, and dumped his first wife when he got back to the states.
The media created this non-issue. Hook line and sinker.
You're right, Halley. I wondered when the sleeper agents would be activated.
Real smart of McCain to make enemies of conservatives in the most pivotal state in the country.
Amen.
McCain will always be a disappointment to conservatives. His behavior toward Republicans has always been despicable but his most vicious attacks have always been, and will forever be, reserved for conservatives. He is not our friend.
I never have and never will trust this man. He will stab us in the back again and again, whenever the opportunity presents itself. He may be the lesser of two evils, but he is extremely evil.
“Apparently, in your book, “Conservative” now means: irrational, sputtering, angry people with out a strategy...who will call the Candidates office to complain that he was too polite....I hope that’s not the case. It’s like a scene from Young Frankenstien, with the town people at the gate.... The game has just begun and already many are trying to trash the most conservative canidate in the bunch. Not very good thinking is one want to win the ultimate race....”
Obviously his apology was dumb because it is creating infighting instead of focussing on the real prize, defeating Obama and winning the WH. If McCain didnt want firebrand speeches his mistake was to invite a firebrand to speak on his behalf. Post hoc apologies from second-hand sources don’t help at all.
A simple “hey, I didnt say it” suffices.
Creep McCain would rather offend his allies than his enemies. How the heck is he going to run any kind of an offense against this socialist crook? McCain is afraid to call a spade a spade. It’s time Republicans stopped playing nicey nice. RATS certainly don’t and they’ll be going after McCain with both barrels blazing and he’ll get what he deserves. It’s us that deserve better.
“Real smart of McCain to make enemies of conservatives in the most pivotal state in the country.”
Speak for yourself. You are not all of the conservatives in the most pivotal state in the country. I’m sure you must prefer Barak for President.
Thanks for the phone no.
That leads me to believe you only joined our fine website to pimp your LIBERAL candidate, John MeCain!
Your candidate may indeed be better than a Liberal Democrat, but that doesn't mean I have to like a Liberal Republican.
You have the same mentality as your candidate, be nice to the liberals, be nice to the Big Media talking heads, be nice and write liberal legislation with the liberals across the isle.
You and your candidate just don't get it.
McCain just wants to be the second, Republican, presidential nominee who worked as a spokesman for VIAGRA.
Have to be careful this election. People are emotional about obama its totally freaky.
*ANY* comment? Even a truthful correction of the media hype about Obama? Even correcting lies said on Obama's behalf? He wont even bring up possible corruption links?
Making fun of a man's name is juvenile and silly and doesnt go very far. But if he's got corrupt pals, that's a legit issue to raise. McCain has hurt himself significantly with this comment. Conservatives want to help him, and he just knee-jerks them away.
I was thinking Bob Dole, But Ford is a good analogy, too.
I do know the saga of McCain, having been in the Navy back in the day. By November the whole world will know it, too, I’m sure.
Just wait
“Pointing out his middle name over and over again, as if that is all that needs to be said...*wink* *wink*, comes off as juvenile and turns people off.”
On this I agree, and if McCain had left it at that, it would be enough ... but he went overboard coming out against ‘disparaging comments’ - read, *campaigning*.
Preplexed and flummoxed by a man who used the F word on Sen Cornyn but cant use the L word on Obama.
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