McCain Camp Boots GOP Figure After "Racist" Column

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Republicans

Bobby May, a prominent GOP figure who was John McCain's Buchanan County (Virginia) campaign manager, has been ousted from his position by the McCain campaign, the Associated Press is reporting.

The reason is that May penned a column about Barack Obama that was called racist. Here, via the Los Angeles Times, is a PDF of the column. The Times summarizes:

[May wrote] that the Democrat would hire the rapper Ludacris to paint the White House black (a reference to a pro-Obama song by Ludacris), and divert more foreign aid to Africa so "the Obama family there can skim enough to allow them to free their goats and live the American Dream." He joked that Obama would replace the 50 stars on the U.S. flag "with a star and crescent logo," an Islamic symbol, and that his policy on drugs would be to "raise taxes to pay for Obama's inner-city political base."

May also wrote in the column, called "The (clarified) platform of Barack Hussein Obama," that Obama would change the national anthem to the "Black National Anthem."

The ouster comes not long after McCain chastised supporters for being insufficiently respectful of his rival in the wake of reports of increasingly ugly scenes at McCain/Palin rallies, where there have been shouts of "terrorist" in reference to the Democratic candidate as well as calls for him to be killed.

Meanwhile, another more prominent Virginia GOP leader, state party chairman Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, has said both Obama and Osama bin Laden "have friends that bombed the Pentagon," a reference in Obama's case to his association with William Ayers. Frederick's comments drew criticism from Democrats and from the McCain campaign, though the chairman is standing by them.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by jimesmith2 October 15, 2008 5:01 AM EDT: I''m white and am more racist than I wish I was. But, it''s absolutely disgusting that such ignorance on here would spew such krap that Obama would rule as anything but a proud American. Shame on your ignorance -- and I''ll bet you call yourselves Christians and act all goody-goody on Sundays. Jesus Christ would be sad to see such hatred and bigotry in your hearts; Reply to this comment


by jimesmith2 October 15, 2008 4:58 AM EDT: Everyone can write all they want -- but no minds get changed on here -- regardless of how witty or smart you think you are. The racists will be racist and spew all kinds of disgusting hate. Funny thing -- maybe not all Republicans are racists, but certainly every racist is a Republican. What a sad commentary on a political party in the 21st century.; Reply to this comment


by alicerea1 October 14, 2008 10:11 AM EDT: The African Americans voting in this election should be embarrassed that they support Obama for being black.
It''s rediculous.; Reply to this comment


by alicerea1 October 14, 2008 10:10 AM EDT: The Media Better get "With it"

The media is not being honest about our candidates. Actually they haven%u2019t been honest about Obama since day one.

Why is anyone pushing Obama and Biden?

Obama has no experience.
He%u2019s risky.
He is scary.
His friends, his associates and his background should be questioned daily.

Rev. Wright, Farrakhan, Rezko, William Ayers, Father Plaeger and now ACORN.
We have a racist, an Islamic leader, a criminal, a terrorist and a fraudulent grass root community group.

Obama is running for President of our country, not for American Idol or for a %u201Cpublic speaking%u201D position.

If the media doesn''t do it''s job. Obama and his group of %u201Cobama girl%u201D followers might end up in our living rooms.

Obama is embarrassing.
McCain is experienced and a true patriot.; Reply to this comment


by timberagain October 14, 2008 3:24 AM EDT: Poor roadsassy - rethugs won 7 of the past 10 elections, and now he''s taking his toys and goin'' home.

Tsk.; Reply to this comment


by cosmotopper October 14, 2008 12:21 AM EDT: I''m a Republican, and a year ago at this time, I was supporting John McCain''s comeback from a melt-down in his primary campaign. While I opted out in favor of Obama long ago, I continue to be surprised by the talent for malignant rhetoric Senator McCain has demonstrated as he falls further and further behind in the polls. I heard Representative Lewis'' remarks, and I found nothing in them that was excessive or outrageous. I also remember the George Wallace third-party campaign, and while it was based on an obviously incendiary idea, at least Governor Wallace was honest about who he was and what he stood for.

I cannot say even that much for Senator McCain. Those who remember Richard Nixon probably also remember the sort of creepy feeling one got that there was a struggle with demons going on "in there" 24x7. As the intense pressure of this campaign has worn on John McCain, it seems to have peeled away a thin disguise and revealed inner turmoil that is down right scary, a reminder of the flaws that brought down the Nixon administration.

I hope my fellow Republicans who are still on board with him will think very carefully about their vote. One day he''s the honorable statesman, the next he''s seething with rage as his poll numbers continue to drop. He could still win this election, and I suspect it could be a disaster for this country if he does.; Reply to this comment


by newslink October 13, 2008 11:05 PM EDT: This is the reason that Other Countries do not Respect America. If America can not get pass racism. How can it help another Country.With its people.; Reply to this comment


by roadsassy October 13, 2008 10:23 PM EDT: For all you smirking self-righteous "progressives", I dare you to defend anything listed on this site linked below.

http://***********/4c3kxu

All attacks on Palin/McCain by the "pure as the driven snow" left. Truly indicative of the depths of depravity that now is the hallmark of the democRATic party.; Reply to this comment


by roadsassy October 13, 2008 10:21 PM EDT: For all you smirking self-righteous "progressives", I dare you to defend anything listed on this site linked below.

http://***********/4c3kxu

All attacks on Palin/McCain by the "pure as the driven snow" left. Truly indicative of the depths of depravity that now is the hallmark of the democRATic party.; Reply to this comment


by jneill7854 October 13, 2008 10:12 PM EDT: What decade are these people stuck in? Someone should fill them in that white people will be the minorty probably within their lifetime. I am white and I am fully aware of this. Go Barack!; Reply to this comment