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.
One of the reasons people like McCain is that he refuses to take cheap shots. This is why the Times was shouted down after the filth they peddled about the Senator. People truly respect him. I have also heard Mr. Cunningham’s constant references to Barack “Hussein” Obama. It’s fun to hear one or twice, but it’s getting a bit stale. The fact is that Mr. Obama is an appealing individual and no one is going to beat him with low rent tactics, witness the Clinton debacle. Senator Obama also lacks the political slime that other Democrats bring to the table and Americans are generally glad to see African Americans doing well. Also we face another 4 years of grid lock if the Republicans or Democrats win with mud slinging. This is so because this election is going to be very close. One or two states will decide things. Remember Flordia 2000 and Ohio 2004. Any perception that one side improperly tipped the scales and it spells disaster again with one party running things with razor thin margins. Rest assured nothing will get done under those circumstances.
McCain can only do himself a service by continuing to keep the campaign about civility and respect. The American electorate has become completely disgusted with the negative rhetoric from both extremes - left and right. Simply witness the crowd reaction to Hillary Clinton’s “change you can Xerox” line. If McCain and (presumably) Obama can keep the campaign on the issues then Americans will have the opportunity to vote for the person they best feel can do the most for the country as opposed to the one with the least “baggage.”
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
My reasons for sticking with him:
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. He doesn’t back down, and he obviously DOESN’T QUIT!!!! America needs him even if she is too lulled asleep to know it!!!
Someone aught to scamble to muzzle McCain!
I am a conservative and McCain makes me sick.
What a sniveleing little worm Cunningham is. He has no class. If someone disagrees with him that changes the whole outlook he has on them and life? He was all for McCain until McCain said how he felt about what Cunningham said, then all of a sudden he supooorts Clinton. Cunningham obviously has no backbone, no principles, and stands for nothing. If it were about the issues he would still support McCain, but it’s not. For him it’s obviously all about Mr. Cunningham.
I bet Clinton loves that Cunningham is endorsing her even though he was bashing her just hours before. Maybe there is something Cunningham can learn from Clinton. He SHOULD endorse her. Two peas in a pod those two. Me me me me ME!
I have always been a Republican, but I can’t vote for McCain after he did what he did to Bill Cunningham yesterday. Somebody needs to call these people out for who they are. The news media is favoring Barack Hussein Obama and it is plain for everyone to see. I too will join Ann and Bill and give my support to Senator Clinton.
First of all, I was at the McCain rally yesterday. Bill Cunningham to his defense didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. It may not have been nice to bring up, but this is politics. He was warming up a conservative crowd. He didn’t say anything vulgar. And He used Barrack Obama’s middle name? If that’s his name then that’s not out of line. If people are so afraid of the name Hussein, then they’re the bigots, not Bill Cunningham.
McCain’s attempts to muzzle his most “outspoken” supporters, the very ones he needs to rally the Republican and Conservative elements who oppose him, will be his undoing. As the 2008 election evolves, regardless of whether Barry Obama or Hilla the Hun is the democRat standard bearer, John SIDNEY McCain will be his own worst enemy!!!!!
Why is referring to Barack Hussein Obama dirty politics? THAT’S HIS NAME!! If he’s ashamed of his name, he should change it.