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.
John McCain’s apology to Barack Hussein Obama looks a lot like Hillary’s apology to him; what was said, was the truth. If you, John McCain, wish to be calling him President Barak Hussein Obama, that’s your choice, just keep on apologizing.
What is Obama’s full name? Barak Hussain Obama! If he wishes not to use his own full name could it be he thinks it will cost him votes? Well it will, but so be it. This dosen’t even fall under the P.C. tent of garbage. This is so simple. Why is it a “no-no” to refer to him using his real name? Most people demand that. Good Grief; forget Hillary and decide between BHO
and J.M.
I see today that McAmnesty is trying to convience conservatives that he learned his lesson on illegal aliens. NOT! I’m not falling for his lies. He spoke his true beliefs
before he was running for president. Twice he thumbed his brown nose at conservatives concerning this issue. Now he thinks conservatives will vote for him
in a forget election? No gonna happen here. I’m certainly not forgetting his true intentions of giving amnesty to ILLEGAL ALIENS! They are stringing wires at the border to decapitate the heads of our border agents, yet we are suppose to look the other way? Not gonna happen here either. Our agents will not be able to look the other way if the mexican government, the liberals, and the liberal McAmnesty have their way. Send them home where they belong. They come here for a better life? They should go back to mexico and make their country a better place to live. That’s what all of us have had to do to get the best country in the world. Why should they come here to enjoy our rewards when they should go home and seek their own rewards. McAmnesty is a liar and a theif. He lies about his true intentions and tries to steal our votes with those lies. Here’s one conservative that said there was no situation that would cause me to vote for the lieing Mccain and I will live up to my words. Anything else will condemn conservatives to a life sentence of NO RESPECT from the GOP. They will think they can kick us in the teeth as McAmnesty has and we will still vote for them. They will not take me for granted anymore, and if they do it want be because I voted for them. I will hold my head high while other coward conservative shake their heads and think to themselves, ” What the heck was I thinking?”. Oh, and if some of you think that I have no right to speak about immigration? I am native American. I was here first.
If anyone remembers, the term “swiftboating” on Kerry turned out to be be true. Be careful using the term, cause it means telling the proven truth. Me, I’ll vote for mccain but only because he is the least offensive that appears to be running.
Why is it a big deal to use his middle name? That is who he is for crying out loud! We say Hillary Rodham Clinton don’t we?
McCain just lost my vote. Because if he hang out with someone as hateful and small minded as Cunningham. What do that say about him? He knows what kind of person Cunnungham is, and he knews what Cunningham was going to do. Because he set it up. Shame on you Mr. McCain, I hope everyone see you for what you are. As hatful and small minded as Cunningham.
Mr. Mc Cain
If, You keep kissing the ass of the liberals you won’t have any conservative votes. You can not be trusted at all. You are for you and you’ll throw anyone under the bus. I will not vote for you. I may as well vote for Hillary I would get the same President. I believe she will try and do what she says. I believe you will say one thing then do another. oh, that’s right you don’t need the Conservatives talk show host. You are the liberal media’s choice for President. At least, George W. Bush was our choice for President, and he won two terms.
John McCain is a “can’t we all get along” person. It won’t sell and the Dems will stuff his political correctness down his throat.
Wow, the neocons’ wheels are falling off right here on FOX in front of God and everybody. I never thought I’d live to see the day.
Vote for Gov. Mike Huckabee, he is the true conservative!!!!