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.
I was disappointed by the national Republican support for Romney. Instead, they supported McCain. He is nothing but a sellout. Every time he opens his mouth he displays his disrespect for conservatives. The right side of the political spectrum is out of luck this November. We are stuck with the lesser of “THREE” Evils. Who that might be is anyone’s guess, but it certainly isn’t Barack “Hussein” Obama…..That’s right… I said HUSSEIN…and NO! I will not apologize!!!
I applaud Cunningham for being honest, and telling the American people the truth. We the people must know who we are voting for. The fact is Senator Obama’s full name is Barack Hussien Obama, Jr. His father is the senior. I think Senator Obama is proud of his father, and therefore when calling his middle name, he shouild be proud of it. That is why he wrote the book about the dreams of his fathers.
I think Senator McCain should not have apologized for the excellent presentation of Cunningham. There was nothing to apologize to Senator Obama for that. Hussien is Obama’s real middle name. Is there something wrong with that?
There are so many democratic supporters doing personal attacks on Senator McCain. Senator Obama and his campaign staff don’t apologize for those bad language and incorrect assessment of Senator McCain, and Senator Clinton.
Why is America so deceived and mislead? I am so upset. It seems to me there is no justice. Many GOP’s do apologize for what? So they won’t be called RACIST? There is nothing racist in naming the middle name of a candidate. That is why there is the genealogy to trace the heritage of our ancestors. We have to be proud of our ancestors.
AMERICA, WISE UP! Thank you.
Whatever people…It’s not your fault. Just easier to look past what’s complicated for the safety zone of rationalization of the facts. Been a victim myself in the past. The intervention saved me from years of whip lash…
We all know its not about his full name or even calling his experience into question. His record, legitimate remark. I have a question - what do you all think Mr. Cunningham was implying by using it in that context during a McCain rally. We are all smart folks and understand in front of that Republican crowd that was meant to be used as a reference tool for the base, a key word/catch phase related that invokes in the minds of some terrorism and jihad.
The truth is that both John Sidney McCain III and Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. are good strong men that have lead well all their lives, noting we all get side tracked from time to time. We have to decide along with each American - who we want representing us in this country and in the world.
For those of you that say you find no problem with the tone and implication of what Mr. Cunningham’s words, well I believe we all understand where your coming from…I can respect that you are Pro-McCain, but to be Anti-Barrack based on his name and what you perceive as a limited record. Let’s not forget that many of you were the same folks who voted twice for a Yale “C” student, who embodies affirmative action, but those in the circle call it a “legacy.”
God created us all and the goal for Christian’s and all God loving folks is not to be judge or jury, but witness to others. So I am confident that God will help for us all. At this point, God is the only thing that can save us now, especially since some of us busy ourselves with the demise of others instead of promoting what makes the option better…
U.S. Presidents with frequently-used middle names:
John Quincy Adams
(John) Calvin Coolidge
Franklin Delano Rooseveldt, aka “F.D.R.”
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, aka “J.F.K.”
Lyndon Baines Johnson, aka “L.B.J.”
Richard Milhous Nixon, aka “Dick” Nixon, aka “Tricky-Dick”
William Jefferson Clinton, aka “Bill-Jefferson” or “B.J.”, aka “Slick-Willie”
Notable Presidential/Politico middle names and nick-names:
Theodore Rooseveldt, aka “Teddy” (origin of “Teddy Bear”!)
Harry S. Truman, aka “The Banty-Rooster”
Dwight David Eisenhower, aka “Ike” (”I Like Ike”)
Ronald Reagan, aka “Ronald Ray-guns” (per Country Joe & The Fish)
Robert Francis Kennedy, aka “R.F.K.”, aka “Bobby”
Hillary Rodham Clinton, aka “H.R.C.”, aka “The Warden” (per “B.J.”)
Probable, not provable:
Ulysses S. Grant, “That D@mn-Yankee Drunk in the White House”
¡¡¡ BLANCO-PHOBIC OBAMA-ZOMBIES: WELCOME TO “A-MER-I-CA”, GET USED TO IT !!!
Barack Hussein Obama, aka “B.H.O.”
I would like to see McCain debate Huckabee. Everyone is ignoring Mike, and hoping he will just “go away.”
Sorry, there’s the American people to deal with, and last time I checked, this was the United States of America; a government of the people BY the people, FOR the people. hmmmm.
I called Senator McCain’s headquarter’s today. Said I thought the Senator alienated many conservatives because of his overreaction to Mr. Bill Cunningham; thought he showed the problem of his uncontrolled temper. Well, the gal on the phone [4:35, Feb. 27] etarted arguing with me and was ruder than any gov’t volunteer or worker I’ve ever spoken to. I said “you’re being rude” and she said “you’re rude.” I asked for her name and she told me no you can’t have my name and hung up on me.
I thought Senator McCain was for civility. I’m still in shock.
What a joke Huckabee is, when are we gonna get rid of this clown. Yeah, next week, he is quiting the race and will beg to be nominated VP. Too bad, he is not even beating Romey who quit the race weeks ago.
Cool…
Now the general public will know what the “conservatives” are REALLY all about (rather than just those who see their posts on internet blogs).
If Cunningham-type messages are deemed attractive by the masses, then voters will come to John McCain in droves. If voters reject that type of message, though, then they’ll run from McCain and the “conservative message” for years to come.
Transparency can be a double-edged sword…at least this radio guy pulled off the white sheet to expose “conservatives” and their Party for what they really are.
We’ll see how it plays out in the end
The voters who believe a balanced budget is important, who believe our fight-on-terror is dependent upon the might of our military, who believe that the nobility of our nation is dependent upon on our faith based values and are critical to our effectiveness in the world, who believe that our families values and the morality of this nation is a critical foundation of our strength to persevere, then we need a leader of noble character, faith, and strong leadership principles…. that man is Mike Huckabee and he should be given the opportunity to debate John McCain.
Mccain is the most geniun and wise person with lots of wisdom. I advise some of the commentators here to make their brain work.