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.
Just another attempt by idiots like Cunningham, that Ann whoever she is and FATSO Rush to derail McCain. If they didn’t have someone to complain about they’d bet outta jobs.
He’s showing his true colors again, throwing his own base under the bus. Without this base to unite behind him, this fool’s going to be beaten like a rented mule in November. He deserves to be thrown off the stage now.
I would just like to ask all the FNC programs to drop Bill Cunningham from any interviews! I’m sick of hearing this idiot blab on about how he was only introducing John McCain and there’s nothing wrong with using Barrak H Obama’s middle name. We all know why Cunningham did that and I can’t stand his mouth and have to change the channel!!!! Being one of your most avid viewers, I don’t think that’s too much to ask, what cha think, eh?
Thanks!
Diana Kidder
As some of you have said, just because someone says something doesn’t necessarily make it so. The Illinois Imam can claim he’s the Pope, but I doubt he’ll get many folks taking communion from him…
Good job, McCain.
This election needs to be contested in the forum of debate, where there is no place for fear-mongering, race-baiting, lowbrow political assassinations. So Barack Obama’s middle name is Hussein. So, what? His father was a Muslim. So, What? The intimation here was that by repeatedly invoking a name that most Americans link to a former madman Islamic dictator and enemy of the United States that he would be able to avoid the more difficult-to-digest logical arguments against an Obama presidency and score a few quick, cheap shots by way of his heritage and his parentage, two circumstances of everyone’s life that are set in stone before we take our first breath on this earth. In doing, Cunningham allied himself with all the fear-mongering liberal demagogues he purports to loathe - those who appeal for votes to the public’s baser instincts and irrational fears.
McCain did the right thing in distancing himself from Cunningham. He was vindicated when Cunningham then proved himself a fair-weather ally and hypocrite by pledging support for Hillary Clinton in “retaliation” for the mild scold. Let me tell you this, people: occasional disagreement does not equal enmity, nor agreement an alliance. Cunningham’s delivery was bilious as well as being without any real substance. McCain does not want the race to be… well, about race, but about the issues that will help Americans to decide that he will be the be the better President. I applaud him. Had he done anything else, I would have been disappointed.
Hurrah for Bill Cunningham.
And the biggoted Republican fake Christian right crumbles before our eyes! Good riddence!
This is what happens when you have 3 democrats running for pres.
I remember what George Wallace said back in the 60’s. There’s not a dimes worth of difference between Dems & Reps. In the case of Clinton, Obama & McMcain that is so true. It’s not true of all Dems & Reps. Take Ron Paul as an example. The media won’t give a fair shot, not even fair & balanced FOX. He’s not in the elitist CFR so they ignor him but millions of loyal American’s hear & understand what he is saying and they won’t turn their backs on their country & vote for these three. We want an Americanist, someone who upholds the Constitution, values the natural law & backs it up with his vote.
Thank you John McCain for refusing to accept the rude, arrogant characterization of Barrack Obama by Bill Cunningham. It is clear the public is sick and tired of the far right comics (Cunningham, Hannity, Coulter, Limbaugh, Levin, etc.) who spout nothing but hateful, degrating and devisive comments about those who disagree with their idealogics. If you are far right conservative can it this election and cut your hateful talk. I am a porud American who is sick of your garbage.