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.
Why is CNN so sensitive to Barraks Middle name I mean its name its Barack Hussein Barack Obama! Should he change it? I mean it’s the same CNN that runs Romney over the CNN morons asking if his Mormon religion will affect him, not once but over and over. So why aren’t the CNN morons questioning Hussein Obama about the praise he is getting from Louie Farrakan who is a Racist? It’s because?? Any questions concerning the purchase of Mr. Hussein Obama’s Mansion in the Chicago area? I tell you all they are is spoiled rich people no difference and the rest of you will find out soon enough.
Tell me anyone? Then McCain rolled over and peed on himself.
I hate it that Americans are forced to be PC! The First Amenedment has been so stretched out of shape and misconstrued that people cannot really display their true, patriotic American feelings and beliefs. Bravo Mr. Cunningham and shame on you Mr. McCain! It’s a good thing all this PC B.S. wasn’t around in the 1940s or we would all be speaking German and celebrating Hitler’s birthday rather than Presidents Day! That’s what the men and women of that era fought and died for! It bothers me people believe the rhetoric of Barack Obama! He has that name for a reason! Islam is not a peaceful religion and never has been. However, Muslims are instructed as to how they should act while in the United States to not bring any sort of attention to themselves. Those printed materials are out there if you look hard enough for them. Comes straight out of Saudi Arabia! The infiltration of our enemy has already begun. Obama supporters, be careful what you wish for! What you get may not be what you thought it would be!
What is truly ironic about all of this is the fact that Obama is an apostate, a sin punishable by death in many Muslim countries. None of the more fundemental Muslim leaders will have anything to do with him - he represents what they fear most - the conversion of Muslims to Christians. I would like liberals to explain how Obama will cuddle up to Muslim leaders and bring world peace?? Not suggesting of course that he or anyone else should.
Sharia law is the biggest threat to world order and freedom!
I have nothing personal against Muslims, only the fascist kind that are intolerant of all other religions, which unfortunately seems to be the vast majority of them.
This is the reason McCain is not a worthy Republican….what Cunningham stated was the truth.
Before this incident, I was in favor of voting for McCain. His capaign team asked Bill Cunningham to get the crowd fired up and as one member put it, “throw em’ red meat.”
That is exactly what he did. Senator Obama’s full name is Barak Hussein Obama, and Bill has in the past refered to presidents and presidential candidates with their full name. Reagan, Bill Clinton, and so on have been called by their full name. Wait until Obama has a large lead in the polls this summer and McCain goes down the same road Cunningham went down on Feb. 27. We will look back on this date and say, “do you remember when he threw Cunningham under the bus for the same things he is doing now?” Hussein is a proud Islamic name and nobody should take offense to his name. He is a Christian anyway for God’s sake. I am voting for Nader now. I will not vote for a candidate that has no guts. McCain is not fit to run this country in such fragile times as these.
Cunningham.. what an idiot.
Now backs Obama?
Cunningham is rude, crude, and nasty. He’s just not a pleasant human being. If that’s how Republicans want to wage this campaign, prepare to watch it backfire. People are tired of this approach. He made a fool of himself on the Hannity and Colmes show. That may go over on the radio, but in the mainstream its not wanted. He makes his living being controversial, and that’s his primaryi motivation. The more things are “stirred up” the better for his pocketbook. He conduct is disgraceful, and McCain handled it the only way he could.
I have no problem with the race of the candidate nor party. I only deal with issues and what is best for the country. Obama I believe when faced with being tested by our enemies, which he would be within 6 months of taking office, he would sell us out and behave like a coward he is. Obama would be scared to wave a big stick if he had to. He only says what people want to hear. Young people are the most impressionable and believe every word he says. I believe he can’t lead nor will he deliver the leadership that is needed to be Commander In Chief of the military. He will not have the respect of the senior leadership of the military. In fact he hasn’t even taken the time to study the correct rank structure. He called a platoon leader a platoon commander. Give me a break. Another thing, how is he going to pay for this natural health insurance? There is not enough rich people in the U,S. and without taxing businesses so heavy that it will surely result in loss of jobs instead of job creation and a recession. To pay the 200 billion dollar cost for the program he must cut national defense by 1/4. Just what we need wne terrorist are trying to kill us. He is all talk and I don’t believe he can deliver. This democrat is voting Republican from now on. I am tired of all the democratic talk that they are the party of the middle class. Well not this one.
I don’t care who is president. Barack, McCain, Hillary. It doesn’t matter to me because the Lord is the only leader in my book.
I don’t work and I never went to no fancy college but I get along becuase God blesses me with my unemployment checks.
We need to keep a good Christian in power and wipe out all the non-believers who are keeping out the kingdom.
” 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 is McCain trying to ignore that Barack’s middle name is Hussein and for Americans not to use it in speaking of him? Excuse me! And what is supposed to happen if Obama wins? At the Inauguration will they say, “Barack X Obama” or “Barack (bleep) Obama”? because it reminds people of Saddam Hussein, or Muslim? AHEM!
Then maybe as Americans, WE should take second notice and THINK, duh! that maybe, just maybe we may be considering SOMEONE WHO IS INAPPROPRIATE to lead our country, not just his name! Hellloooo!
And McCain is a goose for thinking he has to apologize for something someone else’s mother did!
I question McCain’s motivation. Seems he is just trying to play both ends. I don’t think he is the answer for President either.