The kind of candidate (and character) we can expect to see

April 28, 2008

John McCain said he wouldn’t make Jeremiah Wright a campaign issue. Yesterday, he changed his mind.

Senator John McCain delved on Sunday into remarks made by Senator Barack Obama’s former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., saying it was “beyond belief” that Mr. Wright had likened the Romans at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion to the Marines and had suggested that the United States was acting like Al Qaeda under a different color flag.

Up to now, Mr. McCain had largely avoided talking about the incendiary views of Mr. Wright, saying he wanted to run a “respectful” campaign. He has even called on the North Carolina Republican Party to pull an advertisement that focuses on Mr. Wright.

But Mr. McCain took a different approach at a news conference [in Miami].

McCain condemned Wright for criticizing Marines, conveniently overlooking the fact that Wright was, in fact, himself a Marine. (McCain later said it’s Obama’s fault that McCain felt compelled to lash out on this issue.)

This, of course, came a day after McCain condemned Obama for having received kind words from someone who works with Hamas, and demanded Obama “apologize” for having associated with Bill Ayers.

It’s still only April, and this is the kind of campaign that McCain has decided to run.

Considering McCain’s career and temperament, none of this should surprise anyone. He is, after all, the Republican presidential candidate and he really wants to be president. So, he’s willing to break promises, get ugly, and take cheap shots? More than six months before the election? Of course he is.

Campaign reporters and talking heads refuse to believe it, but McCain is not a man of high-minded principle. He’s an opportunistic conservative pol with an effective p.r. operation.

Let’s not forget the promises we heard. About a month ago, lobbyist Charlie Black, McCain’s senior campaign advisor, said the McCain campaign would not go after the Democratic candidates on the basis of guilt by association. The Dems might try it with McCain, Black said, but that’s just not the way McCain operates.

“What Senator McCain has said repeatedly is that these candidates cannot be held accountable for all the views of people who endorse them or people who befriend them,” Black told a national television audience, adding, “John McCain believes is that Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton should be held accountable for their public policy views, the things we’ve described before, big government versus smaller government.”

How long did that commitment last? A few weeks. Now, in just a single weekend, it’s Hamas followed by Ayers followed by Wright.

Time’s Joe Klein recently bought into the hype and predicted that McCain would avoid the cheap and pathetic style of campaigning we’re seeing now. McCain, Klein said, “sees the tawdry ceremonies of politics — the spin and hucksterism — as unworthy.” If he doesn’t, “McCain will have to live with the knowledge that in the most important business of his life, he chose expediency over honor. That’s probably not the way he wants to be remembered.”

Of course, McCain doesn’t care about how he’s remembered; he cares about saying and/or doing what it takes to win.

To be sure, McCain is not unique in this regard. But therein lies the point — the media believes he is unique, and that he’s so honorable, cheap campaigning in beneath him.

McCain is proving otherwise. Will the reporters who adore him notice?

When the time comes and Senator McCain says Senator Obama must abide by his ‘promise’ to take Federal Election Funding (basically, fight with one hand tied behind his back) the Obama Campaign should reply as McCain has not only broken his own promises to use Federatl funds during the Primary, and broken his promise not to campaign dirty, and demostrated he can not in fact discipline 527s or even State Republican parties, that the Democrats need all their supporters and their contributions to tell America the truth.

  • It’s actually a good thing that McCain is dirtying his hands directly in this. It might — and I stress might — help the press realize that he’s not as above it all as he insists.

  • McCain should theoretically be easy to be beat if we weren’t fighting each other. Hold a super delegate “primary”, get us our candidate and let’s beat that guy.

  • Will the reporters who adore him notice?

    The answer to your question is no. The press corps that dutifully swallows and regurgitates McCain’s p.r. are, I think, incapable as seeing him as anything other than the “straight shooting maverick” they have built him up in their minds as being. They have their narrative and as pathetic as it may seem to reasonably intelligent people, he represents some sort of a hero to them. I think we all should have learned pretty definitively by now that they will stick to that narrative no matter what occurs. In fact, they have told us themselves in no uncertain terms. When clowns like Cohen at the Post are writing that just because he lies doesn’t make McCain a liar, I think we should all have a pretty good idea of what we will be dealing with over the next six months.

  • McCain ain’t above issuing a McKneecapping. He did it to poor Willard Romney. Not that anyone should feel sorry for Mittens.

    It’s still only April, and this is the kind of campaign that McCain has decided to run.

    The timing does seem outta whack with this type of attack. But it may be that McCain’s piling on Obama somewhat to influence the Democratic Nomination Process. Don’t think its a secret that he’d rather run against Hillary. Or then again he could be unbalanced.

  • Will the reporters who adore him notice?

    The reporters will notice the stares of their bosses, who answer to the billionaires who own the corporation they work for. You know, the people who McCain has promised to extend Bush’s tax cuts for.

    So the answer is no, the Corporate Media will not call McCain on this or any other flipflop. Billions of dollars are at stake, and the Corporate Media has given up all pretense of truth-telling.

  • John McCain said he wouldn’t make Jeremiah Wright a campaign issue.

    After the NAACP dinner speech yesterday and National Press Club speech this morning, Jeremiah Wright is now clearly a “campaign issue”.

  • Once the Dem candidate is settled and MCain gets more media exposure, I don’t think it will take too long for him to completely lose it on-camera. Then his worshipers in the press will have to acknowledge, the guy is crackers as well as OLD. I can’t wait until his temper and his age become major issues–and they will because he will not be able to control himself and you can’t pretend he’s 50 or even 60.

  • …it was “beyond belief” that Mr. Wright had likened the Romans at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion to the Marines and had suggested that the United States was acting like Al Qaeda under a different color flag.

    So nobody is allowed to mention these things? I guess that means McCain is cool with the idea of the US acting like al Qaeda. He’s so cool with it, he thinks no one should speak about it.

    Of course, in the national dialogue that cable TV pundits will have with themselves, it will be assumed that the US is not like al Quaeda. That question will be off the table.

  • What is so refreshing about McCain is that he first comes out publicly on the right side of an issue before he clandestinely capitulates to the wrong side of it.

  • Mr. McCain said that he did not believe that Mr. Obama, Democrat of Illinois, shared those views and that he was still against the advertisement in North Carolina. But he suggested that Mr. Obama had made the subject fair play by declaring in an interview shown over the weekend on “Fox News Sunday” that questions about Mr. Wright were “a legitimate political issue.”

    Sure, I’d love to ignore Jeremiah Wright, says McCain. But Obama is forcing me to mention him — even though it has no bearing on Obama’s views, and therefore no bearing on the presidential race. Damn you, Obama, for forcing me!!!

  • What is so refreshing about McCain is that he denounced his pastor’s belief’s, after seeking his endorsement, unlike Obama who, although he denounced his pastor’s more extreme views, still has these questions popping up.

  • If ever you thought McCain stood on principles, McCain opens his mouth and reveals himself to be nothing but a phony. He’s changed his mind on so many issues right now, I have no idea what he stands for. His problem is that he loses when he panders in either direction so, now he’s nothing but a say anything, do whatever it takes phony.

  • McCain is doing his part to help the Clinton campaign. Like most Republicans, he believes Hillary will be easier to beat in the fall.

  • It is time for the Republican-controlled Media to put this Wright controversy to bed and their attempt to Judge Barack Obama on the words and deeds of Rev. Wright. It is time for the Republican-controlled media to end their distortion and misleading phrase of the 20 years of Barack’s membership with the Church as if Rev. Wright preached that way for 20 years. Rev. Wright’s controversial words were said 5 or 6 years ago, not 20 years ago!

    Let’s be clear, Rev. Wright’s gifts are not the gifts of uniting like Barack Obama or the Gifts of healing and reconcilliation like Barack Obama’s or a modulated speaking voice, cool temper, and demeanor under fire like Barack Obama’s or his inability to look beyond color and party affiliation like Barack Obama, and to simply just love, like Barack Obama! And when both meet their Maker — God will judge Rev. Wright on his actions/words and His deeds only, and Barack Obama on his words and deeds, only, not Rev. Wright’s or anyone elses’!

    And on the otherhand, is it unfair of media not to enquire of Hillary Clinton and her surrogates the following: Is it true that, (1) Hillary surrogate, Congresswoman Shiela Jackson Lee, is also a devotee of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright; that he’s been preaching at her home church, where she is actively involved, annually for the past 15 years and has an open invitation to return, and, that she sat in the pews for his visits and did not bat an eye?

    Is it true that (2) Hillary surrogate, Rev. Marcia Dyson was not only a longtime member of Trinity United Church of Christ but also still considers Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright her pastor? That Rev. Marcia Dyson’s seminary education, in part, was sponsored by Trinity UCC and encouraged by Rev. Wright? And was it not at Trinity were she first met her husband, Rev. Dr. Michael Dyson, who’s been very vocal in his defense of Rev. Wright.?

    And, lastly of Hillary Clinton, that if Rev. Wright would not have been her Pastor, then why did she and Bill when going through Impeachment, turn to Rev. Wright for Prayer and Support and invite him to the White House? These things should be answered.

    And, in the last analysis the Media should ask themselves this question, “Do you want to be Judged on someone elses’ actions and words Or your own?”

  • related fake news

    WRIGHT CHALLENGES PRESIDENT CLINTON TO DEDATE

    Immediately after his appearance at the National Press Club, Reverend Jeremiah Wright challenged former president Bill Clinton to a debate – “anytime. any place”. His rationale being questioned by reporters, Wright explained that since each of them had been deemed influential in the campaigns of the two remaining Democratic candidates, it was important to clear the air and debate their views and their contributions to the public dialogue surrounding the campaigns.

    Suggested debate locations included Little Rock, Nantucket, and South Side Chicago. As for format, the Reverand said that he preferred a Lincoln-Douglas style debate. If moderators were to be used, he said his preference would be for Chris Wallace and Chris Matthews.

    Reverend Wright went on to state that his suggestion for a debate was made with all due humility and that he would be honored just to appear on the same platform with a member of one of the most elite couples in America.

    homer http://www.altara.blogspot.com

  • Well, it is now time for Obama to step up and prove he can return the haymaker with a good left jab to the jaw.

    McCain is already flailing and demonstrating his desperation, that he is coming up with all this in his search to find something, anything, that gets the public’s eyes off the failure of modern Republicanism. Given the fact that the righty morons go ballistic every time they get confronted with MeCain saying “100 years” – that’s what’s so funny about RedState calling it “O’Bama’s lies” when the DNC ad is McCain saying it himself.

    We just have to keep the course. Let them throw everything – by November they’ll be so exhausted that their complete loss of White House, Senate, and House by decisive margins will give them a collective heart attack and they’ll be dead.

  • #7 “After the NAACP dinner speech yesterday and National Press Club speech this morning, Jeremiah Wright is now clearly a “campaign issue”.”

    I haven’t seen the Press Club speech yet, but the NAACP speech rocked. I don’t agree with everything Wright said, but only because I see that at least musical culture is blending. A recent concert in my town featured a Caucasian pianist who played “classical” music in the first half. The second half of the concert featured a piece by an African American woman composer (the piece was based on a spiritual), and some jazz. Very eclectic and very fun. My kids’ high school and college choirs sing music of all stripes, not just classical. One of my kids’ favorites are songs by and/or arranged by Moses Hogan, renowned African American composer. (They are some of my favorites, too.)

    Anyhow, I just wanted to add that people who can’t see that Rev. Wright is passionate about his faith, about justice, and about education, are not truly listening to him. Now I know that takes time and energy, but let’s be real here. We’ve talked many times here about those who don’t believe in science/evolution/global warming. This isn’t any different. You have to have an open mind and heart in order to grasp new ideas and ways of thinking. I’m sorry that too many people choose not to use the enormous gift of their human brain and instead only rely on their primitive (lizard) portion. The part that says FEAR THE SCARY BLACK PREACHER, REJECT THE SCIENCE THAT YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND.

    It’s very unfortunate.

  • #20 When I spoke of music: Just to be clear for those who didn’t hear Wright’s NAACP speech, he spoke of the different (Euro/African) types of music.

    The point of his speech was to say that human religions, races and languages are different from one another. But different doesn’t mean deficient.

    It was a great speech.

  • Hannah @ 20

    …NAACP speech rocked.

    So black and white kids are different, i.e. that they learn different? The Press Club speech was more of the same racism…

  • “Senator John McCain delved on Sunday into remarks made by Senator Barack Obama’s former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., saying it was “beyond belief” that Mr. Wright had likened the Romans at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion to the Marines and had suggested that the United States was acting like Al Qaeda under a different color flag.”

    I saw this sermon in it’s entirety, and McCain is spinning this in an amazingly dishonest way. Reverand Wright spoke of God’s rendering of judgement on wicked nations. Rev. Wright compared American Empire (also the British Empire, the Third Reich, etc.) with the Roman Empire and noted that they were all “gone.” He did NOT liken Rome to the Marines. Secondly, he pointed out historical facts about actions taken by the U.S. that would be considered “terrorism” (and are considered war crimes according to international law and even the Catholic “Just War” document.) This included the dropping of atomic bombs on TWO cities in Japan which were NOT military targets.

  • #23: “So black and white kids are different, i.e. that they learn different? The Press Club speech was more of the same racism…”

    He said that in the NAACP speech. I haven’t seen the Press Club speech. Anyway, kids do learn differently; people learn differently. As for Wright’s NAACP speech, he was noting a study by an academic as an example of how our educational system has failed some kids. Also, keep his audience in mind in this speech. Just as his congregation was the audience for his sermons.

    It’s why Paul in his letters in the New Testament was so misunderstood. Each letter was aimed at a certain city/audience, not everyone.

    Just a thought.

  • #24: “I saw this sermon in it’s entirety, and McCain is spinning this in an amazingly dishonest way.”

    What a surprise.

    What is it with people that they can latch onto just a few words and contort them into a thought that is completely at odds with what the speaker said/wrote? Lazy and deceitful. We need to say this every time it happens. Lazy and deceitful!!!

  • Why does this happen so much?

    MR. RUSSERT: And yet Senator McCain is tied or beating both Clinton, Obama in most of the national polls.

    DR. DEAN: That’s because Senator McCain’s not being challenged by anybody yet, and we intend to do that. And this ad’s part of it.

    Actually MOST national polls do NOT show McCain tied or beating either Dem candidates, and I’ve the seen the corporate press do this time and time again. But these spin doctors like Russert are NEVER taken to task over this deliberately false claims.

    I’ve seen David Brooks completely flat lied about polls on the Newshour time and again without ever being corrected. Brooks once said that most Republicans were for Bush pardoning Libby Scooter, but it was a deliberate lie even as the Washington Post took a poll that showed exactly the opposite was true. NO corrections were ever issued, Jim Lehrer and Mark Shields just sit there and let the lie stand uncorrected. Howard Dean not only let Russert lied about polls but appears to agree with them, BUT the POLL’s DON’T show this, least not if Josh Marshall’s website is posting correct poll info.

    NYT columnist Frank Rich wrote: How McCain Lost in Pennsylvania is very much the actuality of how McCain’s position is shaping up without the nation. All this news about record Democrat Party registration coupled with the grim defection of members from the Republican Party is something that is being completely silenced and withheld by a corporate owned media.

    The next time Howard Dean or any Democratic Party member goes on national TV, I want them to do their homework and be armed with the reports from the lastest polls so as to be ready to refute these lies about polls that dishonest spin doctors like Russert and Brooks consistently use unfettered thus gettingh away with blatantly lying on national TV.

  • Of course, McCain doesn’t care about how he’s remembered; he cares about saying and/or doing what it takes to win. — CB

    Oh, he cares, he cares. But he also knows that it’s the winners who write the history books so, how he’s remembered will depend on his winning (or losing).

  • “Will the reporters who adore him notice?”

    Are you kidding me? McCain could (and does) pee in their faces, and they’ll simlpy report that he serve them some delicious lemonade. The fact that any reporter covering the McCain candiacy is not rotated out periodically for the sake ofobjectivity in reporting by any “legitimate news organization” should make us all vomit. And remember, just the other day, that D-Bag Chris Matthews referred to McCain as a “maverick” for the billionth time”. Idiots.

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