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.

[actornaught]

...In my personal experience...
Posted by actornaught at 06:54 PM : Aug 01, 2008

Posted by alanrobisch2 at 09:37 PM : Aug 01, 2008

Try to comprehend what you read. YOU are a perfect example of a dumbed-down ''con.

[kailumego1]

The race card is being used over and over again, the difference white folks use subtle undertones of racism, while black folks use more overt.

Obama has to walk a thin line, walk on eggshells, to not offend certain white folks, while McCain et.al and use any underhanded cutthroat maneuver they choose and still come out smelling like a rose.

[kailumego1]

Race is the issue, not with every voter, but with a lot of voters, and stop trying to duck and dodge the issue.

Not all those voting for McCain do so because they feel he''s the idea candidate, they do so because Obama is a black/white.

Obama could be the idea most qualified person for presidency, while the other candidate is Homer Fudge, and many whites would vote for Homer Fudge.

Likewise, there are many blacks voting for Obama based on race, and he could be absentminded, unexperienced, and unknowledgeable, and there are many blacks that will still vote for him.

Obama may not have years of experience behind his belt, but he is articulate, knowledgeable, highly-educated, poised, and dedicated, I''ve read McCain''s resume, and he''s totally wrong for the job.

He''s neither articulate, knowledgeable, highly-educated nor poised, what he is an elderly "white" male with the financial backing of his wife, who has a shady past, and questionable connections with corrupted businessmen and white supremest leaders.

So, if you''re going to air Obama''s dirty laundry, by all means don''t leave out McCain.

[lucasnico]

At least McCain has something to pimp with! Served his country proudly, statesman for many many years with the opportunity to participate in the governing process of the US!

Posted by WellHell3

5 crashed jets, 5 1/2 years as a prisoner.... he served, but a pretty crappy resume! But hey, he knows how to win a war!!

[alanrobisch]

COURSE race is an issue, and don''''t let the ''''cons try to dumb that down to their level. In my personal experience, everybody that''''s said they''''re voting for John is doing it because of race. Period. These people are an embarrassment to this country, and it''''s disgusting how many there are.


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Posted by actornaught at 06:54 PM : Aug 01, 2008
+ report abuse
If I ever heard a bigoted comment you did a big one. IE anybody that doesn''t agree with barrack obama and wants john McCain to be president is a racist. You mean any republican who disagrees with him is a racist or people who simply vote republicans are bigots

[actornaught]

Idiot rovian neocons want to define everything even remotely political, and in entirely idiotic ways. OF
COURSE race is an issue, and don''t let the ''cons try to dumb that down to their level. In my personal experience, everybody that''s said they''re voting for John is doing it because of race. Period. These people are an embarrassment to this country, and it''s disgusting how many there are.

[ofbyfor1]

Posted by WellHell3 at 06:19 PM : Aug 01, 2008

You HAVE no case. Never did and never will...
Which is why you post nonsense--you have nothing else to offer..

[wellhell3]

And there you go! You''re still whining! I rest my case!

[ofbyfor1]

Yeah, I sure do know that all those costs are applied against their earnings and they''''re STILL paying the majority of taxes in the US...and you''''re still whining!

Posted by WellHell3 at 05:23 PM : Aug 01, 2008

First of all, I''M not whining like YOU. I don''t have a problem paying my fair share of taxes. When the wealthiest 5% have 90% of the wealth, they''d damm well better pay. But since they have their fancy Swiss and Cayman Island accounts, we know that they don''t pay as much as they''d like the rest of us to think they do. Get a grip and stop whining!

[ofbyfor1]

And 7 billion auto owners who just paid between $25,000 and $100,000 new cars are just going out and throwing them in the trash bin and shelling out the rest of their life savings for a new electric car!
Talk about the dumbing down of America!

Posted by WellHell3 at 01:31 PM : Aug 01, 2008

Talk about the dumbing down of America! There are not even 7 billion humans on the planet and you want to talk about 7 billion auto owners that just bought cars!?

Then you have the nerve to attack the intelligence of other people? From what I''ve seen of your posts, you appear to be missing about 7 billion neural synapses there, bud.

[wellhell3]

And if you knew anything, you''''d know that those costs are tax-decuctible and can be claimed as operating expenses. Nothing to do with their own income, doofus.


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Posted by ofbyfor1 at 04:43 PM : Aug 01, 2008

Yeah, I sure do know that all those costs are applied against their earnings and they''re STILL paying the majority of taxes in the US...and you''re still whining!

[military0104]

Ummmmm, NO ONE is considering ANYTHING from Bush as gospel...lol What is his current approval rating? 27 percent. Yeeeaaaa okay.

[ofbyfor1]

Hasn''''t dawned on you people that ALL the tax money paid in this country begins with the RICH! And you want to tax them some more! It''''s HILARIOUS!

Posted by WellHell3 at 10:00 AM : Aug 01, 2008

And if you knew anything, you''d know that those costs are tax-decuctible and can be claimed as operating expenses. Nothing to do with their own income, doofus.

[wellhell3]

Posted by WellHell3 at 03:00 PM : Aug 01, 2008

You keep making up facts. The leases would not be able to doled out until 2012 and the gas would not be making it to the pumps until 2030. According to the Bush adminstration.


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Posted by zerato at 03:48 PM : Aug 01, 2008

Frankly I find it hilarious that after screeching and yammering about how the Bush administration lies like a rug...all of a sudden now what they put out is gospel!

Now that''s funny! Really!

[zerato-2009]

Posted by WellHell3 at 03:00 PM : Aug 01, 2008

You keep making up facts. The leases would not be able to doled out until 2012 and the gas would not be making it to the pumps until 2030. According to the Bush adminstration.

[zerato-2009]

What are some of the other cards dealt to McCain
by fate?

1.) the nuke Iran card
2.) tax cuts for the super-rich only card
3.) kiss dubya''''s butt card.
4.) can''''t remember the details card.
5.) card-carrying flip-flopper card.
6.) don''''t **** me off card.
7.) i''''m either a conservative or a moderate or
a maverick card.
8.) i''''m jealous as hell card.
9.) don''''t say "viagra" card.
10.) don''''t think of Bob Dole card.
11.) don''''t think of Belgium when you drink Bud card
Posted by tsunami-girl

You forgot,
The confused card, the change my position for money card, the dirty campaigning card, The no knowledge of economics card,

[wellhell3]

Posted by Military0104 at 02:50 PM : Aug 01, 2008

Again, keep listening to the bureaucrats! It''s baloney and yapping in an election year!

It''s not going to take 8-10 years to start benefiting from our own oil! It''s a myth perpatrated by the election year rhetoric!

If you unleash the drillers, they''ll start drilling for pete''s sakes! It only takes a few months to bring in a well!

[military0104]

My God you are blind as a bat! Look! I agree with you about the gas, and even offshore drilling but dont act as if this will FIX our gas problems by next year!!!! It will take between 8-10 years before we even see ANY major results, as I have already stated! So INSTEAD of paying for more gas in the mean while, start looking towards vehicles that offer better energy solutions LIKE hybrids! Hell even Hannity from Hannity and Colmes just bought a hybrid Tahoe in order to save money at the pump!

So the solution is simple! Fine, conduct offshore drilling as an INVESTMENT! It wont help us for at least 8-10 years anyways. But in the mean while, invest into smaller sized vehicles OR Hybris OR any other vehicles that offers an alternate source of energy (and before you say it, they arent all worth $50,000 talk about over dramatic). Trust me it isnt hard, remember Im the guy working on a very low salary with a family of 4, if I can do it then middle class families can do it! Stop making excuses and get behind alternative energy.

[wellhell3]

Ummm you keep saying no proof! Are you even upto date with the lates informatin in reguards to these vehicles? I strongly urge you to read up buddy. Some of these cars will be soley dependent on electricity, and hybrids are already PROVEN to be outstanding vehicles.

And your right, it will take YEARS for all of the vehicles to be replaced by families. HOWEVER, theres already a huge surge of hybrids being sold now imagine what will happen when the electric vehicles come into play.... No matter HOW you look at it the oil companies will be losing millions of dollars every year due to the automakers, and gas WILL drop!


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Posted by Military0104 at 02:28 PM : Aug 01, 2008

Again, see past the rhetoric here! It will take YEARS to phase out gasoline vehicles!

So your solution is just to keep buying oil from the sheiks in the meantime and supporting them instead of drilling our own oil NOW and getting a good percentage of our dependence on them put behind us! Just keep sending billions of our moneys to foreign countries for OIL!

You keep looking to the long term! The people are NOT stupid! They know the oil is going to run out EVENTUALLY! They are looking to solutions to keep a great percentage of their money in AMERICA starting NOW!

[military0104]

Posted by WellHell3

Again, you naivete shows. It will take years to phase out all the gas guzzling vehicles, BECAUSE people don''''t have the money to buy speculator vehicles that have no PROOF of helping anything!
___________________________

Ummm you keep saying no proof! Are you even upto date with the lates informatin in reguards to these vehicles? I strongly urge you to read up buddy. Some of these cars will be soley dependent on electricity, and hybrids are already PROVEN to be outstanding vehicles.

And your right, it will take YEARS for all of the vehicles to be replaced by families. HOWEVER, theres already a huge surge of hybrids being sold now imagine what will happen when the electric vehicles come into play.... No matter HOW you look at it the oil companies will be losing millions of dollars every year due to the automakers, and gas WILL drop!