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.
No apology from Senator McCain was warranted…… in my opinion.
Perhaps Senator McCain would do well to remember that old adage: ” Be kind to those you meet in your ascent, very likely, you will meet the same persons on your way down.” What does Mr. Cunningham have to say about this? I wonder how he feels about this, John McCain apologizing for his comments… Is not this man responsible for his own words? I say, let Senator McCain be responsible for his own words, and not be distracted. That will be a full-time job. The stakes are high. A strong backbone, strength that comes with conviction and purpose is what I feel the country’s Leader needs. The good Senator need not worry about what Mr. Cunningham has said….He spoke out of his personal convictions….and I believe he was supporting McCain’s campaign enthusiastically. I thank Mr. Cunningham.
I have my concerns about how things are proceeding in Campaign 2008……..
Why would anyone want to apologies for speaking out Obama full name? It’s an eye opener as I and many others did not know his full name, to be honest its shakes me up seeing it and I think the worst.
Good on you Bill for waking us up, the slick smart and sharp Obama has many of us dreaming along, regarding the word ‘change’ I don’t trust a man who hides his middle name or would have others apologies for uttering it.
When will we find out the true intent of this relatively unknown candidate whom running for the number 1 office in the world.
Listen to the wake up call folks.
My friend Bill Cunningham has entertained and provoked thought for years to local radio listeners…he refuses to take himself too seriously and always sees the humor, irony and hypocrisy especially when it comes to politics at all levels. Unlike the national media he will take the gloves off well within historical political campaign boundaries and expose the candidates and system for what they are in many cases… shallow and gutless. The reaction to his “comments” has exposed most (not all thank God) of America for what we sadly are… ignorant. Hussein (From the Arabic personal name, Husayn, derived from the Arabic hasuna, meaning “to be good” or “to be handsome or beautiful”) is the mans middle name for Gods sake! Political correctness is poised to reach an even more bizarre new “presidential” level, if that is possible…
Hey………LIBERAL DEMOCRAPS ARE TRAITORS TO THE USA. VOTE REPUBLICAN IN 2008 I have to agree with you about the liberal laws, people are getting away with far too much crap and I am sick and tired of it!!! So I say we should impeach Bush and Chaney for war crimes and really nail them for… illegal wire tapping, taking away our constitutional rights, wanting to give ILLEGAL ALIENS blanket amnesty, giving pardons to people that don’t deserve it, squandering our national treasure on an illegal war, putting our very brave, honorable, and dedicated troops in harms way… for oil,giving HUGE retroactive tax rebates to their FILTHY rich BILLIONAIRE friends , destroying our economy…just wait the best is yet to come, wiping out middle class America, rewarding North Korea for very bad behavior, treating Saudi Arabia like an ally…especially the Bin-Ladens, giving secret sweetheart deals to Haliberton…thank you Dick Chaney, outing a dedicated CIA operative, continuing to deny global warming is in large due to humans, when the majority of scientists agree that it is, stealing the election, pretending to be Christian just to get the Christian vote. voting along party lines no matter what, to keep things tied up in congress, lying to the entire country to gain support for the war… I could go on and on and on I say we punish them to fullest extent of the law, put them in prison and throw away the key!!!! It’s real easy to see who has the the filthiest hate filled mouths in these blogs and most of the others that I have read… Christian??? give me a break!! stop calling yourselves Christians, you are just giving all of us true Christians a bad name, you are a minority now, so you might as well accept that and get used to it..get some counseling. I don’t know if you were abused as children, have problems with alcohol/drugs or what….get some help… Oh bye the way I can’t wait to see the bewildered, dumbfounded, look of disbelief on your face in November as your party crumbles to dust and you go out with a whimper….see you at the voting booths…love ya
His name is Hussein and McCains is Sidney. Frankly, I wouldn’t name my dog either one but whatever. Holy crap McCain why did you apologize for the truth? Obama has big ears too! Hillary goes by Rotten, I mean Rodham, and btw what is her real middle name? Rosie?
I think it’s funny how all these liberals talk about how great these other countries are, yet none of them want to move there. America is by far the greatest dynasty in the history of man. We’ve accomplished more in less than 250 years than any other country has in centuries and we’ve done it with a relatively small population. Now all you liberals speak of is change. Why? To sink to the level of other countries. In my opinion America has already changed. This liberal thinking which started in the 60’s is destroying everything that has made this country great! If you’re not proud of your country and what America stands for then pack your bags and leave. America is a far better country without you!
As for Barrack HUSSEIN Obama, Is this a joke? I can’t believe we are even having this discussion. This man won’t even wear the United States flag pin or stand up and sing our National Anthem but you want to let him run our country. I could care less where him and his wife got their degrees from or how educated you think he is. This man hates America and everything it stands for. To put this man in charge of the greatest country and most powerful army in the world would be the worst mistake we could possibly make. We need someone in office that cares about AMERICA AND THE PEOPLE IN AMERICA!
I am a conservative and I’m tired of John McCain pandering to the middle and the left (by “disassociating” himself from Bill Cunningham’s “disparaging” remarks). If using Obama’s middle name is offensive to him then he should change it. McCain’s appology makes him look weak. It’s time for him to step up and be Presidential instead of worrying about the possibility of offending Obama’s “camp”. Be concerned about your own camp, John! Stop trying to please the left, and emphasize the conservative values that MOST Americans believe in. You should be distancing yourself from Obama, not cozying up to him. Stop playing nice! This is a fight, and we conservative Republicans hope you realize that before it’s too late.
Damnit! He’s left wing and has a muslim sounding name. He’ll destroy everything we stand for! Now if you’ll excuse me i’m off to lynch some art students.
Whats wrong with mentioning Obama’s middle name? Or the fact he neglected to honor the Pledge of Allegiance at a public function with other democratic candidates, or the fact that he panders to terrorist nations such as Iran and Korea, or the fact that he “was” a Muslim, or the fact that he “once” wore Islamic tribal garb in Somalia. NO - no reason to mention any of that when the fraud is running to be the next American president, NO REASON AT ALL!
What ever you do, don’t mention anything about Barack Hussein’s big GINORMOUS ears either…it might hurt his feelings…he is sensitive you know. McCain is the worst!! Our 2 choices for President are 2 Dems.