McCain Camp: Obama Played "Race Card"

Ariz. Senator's Campaign Manager Rips Into Obama's Warning About Republican Tactics

(CBS/ AP)  John McCain's campaign accused Barack Obama on Thursday of playing racial politics a day after the Democratic candidate predicted Republicans would try to scare voters by pointing out "he doesn't look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills."

Obama "played the race card, and he played it from the bottom of the deck," McCain campaign manager Rick Davis said in a statement. He called Obama's remarks "divisive, negative, shameful and wrong."

While Obama was meeting with victims of this summer's flooding here, his aides were initially dismissive of the McCain broadside. "We're not in the habit of reacting every time they put out a statement," spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

The first black candidate with a shot at winning the White House, Obama argued while stumping in Missouri on Wednesday that President Bush and McCain will resort to scare tactics to maintain their hold on the White House because they have little else to offer voters.

"Nobody thinks that Bush and McCain have a real answer to the challenges we face. So what they're going to try to do is make you scared of me," Obama said. "You know, `he's not patriotic enough, he's got a funny name,' you know, `he doesn't look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills."'

Obama himself didn't make clear what distinctions he thinks McCain is likely to raise regarding the presidents on U.S. currency-white men who for the most part were much older than Obama when elected. McCain has not raised Obama's race as an issue in the campaign; he has said Obama lacks experience.

“This is a potentially risky comment to make for a campaign already under increasing criticism for some of the claims it’s made over the past week,” said CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. “Talk about ‘the race card’ and injection of it into the debate can result in a negative backlash. You can ask the Clinton campaign about that.”

On Thursday, Gibbs said the senator was not referring to race.

"What Barack Obama was talking about was that he didn't get here after spending decades in Washington," Gibbs said. "There is nothing more to this than the fact that he was describing that he was new to the political scene. He was referring to the fact that he didn't come into the race with the history of others. It is not about race."

Obama often makes references to his distinctions as a candidate, such as saying there are doubts among some voters because he has "a funny name." At times he refers to his race as well, saying he looks different from any previous candidate but then adding that the differences are not just about race. Addressing supporters Tuesday night at a fundraiser in Springfield, Mo., he said, "It's a leap, electing a 46-year-old black guy named Barack Obama."

During a round of appearances in Missouri, an economically challenged battleground state, Obama worked to link McCain to the unpopular Bush. He said the Republican senator from Arizona would serve the equivalent of a third Bush term if elected. He said the country can't afford more of the same and expect different results.

"That's a definition of madness, but that's what John McCain is offering. He's offering Bush economic policies and Karl Rove politics," Obama said.

He pressed the theme later at a rain-soaked barbecue in Union, Mo.

"They're going to say I'm a risky guy," Obama said. "What they're going to argue is I'm too risky. The real risk is that we miss the moment, that we do not do what's needed because we're afraid."

For its part, McCain's campaign on Wednesday released a withering television ad comparing Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, suggesting the Democrat is little more than a vapid but widely recognized media concoction.

"He's the biggest celebrity in the world, but is he ready to lead?" the voiceover asks in the ad, which mixes images of Obama on his trip to Europe last week with video of the 20-something pop stars.

Obama's campaign quickly responded with a commercial of its own, dismissing McCain's complaints as "baloney" and "baseless."

Throughout the day, Obama argued that McCain "thinks we're on the right track" economically.

"These anxieties seem to be growing with each passing day," Obama said. "We can either choose a new direction for our economy or we can keep doing what we've been doing. My opponent, John McCain, thinks we're on the right track."

That elicited boos from some of the 1,500 people who filled a Springfield high school gymnasium. When an AP-Ipsos poll asked the "right track, wrong track" question this month, 77 percent said they thought the country was on the wrong track. The same poll set Bush's approval rating at 28 percent. Both were records for the AP-Ipsos survey.

[mcflipflop4u]

AND MCCAIN HAS PLAYED OUT THE - POW - CARD!!

BOO HOO HOO - I GOT SHOT DOWN!!

[ariel133]

Yes, Obama uses the race card because in his mind it is all about "race"- and that is the definition of a man who has nothing but inexperiance on his resume.

[yellow651]

What a laugh. McCain''s POW status is real, Obama''s race card play is the typical affirmative action cover for those who haven''t the stomach to make it on their own. Obama is where he is because he''s black. No white candidate could possibly get this far on his record, he has done nothing of substance.

[peterp111]

In today''s culture, is it even worth trying to remind people that the Black Power "fist bump" salute was, for those who brandished it most seriously, a symbol of violence -- rhetorical, political and literal -- against the United States?

It was the high sign for a racist militia, the Black Panthers, which orchestrated the murder of innocents and allied itself with America''s enemies. In today''s lingo, you might even say Black Power was "divisive"

[credibility2]

Obama will deny, deflect, obfuscate and blow hot air out of both sides of his mouth or whichever way the wind blows. He tries to turn everything into sarcasm or making the charge that he''s being taken out of context, or that''s not what he meant, or others are trying to scare people into not voting for him. The race card was used by Obama, and it''s ironic that he fundamentally ignores half of his race in favor of his other half. Very confusing and convoluted. Sadly, he has to act this way, since he''s so insubstantial and has nothing to offer except scripted rhetoric, makeup and wardrobe.

[mikeant50]

I knew that the McCain Campaign would find a way to inject race into the campaign.

[actornaught]

We all know damnwell that BO is correct. I hear it almost everytime the upcoming election is a topic of semi-public converstion, such as where i work.

The GOP is courting racists, and will continue. It''s all part of the rove playbook, pandering to whatever group they can, including racists. And crying about it being pointed out is ALSO part the same playbook, a raging hypocrisy, as neocon-usual.

[nextgenman]

Yeah, shiites come from Czechoslovakia, sunnis come from Iran.

HAHAHAHA!!

[pirmin3]

Why do american campaigns go on for a year and the candidates sound like two eight year olds trading jibes on the playground?? The dumbing down of amerika is complete. Truck drivers and hair dressers in the majority. Morons all.

[mikeant50]

This is an act of desparation. McCain hasn''t even made it to the convention and he throws this on the table. Why don''t they run on the Republican platform. Oh, they don''t have one that doesn''t involve fear. I can see McCain''s next ad and campaign slogan, "Are you sure that you are ready to vote for a Black Man?"

[nextgenman]

Why does Combover McLiverspot always look so angry?

[obama8years]

Everytime Obama uses his Race to further his political ambition is playing a race card. But Obama is running out of Cards. His Wife also played the race card. "Black AMerica will rise ...

[marshall65]

McCain is playing the gutter position now. No telling what his lame brained advisers will come up with next.

[obama8years]

Obama we want to hear more about your energy policies.

Whats that? Inflate our Tires!!

No wonder Obama said he was happy with the high gas prices when interviewed.

[obama8years]

JOHN MCCAIN WANTS TO DRILL

BARACK OBAMA WANTS TO INFLATE YOUR TIRES!!!

WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM BARACK.

[whyafghan]

Who''''s job is it to change McLame''''s Depends while on the campaign trail?
------------------
Posted by jh6379

Who now handles the duties of picking cotton while Obama is on the campaign trail? That is a terrible statement as was yours.

[leftyintexas]

Posted by Obama8years at 12:36 PM : Jul 31, 2008

You are a lost soul -confused one.

Posted by KenHussein at 12:37 PM : Jul 31, 2008

And a bigot to boot!

[mycomment-2009]

So, now that it`s been played... Will McCain, or one of his campaign managers be the first to use the "N" word. I`ll take McCain for $2 since he`s prone to slips of the tongue.
Regards,
Posted by Nancy_Naive at 12:33 PM : Jul 31, 2008

You most sincerely are an idiot.

[redbds]

Here we go again. Oblama campaign staffers explaining what Sen. Oblama meant when he said something. He knew exactly what he was saying. If we need interpreters to explain everything that he says then how is he going to run this country.

[whyafghan]

Who cares what you call Racist Biotch!
Who is driving the car with Michelle and Barack Obama in it?
A: the Police

[deerxxing]

Remember the statement "follow the money". I find it sad Exxon/Mobile sponsers CBS on these articles. I guess it''s no wonder CBS has the lowest rated news of the big three. They can be told what to print.

[neoconrcrazy]

I think I''ll send McSame a consolation prize in November; a hammock & a shady place where he can take those long deep naps those septuagenarians love.

[whyafghan]

Get used to it... it is YTs fault. The Black man is not on any dollar bill? YT apologized for slavery, now the Black Sambos want their $. Give me my money YT or I will steal it. ON and on and on.

[causeway_v]

American news is like the american people - dumb as rocks

The american people deserve a president as dumb as they are - they deserve John McCain

[mycomment-2009]

Here we go again. Oblama campaign staffers explaining what Sen. Oblama meant when he said something. He knew exactly what he was saying. If we need interpreters to explain everything that he says then how is he going to run this country.
Posted by redbds at 12:44 PM : Jul 31, 2008

Ain''t it the truth :) But it''s all part of his elist attitude...he thinks he can explain away what he says like we are all too dumb to get it the first time. I know a race baiting comment when I hear one.

[airmanc5]

in the footsteps of al sharpten and jesse jackson, anyone against obamie is a racist.. just look at the racist Bill Clinton lmao.. You whiteies better fall in line. I is gonna be your president lmao there will be peace when the flag of islam flies over the white house

[canyoutellme-2009]

American news is like the american people - dumb as rocks

The american people deserve a president as dumb as they are - they deserve John McCain


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Posted by causeway_v at 12:50 PM : Jul 31, 2008
+ report abuse

LOL.. causeway causeway causeway... i know you are extremely fascinated with the U.S. for some reason even though you claim not to be from here. However, you seem to know so much about us. I say you are NOT from anywhere other than the US but pretend to be so. Your posts are intentionally flammatory with the sole purpose of illiciting a response to them from folks who are angry with you. I, on the other hand, view your posts as pure comedy. It takes a desperate man to post 24/7 on an anonymous message board just to seek attention. Poor feller. Did momma not hug you enough as a child?

With that said... have a nice day

BTW, GO OBAMA!

[concerns47]

It''s funny how Obama keep bring up McCain''s age, mocking him saying he is like George Bush and that he only has old used ideas from the GOP playbook even his shoes. But when McCain brings up Obama''s lack of experience (like George Bush''s lack of experience), lack of foreign policy experience (just like Georg Bush) and voting record (voted with Dems 97% of the time), it is an attack on him and his race.

Obama started the attacks by criticizing McCain''s age, voting record (w/Republicans 95% but works across party lines).

Sure McCain is buys $500 shoes, what does Obama spend on his wardrobe, and Michelle please. If they can''t find anything else to do how they spend there money is an issue but they earned it.

McCain is more like normal people because he prefers to meet in town halls and take questions rather than addressing a large group just to show how many people he can draw, Obama is arrogant, egotistical and phoney.

[mcvet-1]

LOL McCain really is cranky these days! LOL Now anyone who doesn''t think that the fact that Obama ISN''T like all the other Presidents hasn''t entered the minds of the Republican Base?? McCain needs to get out more... visit these boards some time Mr. McCain!!

[downtowner97]

McCain is Irish, and the Irish in America used to be thought of as an inferior race.

[mcvet-1]

Get used to it... it is YTs fault. The Black man is not on any dollar bill? YT apologized for slavery, now the Black Sambos want their $. Give me my money YT or I will steal it. ON and on and on.

Posted by WhyAfghan at 12:47 PM : Jul 31, 2008

Wow! What chapter do you belong to there Sparky?? Do you guys burn a Cross on Saturday Night??

[causeway_v]

like we are all too dumb to get it the first time. Posted by Mycomment at 12:52 PM : Jul 31, 2008"

you are dumb - you proved that by the way you elected chimpy twice

You proved it by your inability to find those WMD you claimed to know the exact location of

You proved it by your moronic attitudes in buying houses at $500k price tags when you''re on welfare

You proved it by buying giant gas guzzling SUVs (because Toby Ketih endorses them) even though you''re complaining about high gas prices

Facts are that you americans have proved time and time again that you''re nothing but dumb braindead, brainless morons

[mcvet-1]

Here we go again. Oblama campaign staffers explaining what Sen. Oblama meant when he said something. He knew exactly what he was saying. If we need interpreters to explain everything that he says then how is he going to run this country.
Posted by redbds at 12:44 PM : Jul 31, 2008

Ain''''t it the truth :) But it''''s all part of his elist attitude...he thinks he can explain away what he says like we are all too dumb to get it the first time. I know a race baiting comment when I hear one.

Posted by Mycomment at 12:52 PM : Jul 31, 2008

LOL Someone supporting John McCain is asking this question?! WRONG question!!

[gocubs58]

in the footsteps of al sharpten and jesse jackson, anyone against obamie is a racist.. just look at the racist Bill Clinton lmao.. You whiteies better fall in line. I is gonna be your president lmao there will be peace when the flag of islam flies over the white house
-----

Are you aware that you are an idiot?

[bigwhtpony]

"Nobody thinks that Bush and McCain have a real answer to the challenges we face." Obama said.

I see. And you do, right? Like telling people to check their tire pressure and get tune-ups so we won''t have to drill for oil?

Although these are two good suggestions for helping cut demand, it''s nowhere near being able to take the place of adding more oil to the world supply.

Your oversimplification points to your lack of understanding of the subject matter. Guess being a Harvard (affirmative action) grad doesn''t speak to one''s intelligence, does it?

[mcvet-1]

in the footsteps of al sharpten and jesse jackson, anyone against obamie is a racist.. just look at the racist Bill Clinton lmao.. You whiteies better fall in line. I is gonna be your president lmao there will be peace when the flag of islam flies over the white house

Posted by Airmanc5 at 12:52 PM : Jul 31, 2008

If the shoe fits wear it Sparky!! LOL You have to be a racist to say this now don''t you folks!!

[concerns47]

How about Obama using the scare tactic about Isreal bombing Iran.

Rice has not accomplished one major thing in her years with Bush, she is a token and so Obama is trying not to be a token president by inspiring people into a dazed and dreamy state, like being hypnotized when you wake up after the elections and see that the backdoor taxes cut into the middle-class tax break you will realize you were hypnotized into voting for just another politician.

Vote third party as a protest, they both are the same and that is why they are so close in the polls, neither one can gather enough to move into double digit leads in the national polls.

[paris1969]

causeway_vat ... the American people are not dumb ... whoever you are you must either be a foreigner or someone who doesn''t belong in this great country. McCain stands for putting the country first .. and if that is dumb ... then I will suffer being dumb .. because he gets my vote!

[causeway_v]

Did momma not hug you enough as a child?

Posted by CANYOUTELLME at 12:54 PM : Jul 31, 2008"

Ooooooh a "your momma" post. wow cletus you really did manage to muster up the full power of your 0.000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001 IQ to come up with a "your momma" post

wow cletus - keep up the progress and maybe in 50 years you may just muster up the "intelligence" to "graduate" kindergarten....now cletus there''s a target for you to aim at - becoming the first person in your cess pit trailer park to scale the "rarified" heights of "graduating" kindergarten

Oh BTW as for your claims to me being american.......you believe that solely because you''re too dumb and stupid to realise that the world consist of more than 1 country

[midvale3]

Obama will deny, deflect, obfuscate and blow hot air out of both sides of his mouth or whichever way the wind blows. He tries to turn everything into sarcasm or making the charge that he''''s being taken out of context, or that''''s not what he meant, or others are trying to scare people into not voting for him. The race card was used by Obama, and it''''s ironic that he fundamentally ignores half of his race in favor of his other half. Very confusing and convoluted. Sadly, he has to act this way, since he''''s so insubstantial and has nothing to offer except scripted rhetoric, makeup and wardrobe.


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Posted by Credibility2

Bush will deny, deflect, obfuscate and blow hot air out of both sides of his mouth or whichever way the wind blows. He tries to turn everything into sarcasm or making the charge that he''''s being taken out of context, or that''''s not what he meant, or others are trying to scare people into not voting for him. The fear card was used by Bush, and it''''s ironic that he fundamentally ignores half of his constituents in favor of his other half. Very confusing and convoluted. Sadly, he has to act this way, since he''''s so insubstantial and has nothing to offer except scripted rhetoric, makeup and wardrobe.


Couldn''t have said it better myself.

[whyafghan]

now the Communist Broadcasting System is banning people. What phucin fascists

[mcvet-1]

McCain is more like normal people because he prefers to meet in town halls and take questions rather than addressing a large group just to show how many people he can draw, Obama is arrogant, egotistical and phoney.

Posted by concerns47 at 12:54 PM : Jul 31, 20

OH PLEASE!! Stop embarrassing yourself. YOU think for ONE minute McCain wouldn''t LOVE to get the crowds Obama does? ROFLMAO He has NO choice but to go negative for a REASON Sparky! He can''t operate in ANY enviroment other than a Town Hall. The problem is that a PRESIDENT, as we''ve all seen now, MUST be able to relate and communicate with the rest of the World. THEY do not hold Town Meetings!! LMAO McCain CAN''T do it so he''s called on Bush Politics in an attempt to win. A 6 year old can see that!! ROFLMAO

[canyoutellme-2009]

Although these are two good suggestions for helping cut demand, it''''s nowhere near being able to take the place of adding more oil to the world supply.

Your oversimplification points to your lack of understanding of the subject matter. Guess being a Harvard (affirmative action) grad doesn''''t speak to one''''s intelligence, does it?


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Posted by bigwhtpony at 12:57 PM : Jul 31, 2008
+ report abuse

bigwhtpony, it is you who just don''t get it. Drilling on our coasts is unnecessary when the oil companies already own leases to MILLIONS of acres they are as of yet, not drilling.

In addition, there''s no oil drilling equipment available. Do you think they''ll appear out of thin air? Of course not

In addition, the oil pulled out of the ground off the coasts of the US doesn''t go to the US. It would be sold on the world market. This only benefits the oil companies who drill the oil!

Last, but not least, there is *NO OIL SHORTAGE ANYWHERE*. There are no pumps running out of gas due to lack of oil supply. We have SURPLUSES of oil and in fact, our demand is even dropping. There''s no reason for gas at 4.00 a gallon except for speculators in the oil market. Also, the weak dollar doesn''t help.

Have a nice day.

[causeway_v]

McCain stands for putting the country first .. and if that is dumb ... then I will suffer being dumb .. because he gets my vote!


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Posted by paris1969 at 12:59 PM : Jul 31, 2008"

Yeah ole McCain sure put the country first when he CHOSE to spend 7 years lounging around swimming pools in Vietnam and aprticipating in pervo games with his Buttbud day rather than fighting for his country in a war he so desperately wanted and wanted to continue for years and decades longer

[concerns47]

Why do his staffers have to explain what he said, be a man explain yourself and you started by criticizing McCain''s age and by the way he is not like Bush.

He is still a maverick but keeps the peace if he needs to.

[pvperson]

Isn''t McCain''s reaction today, just exactly what Obama was talking about? Seems to me that McCain is the one playing he race card.

[whyafghan]

Obama is not President so your point is what MCVet?

[liberalme]

And with all this BS coming from the McCain camp--there is obviously nothing positive to be said about McCain either--don''t forget---when you point your finger at someone else--there are 3 more pointing back at you.
The only thing the McCain camp is good for is mud slinging---that doesn''t take any degree of intelligence or maturity or professionalism.

[cheteunice]

''"Nobody thinks that Bush and McCain have a real answer to the challenges we face. So what they''re going to try to do is make you scared of me," Obama said. "You know, `he''s not patriotic enough, he''s got a funny name,'' you know, `he doesn''t look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills."''

A new low for Obama!

[mandalay-bay]

"Obama himself didn''t make clear what distinctions he thinks McCain is likely to raise regarding the presidents on U.S. currency-white men who for the most part were much older than Obama when elected."

=============================================

They forgot to mention most of them were slaveowners too....

Obama doesn''t have that in common either...