McCain Suspends Staffer for Circulating Obama-Pastor Video
The John McCain campaign has suspended an aide for circulating a political attack video that splices together footage of Barack Obama, his long-time pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. and historical imagery of “black power” proponents.
The YouTube video, called “Is Obama Wright?,” was making the rounds on conservative blogs, before the McCain aide, identified as Soren Dayton, was punished for posting it on a personal Twitter page.
“We have been very clear on the type of campaign we intend to run and this staffer acted in violation of our policy,” McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker told FOX News.
McCain has said repeatedly that he intends to run a respectful general election campaign. As the Wright controversy mounted over the course of the last week, both McCain and Hillary Clinton stayed silent on the issue.
The YouTube video in question showed snippets of incendiary Wright sermons, including one where he refers to the United States as the “U.S. of KKK-A,” interspersed with clips of Obama denying being present during the controversial sermons. The video also includes a clip of Malcolm X, the rap song “Fight the Power” and segments questioning Obama’s patriotism.
The Politico reported that the video was made in part by Lee Habeeb, former producer for “The Laura Ingraham Show.”
Dayton posted the link at 12:31 p.m. ET Thursday with the heading “Good video on Obama and Wright” the Politico was first to report. It was later taken down.
Dayton was described to FOX News by one campaign source as a low-level political staffer. It is not clear how long the suspension will last.
Click here to see the video that led to the McCain aide’s suspension.
FOX News’ Mosheh Oinounou contributed to this report.
I guess, the real battle for the White House has just begun and Sen. McCain’s people have picked their opponent. If Sen. McCain’s people have chosen to go on the offensive against Sen. Obama, then it’s a sign of who would be a greater threat to Sen. McCain’s Candidacy.
what a shocker!!! no comments about this old man’s campaign pulling Bush-type tricks and trying to stir up the pot. This one term clueless candidate couldn’t even beat bush in the primary and look how horrible of a president he has turned out to be. Can’t wait to see him in debates with either Clinton or Obama, the sawed off little old man won’t have a chance. He’s clueless about the economy and his only redeeming quality will be his time served in the military. Americans, however, have proven time and again that being a soldier is not enough, i.e Reagan, Clinton, Bush Jr.
Maybe if McCain wins, he can pick a VP who doesn’t give a care in the world about how the American people feel about the war and just says “SO!!!” when asked about it. Boy, our nation is in great shape after these past 8 years!! Too bad Bush can’t run for another 8.
Circulating something that is TRUE is not smearing someone. McCain needs to get off his liberal high horse! It is getting harder and harder for me to stomach voting for him. Hillary, here I come.
And another Republican hits the dust!
Kudos to the staffer for making a video showing the truth about Obama! I’m sorry she was suspended…my guess is that Obama’s presidential bid is over. Hillary will get the nomination and all the Republicans and independents who can’t stand her will vote for McCain. I have no doubt that McCain will be our next president.
He was not my first or second choice, but at least I know he’s pro-American and pro-military. I feel much safer with him at the helm.
Is McCain stupid?? The You Tube video does not lie! The voters need to know where Obama’s sympathies lie! Americans want to know if a candidate harbors negative views of their country and whites!!! I think Mccain is unfit to run for President—–he is too stupid!!! The economy stupid, not Iraq!!!! Iraq is bankrupting our country!!! I am a former Republican ( 40 years! ) Joseph Anthony
I don’t believe that there is much anyone can do to increase the damage that Senator Obama has done to himself. I believe that Senator McCain does want to run a clean campaign and that he is right in suspending the services of anyone who tries to do it any other way.
So from this we must conclude the McCain is opposed to “the first amendment”! With Rev. Wright’s comments he in the same posture as our other enemies. Disgusting! Warren
Smart man. McCain can take the high road while Fox throws dirt all over the Democratic nominee.
Good for McCain. He’s old and doddering, but at least he can recognize a sleazy non-issue when he sees one.
He’s on H&C frequently lot…perhaps Hannity can take a lesson in how grown-ups act.
This is a testament to the character of a very decent man…Senator John McCain. It doesn’t matter that he could have reaped political profit from this video. He will have nothing to do with this racially-tinged nonsense, or with those who would employ such despicable tactics. A man of lesser character would have simply remained silent and done nothing. You don’t have to be a supporter of Senator McCain to respect the fact that he is a very decent man.