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.
Democrats are good at accusing those they don’t agree with “liars.” I love the comment by the guy who claims that inner city intellectuals make “America shine.” Its the hard working Americans who make this country shine, not the sophisticates who love the poor so much….except when the poor move to their nieghborhoods
GO HILLARY !!!
This would be OK - IF obama had not made himeself the candidate of “Change” - he was going to run a good campaign - not go negative - NOT!
This is is way of doing the bad stuff - he himself does not say anything negative - but - has his supporters do it while he just stands there - just like in the church for 20 years well..
YOUR SILENCE IMPLIES APPROVAL!!!!!
How do you call someone who wants our troops to stsy in Iraq for the next 100 years? McCain is a war monger period!!!
This is indeed a historic election. What a great time to be alive and an American. With that said, we do, however, live in troubled times. Today we are in real danger of bringing up an generation of Americans who will be worse off economically than their parents. So much so that over 80% of Americans think the country is on the wrong track. We are also coming off of a period of 20 years of trench warfare politics, the Clinton-Bush era. Coincidence, I think not. We as Americans have endured two decades of heavy handed campaining and endless spin, on both sides, as the Presidency and Congress has switched hands twice, but with neither side gaining any real power. All of this on promises that never get fulfilled and problems that never get solved. And now there is the possibility of extending this era four or even eight years, so that by the time this is over hardly anyone under thirty will have ever lived in a time when there was not a Bush or a Clinton in the White House. We can do better. The people of Pennsylvania have the glorious opportunity to stop this and say NO MORE.
I intend to vote for Ron Paul when the primary comes my way because I agree with him on more issues than I do any of the other candidates. I will vote for John McCain inthe general election because regardless of who wins the Democratic primary, that level of liberalism will never be good for our country, especialy economically. That, and John McCain is the kind of leader our country really needs right now, someone of substance and character, and as a veteran myself I am partial to those who have served their country, especially those who have so honorably as John McCain. Be that as it may, even if the next president is Barack Obama, and not Hillary Clinton, then the sign should read: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
…typical demowaco responses along with their liberal paranoid anti-America hate-everything anything-said-against-black-is-racist attitudes…nothing unusual here…!!
To JSmith:
You don’t know what a war monger is. Besides, coward, you’ve never served in the military of your country. (assuming it is the United States of America.) Just one hour in the cage that Senator McCain spent 5 years would be too much for you. If the Spade that you referred to does become President, you will deserve the world you voted for.
Neato
Please the believe the media garbage that the majority of Obama’s voters are true intellectuals. Intelligence is not based on collegiate experience, that is merely a formality for career advancement. If the population was smart, they definitely would not invest their thoughts, hopes, and dreams on speeches alone.
No media outlet had the heart or fortitude to investigate Obama’s questionable background and records. This is not about sensational news, but getting to the truth. If you consider yourself a true intellect, you would be open to hear all sides and based an informed decision. The media has been controlling your thoughts, dreams, and desires for far too long.
Intellectuals. LMAO
Purple Hearts never lie.
Many men and women have died to fight for and honor Freedom.
We are those men and woman.
Shut the rhetoric and guard the country.
Have a great day!
Will Obama bring change? Yes of Course!!!
THE WRIGHT CHANGE!!!
Will Obama bring unity to our America?
YES THE WRIGHT UNITY!!!
Does Michelle and Obama bring love to America?
YES THE WRIGHT KIND OF LOVE TO AMERICA !!!
Sad day! Obama will only bring us despair! Its already started! He has brought us back 40 years!!
We need more politicians like John McCain and less like Hillary and Obama. Way to go John, you got my vote.