McCain Repudiates Radio Host’s Remarks

Senator Apologizes For Controversial Comments About Obama And Others Made Before Speech

(AP)  Republican John McCain quickly denounced the comments of a radio talk show host who while warming up a campaign crowd referred repeatedly to Barack Hussein Obama and called the Democratic presidential candidate a “hack, Chicago-style” politician.

Hussein is Obama's middle name, but talk show host Bill Cunningham used it three times as he addressed the crowd before the likely Republican nominee's appearance.

“Now we have a hack, Chicago-style Daley politician who is picturing himself as change. When he gets done with you, all you're going to have in your pocket is change,” Cunningham said as the audience laughed.

The time will come, Cunningham added, when the liberal-leaning media will “peel the bark off Barack Hussein Obama” and tell the truth about his relationship with indicted fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko and how Obama got “sweetheart deals” in Chicago.

McCain wasn't on stage or, he says, in the building when Cunningham made the comments, but he quickly distanced himself from the radio talk show host after finishing his speech. McCain spoke to a couple hundred people at Memorial Hall in downtown Cincinnati.

“I apologize for it,” McCain told reporters, addressing the issue before they had a chance to ask the Arizona senator about Cunningham's comments.

“I did not know about these remarks, but I take responsibility for them. I repudiate them,” he said. “My entire campaign I have treated Senator Obama and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton with respect. I will continue to do that throughout this campaign.”

McCain called both Democrats “honorable Americans” and said, “I want to dissociate myself with any disparaging remarks that may have been said about them.”

Asked whether the use of Obama's middle name - the same as former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein - is proper, McCain said: “No, it is not. Any comment that is disparaging of either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama is totally inappropriate.”

McCain said he didn't know who decided to allow Cunningham to speak but said he was sure it was in coordination with his campaign. He said he didn't hear the comments and has never met Cunningham, but “I will certainly make sure that nothing like that happens again.”

Responding to McCain's apology, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, “It is a sign that if there is a McCain-Obama general election, it can be intensely competitive but the candidates will attempt to keep it respectful and focused on issues.”

Last fall, McCain faced criticism for initially not repudiating a voter in South Carolina who called Clinton a “bitch.” McCain chuckled in response to the voter's question, but didn't embrace the epithet. A few minutes later, he said he respected Clinton, a New York senator and colleague.

Aside from using Obama's middle name, Cunningham also mocked the Illinois senator's foreign policy statements about his willingness to meet with the leaders of rogue nations. He said he envisions a future in which “the great prophet from Chicago takes the stand and the world leaders who want to kill us will simply be singing Kumbaya together around the table with Barack Obama.”

At one point, Cunningham compared Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Madeleine Albright, whom he said “looks like death warmed over.” He also commented on the difference between former Ohio Rep. Rob Portman, whose wife is named Jane, and Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank, an openly gay member of Congress. “Jane's the main difference. But that's a different story,” Cunningham said.

As Cunningham finished, Portman, who is mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate, took the microphone to introduce McCain.

“Willie, you're out of control again. So, what else is new? But we love him,” Portman said. “But I've got to tell you, Bill Cunningham lending his voice to this campaign is extremely important. He did it in 2000, he did it in 2004. It was crucial to victory then and it's even more important this year with his bigger radio audience. So, Bill Cunningham, thank you for lending your voice.”

Speaking to reporters later alongside McCain, Portman said: “I was backstage so I didn't hear everything he said. Bill Cunningham is a radio talk show host who is often controversial so it does not surprise me that he was controversial.” He added: “That's, I guess, how he makes his living.”

[taotxzen]

McCain Rated As America%u2019s Worst Senator For Children

JPGToday, the Children%u2019s Defense Fund Action Council released its 2007 Nonpartisan Congressional Scorecard. CDF reports some positive news, particularly that average scores for members of Congress %u201Cimproved from the previous three years with more Members scoring 100 percent than in 2004, 2005 or 2006.%u201D

Many, however, did not fare so well. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) received a 10 percent rating %u2014 the worst in the U.S. Senate.

CDF ranked members on 10 votes affecting children:

1. Increase minimum wage (H.R. 2)
2. Increase funding for children with disabilities (S. Con. Res. 21)
3. Protect children from unsafe medications (S. 1082)
4. 2008 Budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 21)
5. SCHIP Reauthorization (H.R. 976)
6. College Cost Reduction and Access Act (H.R. 2669)
7. SCHIP (H.R. 976 - motion to concur)
8. DREAM Act (S. 2205)
9. Funding child health and education (H.R. 3043)
10. Improving Head Start programs (H.R. 1429)

[kansas1946]

I find this debate hilarious. What''''s wrong with addressing him by Barack Hussein Obama? Jeez, It''''s like the Democratic Party either cringes or calls foul for calling him by his real name.
Has anyone in the Democratic Party thought about asking him to change his name? I''''m mean, if it''''s that uncomfortable for you.


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Posted by bizzzz at 03:46 PM : Feb 27, 2008
************************************************


LOL, you folks are hilarious. Do you know John McCains middle name. No. Yes. If you do, do you always use it when you say his name. I have not once even heard it used.
What is Hillary''s middle name. Do you use it when you say her name. No. Yes.

It seems to me our last president was called Bill Clinton, slick-willie, and everything but his whole name. I never once heard a right-wing whacko calling him "William Jefferson Clinton."
How about Ronald Reagan. George Bush. Jerry Flapwell.
You use their middle names everytime you speak their names.
This "hussein" buisness is so transparent, it is laughable.

[twocanpete]

Yes, Juan McCain took the initiative and threw brother Bill onto the tracks to be cut to pieces by Train O%u2019bama. Bill my friend, when you let a rattlesnake in your sleeping bag you got to know you%u2019re going to get bit. Your a Great American, Bill Cunnngham!
http://twocanpete.blogspot.com

[Ruidu]

The GOP and McCain have risen to the level of their incompetence! Go Huckabee!

[samthetvcat]

This could be this Cunningham guy''s $$$big chance$$$ to go national while he''s got a spotlight. I think his message probably resonantes with a lot of people and it doesn''t seem like any of the other talk radio hosts are willing to give voice to that message.

[steeepe]

Anybody really think that Cunningham was using Obama''s full name out of respect? Of course not! He wants the easily swayed public to associate Obama with militant Muslims happened to be named Hussein. Of course he can use Obama''s full name, but you can also ask what was his motivation in doing so when no one else does.

[missglo]

Racism has a new face. Never in all my life have I turned on my TV. And saw a small minded bigot raging. To top it off, I have to explain to my Grandkids. That the man that they are seeing is a poster child of the past.That has reared its ugly head.

[taotxzen]

I guess they frown on the term right (hand) peck*r

[taotxzen]

I held the shift button down the entire time, Mr. Lefty Know-It-All

Posted by bizzzz

Does that make you a right (hand) ***.

[taotxzen]

Sorry, RASSLIN!

[taotxzen]

Rasslin,

[reloaded06]

The right is doing this to put fear in the heart of america again.

[taotxzen]

SCARFACE McCAIN, is that the kind of campaign you want to see, a la WWF?

[kingtoadie]

For all of you who choose to pretend that mentioning his name is not an attempt to stir up bigotry, do you honestly think anyone would mention his middle name repeatedly if it was something mundane like "lyn"? Get real. I would say that playing dumb is not becoming but then again, maybe you''re not playing.

[rights4all]

Wow, suddenly it is politically incorrect to mention Obama''s middle name.
I was amused to see a livid John King of CNN angrily confronting McCain over Cunningham''s mention of Obama''s middle name. CNN is not ashamed that it is so biased and so pro-Obama that it took it upon itself to make sure that Obama''s middle name is not used in vain.
Are Obama''s supporters so ignorant that they don''t know Obama''s middle name and that they would be offended if it is mentioned?
It is like encouraging voters to put their heads in the sand.

[bizzzz-2009]

I find this debate hilarious. What''s wrong with addressing him by Barack Hussein Obama? Jeez, It''s like the Democratic Party either cringes or calls foul for calling him by his real name.
Has anyone in the Democratic Party thought about asking him to change his name? I''m mean, if it''s that uncomfortable for you.

[bizzzz-2009]

First, step away from the (caps lock) try to breath through your nose, release your grip on the keyboard...

taotxzen,
I didn''t use the cap locks. I held the shift button down the entire time, Mr. Lefty Know-It-All

[dogband]

CNN is reporting that some conservatives and Cunningham are angered that McCain had the decency to repudiate these uncalled for remarks.

Guess they want to SWIFTBOAT any opponent to continued world domination by the SCUM OF THE EARTH--otherwise known as republicans or conservatives -- take you choice of titles --- you all suck.

[taotxzen]

First, step away from the (caps lock) try to breath through your nose, release your grip on the keyboard.

This wasn''t just making fun of his name, it was more of the smear and hate filled rants that have come to symbolise the far right wing squawkers.

[bizzzz-2009]

Asked whether the use of Obama''s middle name - the same as former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein - is proper, McCain said: %u201CNo, it is not. Any comment that is disparaging of either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama is totally inappropriate...."

DID ANYBODY EVER STOP TO REMEMBER THAT WHEN A PRESIDENT IS SWORN IN, THEY ADDRESS HIM BY THE CANDIDATE BY THEIR FULL NAME. WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO IF HE''S SWORN IN?
ARE WE GOING TO HAVE THINGS HIDDEN FROM US ABOUT OBAMA BEFORE THE MAN EVEN GETS INTO OFFICE???

CALLING SOMEBODY BY THEIR FULL NAME IS DISPARAGING?? REALLY? BUT CALLING BUSH "GW" ISN''T, RIGHT?

WHAT A @#$% FARCE!