Posted on 08/01/2008 4:21:54 PM PDT by Red Steel
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Facing a tough crowd, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain opened with an attack on his opponent Friday before a polite but unenthusiastic audience at the National Urban League's convention.
"(Sen. Barack Obama's) ideas are not always as impressive as his rhetoric," said McCain in the opening sentences of his 11 a.m. speech.
The presumed Republican presidential candidate spoke to a crowd of about 1,500 in the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center.
McCain also slammed Obama's failure to support school vouchers and school choice for parents, Local 6 News partner Florida Today reported.
"Where does it leave families and their children who are stuck in failing schools?" said McCain, using a line almost directly from an earlier speech. "Parents ask only for choice."
After speaking about an hour, McCain took questions from the audience. He was confronted with questions about affirmative action, education opportunity, medical malpractice and budget shortfalls for schools.
McCain appeared before the black organization a day after accusing Obama of playing the race card by accusing Republicans of frightening voters by pointing out he "doesn't look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills."
The candidate did not change his conservative view to pander to the black audience, said one Urban League member.
"He didn't tailor it. He stuck to his positions," said Bill Bailey, from Winston-Salem, N.C., who added that he was surprised at McCain's attacks on Obama, who leads with black audiences.
The 100-year old organization with 100 affiliates in cities lists as its prime issues: registering voters, getting higher wage jobs, and owning homes and businesses.
With appearances Friday and Saturday in Central Florida, McCain and Obama are battling head-to-head for votes in the crucial Interstate 4 technology corridor. Political pundits recognize that this area will be crucial to winning the state's 27 electoral votes.
While McCain was interrupted by applause several times, he was battered by tough questions during a session after the speech.
"It was a photo opportunity and a sound bite," said Dennis Rahiim Watson, a motivational speaker from New York, who added that the speech lacked specifics and compassion.
Watson asked McCain what he would do about the problems of educated black professionals who were blocked in job opportunities. McCain failed to support affirmative action but promised to fight for equal opportunities for all.
"It was not the message African-Americans want to hear," said Watson.
How can I put this delicately? BLACKS are not going to vote for you!! Move on....go to ANWR now and say you want drilling!
Unlike Jeremiah Wright, who was a chicken who preferred speaking to friendly audiences.
“”He didn’t tailor it. He stuck to his positions,” said Bill Bailey, from Winston-Salem, N.C., who added that he was surprised at McCain’s attacks on Obama, who leads with black audiences.”
This is actually a compliment. You could never accuse Obama of not tailoring.
>>>He was confronted with questions about
affirmative action (Race-based preferences),
education opportunity (College bills paid with Other People’s Money),
budget shortfalls for schools (Make-work jobs for underachievers paid for with Other People’s Money).
With liberals, it’s always about reaching into the pockets of the productive.
In 2008, PC, affirmatively acted upon America, this sumbitch doesn't exist. Watson is clearly a chickensh*t race pimp by "profession."
You are on the money. Say what you want about McCain and his positions on some issues, this guy is no pansy.
more balls than most Republicans.
One questioner bemoaned his assumption there are educated black professionals who are blocked in job opportunities. Say WHAT? The presumptive Democrat presidential nominee sure as hell has not been blocked from job opportunities. On the contrary, he has been promoted and elevated way beyond his skills and abilities.
McCain should have answered:
"Because of the civil rights gains in America in the past 50 years, this does not happen as much as it used to. However, I do recognize that it does exist in small pockets today compared to 50 years ago. For those who believe they have been discriminated against because of the color of their skin, there are many legal options available to those who feel they have been wronged, regardless of the level of education they have received.
Mark Levin had on John Corsi re his new book exposing Obama.
Really gets into the Marxists in his early background in Hawaii to date.
To bad some on FR would rather have this Marxists than someone who has defended our country such as McCain
Far too many have been elevated way beyond where they should be. The question is what to do about white men who are blocked from job opportunities. The only person who has an easier time getting a job than a black man is a black woman.
” Mark Levin had on John Corsi re his new book exposing Obama.”
As did Hannity yesterday.
Which prompted me to go to Amazon and order Corsi’s book and another coming out today-
The Case Against Barack Obama: The Unlikely Rise and Unexamined Agenda of the Media’s Favorite Candidate (Hardcover)
by David Freddoso
Expect Obama and his media protectors to scream from the rooftops about these books.
The rest of will have our hair standing on end at the thought of Obama anywhere near the Oval Office.
Sean had Corsi on again tonight.
I too a few weeks ago ordered the books from amazon.
Yes, the BomaBots will be in overdrive re the books
How many black political action organizations are there? Every day it seems that there is a convention of one or another of them? Do the same people attend all of them? What distinguishes one from another? Do they meet any time other than during election campaigns? Does anybody actually need to care?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.