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.
mccain is a cooter for apologizing.
So no one is allowed to use his full name now? what are we in Iran? we better not draw any charactures of Barak Heussein Obama or there might be riots in the streets. Come on the guy grew up in Pakistan and he does have the middle name Huessien, and he is running to become the leader of our country. Cunningham raised some valid arguments. I for one will not be voting for someone with that many ties to the middle east while we are in an all out war with them.
We all know McCain is a fool. But we still have to vote for him or we’ll have to accept Hussein’s demands for a change. Don’t forget Hussein will have control of both houses and all he’ll need is just one vote to pass a law. God Save Us!!!!
The usual right-wing attacks-about a name, or sexual orientation, or someone’s appearance…How about a substantive talk about the ISSUES, and the problems facing America today, instead of the usual dirty tactics. I don’t CARE who has what middle name, or what their sexual orientation is. How about a debate on the influence of lobbyists on legislation that is passed, supposedly for WE THE PEOPLE, NOT WE THE LOBBYISTS! Or how many billions of OUR tax dollars are being misspent in Iraq a week? Hmm..not as much fun as slinging mud, is it? Or the quality of our drinking water, or the state of education in our country, with MANY children being left behind. No? I guess Jesus wouldn’t care about that? Only who’s gay, and who’s not?
Hey Fox Network, show some real journalistic integrity, and allow this comment to go through, instead of CENSORING it.
This story is wrong on one fact and leaves out another.
McCain did not apologize as soon as he took the stage, it was after his speech was over and he was off stage, and in doing so he proved himself a liberal loving two-faced sham.
Later Cunningham said McCain through him under the bus, and rightfully retracted his support for the old sack. Everyday McCain finds a way to prove he is not a conservative.
Saddam Hussein was 24 years old (born in 1937) when Barack Obama was born in 1961, and Hussein didn’t become the leader of Iraq until, I believe, 1979, when Obama was 18-years-old. Common sense tells anybody that one has nothing to do with the other. So, don’t hide behind some lame excuse — i.e., Barack’s name — to not like Obama. Listen, let’s be truthful. A lot of people are just uncomfortable with the idea of a Black man becoming president. AND NO THAT DOESN’T NECESSARILY MAKE THEM A RACIST. Electing a black man — or even a woman — is a tremendous change from what has been the norm, and change, no pun intended, can be scary. So, stop all these nonsense about his middle name. A lot of people just should be honest and say they don’t want to see Obama become president not because of his muslim name because they just aren’t ready for a black president.
P.S. - If Cunningham wasn’t trying to some connection between Obama’s name and a possible Muslim connection then why doesn’t he refer to McCain has John SIDNEY McCain III?
Since when is saying a candidate’s middle name a big deal??? We all have middle names. This is absolutely RIDICULOUS. You can’t show pictures of the guy in a traditional Somali attire, you can’t mention his middle name, it’s ok that his wife was never proud of her country… Yes, I know the Vice President of External Affairs and Communication for the University of Chicago Medical Center did not mean to say what she said. It’s not like it’s her job to say what you mean and know what you are going to say. It’s not like it’s not her job to play with words. GIVE ME A BREAK!!!! I am with Dennis Miller on this issue. I do not buy her pathetic excuse for an apology. I hope she says what means the first time around when she goes with him to when he meet with the presidents of Cuba, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea etc. and not make a mistake and denounce or reject the United States.
For a guy who wants to be known as the uniter, he is very secretive about many basic things in his life. When will the media’s love affair with Obama end??? The media has given him every break possible. I personally think the media is afraid to go after Obama because they are concerned that a mishap may result in them being called a racist. This democrat will be voting for John McCain.
Unlike Chris Matthews from MSNBC, I do not get a “tingle” every time I hear Obama speak. In fact I puke a little bit in my mouth every time I hear him speak because he is full of BS.
McCain is a spineless wimp. I guess that there is really no difference between the three now running for president. Since when is using someone’s middle name offensive? Franklin Delano Roosevelt, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Richard Milhous Nixon, Ronald Wilson Reagan… c’mon.
I was set to hold my nose and vote for McCain, but forget it. I hope he looses!
Good God!!
You right wingers are angry people. Most of you only spew regurgitated right wing radio garbage. You knock Obama for communicating with our enemies. Here is a novel idea to wrap your little brains around; What if we had no enemies? What if We could reduce the number of enemies we have, if even by one?
You say being liberal is a disease? I will concede that if you admit that conservatism is a mental block.
Don’t forget to respond to this post the way a pack of angry wolves respond to a piece of meat.
Way to go Willie! You are “A Great American”!
I’m glad someone in the Republican Party has the backbone to stand up and expose McCain for the spineless blob of jello that he is.
We love you here in Cincinnati, and McCain just lost Ohio for throwing Willie under the bus. Shame on you.