Obama Camp Chides Host Who Called McCain a ‘Warmonger’
Barack Obama’s campaign distanced itself Saturday from a liberal talk show host who called John McCain a “warmonger” while introducing the Illinois senator at a North Dakota campaign stop the night before, after the McCain campaign called on Obama to denounce the comment.
Local talk show host Ed Schultz used the term to describe the Arizona senator while warming up the crowd in Grand Forks, N.D., before Obama’s arrival at the state’s Democratic convention.
“John McCain is not a warmonger and should not be described as such,” Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Saturday. She added, “He’s a supporter of a war that Senator Obama believes should have never been authorized and never been waged.”
The campaign stressed that Obama was not present when the “warmonger” comment was made and that Schultz is not a campaign surrogate.
That wasn’t enough for the McCain campaign, which pressed Obama to personally repudiate Schultz.
“Barack Obama promises a new brand of politics, but today refused to directly denounce Ed Schultz and his vicious smear attack on John McCain. John McCain is committed to a civil debate worthy of the American people and has a record of standing by that commitment,” said McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds. “Senator Obama must personally and publicly repudiate his campaign supporter’s attacks — rather than give tacit approval to this blatant smear — or his rhetoric of change will be exposed as nothing but words.”
The McCain campaign likens the insult to the language used by conservative radio talk show host Bill Cunningham, who rallied the crowd for McCain in Cincinnati, Ohio, in late February by repeatedly invoking Obama’s middle name, “Hussein,” mocking him as a “hack” and suggesting that as president he’d cozy up to Hezbollah and Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. McCain condemned Cunningham, prompting a fierce response from the talk show host.
On Friday, however, Obama thanked Schultz and called him the “voice of progressive radio.” Obama also appeared as a guest on his radio show earlier in the week.
Without realizing Obama’s campaign had commented on the matter, McCain said Saturday afternoon in Prescott, Ariz., that Schultz’ “kind of language is unnecessary for this campaign.”
“I hope that in keeping with the spirit of Senator Obama that they … will condemn such language since it was a part of his campaign,” he said.
After learning about Cunningham’s incendiary comments from advisers after the February event, McCain rebuked and disassociated himself with the talk show host minutes later at a press conference. The presumptive GOP nominee repeatedly has vowed to run a “respectful” race and campaign officials were attempting to draw a contrast between McCain’s quick condemnation of Cunningham’s remarks and Obama’s reaction.
FOX News’ Mosheh Oinounou contributed to this report.
Well, if John McCain is a “warmonger”, then Barack Obama must be a “peacenik”. However, the “peaceniks” lost in Korea, Vietnam, and Somalia.
Yes, you will get change with Obama alright! A politician that will be all words, rhetoric, pie in the sky ideas and no action. This guy has no record whatsoever of reaching across the isle and forming a consensus. Clinton and MCain both have that. If you thought Carter reduced America to peanuts you ain’t seen nothing yet! Surprising how far a little hot air can carry a trial balloon.
Amazing how the media is so taken with Obama. This is a man who says one thing and practices another. Surely you can’t blame this one on Hillary now! I sincerely hope and pray that America will not put this man in the White House, whether or not he emerges as the Democrats nominee.
DEAR SUPERDELEGATES: I think the whole world is watching you, not just United States. Your votes are probably going to decide the Democratic presidential nominee for 2008. Please take a fair decision. If Florida and Michigan results were counted, you guys won’t be in this position at all to decide the outcome of this election. Ultimately, democracy should respect the voices of people. Before you cast your votes in one way or other, please consider the millions of people of Florida and Michigan who voted in this primary. Their voices cannot be suppressed on a technicality. Even though DNC, stripped Florida and Michigan of delegates, the unspoken understanding was that the delegates were eventually were going to be seated. I think we all should work to renew the whole primary process so every state has a say in the final outcome. Democrats cannot win in November without Florida and Michigan. Let us forget the partisanship for a while respect the people’s will. We go around the world preaching democracy. Let the people speak. Let all vote and let all votes be counted.
Hey Nora “Bash” - your name tells it all. Go Hillary
My comment is that it is clear the difference between John McCain and Barrack Obama, John McCain is honest, and stainds by his words and does not use SMEAR TACTICS to win the race, Barrack Obama has NO HONESTY or sense or right & wrong, just ask his Reverend Wright!!@ He has no sense of honor, loyalty or patriotism which is WHY AMERICANS do not trust or want him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
McCain above board and up front as always. Obama weasling out! Same O Same O! as always.He doesn’t speak against his multi decade spiritual advisor either. Lack of integrity as well as a lack of morals will surface every time.
You’ve got to stop throwing people in front of the thrasher Obama. Ed Schultz is a good man. He has stuck up for you. It’s time you stick up for your supporters and stop being a weasel. You are just too elite for us common folk. Go back to your million dollar home.
I do not believe that Senator McCain is a war monger.
I think he is a ‘proven’ patriot, who sincerely
wants to keep this country, and everyone in it, safe.
I know that most Americans want a change from Bush,
but it’s irresponsible to want any change, at any cost,
from someone who has shown the lack of character
and judgement to associate himself with an anti-american
racists for 20 years.
Having read some of these comments from the liberal hacks it is proof positive you are nothing more than misinformed sheep that will follow your liberal spin doctor leaders regardless of what they say or do. Your comments about the warmonger statement made by that idiot journalist in Fargo prove just how stupid all of you are. Even worse, you cannot tell a liberal anything. It simply does not register. I have a news flash for you ignoramuses. Nobody hates war more than anyone who has served in combat. I know I have been there. Senator McCain went through a horrible ordeal and understands far more than I ever will how cruel war is. How dare you refer to him as a warmonger! George Washington said the best way to prevent the next war is be prepared to fight it and like me and most conservatives he also hated war.