McCain Scrambles to Control Backers
Local radio talk show host Bill Cunningham introduces John McCain at a campaign event Tuesday in Cincinnati. McCain afterward repudiated comments made by Cunningham seen as disparaging toward Barack Obama. (AP Photo)
Though John McCain vowed that attacks on Barack Obama at his campaign events “will never happen again,” the Republican presidential candidate says he’s concerned he may be unable to control all of his supporters - especially third party groups.
At a rally in Cincinnati Tuesday, McCain denounced the remarks of local radio talk show host Bill Cunningham, who introduced the candidate with several attacks on Obama, including suggesting he is a “hack” who would sit down for tea with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hezbollah terror leaders.
Cunningham also called Obama by his full name, Barack Hussein Obama, during the on-stage introduction. McCain immediately denounced the remarks and promised a civil debate should Obama become the Democratic presidential nominee.
But speaking to reporters aboard his campaign tour bus late Tuesday, McCain acknowledged that conservative independent groups pursuing a similar line to Cunningham’s could be impossible to control.
“I think you have to worry about that, particularly the 527s,” McCain said, referring to the independent advocacy groups that are not subject to contributor limits.
“We’re aware of many of the things that 527s have done … where unlimited amounts of money can pour into negative campaigns such as we saw against John Kerry and his combat record, as we saw against (former Georgia Sen.) Max Cleland … they’re really very not accountable to anyone. At least I have to say ‘I’m John McCain and I approve this message.’”
Some critics blame his signature campaign finance reform legislation, co-sponsored with Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold, for the explosion of uncontrolled 527 groups. But, McCain said the law is not the problem and argued that 527 groups were able to sprout up as a result of loophole in a 1974 campaign finance law.
McCain said he would do his best to prevent dirty politicking by his campaign and surrogates.
“The moral of the story is we just have to have stronger control of our campaign. … There is no excuse for what happened today,” he said, adding that his campaign has plans to expand its bare bones staff.
Cunningham says he was told by party officials to give the audience red meat to warm up the crowd that came to see McCain. He says he did and the crowd loved it, but McCain then threw him under the bus. Cunningham says McCain has now lost his support.
“I’m gonna follow the lead of Ann Coulter. I’ve had it with John McCain,” Cunningham told FOX News’ “Hannity & Colmes.”
“I’m going to endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for president because she would do a better job in the Oval Office, I think, than the liberal John McCain. I’m done with him.”
Cunningham said McCain “embarrassed himself,” and then made up a name of his own for the Arizona senator, “John Juan Pablo McCain,” an apparent reference to McCain’s sponsorship of immigration reform legislation. He added that McCain should be “repudiating Democrats and leaving conservatives alone.”
Meanwhile, as McCain preaches civility, his own campaign put out a call to Obama’s camp to call off Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, who has been attacking McCain for choosing to forgo public campaign financing.
“Howard Dean and the Democratic National Committee leadership have launched a personal and negative assault on Senator McCain’s character. Howard Dean himself questioned Senator McCain’s integrity, and a DNC official called McCain a liar,” said Communications Director Jill Hazelbaker.
“We agree with the Obama campaign’s statement today that this debate should be respectful and focused on issues, and it would be encouraging to see Senator Obama denounce the character attacks coming from the leadership of his party.”
FOX News’ Mosheh Oinounou contributed to this report.
All this PC BS has created a society of thin-skinned whiners.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t McCain a leader in the campaign finance reform effort? What it amounts to is suppression of the First Amendment.
His chickens are coming home to roost/crap on him.
Control is an interesting word coming from McCain’s camp
Cincy McCain is doing controlled substance abuse
A man living with an addict is out of control
Come on, how can we even consider Cindy McCain for the job of first lady
She can’t even qualify for a $9.00 an hour factory job
Why? Because she can’t pass a urine screen
McCain is a joke
OH NO! He called him by his middle name!!!! OMG!!!!!!
I never understood what is wrong with that. He should be proud of his heritage, and not trying to hide it. That scares me more than the name. I am pround of mine , but I also love my country and contribute positively to it. It is possible.
I guess Bill Cunningham will now join Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh in spitting in the faces of the millions of people who have been supporting and campaigning for Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul, by throwing his support behind one of the Democrats. These so-called conservative radio talk show hosts are becoming a disgrace.
My how the tables have turned. People like Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham, and Mark Levin are out of touch with Conservative voters and continue to use drive-by media tactics on Republicans.
They ignore the candidates in the race that they have not personally supported, they laugh about them, mock them, call them petty, childish names, they outright lie about them, and figure that if they keep lying maybe the lies will eventually be believed.
Tom Tancredo and Duncan Hunter are their earlier victims. Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul are their current targets. Does anyone who has done their own research really believe that Mike Huckabee is a Liberal? Do they still believe that he is only trying to be John McCain’s vice president? Even now, Mike Huckabee is looking at one on one debates with John McCain!
As a conservative Republican for 40 years, I resent Senator McCain’s continual assult on “The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth”. This group told the truth and nothing they said has been proven to be false. I am very grateful to John O’Niel and his supporters for what he has done for Vietnam veterans. I am also very dissapointed on how John McCain and his friend, John Kerry, treated POW/MIA families in the 90’s. His temper tantrums and verbal attacks on some of these familes was despicable.
No, for the first time since 1964, my personal conservative values will not permit me to vote in the presidential election of 2008.
Stephen G. Morris
Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret)
Vietnam Veteran
McCain is a big wuss; he might not sit down with Mahmoud, but he’d love to sit down with Ted Kennedy and discuss how the republicans can jump ship of their conservative values to apease the Socialist Democratic party. Bill Cunningham was correct to say that Barack Hussein Obama Bin Laden would love to meet with his friend and brother in the Muslim faith, Mahmoud Ahmadinejihad. If Hillary wasn’t the Anti-Christ, I’d vote for her. I think I’m going to write in Bill Cunningham for President.
Enough, enough! We don’t need to hear any more about McCain/Obama/Clinton. We want to hear about a conservative Republican. Get it FOX?
McCain’s true colors are showing. He is not conservative and does not have what it takes to stand up against the media or the liberal left.
If there is nothing wrong with Barack Hussein Obama then why all of the uproar over calling him by his full ISLAMIC name? Trying to hide something Obama? If you hadn’t been wearing your Islamic head covering in the first place - there would be no pictures and a lot fewer doubts about whether you are an Islamic puppet in disguise.
We desperately need Republicans to come on board for Mike Huckabee before it is too late. John McCain can not carry the election. He compromises on all issues in order to appease people. Personally I see nothing wrong in calling Obama by his middle name or by calling into question his credentials. Exactly what does he stand for? Where does he come from? Why do the crowds swoon; why do they hoot and hollar over his simply blowing his nose? The American people are not SHEEP who can not think for themselves. Actually many of us recognize an authentic VOICE calling to us to follow and it is NOT Obama.
Mike Huckabee was an awesome governor; he has a disciplined, moral lifestyle; he has an intelligent, gracious wife; he has a plan for tax reform; he wants a STRONG military; he loves Israel and will continue to be her friend and ally; he will secure the borders; he will NOT compromise on life issues. Mike Huckabee is the man for the hour. America needs him even if she is too lulled asleep to know it!!!