McCain disavows comments about Obama

[GaryC 7]

By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer

26 minutes ago

CINCINNATI - 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." No it's not! It's his name! Use it everywhere!!

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 "######." 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."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080226/ap_on_...talk_radio_host

[Dan J 277]

By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer

26 minutes ago

CINCINNATI - 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." No it's not! It's his name! Use it everywhere!!

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 "######." 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."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080226/ap_on_...talk_radio_host

Using Obama's full name but not doing it for anyone else is political and rather cheap since its trying to draw a connection that doesn't exist.

But if you insist on using peoples full names all the time, then McCain's is John Sidney McCain.

[GaryC 7]

Using Obama's full name but not doing it for anyone else is political and rather cheap since its trying to draw a connection that doesn't exist.

But if you insist on using peoples full names all the time, then McCain's is John Sidney McCain.

I am sure using McCains full name would have less of an impact than using Obama's full name. But that isn't our fault is it? It's his name!!

[no name 1]

If McCain's camp thinks that won't be a name tossed around all the time during the run-up, he is sadly mistaken.

PS: Cunningham is a known Cincy radio right-winger.

[Ban Hammer 13,625]

Using Obama's full name but not doing it for anyone else is political and rather cheap since its trying to draw a connection that doesn't exist.

But if you insist on using peoples full names all the time, then McCain's is John Sidney McCain.

I am sure using McCains full name would have less of an impact than using Obama's full name. But that isn't our fault is it? It's his name!!

rodham always sounded like something illegal done with pigs....

[Dan J 277]

Using Obama's full name but not doing it for anyone else is political and rather cheap since its trying to draw a connection that doesn't exist.

But if you insist on using peoples full names all the time, then McCain's is John Sidney McCain.

I am sure using McCains full name would have less of an impact than using Obama's full name. But that isn't our fault is it? It's his name!!

So you agree then, it's only political. And pretty pointless since most people don't actually choose their own name. Parents do it for them.

[GaryC 7]

Using Obama's full name but not doing it for anyone else is political and rather cheap since its trying to draw a connection that doesn't exist.

But if you insist on using peoples full names all the time, then McCain's is John Sidney McCain.

I am sure using McCains full name would have less of an impact than using Obama's full name. But that isn't our fault is it? It's his name!!

So you agree then, it's only political. And pretty pointless since most people don't actually choose their own name. Parents do it for them.

I don't see it as an attack or something to be avoided. It's his name.

[Ban Hammer 13,625]

Using Obama's full name but not doing it for anyone else is political and rather cheap since its trying to draw a connection that doesn't exist.

But if you insist on using peoples full names all the time, then McCain's is John Sidney McCain.

I am sure using McCains full name would have less of an impact than using Obama's full name. But that isn't our fault is it? It's his name!!

So you agree then, it's only political. And pretty pointless since most people don't actually choose their own name. Parents do it for them.

I don't see it as an attack or something to be avoided. It's his name.

so if someone calls you by your name, report them! it's an attack!

[GaryC 7]

Using Obama's full name but not doing it for anyone else is political and rather cheap since its trying to draw a connection that doesn't exist.

But if you insist on using peoples full names all the time, then McCain's is John Sidney McCain.

I am sure using McCains full name would have less of an impact than using Obama's full name. But that isn't our fault is it? It's his name!!

So you agree then, it's only political. And pretty pointless since most people don't actually choose their own name. Parents do it for them.

I don't see it as an attack or something to be avoided. It's his name.

so if someone calls you by your name, report them! it's an attack!

If he sees his name as a detrement to his political ambitions he should have changed it.

[Ban Hammer 13,625]

Using Obama's full name but not doing it for anyone else is political and rather cheap since its trying to draw a connection that doesn't exist.

But if you insist on using peoples full names all the time, then McCain's is John Sidney McCain.

I am sure using McCains full name would have less of an impact than using Obama's full name. But that isn't our fault is it? It's his name!!

So you agree then, it's only political. And pretty pointless since most people don't actually choose their own name. Parents do it for them.

I don't see it as an attack or something to be avoided. It's his name.

so if someone calls you by your name, report them! it's an attack!

If he sees his name as a detrement to his political ambitions he should have changed it.

it would be ironic if obama gets elected to the presidency.....

then one could observe that we removed one hussein from power in iraq and installed a hussein in power in the usa.

[Dan J 277]

Using Obama's full name but not doing it for anyone else is political and rather cheap since its trying to draw a connection that doesn't exist.

But if you insist on using peoples full names all the time, then McCain's is John Sidney McCain.

I am sure using McCains full name would have less of an impact than using Obama's full name. But that isn't our fault is it? It's his name!!

So you agree then, it's only political. And pretty pointless since most people don't actually choose their own name. Parents do it for them.

I don't see it as an attack or something to be avoided. It's his name.

so if someone calls you by your name, report them! it's an attack!

If he sees his name as a detrement to his political ambitions he should have changed it.

It defiantly is for some. And using Obama's full name, while not doing it for other candidates, is playing on that. If you claim its benign, then either use everyone's full name or don't

[Nizzy 1]

I saw that today and I totally thought that he was saying it to get some stupid point across. He was really emphasizing his middle name. I am not one to look into things that much either.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Yeap, it's all in the tone. You can hear when someone says a name to make a point and when someone's just saying the name. It's all too obvious.

The American people are mostly good. They will see these tactics for what they are.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

This Cunningham is f##kin bafoon. How can anyone defend his vitriolic rhetoric? So much hatred. Shameful.

[dalegg 143]

Everytime my father used my midde name when addressing me I knew I was in trouble