McCain Apologizes for Radio Host’s Obama Comments at Rally
Feb. 26: Radio host Bill Cunningham speaks at a rally for Sen. John McCain. (AP)
John McCain apologized Tuesday for disparaging comments about Barack Obama made by talk radio host Bill Cunningham at a McCain campaign rally in Cincinnati.
Cunningham, a radio host at WLW-AM, had warmed up the crowd at Memorial Hall with comments about Obama and Hillary Clinton, likening Obama to a “hack, Chicago-style” politician and saying the Illinois senator would “saddle up next to Hezbollah,” Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il if elected president.
When McCain addressed the crowd, he apologized for the remarks. “I regret any comments that may be made about these two individuals (Obama and Clinton) who are honorable Americans,” he said. “We just have strong philosophical differences, and so I want to disassociate myself from any disparaging remarks that may have been said about them.”
Though McCain apologized for remarks directed at both Democratic presidential candidates, Cunningham’s comments were directed at the Obama camp.
Cunningham had delivered remarks that painted a grim future for America if “Barack Hussein Obama” is elected president. He mentioned Obama’s middle name three times.
“Obama just came back from meeting Ahmadinejad; he’s got a meeting the next week with Kim Jong Il of North Korea. Then he’s going to saddle up next to Hezbollah; they’re going to have a little cookie-and-cream party. All’s going to be right with the world.
“When the great prophet from Chicago takes the stand, and the world leaders who want to kill us will simply be singing ‘Kumbayah’ together around the table of Barack Obama, it’s all going to be great,” Cunningham said. “Things are going to be wonderful.”
Cunningham ended his stump speech with “if you think about immigration, think about terror, think about success in Iraq, there is only one man who can get the job done, John ‘Wayne’ McCain for president.”
McCain later took the stage and apologized for the remarks.
“I will take responsibility in any offense that was inflicted,” the Arizona senator said.
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 he 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.”
Bill Burton, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, applauded McCain’s remarks.
“It is a sign that if there is a McCain-Obama general election, it can be intensely competitive but the candidates will attempt to keep it respectful and focused on issues,” Burton said.
Last fall, McCain faced criticism for not immediately repudiating a voter in South Carolina who called Clinton a “bitch.” McCain chuckled in response to the voter’s question, but didn’t embrace the epithet. A few minutes later, he said he respected Clinton, a New York senator and colleague.
At one point on Tuesday, Cunningham compared Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Madeleine Albright, who he said “looks like death warmed over.” He also commented on the difference between former Ohio Rep. Rob Portman, whose wife is named Jane, and Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank, who is gay. “Jane’s the main difference. But that’s a different story,” Cunningham said.
As Cunningham finished, Portman, who has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate, took the microphone to introduce McCain.
“Willie, you’re out of control again. So, what else is new? But we love him,” Portman said. “But I’ve got to tell you, Bill Cunningham lending his voice to this campaign is extremely important. He did it in 2000, he did it in 2004. It was crucial to victory then and it’s even more important this year with his bigger radio audience. So, Bill Cunningham, thank you for lending your voice.”
Speaking to reporters later alongside McCain, Portman said: “I was backstage so I didn’t hear everything he said. Bill Cunningham is a radio talk show host who is often controversial so it does not surprise me that he was controversial.” He added: “That’s, I guess, how he makes his living.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
It’s shame that our society has become so willing to and so expectant of apologies. Senator McCain does not have to apologize for what others say as they excersice their freedom of speech, regardless how screwed up they may be.
I’ve not heard Senator Obama apologize to Cuban-Americans for the Cuban flag with Che Guevara’s picture in an Obama Houston office. Che was personally responsible for the murder of thousands and part of a regime that continues to deny millions basic human rights. If Senator Obama is so in-tune with change, is that the kind of change he plans to bring to the US? Socialism or death?
Let’s hear Obama apologize for that one!
Jose Avila
And this is the man we want to elect??? He’s a flaming liberal and he’ll sell every conservative out, just as George W did, if he is elected. It has reached a point where we voters have no choice — any one of the three won’t help the country or its conservative base. In fact, we’ll have more TB and other diseases no matter who is elected because they all agree that a person’s rights should not be violated by insisting they be treated for latent TB before entering the USA; consequently, these folks enter as latent, become active, spread the disease to those they work and live with here, and then they are quarantined and treated — BUT the American citizen that they infected must also be treated at THEIR OWN EXPENSE — not at the expense of Homeland Security, or the employer.
With a clear conscience I can’t give my vote to any one of the three of them. They are all losers insofar as protecting the United States, the values this nation has stood for for over two centuries, and the conservative base.
Willie is the voice of the common man and woman and has my full support. It really disturbs me that main stream media would find it offensive that Willie use his real middle name. Its even more disturbing that John “Pedro” McCain and the republican party apologize for his actions.
I don’t understand wht has happened to the republican party. We need people like Willie who speaks the truth and has a backbone. Most voters are stupid, especially here in Ohio. We have banned smoking, voted against casinos, and do nothing to create new jobs — yet wonder why every one drives to are bording states to spend money.
Willie is the one small flame of hope that Ohio has to inform people. Unfortunately, as a republican, I could never vote for Pedro now after throwing Willie under the bus. The republican party is in deep doo doo after throwing him off the wagon!
Joey Johnson - Wilmington Ohio, the new blue state.
Just reading some of the comments by some of your readers explains why there is so much hate spread around by people like Bill Cunningham. How in the world do you people call yourself Christains. I like Foxnews but people like Sean Hannity makes a lot of your fans turn the set off when he comes on. Does the GOP pay Foxnews for all the free press they give them?
Just like the Dem. should pay CNBC.
I have voted repubican for the last 20 yrs. I will not be doing so this year. He is disgusting.
It is unfortunate, but sometime ago, I thought, “The chickens will come home to roost”. My, how the crying and howling is beginning. Where were these people when the crazies on the left were calling George Bush a Nazi and worse. Now, the crazies on the right are going to answer. What did anyone expect?
Any conservative out there that is disgusted with McCains apology, do what I did call his campaign headquarters and ask them why mccain apologized, tell them your disgusted with it, If all we do is complain nothing will change, we need to complain to him instead of just to this board, call now
703-418-2008
tell him to take the apology back!
Why applogize?Look at all the crap the dems have called the President,showing absolutely no respect for him or the office.I would let it be.The dems will keep up the stuff and try to get others to side with them.The dems show their lack of class everyday.JRW
Senator McCain did the right thing. This was a politically savvy apology. He shows he is an honorable senator who considers his political opponents as colleagues.
I think this insulates him from the favorite leftwing attack tactic: the personal destruction. Now the McCain has showed his willingness to discuss the issues and not lower himself to personal attacks, it would look negative for the Obama camp not to do the same. Senator Obama mantra of “let’s have an honest debate” holds him to such an issue only debate. If Obama goes in the personal attack mode, it will tarnish him. Of course, on issue and substance, McCain is the favorite in a debate. McCain can not let an opening for the Obama camp to turn the discussion from policy and government issues to personal issues.
He should NOT appologize.That is weak.Bill C.Is agreat American.McCaine needs to be tougher.I think he was weak for apologizing.We are a bunch of hyper sensitive babies.God forbid if we say anything bad about the second coming Obama.