McCain vetoes aides’ proposals to go after Obama on Wright, too
posted at 12:42 pm on October 10, 2008 by Allahpundit
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The perfect companion piece to Marc Ambinder’s reminder this morning that, for all the bluster about what Ayers reveals of Obama’s judgment and character, Maverick’s not pushing the issue as hard as he could. No major ad buys, no speeches devoted to the subject, not even a debate mention yet. Either he considers this line of attack dishonorable or he finds it absurd to be pushing it in the middle of a global financial meltdown, so he’s going to half-ass it by bringing it up occasionally, hoping the media takes the baton and runs with it, but otherwise not dirtying his hands too much. How that adds up to a winning strategy is beyond me, but then I haven’t really grasped McCain’s strategy since he effectively diminished The One this summer by comparing him to Paris and Britney.
Some McCain campaign officials are becoming concerned about the hostility that attacks against Sen. Obama are whipping up among Republican supporters. During an internal conference call Thursday, campaign officials discussed how the tenor of the crowds has turned on the media and on Sen. Obama…
But Sen. McCain vetoed proposals to attack the Illinois senator for his 20 years as a member of the church led by Rev. Wright, whose harsh comments about racism in America and other issues created problems for Sen. Obama during the Democratic primary contest. Sen. Obama publicly severed ties with Rev. Wright earlier this year.
Sen. McCain has said Rev. Wright is off limits.
That decision, and the worry that the campaign could open itself to accusations of racism, has kept Rev. Wright out of their strategy.
One McCain senior adviser said the difference between Mr. Ayers and Rev. Wright isn’t race, it’s religion. “It’s not appropriate to attack someone’s faith,” he said.
Some longtime Republicans are befuddled by the decision not to go after Rev. Wright.
“If you’re going to go down with Ayers, you might as well go with Wright too,” said Ed Rollins, a longtime Republican strategist and former Reagan White House aide who ran Mike Huckabee’s campaign during the primary.
Mr. Rollins said that, although accusations of racism would undoubtedly arise, Sen. Obama’s longtime connection with Rev. Wright made the relationship fair game.
Ayers is more odious than Wright to me for the simple reason that he has a body count, but if the name of the game is associations, it makes no sense to tie him to the guy he worked with but not the guy he worshipped with for 20 years. Fearless prediction: If the polls don’t change after next week’s debate and Obama’s lined up for a landslide, you’re going to see McCain back off the Ayers stuff with an eye to salvaging his reputation/legacy among the media he loves (or used to love) by being noble in defeat. As Christopher Buckley, endorsing Obama(!) today, puts it, “All this is genuinely saddening, and for the country is perhaps even tragic, for America ought, really, to be governed by men like John McCain—who have spent their entire lives in its service, even willing to give the last full measure of their devotion to it. If he goes out losing ugly, it will be beyond tragic, graffiti on a marble bust.”
If he gives up on Ayers, though, I’m not sure what he’ll spend the last few weeks talking about. An emergency economic proposal, maybe? We’ll see. Meanwhile, further in this vein, see Michael Crowley at TNR for an obvious but welcome acknowledgment that the left’s high dudgeon about rage at McCain’s rallies is highly nuanced indeed in light of their own boilerplate about Bush being a terrorist and a war criminal.
Update: Whoops, the Crowley link was busted. Fixed now.
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McCain sould be putting his all into this, if for no one else but our troops, whom he purports to love and respect.
If he abandons them – not to mention the rest of his country – to Obama while patting himself on the back that he’s run an honorable campaign . . . he’s one sick senile old man.
Marybeth on October 10, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Where did being compassionate get President Bush?
I have to disagree with most of the commenters here today. I am sick and tired of wimpy republicans. The Dems are lobbing grenades at us and we are throwing back nerf balls.
We don’t stand a chance of winning unless we fight back with every weapon at our disposal. The GOP base is screaming for McCain to get tough and he throws up the surrender flag.
Nice guys finish last.
fogw on October 10, 2008 at 1:19 PM
This is a dead issue. Those inclined to be influenced by this have already been influenced–this (and Obama’s response) was TV/newspaper lead-story material and Internet viral months ago.
okonkolo on October 10, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Just saw the new FOX polls. If they are valid predictors, then say hello to president Obama and your new Marxist regime.
rplat on October 10, 2008 at 1:20 PM
“Don’t give up, don’t ever give up. That’s what I’m going to try to do every minute that I have left”—- Jim Valvano
pambi on October 10, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Because I don’t trust B.O, and the dems running this country.
upinak on October 10, 2008 at 1:21 PM
The idea expressed in this post, that McCain will soon “back off” to salvage his good guy rep. will gut McCain’s support, if believed. As has frequently been the case, I find myself wondering about this blogger’s motives.
james23 on October 10, 2008 at 1:21 PM
I am serious.
Tell me whose votes will be changed by going after a preacher who no longer preaches in a church that Barack Obama no longer attends.
Tell me how John McCain gets away with reversing himself on attacking this guy. It would be one of the biggest and grossest flip-flops in the history of politics. Saturday Night Live will do an entire episode about it. Every editorial page in America will blast McCain. The blowback will cost the Republicans two more Senate seats.
rockmom on October 10, 2008 at 1:21 PM
In other words McCain will do what he has always done.
Work hard to get the Democratic agenda passed.
MarkTheGreat on October 10, 2008 at 1:23 PM
The people will get a good look at what is coming in early December when Barry introduces Gore, Albright, Brzezinski, Edwards, S.Rice and his lovely Michelle as the core of his new cabinet and diplomatic staff.
Like that photo? No? Then FIGHT.
Limerick on October 10, 2008 at 1:23 PM
The McCain campaign is already being accused of racism – so hitting Obama on Wright is not going to change a thing – except maybe, hopefully, some voter’s minds.
HawaiiLwyr on October 10, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Are you kidding? How many primaries did Obama win after they Wright story broke? How many prominent Dems went on to support McCain?
TheBigOldDog on October 10, 2008 at 1:23 PM
“Don’t give up, don’t ever give up. That’s what I’m going to try to do every minute that I have left”—- Jim Valvano
I actually knew Jim Valvano. He was a good guy. Unfortunately he’s also now dead, if you see my rather depressing point.
nocomme1 on October 10, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Is it time for Palin to consider leaving this ticket if in secret, McCain does not agree to fight to win?
Is there a possibility that Palin is as frustrated with McCain’s (Monteczuma caving in to Cortez) capitulation and complacentcy as we are?
If so, should she confront McCain and give him an ultimatum that she did not join the ticket to lose but to actually try to fight hard the attempt by Obama to force the country to socialism?
Sapwolf on October 10, 2008 at 1:24 PM
If Obama wins, I have no intention of “uniting behind him”. I intend to fight him tooth and nail. I disagree, very strongly, with everything he stands for. From higher taxes, to more govt control of everything.
MarkTheGreat on October 10, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Palin nor anyone else will be able to overcome what Obama and a filibuster proof Congress can do to the electoral process in 4 years. Once the nationalization of key components of our economy is complete, it won’t reverse. Do you honestly think the ethanol program will be eliminated? Agriculture is next on the block.
a capella on October 10, 2008 at 1:25 PM
You know, even if McCain pulls another miracle out of his a** and wins this thing, I’ve already lost all respect for him. There’s a difference between civility and stupid, and he apparently is both.
VastRightWingConspirator on October 10, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Simple.
Have McCain propose the government start a fast track program to help speed up of pumping oil at the Bakken oil fields of ND and WY, ANWR, and offshore drillings (which may take several years to begin in new locations) anywhere along the territorial coastal waters of the U.S. And begin immediately on the oil shale work, too, and see a full scale production in 6 to 8 years time. While at the same time propose improved conservation measures, seek alternative energy sources, the use of non-food based biofuels and so on.
The “all of the above” Palin mentions doesn’t help much if McCain doesn’t say it in explicit details. He need to stop being afraid of ANWR (c’mon, it’s a 2000 proposed acres out of 21 million acres) and this global warming carbon cap or tax is muddling up his message on energy independence. It’ll simply eat up our economy if he goes down that route.
McCain’s not angry enough but the crowds are. How long will be til he figures it out? By then it’ll be too late. It’s already too late, I think. Who knows?
Kokonut on October 10, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Lets pray. But not towards Mecca! Not even woth a gun to my head!
Mercy4Me on October 10, 2008 at 1:27 PM
With all due respect, you are guilty of belly button marketing. Your political instinct do not represent the vast majority of the American people. You are also playing the Left’s game by the Left’s rules when you worry “blowback” from the Main street media. That’s always a losing strategy. The majority of the American people not only distrust the media, they despise them. To worry about what they will say is simply playing their game.
TheBigOldDog on October 10, 2008 at 1:27 PM
I can see making the case that the Wright attack would be ineffective now but let’s dispense with the idea that McCain is taking the high road here.
Let’s remember McCain’s track record. He flat-out lied and slandered Mitt Romney during the primary. He got into a public spat with Donald Rumsfeld over contracts and acquisitions. He flirted with becoming Kerry’s running mate in 2004. John McCain is not an honorable man when it comes to politics and if he’s “civil” its because of strategy and nothing more.
highhopes on October 10, 2008 at 1:28 PM
Rush has it right. Drag McCain over the finish line to save the nation from Obama and then start working on saving the party of Reagan and Lincoln from the likes of John McCain.
highhopes on October 10, 2008 at 1:30 PM
I think that is urban legend.
Regardless this is entirely different then marinating your kids in hate speech.
Spirit of 1776 on October 10, 2008 at 1:30 PM
One thing I’ve learned in the past year, after losing my business, my home, my truck for crying out loud, and lot of everything I’ve ever worked for: You don’t give up and you don’t give in.
The only people who don’t know about Wright are the ones who’ve been living under a rock for the past year. What McCain needs to do right now is come out with 3 concise points for how to run this nation and set peoples fears at rest. OBambi’s foundering in words – so many words he’s losing track of whether he’s on defense or offense, and he hasn’t got much of either.
Don’t give up folks. McCain knows we’re mad.
AubieJon on October 10, 2008 at 1:30 PM
BTW, How did McCain feel about the Swift Boat Vets? Who did more to get Bush re-elected than them? See my point? This ain’t Cricket.
TheBigOldDog on October 10, 2008 at 1:31 PM
How long til we see someone on TV at a McCain rally say something like:
You know what, I give up. You don’t fight for us. You don’t care. You probably figure you are old and on your way out anyway and all the socialism that come won’t affect you anyway. Well, I have grandkids, and I have NO FAITH in you because you refuse to fight for the country by going after the most leftist despicable Dem candidate that has ever run for the Presidency. That’s it. You don’t deserve my vote because you seem to think you are above trying to get my vote and get in the arena and fight in this deathstruggle against Marxism.
Sapwolf on October 10, 2008 at 1:31 PM
McCain just lost the election
How can you claim to put your country first when you refuse to fight the Dems and make it an even playing field? Ayers and Wright are legitimate points to be raised.
trainwife1962 on October 10, 2008 at 1:32 PM
I think so too. I want the truth about Obama to be as widely disseminated as possible, and I expect there will be some very serious buyers’ remorse in certain quarters after the full realization sinks in.
But right now I don’t believe that bringing up Wright will make any difference. Voters don’t care about Obama’s character or past record. Many would vote for a half-eaten bologna sandwich if it had a (D) after its name.
I’m not giving up, I’m being realistic. If McCain has any chance at all it lies in exposing the heavy Dem involvement in the current financial crisis. Whatever resources he has would be better spent in that direction.
Gilda on October 10, 2008 at 1:32 PM
First, I don’t like the increase of leaks coming out of the McCain campaign. For a team that so masterfully hid the Palin pick, they sure do seem to be flapping their lips a lot lately. Not good. If Mac does win, he needs to plug up those leaks.
Second, the above line of reasoning is ridiculous on multiple levels.
(1) Faith can matter. We’re not talking about fine points of denominational differences or “smells and bells” stuff here, we’re talking about a church that preached hate. Taken to its extreme argument, is McCain saying that it would not be relevant if a candidate was a Satanist? Honestly, Mac, get a grip.
(2) Setting aside “faith” for a moment and focusing merely on which congregation Obama chose to join, this is also relevant. I’m a Catholic, raised in a very strict Catholic household… you know the kind, where you’d have to have a limb amputated in order to miss Mass. Anyway, my hometown was/is hippy heaven as was the local (sole) parish there. On several occasions when our lib Jesuit priests would go on a tear about Vietnam — offending Vietnam vets in the process — my parents would get up and march us out of Mass in protest with the vets. There is simply no excuse for Barack and Michelle to take their kids to that church and be baptized by that racist.
(3) This may be the weakest of the arguments, but the fact of the matter is that the Obama campaign has been making it about faith for a long time. Remember before Saddleback how they were floating that no one knew anything about Mac’s faith and implying that he had none because he didn’t talk about it much? And what about the attacks on Governor Palin over her church?
For good or ill, we are in an election cycle where faith has been an issue (not always in a positive way — particularly the hateful attacks on Romney). The Catholic Church has gone further than any time in my memory in explaining to its members the importance of life issues. The first “debate” was held in a church, for Pete’s sake. It is certainly relevant that Obama chose as one of his closest personal mentors a guy who espouses racial division and hatred for America. The fact that that guy happens to be a minister does not preclude McCain from questioning Obama’s judgment and character on this relationship.
This is McCain’s last political run. He needs to not worry about being branded a bigot and explain to the American people why Presidents should not hang out with hate-mongers.
Y-not on October 10, 2008 at 1:32 PM
RIGHT ON!!!
Sapwolf on October 10, 2008 at 1:33 PM
I couldn’t agree more. He’s still worried what his old buddies in the MSM are going to say about him. This is the same group who have stabbed him in the back in unbelievably dishonest ways.
You know, if he’s not smart enough to see this maybe he doesn’t have the judgment to be President. If he’s not going to listen as people in the audience beg him to get serious and get tough then what can we really do except plan for the future under 4 years of increasing socialistic fascism.
TheBigOldDog on October 10, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Maybe this will help … http://tinyurl.com/53hw48
pambi on October 10, 2008 at 1:37 PM
I suggest you read any of Obamas books or watch the numerous videos where The Messiah heeps praise on the good Rev. as his mentor. Don’t forget that Wright was part of Obamas campaign in the role of spiritual advisor prior to being forced out by his NON comments. I don’t need video tape to know what black liberation theology is all about. This is not a court of law, this is the court of public opinion. Obama has marketed himself as the very definition of superior judgement and intellect, but some of his associations tend to show him as Wylie E. Coyote!
Juan can take the high road home!
dmann on October 10, 2008 at 1:39 PM
I don’t think so. My daughter in WA only gets network TV and she had never heard of Ayers… She isn’t as political as I am.
But I think this election is probably lost. No one is thinking of anything accept punishing Bush for the stock market. Maybe we should blame Bush… He was the “compassionate conservative” who pushed the “ownership society” No wonder the Reps couldn’t get any controls passed… The President might have vetoed them anyway.
This is just a holy mess.
petunia on October 10, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Off to work to take evil oil profits out of you pocketbooks.
I’ll check back with the Eeyore network later to see how many of you all took the open window option.
NUTZ!
Limerick on October 10, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Exactly. I keep seeing this “Four years of Obama, and we’ll ride to victory in 2012!” nonsense, and it’s naive at best. Not one entitlement program, once established, has ever been dismantled, and we’ll have a lot more. Not only that, but a Democrat in the White House makes the serious nutjobs come out in droves, and any attempt to unseat Obama in 2012 will be no more successful than trying to unseat Clinton was, and for precisely that reason. Nutjobs. Black UN helicopters and Vince Foster was murdered, and 100 other wacko conspiracy theories. If Obama wins, we’re looking at a rock-solid Democrat administration and Congress for at least 8 years. There will be no “resurgence,” because the Democrats will see to it there isn’t.
And we’ll have only ourselves to thank for it. 2006 all over again, but this time, far, far worse.
So those of you with MDS and who have been screaming about loser issues like immigration, are you happy? How does your “my way or the highway” entitlement attitude feel now? And why, exactly, are you directing your anger toward McCain? Why aren’t you at party headquarters doing somethig instead of screaming like a bunch of spoiled brats?
This election was McCain’s to lose. If he does lose it, it won’t be because of McCain. It will be because of all the stomping, howling, “base conservatives” who first decried democracy when the voters chose McCain, and have now decided that he’s going to lose while they stick their thumbs up their asses doing nothing.
rightwingprof on October 10, 2008 at 1:40 PM
rockmom,
Don’t most people choose who will baptize their kids (at the very least at which parish it is done) and who marries them? My husband and I had one of our college priests travel 500 miles to marry us.
This is from a NY Daily News article this spring:
We’re not talking about one of the ministers who happened to be part of the congregation where Obama occasionally popped in (as much as I loathe Pfleger, I wouldn’t both attacking Obama over him since he was a visiting preacher, for example). We’re talking about Obama’s spiritual advisor.
It seems to me if Rev. Wright is incapable of keeping his hateful, racist views under a lid when he speaks at the National Press Club, then it seems very unlikely that Obama did not know what was in Wright’s heart, irrespective if he was in the pews for specific sermons.
Personally, I have found there to be far too much religion injected into this election, particularly during the Republican primary; but, this is not about religion. Just because Wright is a reverend, doesn’t mean he’s immune to scrutiny.
Y-not on October 10, 2008 at 1:49 PM
The “M-word”.
Both Ayers and Wright are Marxists.
Obama was a follower of both (and others).
In November will America vote to put a communist (that’s Communist with a small “c” as Bill Ayers said he is) in the White House?
A commie in the White House?
Lenin and Marx will be rolling over in laughter in their graves.
albill on October 10, 2008 at 1:50 PM
McCain = Loser, {sigh} and all because he’s stuck on some personal ideology of either my way or the highway.
It’s like, hey, vote for me. Or not. I’m not sure I really care anymore.
{President Obama} ugh… makes my tough ache just thinking about saying it.
Lawrence on October 10, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Remember that scene in Batman Begins, where Raz is sparing with Bruce on the glacier?
Raz says,”The courage to act.” Refering to Wayne’s fathers death. He could have prevented it had he had the courage to act. Remember that?
Same thing here with McCain.
McCain lacks the nuts to do what is necessary.
TheHat on October 10, 2008 at 1:51 PM
He just lost.
marklmail on October 10, 2008 at 1:54 PM
…race…the third rail of national politics….
…why is Wright off-limits? Race…Mr. McCain doesn’t want to be seen criticizing two black guys at once….
…as if he was actually going to get more than 3% of the black vote and 2% of the votes of others who think that black vote is in any way important….
…some numbers wonk did the math back in 2000 and figured that had Mr. Bush stopped pandering to minorities altogether and concentrated on the white vote entirely, he’d've gained expotentially…the minority vote is like the youth vote…because as unsavory a character as Carville says that those waiting on the youth vote ar losers….
…it’s OK to tag Obama with an unsavory white guy, but not an even more unsavory black guy, which perpetuates racism, defined as “discrimination or prejudice based on race”…using race as a factor, major or minor, in your decision making process….
…mind you, the racists, particularly the black racists, of the Democratic Party don’t seem to have any problems when it comes to divvying the nation up into racial and ethnic fiefdoms, the better to apportion the pork…remember the ads for the 2000 census?
OK, John…what are you going to do? I suggest (and have been tiresomely suggesting) that you hang Obama’s unsavory party ’round his neck. They’re mostly white, as that seems to matter…so, go ‘head….
DO SOMETHING!
Puritan1648 on October 10, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Okay, Maverick, you don’t want to go there by mentioning Ayers, Wright, et al. How about getting back to comparing your service of this country to Obama’s service. Your life story is your greatest asset. USE IT.
Angry Dumbo on October 10, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Where is Scott Pritchard when you need him? “I am tired of weakness! I am faced with a grave problem, and I intend to resolve it quickly and cleanly”
This campaign is so disappointing. We pushed aside Gore and Kerrey and are going to let this clown, Obama win. Disgusting.
grdred944 on October 10, 2008 at 1:55 PM
I refuse to believe that of a guy who endured beatings from sadistic goons for five years. McCain has his flaws, but cowardice is not one of them.
I wonder if Rick Warren has given McCain some bad advice. It’s almost as if McCain thinks he’s risking his soul by going negative over Obama’s preacher.
I wish Pope Benedict would get on the horn to Mac and tell him to fight harder. This election is about life and death — for our troops, our allies (like Israel), and unborn children.
Y-not on October 10, 2008 at 1:57 PM
That’s if the premise you’re pushing is True to begin with. I, for one, don’t accept your premise but I don’t think anything that people are being “accused” of saying can be any “uglier” than “Bush lied, people died” or “Bushitler”.
Sultry Beauty on October 10, 2008 at 2:01 PM
New polls are out. McCain has striped 31% on indies to the undecided column. Now he needs to get his positive message out to try and woo them over.
csdeven on October 10, 2008 at 2:02 PM
can=can’t
Sultry Beauty on October 10, 2008 at 2:02 PM
McCain is the best democrat running. Unfortunately, the democrats vote for the guy with a “D” after his name regardless. McCain does not now and never has had the stomach to win this. We can thank him and those who voted for him in the primaries for the upcoming loss. I’m mad as hell and have been for months. McCain has approached this entire campaign like he approached the Gang of 13 fiasco – everybody give up something important to them and we have a consensus.
What McCain doesn’t understand is that unlike his fellow politicians on the hill he works out his little bi-partisan deals with, to us out here in the real world, this is NOT a game. This is our lives, John!! Quit trying to jerk us off like you do your opponents across the aisle. Fight or lay down, but quit pussy-footing around and claiming to be doing something to try to win. Just another “it was his turn” Bob Dole type nomination and the outcome was just as predictable. Color me disgusted!
deepdiver on October 10, 2008 at 2:04 PM
The right call…he needs to designate an Attorney General right now, and an economic advisor (no not because O’Reilly said it, I stated this weeks ago that he should start naming his cabinet starting with Joe Lieberman and Romney).
Keep hammering at Ayres, but put pressure on to have democrats called up on the carpet for economic mess. Force Obama to defend Frank and Dodd, Raines and Johnson. Beat the dems up on the economic mess, make them defend the indefensible.
If Raines and Johnson aren’t part of Obama circle, then he should have no problem putting them up on the stand. If Obama is truly interested in crossing party lines, he should have no problem immediately demanding Cox, Dodd, and Frank to go under oath before a bi-partisan senate hearing.
If ACORN is not part of Obama circle, he should have no problem putting them under oath before a senate committee.
Make Obama defend the indefensible…
right2bright on October 10, 2008 at 2:05 PM
The Obama campaign is accusing McCain/Palin of inciting racism and violence at their rallies as a shot across the bow. They are letting McCain know what they’ll do to him if he brings up Wright.
I want McCain to fight, but apparently crowds have now committed the unforgivable sin of yelling at reporters. They are not taking it lightly, and are reporting the McCain incitement stories as straight news. It’s a tough environment, folks. I don’t know what to do.
It’s pretty rich for Ambinder to call McCain on not going at Obama directly enough.
MayBee on October 10, 2008 at 2:05 PM
It’s not the Race Card that they’d be playing – “God Damn America” is anti-AMERICAN. Hell, Hillary nearly won the primary when Hannity started exposing Wright/Obama connection.
marklmail on October 10, 2008 at 2:07 PM
I can see leaving Wright alone – Obama has created such a “target rich environment” that you don’t need to mention Wright or religion or even explicitly use the word ‘Marxism’ to be absolutely devastating to O’Bambi’s traveling smoke, mirror, and freak show.
Here’s some suggestions on the subject.
Wind Rider on October 10, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Wright won’t resonate with anyone but McCain’s base. Wright is a fool, and all the things people post about him, but the independents won’t care, they want fresh meat.
right2bright on October 10, 2008 at 2:09 PM
We all remember how much “respect” the Left gave Palin’s church. Oh wait, they called it white-trash!
Speedwagon82 on October 10, 2008 at 2:10 PM
JUDGMENT
*
Obama sat in that church for 20 YEARS!!!
marklmail on October 10, 2008 at 2:12 PM
And it didn’t help Obama, they stopped that. People don’t like others attacking religion. Let the pundits like Hannity hammer Wright, I want McCain to hammer the dems on the economy.
The problem is, McCain has too many friends that are Dems.
right2bright on October 10, 2008 at 2:12 PM
…hmmmmm….
…no proof other than his own admission that he was sitting there…he had to distance himself from Wright…that assumes that they were close….
…and the ample proof, both on video in the news and that written and available for parishioners in the church’s own lobby of what Jeremiah Wright was preaching….
…that’s proof enough for me.
Do you think that, as with Ayers, Wright was just another of those “guys in the neighborhood”? Wright was then and is now even more so a well known rabble-rouser, a minor league Al Sharpton, whose ring must be kissed to get him behind your Chicago initiatives….
…don’t be naive…be loyal to the truth…not the campaign….
…OK…get your head ’round this one: bringing up Wright, as bringing up Ayers, puts questions into play concerning Mr. Obama’s judgment. We actually still know very little about what Mr. Obama intends (despite gloomy and perhaps prescient predictions here on HA). As Glenn Beck’s mom used to say, “show me your friends, I’ll show you your future”. Evidently, Mr. O pal’d around with some pretty unsavory characters, most of whom had rather distinct and piquant things to say about America…the nation he intends to lead.
Don’t you think that tying him to the folks he and his media enablers are dismissing as passing acquaintances might enlighten a few people, especially those who give him equal weight as a politician with Mr. McCain.
In marketing, you sell your product by contrasting it with your competitor’s products, and you don’t want your competitor’s products to look better than yours…and, if your competitor’s products are crap, you want people to know it. It’s a simple as capitalism.
Mr. McCain is wussing out on this one…just as he did when he gave up on Michigan…just as he does every debate he doesn’t haul off and spit in Mr. Obama’s eye and call him a liar, an upstart, a poseur and a villain.
This election is important…it’d be a shame to lose it on a point of etiquette.
Puritan1648 on October 10, 2008 at 2:13 PM
If it didn’t work, why have her negatives gone up so much recently?
Speedwagon82 on October 10, 2008 at 2:13 PM
75% of Americans REJECT “God Damn America” PERIOD.
marklmail on October 10, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Gotta disagree with you here.
There is indeed video of Obama in the pews, and it isn’t as though he’s denying that this is his church family. Besides – the issue is more than just “G__ d___ America!”
Obama’s pastor at TUCC is a subscriber to Black Liberation Theology, and one of his mentors is James Cone. To give you an idea: Cone has said that it’s not enough for God to be for black people – He must be against white people.
You can’t be a member of a church for twenty years without knowing something about this. Obama was, and he stayed.
If anyone is getting smeared, it’s McCain. I actually had an argument with a teenager last night who, even though she did not see the debate, “heard” that John McCain said something “sooooo racist” to Obama, when he referred to Obama as “that one”.
If McCain doesn’t say anything racist, they will invent something, and it will WORK.
McCain can hold back the attack on Wright, and I think an argument can be made that there’s so much material to go after Obama on that it might be wise to set that one aside, but it is in no way a “smear” to call attention to Obama’s Wright connection. It’s there, and the only reason Obama left that church was because of pressure. He’d still be there today if that hadn’t happened.
I ordinarily agree with you, but the idea that Wright’s relationship to Obama isn’t disturbing is just wrong, imo.
Check out 1000sundays.com – it’s all there.
capitalist piglet on October 10, 2008 at 2:16 PM
What’s it gonna take for the gloves to come off Juan??? Maybe in the next “debate” o’Burka will dare you to “say it to my face” and kick you in the nads. We’re mad as hell…….why aren’t you????
ohiorebel on October 10, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Wow, I really disagree. People like my mother-in-law — a nice, quiet, apolitical lady — would be shocked if she knew Obama chose that hate-monger as his spiritual advisor. Unfortunately, she is all the way across the country being influenced by my wacky sister-in-law, so I doubt she’s heard of Rev. Wright.
You don’t have to be a conservative, or even “political,” to be appalled by the prospect of a President who chose to be guided by a racist, America-basher for twenty years… and who only ended his relationship with him 6 months ago when it became politically necessary.
Y-not on October 10, 2008 at 2:17 PM
…Rick Warren needs get his snout out of the political realm, and go back to counting his publishing royalties….
…and, we can hope that the counting keeps him busy enough to keep him from writing again, keeps him out of the pulpit, and keeps him from hob-nobbing with sponsors of terrorism….
Puritan1648 on October 10, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Obama is so dissembling and duplicitous on the Wright issue. It’s extremely important McCain highlight this. And yet he doesn’t. Note Obama’s many different positions. On The View, Obama told Hasselbeck that 6 things Wright said over a 20 year period are put on a loop to paint a false picture of him. Could any statement be more false? Wright is who he is. His comments are disseminated on his church DVDs sold to the public, for crying out loud. You might as well say Hitler was misunderstood. It’s laugh out loud absurd. And yet Obama and his cult of personality get away with it. We’re screwed @2008
Paul-Cincy on October 10, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Y-not on October 10, 2008 at 2:21 PM
I agree with Rush here. Let’s drag his RINO butt across the finish line and immediately form a line behind Sarah Palin.
The view is wonderful!!
DeweyWins on October 10, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Wright IS NOT a GOD issue. It’s an ANTI-AMERICAN ISSUE!!!
marklmail on October 10, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Seems pretty obvious that McCain doesn’t really want to win. Who has paid him off?
sadatoni on October 10, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Someone ought to make a video with all of Obama’s comments on Wright and juxtapose it with Wright’s own statements, and Cone, and black liberation theology. It will show Obama for the careful liar he is.
Paul-Cincy on October 10, 2008 at 2:25 PM
MC Cain is not my first choice, but I will not give the left the satisfaction to go dawn with out a fight. McCain is in a tough position if he goes too hard on Obama the MSM will have a field day with him. All of us who care about this great nation so much, should mount a full scale assault on the media by hitting them were hurts the most, their money. We Americans are the most powerful consumer society in the world lets use our power to strike back at them. “Never give up never surrender, fight to the end”
If this does no make any sense forgive me I’m not that smart I’m just a simple man.
pukara61 on October 10, 2008 at 2:26 PM
He doesn’t need the dough. 8 houses and 12 cars, remember?
I think on this issue McCain has mistakenly decided that attacking Wright is really equivalent to attacking Palin over her church.
Y-not on October 10, 2008 at 2:28 PM
…consider this: maybe those independents (whoever they are) notice that Wright’s yet another of those villains we have in nauseatingly generous supply nowadays….
…villains in the social realm, in politics, in economics now….
…villains prospering, getting egregious compensation packages as they run stockholders investments into the dungheap….
…villains saying the most vile, nonsensical and harmful things imaginable (”G*d damn America”, that our troops are like the Khmer Rouge, that our troops are guilty of war crimes, that anything they don’t like is “racist”)….
…and maybe, just maybe, those “independents” — and a lot of committed voters, too — are waiting for someone, anyone (other than O’Reilly, who’s getting tiresome) to notice the villains, too.
…they don’t even have to promise to do anything about it, just say “Yeah…I see those bastards too”….
…that’d be a tonic. That would be “fresh meat”.
Tell me: how do you define “fresh meat”? How do you define “independents”?
If you’re telling the truth, and you can prove that it’s true, that’s fresh enough meat for anyone but a Democrat, and it might even persuade one of those “independents”.
One the subject of “independents”, my sojourn on HA has proven to me that most of the folks here are fairly independent. They support Mr. McCain, often with enormous reservations, and often because the alternative is unthinkable. That’s pretty independent.
What you may have confused with independence of mind and opinion are the so-called “undecideds”…those folks who, after nearly two years of campaigning and dozens of candidates coming and going, and more promises made than would be made were ten thousand prom queens be on a date with ten thousand horn-dogs…and they still can’t make up their bloody minds!
Either they can’t decide (they’re stupid), they won’t decide (they’re spineless), or they won’t talk (they’re hoping for a book deal)…indecision at times like this is treasonous….
…at least Obama supporters are commited enough to lie, deface signs and cars, commit fraud, and defame their opponents as racists and white-trash barbarians for daring to oppose them…at least they’ve taken a stand…you can respect that in an opponent…these “undecideds”….
…it’s like trying to nail down jell-o….
Puritan1648 on October 10, 2008 at 2:31 PM
…no…I think that he wants to be the next Apostle Paul…somebody needs to tell him that the Savior isn’t hirin’ any more apostles….
Puritan1648 on October 10, 2008 at 2:33 PM
problem is the economy has derailed these type of attacks, now its “how could you possibly stoop to this type of politics while we have economic crisis…”
jp on October 10, 2008 at 2:36 PM
BTW, I was not intending to slight Billy Graham. He seems to have been a great spiritual advisor to a lot of presidents.
Y-not on October 10, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Then why not bring up Fr. Michael Pfleger? No charges of racism there…
VastRightWingConspirator on October 10, 2008 at 2:39 PM
+1
Defeatism won’t accomplish anything positive.
“Pep talk” from Ace.
Y-not on October 10, 2008 at 2:42 PM
The connection is not nearly as strong. He’s been a visiting preacher there, whereas Obama chose to have Wright perform his marriage to Michelle, baptize his children, and advise his entire family about running for President.
Also, unfortunately the Catholic Church has not disciplined Pfleger nearly as sharply as it should have. He was suspended, but he should be de-frocked. I’d rather not weaken the Church’s moral authority by bringing up Pfleger when they are doing what they can to shake American Catholics out of this moral stupor over abortion.
Y-not on October 10, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Yosemite Sam is his own worst enemy.
Regardless, I’m voting for the girl, orders from the wife.
tarpon on October 10, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Wright is not an Anti American issue it is a RACISM ISSUE!
Their own website says that their church is based not on Christianity but on BLACK LIBERATION THEOLOGY of James Cone.
“Whiteness is satanic”
James Cone
“If God is not for the Black man and AGAINST the White man then we MUST KILL GOD!”
Wright is a RACIST!
Obama is a RACIST!!
SaintOlaf on October 10, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Wright is old news. McCain is making the right call here. The only potential benefit to bringing up Wright would be to have the MSM rehash Obama “historic” *cough… gag* speech about race and call McCain out on his reversal and for being a crotchety old man.
The underbelly media will continue to hit Wright for anyone who missed him on the first go-round with Hillary and McCain stays clean from that particular pig pen.
We still have Ayers and Rezco to kick around, along with all the others coming out of the Obama rogue’s gallery. All those are unequivocally fair play and relate directly to his career, professional dealings and how he would conduct himself as President.
Wright is good for kicks and is easy to kick around but that character assassination for Obama has already been picked over and is more reflective of Obama’s personal instead of professional dealings. Right now, people are screaming racist but don’t have even a remotely credible argument. If McCain goes after Wright, they will buy him sheets to wear to Obama’s inauguration.
If you want to be pissed as anyone for the lack of Wright coverage, call CNN, MSNBC, NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, etc. and go ballistic. They had all the ammo and evidence and dismissed it out of hand… for over 2 years. The ineptitude of the MSM is the ONLY reason that Obama can run for any office above South Side Hobo.
Damiano on October 10, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Every sensible person on earth agrees. It’s the senseless idiots we need to be concerned with… and they have already dismissed Wright as a joke; thanks to the MSM.
They all had their field day for a week during the primaries with Wright when Hillary brought him up. Obama gave his BS race speech and the MSM called him a prophetic hero.
Don’t bitch at McCain, call the MSM and come unglued with them about it. They are the ones that made it an untouchable, racist issue.
Damiano on October 10, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Two terms.
Ok, I apologize – that was a flip remark. I don’t think Bush’s compassionate conservatism schtick won him re-election, the war on terror did. Nevertheless, I do think that staying above “personal attacks” does appeal to some voters… although I disagree with McCain about Wright. Obama’s decision as an adult to associate with and be advised by Wright for 20 years shows a fatal lack of judgment and extremely questionable moral character.
Y-not on October 10, 2008 at 2:56 PM
US of KKK A
God DAMN America
*** F A I T H ? ! ! ? ***
FIRE McCAIN’S “ADVISERS.”
Lockstein13 on October 10, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Why no ad that presents a collage of Rezko, ACORN, Ayers, Fannie, Freddie, Farrakhan, Wright, Pleger, New Party, Democratic Socialist Party, Khalidis? If a picture is worth A thousand words…..
Star20 on October 10, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Well, you proved my point, few will be moved by this effort, even your MIL won’t listen to facts.
I think he is appalling, I get it, but it is now old news, and religious news. I have a feeling, just a feeling, that the majority of undecided are not religious, and do not buy into this type of attack.
The want facts, and religion to many is devoid of that, that is why I think the economy is the winning issue. And I still think Ayers has some legs.
Well I doubt you really care, but I mean “fresh meat” as current information, the economy is still current, Wright was hashed and rehashed for months last year. Ayers still has some legs (want a definition of that also?), but the economy is still “fresh”, obviously, we are reminded every hour of every day. And independents, used in the post as the undecided or as not fully committed, that is what will win or lose this race. The country is basically split 50/50 Dem and Republican (by vote), it will be the ones that are not fully committed.
McCain will not win over any committed Dems with Wright, maybe with a hardline “take down the ones in charge” attitude about the economy.
I get it that Wright is scum, but most could care less…Obama threw him under the bus months ago…but he hasn’t thrown Ayers under yet, distanced himself, but not said that Ayers was and still is despicable.
right2bright on October 10, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Silly Billies. Your taxes aren’t going to go up. You’ll both be unemployed before his tax increases go into effect.
I am finally coming around to understand the position of those who said in the primary that they’d rather let the Dems have this one, and in 2 years the House and Senate will be bouncing back in our direction and in four years Obama will be the punchline to a bad joke.
Jaibones on October 10, 2008 at 3:19 PM
O.M.G. “video no longer available” (Sopranos)
Truth Squad got to ‘em ??
Crimeny.
pambi on October 10, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Not really in this case, but I understand why I gave that impression. My mother-in-law is in a media bubble, controlled largely by my sister-in-law.
I think that real centrists, independents, and undecided voters — as opposed to the folks the networks put on their panels of “undecideds” — would react viscerally to learning that Obama was guided for most of his adult life by a racist hate-monger like Wright. I don’t think the Wright story has played out fully in the media; but, I concede that it may be best to have McCain steer clear of it and leave others to put it into the spotlight.
Personally, I think the economic woes are a tough issue to sway independents on. It’s too muddied a picture. Very few people understand how we got into this mess.
I think McCain should spell out in detail what Obama’s spending would mean to the middle class, particularly in terms of taxes and job creation, and map out what his (McCain’s) approach would be to control spending and stimulate growth. Leave the partisan political wrangling over the bailout to Boehner, Cantor, and the House Republicans. They’re better at making the case anyway.
Y-not on October 10, 2008 at 3:36 PM
sorry.. too many HA windows open
pambi on October 10, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Simple answer: doesn’t want to be called racist.
Black leftists, unfortunately, have that firewall. (Black conservatives don’t.)
Tzetzes on October 10, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Allah, I agree that there is more meat on the bone with the Ayers connection but it is simply too tangential in the eyes of many. Hell, I’d like McCain to get into the Mike Klonsky relationship with CAC but I’m not holding my breath.
Wright resonates with people for obvious reasons and McCain is wrong to keep him out of the firing line.
If you want to demonstrate a pattern and practice you do yourself no good by removing one of the data points.
moxie_neanderthal on October 10, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Why bother, he can’t adequately explain the individual and corporate aspects of his tax plan, the succinct details of his health plan, his energy plan, etc.
McCain tanked the Wright card months ago. Stupid, but okay. To see him pulling up lame on Ayers and Obama’s ineffectiveness in their joint effort in the Chicago Annenberg Challenge.
Maybe Obama’s offered him the job for Secretary of Defense.
BuckeyeSam on October 10, 2008 at 3:59 PM
rockmom -
While you’ve demonstrated a good grasp of the problems in the housing issue, you are simply way off here.
Yeah, and there’s also no proof that a sh!t sandwich taste bad. Do you want to try a bite?
You’re missing a very simple point as to what the Wright relationship says about Obama as a candidate: anyway he plays it, Obama has proved himself to be at best, an idiot, and at worst, a liar. The fact is that Obama attended this church – headed by Wright – for 20 years. With that in mind, there are three – and only three – possibilities.
1) Obama DID NOT know about Wrights views. If this true, then Obama is an IDIOT. Regardless of their political affiliation, in this country, a politician’s religious beliefs are still a big deal. For Obama to have sat in that church for 20 years w/o taking the time to find out what was going on in that church is beyond reckless in political terms. And it also is just another example of seemingly endless instances where Obama has been – somehow – caught completely unawares by the questionable behaviors of his friends and associates: Wright, Ayers, Rezko, ad nauseum.
Also, it illustrates that he’s a LIAR, because he spent much of his campaign – up until the Wright scandal broke nationally – talking about how deeply spiritual he is, calling Wright his “spiritual mentor”…then, when his spiritual mentor becomes a political liability, he suddenly reverses course and says that he didn’t know anything about Wright’s beliefs. Well, which is it, Senator?: is he your “spiritual mentor”…or is he a stranger? He can’t be both, but Obama has claimed both. LIAR.
2) Obama DID know about Wrights views, but DID NOT share them. If this is true, then Obama is an OPPORTUNIST of the worst sort. It shows that he sat in that church – and let his young, impressionable daughters sit in that church – simply to increase his own political clout in Chicago politics. Is that the kind of principled leadership you think the American people deserve?
3) Obama DID know about Wrights views and DID share them. Well, in that case, God help us all. There’s nothing else that need be said.
Those are the only possible conclusions to draw from this situation. Now, do you still want to claim that McCain should just drop it?
Examing factual data and drawing a logical inference from that data is not a “smear”. If John McCain sat in the pews of a Christian Identity church for 20 years and described Richard Butler as his “spiritual mentor”, then said “I didn’t know” when his attendance became public knowledge, would you say that Barack Obama was smearing him for bringing attention to it? I’m sorry, but that’s absolutely asinine.
Go tell that to the half who slander anyone who dares criticise their socialist Messiah with the label of “racist”.
I’m sorry, but you are displaying dangerous naivete here. The MSM, in this election, has abandoned any pretense of objective journalism. They have declared all-out war on anything other than liberal orthodoxy, and in so doing, they have openly attacked political pluralism in this country: fawning promotion of the Left and Democrats…searing, despicable attacks on the Right and Republicans. They would only attempt to do something like this if they knew that the levels of political stupidity in this country had gotten to a point where it would work, and look around you…it is working. And when they have control of the Presidency and the Congress, they’re going to go for the jugular.
I am so angry at what I’ve seen in this election cycle that I can’t adequately describe it. I truly feel that are we witnessing an attempted coup de etat, where the manipulation of information is being used to overthrow truly representative govt. I fear that, in the end, blood in the streets is coming.
What’s it going to cost him? The black vote?
Really? How would you characterize Obama’s flip-flops on FISA…or the PATRIOT Act…or gun-rights…or Iraq…or Iran…or the status of Jerusalem…or taxes…or abortion…or legalization of drugs? Oh that’s right, the media should be the one characterizing these flip-flops. How’s that working out?
News flash: already happening!!!
When a country’s cultural institutions are co-opted by adherents to a single political ideology; when those adherents use the power of said institutions to manipulate the public into advancing that ideology’s agenda; then I’m sorry, but govt bodies become nothing more than shiny Potemkin villages…constructed to fool people into believing that “democracy lives here!”
I don’t normally subscribe to conspiracy theories…but…does anyone else get the feeling that there’s something nefarious – and purposeful – happening?
rvastar on October 10, 2008 at 4:05 PM
You’re either in or you’re not! Attack with full force or just go home and give the election to the Messiah. For all his talk about heroics and who strong and determined he is, McCain is the perfect example of a wimp!
flytier on October 10, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Would you say that to his face, tough guy?
I may not agree with his strategy, but I’ll never doubt his strength.
eea on October 10, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Nice dodge of what people are criticizing you over. People can disagree over whether bringing up Wright will help McCain’s campaign or not. But that is not what you asserted. You asserted that talking about Obama and his relationship with Wright was a “smear”. And you based that on saying that no one has proof of him being in the Church. Nevermind that Obama admits that Wright has been his mentor for 20 years, admits that he listened to Wright’s sermons on audio copy in college, was married by Wright, etc. And, as others have said, the whole ideology of the Church is Black Liberation Theology, so these things were preached at every mass. Obama attended for 20 years. There is no possible way that a rational person can say that calling out Obama’s 20+ year relationship with Wright is a “smear”.
That is why people cannot believe you are serious.
And neither can I. Because if you want to take your logic farther, we can just discount Ayers as well. Because there is no evidence that Obama shares the ideology of Ayers. No proof of anything except that he worked for the man. I don’t share the ideology of my boss, I just work for him. Thus, we have to assume that Obama doesn’t share the ideology of Ayers, right? So he is off limits.
That’s simply assinine.
Now, if you want to say that the justified attack will have no benefit, that is another issue entirely. But that is *not* what you stated at first. You explicitly stated that calling out Obama on Wright was a smear. It is most certainly not. And I was as astonished as most other people here when I read that from you.
Michael in MI on October 10, 2008 at 4:28 PM
I would SO enjoy seeing that said to McCain and then find out how he reacts to that, because I have a feeling that is the sentiment of millions of GOP-voters (including me).
Michael in MI on October 10, 2008 at 4:34 PM
I would gladly tell it to his face because he needs to hear it often enough before it is too late! Too many of you are mistaken courage in combat for political courage. McCain has plenty of the former. But he has completely wimped out at the worst possible time. It is not so much that he himself is reluctant to go after Obama on Wright but that he has shot it down for the campaign.
He is playing into how the MSM wants this campaign managed. They want an outcome that results in Obama becoming President. McCain knows it and appears to be doing the very political thing of covering all his bases instead of putting up the good fight.
Obama has so many problems with the associations and friendships he has made over the years. McCain needs to exploit each one and he needs to address the race issue head-on.
grdred944 on October 10, 2008 at 4:36 PM
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