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.
I just called his campaign office to express my disgust with McCain not forcing Hussein to defend his Muslim name. Here is the number, let’s get it going.
703-418-2008
Thank you
B
U
M
P
It is ridiculous to claim that using a persons own legal middle name is disparaging. McCain is right to back away from lies, wrong to call a truth disparaging. Truth is truth. We should never run from it. Negative statements that are true also should not be repudiated. You can debate the truth or error of the statements, but to say nothing negative should be said is to very often make yourself truth’s enemy.
“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.””
So the name “Hussein” is disparaging?
Okay. While you're apologizing, how about one for Feingold-McCain too?
How about apologizing for being a memeber of the 'Gang of 14' and blocking Bush's appointees?
How about apologizing for Kennedy-McCain Bill?
The barf-alert is appropriate.
Cunningham does not need to apologize
However, C-ham needs to show some stones and start blasting McCain on his show. Real conservatives do not pander to McCain. Sunday nite should be interesting
Except for the few McCainiacs....John SIDNEY McCain made a freakin fool out of himself. He has no intention of bringing in conservatives.....
I am not going to let my strong dislike of McCain lead me to do something (not voting for him) that will quite possibly get me and my family killed (having Obama-nation as C-in-C).
My new tagline.....
Bill Cunningham has a face for radio.
McCain is an honorable man- I wish he weren’t so much in love with illegal aliens, but I agree with him that the name that a candidate’s parents gave him at birth should not be part of the political discourse. Apparently, most here disagree, but class and honor are not determined by a majority vote.
McCain is a sissified Democrat, soon he will be begging for a VP slot with his messiah Hussein.
Not at all, you are free to do whatever you please
Probably not a great idea. What would you like McCain to do? If Obama is the candidate, there will be plenty of that going around anyway.
In the meantime we can let the Hildebeast throw all the mud she can for us.
“Playing the “gentleman” never got Bush anywhere. “
I have to disagree as GWB was elected to the Office of President twice. Should McCain seem like like he’s snarking Obama it just looks petty. There are real issues to hit Obama with. That said I hope the blogs continue to give Obama as much hell as they can, since they’re not running for public office or bound by Queensbury type rules.
Aw gee, no more “W?” ;)
GWB
Why avoid mentioning Obama’s middle name? And McCain apologized? McCain is a walking time bomb.
MCCain should have said nothing at all. If Obama is ashamed of his name that’s his problem, but our candidate should not tell everyone that it’s insulting to Obama for his opponents to use his middle name.
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