Audio: Steve Schmidt says McCain won’t go after Obama on Wright

posted at 3:43 pm on October 13, 2008 by Allahpundit

Another pep talk, this one from today’s “Morning Edition” on NPR. Like I said earlier, I think they’re staying away from Wright because most of the impact of that story has already been priced into the polls. To the extent that it hasn’t been, they figure they can kill two birds with one stone by boosting Ayers’s profile and leaving the electorate to connect the dots with Wright, Rezko, Pfleger, ACORN, the Chicago machine, and every other shady character that revolves around The One. Not guilt by association, in other words, but guilt by associations. Many, many, many associations.

Skip ahead to 3:40 of the clip for that or listen from the beginning to hear Schmidt repeat McCain’s exceedingly stupid line about Ayers being nothing more than a “washed-up old terrorist” whom we needn’t concern ourselves with except to the extent that Obama might be lying about him. Exit question: Brass knuckles at Wednesday night’s debate? Exit answer: Probably.

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Maybe it’s just me but I don’t care much about Wright and nor do I believe most Americans care either. What they care about first and foremost is the economy. To quote Bill CLinton, “It’s the economy stupid”. McCain needs to discuss the housing debacle and why a Dem president and Congress is bad, bad, bad.

DerKrieger on October 13, 2008 at 3:46 PM

Well then,..go after him on this;
http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/oct/12/obamas-kenya-ghosts/

christene on October 13, 2008 at 3:46 PM

Are they staying away from Wright because Sarah supposedly has a “Special” Preacher as well?

upinak on October 13, 2008 at 3:47 PM

Audio Fact: Steve Schmidt says McCain AllahPundit ie: Drama Vampire won’t go after Obama on Wright.

Fixed that for you.

Mcguyver on October 13, 2008 at 3:49 PM

I think it’s a good idea to stay away from Wright. He’s already been factored into most Americans decisions by now. Stick with Ayers and ACORN, and please, please come up with a solid economic theme that tells America they’re about to hand the keys to a guy who’s party caused this mess.

BadgerHawk on October 13, 2008 at 3:49 PM

To the extent that it hasn’t been, they figure they can kill two birds with one stone by boosting Ayers’s profile and leaving the electorate to connect the dots with Wright, Rezko, Pfleger, ACORN, the Chicago machine, and every other shady character that revolves around The One.

Or McCain doesn’t know what he’s doing.

CanadianGuy on October 13, 2008 at 3:49 PM

Well then,..go after him on this;
http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/oct/12/obamas-kenya-ghosts/

christene on October 13, 2008 at 3:46 PM

Yeah, you would think that promoting genocide would be something that might make people open their eyes. But no. It’s Barack afterall. No way anyone else could get away with all this.

And if 10 points down is where McCain wants to be that’s just sad.

petunia on October 13, 2008 at 3:49 PM

They should be staying away from Wright because any mention of him or Ayers gives the media an excuse to ignore McCain’s economic message. Every time Ayers/Wright/etc. are brought up, it’s a losing situation for McCain because it looks like he’s ignoring the economy, which is the single biggest issue on voters’ minds right now.

Caiwyn on October 13, 2008 at 3:49 PM

Wright is small potatoes. Ayers will be his albatross.

ManlyRash on October 13, 2008 at 3:50 PM

When McCain loses, and I expect him to, he’s only going to have himself to blame. It’s been an abysmal campaign.

If the Republican’s can’t beat some posure kid, then we are doomed.

E L Frederick (Sniper One) on October 13, 2008 at 3:51 PM

Fire up the 527s

And again it isnt all just McCain’s fault. The entire GOP is gambling on winning by the same old tired formula. Massive media campaigns and post election lawsuits.

For once Id love the GOP to actually TRY to win through hard work and connecting with its base.

William Amos on October 13, 2008 at 3:51 PM

Wright is small potatoes. Ayers will be his albatross.

ManlyRash on October 13, 2008 at 3:50 PM

McCain’s?

The Race Card on October 13, 2008 at 3:52 PM

DerKrieger on October 13, 2008 at 3:46 PM

Wright is old news, but he is a leading indicator of Obama’s instincts on racial relations, economics, and love for America. The thought of Michelle Obama as First Lady is almost more than I can bear, for those reasons.

a capella on October 13, 2008 at 3:54 PM

For once Id love the GOP to actually TRY to win through hard work and connecting with its base.

William Amos on October 13, 2008 at 3:51 PM

We need another Reagan for that. *looks around* Not seeing it. Maybe in 2 years…

*eats*

Grue in the Attic on October 13, 2008 at 3:54 PM

People please… let McCain call the shots. He knows Wright is NOT the issue that should be talked about right now. Wait for it. Wright would just divert the coming topic and we don’t need that. What seems irratic is not. What seems to be disjointed is not. So far, so good. McCain is right. We’ve gottem just about where we want ‘em.

ilitigant on October 13, 2008 at 3:54 PM

Well, why would they emphasize an issue that resonates with Americans? And the campaign is killing me with this Ayers stuff. Basically they are saying it’s no big deal except Obama lied. But not about something important because it’s no big deal. So they are attacking Obama regarding Ayers on little white lies. Why do they have to talk so much?

Are they staying away from Wright because Sarah supposedly has a “Special” Preacher as well?

upinak on October 13, 2008 at 3:47 PM

No, that commitment was previous to the VP selection.

Spirit of 1776 on October 13, 2008 at 3:55 PM

The thought of Michelle Obama as First Lady is almost more than I can bear, for those reasons.

a capella on October 13, 2008 at 3:54 PM

And here I was six months ago thinking the worst thing in the world would be to have Clintons in the White House again. This is easily worse.

*eats*

Grue in the Attic on October 13, 2008 at 3:55 PM

How many times do we have to hear/see this? Allahpukedit puts this same stupid story (different people mentioning it) at least once a friggin day. Shut up already. There are some big things going on that could easily destroy Obama so stop wasting space with this crap and get to something important.

MobileVideoEngineer on October 13, 2008 at 3:55 PM

If this were the only problem McCain had we’d be in great shape. :(

bj1126 on October 13, 2008 at 3:56 PM

For once Id love the GOP to actually TRY to win through hard work and connecting with its base.

William Amos on October 13, 2008 at 3:51 PM

Connecting with the base would require them to listen to the base.

The problem with the base is that it’s a rabid noise-machine that does little more than give the lefties in news the ammo they need to perpetuate the demonization of conservative instincts and values.

Country club versus outhouse.

The Race Card on October 13, 2008 at 3:56 PM

Are they staying away from Wright because Sarah supposedly has a “Special” Preacher as well?

upinak on October 13, 2008 at 3:47 PM

That’s my interpretation since from what we heard late last week the McCain camp seems to be interpreting the Rev. Wright issue as being fundamentally about O!’s religious practices and therefore off-limits.

I think they’re wrong. O! attending Wright’s congregation for most of his adult life, having him officiate at his wedding, baptize his kids, and advise him about running for President tells me that Obama condones racism and anti-Americanism. Religion has nothing to do with it.

Y-not on October 13, 2008 at 3:56 PM

Run
Against
Congress

Please.

Make Obama defend Frank, Schumer, Dodd, Meeks, Emanuel, Reid, Waters, etc.

DrSteve on October 13, 2008 at 3:56 PM

There is enough material here, in Hussein’s own words and voice (well, Ayres’ words, Hussein’s voice) to fill ten ads for McCain.

This is all McCain needs from here till 11/4. Belive me. If you haven’t seen it, it’s racist gold.

Akzed on October 13, 2008 at 3:57 PM

Well I already have voted in early ballot, but if I hadn’t then I would be thinking about sitting this out. McCain has just sucked all my enthusiasm out of me. He looks to be just like Bob Dole in 96. Just going through the motions.
All he wants is to be liked by David Letterman and Jay Leno.
Face it, a lot of us really didn’t get excited about him until we realized that he had a real shot to overtake Barrack. It was fools gold.
Let’s just suck it up for the next four years(hopefully) and nominate someone who will fight for us and can think on his/her feet.

Hummer53 on October 13, 2008 at 3:57 PM

MobileVideoEngineer on October 13, 2008 at 3:55 PM

Don’t like it? Don’t read it.

Spirit of 1776 on October 13, 2008 at 3:58 PM

What seems to be disjointed is not. So far, so good. McCain is right. We’ve gottem just about where we want ‘em.

ilitigant on October 13, 2008 at 3:54 PM

Six to 10 points out with 3 weeks to go against one of the most liberal candidates ever with tons of baggage is not a good campaign.

CanadianGuy on October 13, 2008 at 3:58 PM

Good idea. People will think it’s old news and that McCain would be desparate in going after Wright.

There is a lot more low-hanging fruit McCain could go after, if he ever gets the balls to do it.

Grafted on October 13, 2008 at 3:58 PM

Run
Against
Congress

Please.

Make Obama defend Frank, Schumer, Dodd, Meeks, Emanuel, Reid, Waters, etc.

DrSteve on October 13, 2008 at 3:56 PM

It won’t work. O! will shrug his shoulders, grin at the cameras and say that he’s only a junior Senator — how can he be blamed for Congress? I’ve seen him start to float this theme already. Basically, he’s pointing to the McCain campaign’s attacks of him for being a newbie and using his newbie status to claim he’s not to blame for anything.

The sad thing is that this argument will work for some people. They are so sick of mainstream politicians that they are ignoring Obama’s obvious faults and lack of qualifications.

This is the other edge to the “term limits” movement and one reason I was never for term limits.

Y-not on October 13, 2008 at 4:02 PM

McCain can’t run against Congress, they are his FRIENDS.
Nancy and Harry are JUST AS QUALIFIED and NON-SCARY to McCain as Obama. The only SCARY people to McCain, seem to be rock ribbed conservatives of his own party. McCain is just starting to get traction, and he is throwing away one of his aces. It would be like Lee Atwater saying well Al Gore already covered Willie Horton, no need to bring that silliness up again. Can these campaign people tie their own shoes?

On better note, DOW UP 980 POINTS!

eaglewingz08 on October 13, 2008 at 4:04 PM

Thats the whole point Racecard. The GOP WILL NOT LISTEN TO ITS BASE.

All I ever get is greif from the GOP leadership. That and emails asking me for money or to volunteer.

Make me a part of the process instead of treatine me like free labor or an ATM and we will talk GOP.

William Amos on October 13, 2008 at 4:05 PM

Dow up 936 points.

carbon_footprint on October 13, 2008 at 4:10 PM

OK by me if McCain doesn’t go after Wright. Lots of Democrats and Hillary-supporters already know about him anyway.

Where McCain DOES have to hit on Obama is
(1) his representing ACORN in a lawsuit against a bank to force them to lend to people who can’t pay their loans;
(2) his training of ACORN people to intimidating banks to make loans to people who can’t repay
(3) Democrats pushing Fannie and Freddie to make risky loans, and other banks believing the loans were backed by the Government
(4) McCain’s own efforts to stop this in 2005 rejected by Democrats.

Since Obama has been gaining by tying the economic crisis to Bush and de-regulation, this shows Obama to be part of the problem, and McCain to be part of the solutions.

In addition, with ACORN, McCain should make the point that Obama gave over $800K to ACORN, which is accused of voter fraud in 15 states. Is Obama trying to steal the election by cheating?

As for Ayers, McCain should mention not only that he’s an unrepentant terrorist, but that he appointed Obama to be chairman of the Annenberg Challenge board, which spent $160 million over six years to supposedly help Chicago schools, but the group’s own report showed no improvement in test scores. The only thing Obama has ever led, $160 million spent, no results. If he led the country, he would spend MORE money, with no results.

We’ve heard the “Fight” theme the day before the last debate, but the TV audience didn’t hear it at the debate.

This debate, McCain needs to Fight! Last Chance!

Steve Z on October 13, 2008 at 4:10 PM

The neat thing is that after McCain loses the media will pronounce that it was because he decided to move to the Right; and the GOP will nod, and nod….

PersonFromPorlock on October 13, 2008 at 4:14 PM

Some 527 will bring up Wright. McCain wont have to. There are more relevant things to attack Obama on.

johnt on October 13, 2008 at 4:17 PM

Wright has already been factored in??? Bullsh*t. 90% of voters have NO CLUE what Wright has said, and that Obama sat in his racist, anti-American church for 20 yrs. Big mistake on McCain’s part.

marklmail on October 13, 2008 at 4:17 PM

“We have ‘em just where we want ‘em.”

And that would be 8-10 points ahead???

D2Boston on October 13, 2008 at 4:19 PM

The neat thing is that after McCain loses the media will pronounce that it was because he decided to move to the Right; and the GOP will nod, and nod….

PersonFromPorlock on October 13, 2008 at 4:14 PM

What needs to change is that we ALL vote on the same day….so that everyone has a voice. My state didn’t vote until June 6th. It was already decided.
I believe this has been a wake up call to conservatives…at least I hope it has. Crash the Rino party and let them know that their bs is not acceptable. We are tired of being represented by quasi democrats.

HornetSting on October 13, 2008 at 4:21 PM

The Race Card on October 13, 2008 at 3:52 PM

Obama’s.

ManlyRash on October 13, 2008 at 4:22 PM

If McCain loses this, he’ll have no one but himself to blame.

Spanglemaker on October 13, 2008 at 4:26 PM

Exit question: Brass knuckles at Wednesday night’s debate? Exit answer: Probably.

If McCain brings them, he won’t be wearing them. And after he gets a surprise two-by-four to the face, he’ll spend most of the debate fumbling to put them on.

National security aside, he’s been completely inept on domestic issues in the debate, more so in the second debate than in the first. So far, he simply hasn’t had a good enough command of his own policies (1) to explain them clearly; (2) to correct the Obama-Biden lies about them succintly; and (3) to compare and contrast them with Obama’s policies forthrightly.

After Saddleback, I thought McCain would cream Obama in the three debates. I thought McCain’s institutional knowledge would so deep and his presentation so direct that the there would be no question who is better prepared to be president. McCain has looked so bad that even Obama has come away looking passable. I really question whether this debate will make a difference.

It’s unbelievable. Did Warren actually give McCain the questions before Saddleback? I can’t reconcile reconcile his Saddleback performance with the two debates.

BuckeyeSam on October 13, 2008 at 4:27 PM

I repeat McCain does not want to win the election. It is obvious. We have to see what the future holds for the conservatives cause there is no way we can get someone to represent us. I have been telling everyone that McCain is a Democrat. He’d rather go after Romney than Obama.

mariloubaker on October 13, 2008 at 4:28 PM

PersonFromPorlock on October 13, 2008 at 4:14 PM

Heh. True.

Spirit of 1776 on October 13, 2008 at 4:31 PM

Some 527 will bring up Wright. McCain wont have to. There are more relevant things to attack Obama on.

johnt on October 13, 2008 at 4:17 PM

INCORRECT. Anyone who has ever gone to church has NEVER, EVER heard “God Damn America” at their church. It’s the ONE issue that can alienate Obama from regular folks.

marklmail on October 13, 2008 at 4:32 PM

Where ARE our 527′s? There’s sooooooo many scandals to choose from. McCain needs to just be beating up Democrats in general; Fannie and Freddie, the congressman in Florida they just busted, all of Obama’s own votes, (or lack of) in the senate. People have to know what putting Obama in office will do to that Dem group- it’s like giving “9% Nancy” a blank check to perpetuate evil.

anniekc on October 13, 2008 at 4:40 PM

Brass knuckles?

For what? For McCain to punch himself out?

drjohn on October 13, 2008 at 4:43 PM

What with Obama doing his best Karl Marx there’s loads to smack Obama with.

But I suspect that will be avoided too.

drjohn on October 13, 2008 at 4:44 PM

Yeah, you would think that promoting genocide would be something that might make people open their eyes. But no. It’s Barack afterall. No way anyone else could get away with all this.

petunia on October 13, 2008 at 3:49 PM

Exactly. Anyone else would have had their political careers ended, let alone Presidential campaigns. That fact that the American public has no problem with a Presidential candidate who attended this Black Supremacist church for 20 years and was mentored by Wright and Farrahkan means that there is a serious problem with the American public.

I think at this point, people aren’t angry with McCain for not hitting about Wright and everyone else, they are angry that the American public can be giving Obama a pass over all this stuff. Obama’s Presidential campaign should have been destroyed by the Rev Wright stuff back in the Spring. Utterly destroyed. The fact that it wasn’t shows there is something majorly wrong with American society.

I have to say that prior to this campaign, I was naive enough to believe that this nation was not racist. This campaign has opened my eyes to the extent of just how racist is this country… with regards to the Black community towards non-Blacks. There is no possible f***ing way that anyone – *anyone* – should get away with even *one* of the relationships that Obama has with racists, communists, Marxists, corrupt Chicago pols, socialists and terrorists.

Yet, here we are. The only thing I can conclude is that either this country is immensely ignorant (supporting Obama, because they don’t know about his relationships with these people) or this country is immensely racist (they know all about Obama, but give him a pass, because he is (half-)Black).

Either way, this is an eye-opening campaign to show the sorry state of American society today.

Michael in MI on October 13, 2008 at 4:50 PM

Where’s the RNC? Where are our 527s? Screw the “issues”. Obama is winning by “cult of personality”. We need to alienate his PERSONALITY. His 20 yr connection with Wright does just that.

marklmail on October 13, 2008 at 4:51 PM

As far as I am concerned they can throw everything including the kitchen sink at Barack Obama, but the truth be told Jeremiah Wright is old news. People just seem to have decided it is no big deal. Hard to believe.

Terrye on October 13, 2008 at 4:51 PM

Don’t like it? Don’t read it.
Spirit of 1776 on October 13, 2008 at 3:58 PM

Strange. That’s exactly what he says.

Almost word for word.

wise_man on October 13, 2008 at 4:52 PM

Relying on people to connect the dots on their own is STUPID! Especially given the media.

This does not have to be either or. Wright or Ayers or Acorn
IF McCain had anyone with a brain they could craft ONE MESSAGE that linked it all together and would devastate Obama.

America1st on October 13, 2008 at 4:55 PM

Wright goes to the heart of who Obama is and without the subterfuge surrounding Ayers, Rezko, ACORN etc..

The fact that Ayers is demoted to simply a washed up terrorist tells me that a)they have not taken the time to adequately research Bill to know what he is all about or b) they know who he is but don’t mind diminishing his importance if it helps soft-sell the connection.

As for Wright, McCain should have reached out to “Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda Bob Dole” for his input because he’s about to join him.

moxie_neanderthal on October 13, 2008 at 4:55 PM

If McCain brings them, he won’t be wearing them. And after he gets a surprise two-by-four to the face, he’ll spend most of the debate fumbling to put them on.

BuckeyeSam on October 13, 2008 at 4:27 PM

I agree. He won’t talk about Wright. He apparently won’t hit him on Ayers, because he considers him just some washed up terrorist who no one cares about, nevermind the extensive relationship of Obama and Ayers on the Chicago Anneberg Challenge, which was used to indoctrinate school children with anti-America, anti-capitalism, pro-socialism propaganda. Nah, that’s not relevant. Not at all.

Plus, after reading Michelle Malkin’s piece on McCain’s ties to ACORN today, he lost that argument as well. If McCain brings it up, all Obama has to do is say “Well, you had no problem with ACORN when you wanted to use them to help you with your Immigration legislation”. And then that’s the end of that issue.

So then we are back to foreign policy and the economy. The war effort is going fine, so people don’t even care about that anymore. If they did, all Obama’s wrong stances on the war effort would have eliminated him long ago. So it’s the economy, where Obama is promising everything (nevermind that he is lying about his tax plan and such, it all sounds just spiffy to our Welfare state society) and McCain can’t put forth a very good conservative alternative, since he doesn’t really have an economic philosophy or understand it that much. All he has it earmarks and that won’t cut it.

I just don’t see how McCain can win. It seems there are 100 things majorly wrong with Obama, yet the American public has given him a pass. There are a few things wrong with McCain, and the American public demonizes him for every single one of them.

I feel like I am in Jerry Seinfeld and experiencing the bizarro world. I go back and forth from extremely angry to just shaking my head not knowing what the f*** to do anymore.

Michael in MI on October 13, 2008 at 4:57 PM

Obama wants to “spread the wealth”? Have McCain ask him at the debate if he wanted to spread the wealth, how about starting by sending George Hussien Obama a few bucks in Kenya so he can spruce up that hut.

malkinmania on October 13, 2008 at 5:00 PM

I wonder if it was McCain’s intention to throw this election all along.

Thune on October 13, 2008 at 5:09 PM

I don’t know how much I care about Rezco, Ayers, Wright, etc. themselves in relation to the presidential campaign. Going after them doesn’t do much, as far as I’m concerned.

What does matter to me, and it’s something McCain has used in his campaign (but not enough), is that all these things… Rezco, Ayers, Wright, ACORN, the Surge, the response to Russia’s actions against Georgia… are indictments of Obama’s judgment. And the only two things Obama has been running on have been his judgment and Bush’s low popularity.

McCain has certainly had his own errors in judgment in the past (his first marriage and Keating come to mind), but there’s evidence that he regrets and has learned from them. I haven’t seen anything to suggest that Obama even acknowledges his own mistakes, much less learns from them.

malclave on October 13, 2008 at 5:12 PM

From Larry Kudlow at NRO: Investors Business Daily tracking poll of likely voters, which he describes as “highly accurate.” Be seated.

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZWNhM2E2ODcyNThhYmQxYjM0MWQyYmU2MDMxMmU0NmU=

Obama 45: McCain 43: Unsure: 13

Go figure.

C’mon, McCain, if not with the alliances, at least draw some blood with the policy issues. Call Obama’s tax plan what it is–welfare. Today, the WSJ said you could; other articles have too.

Tell Middle Americans that Obama wants to limit their gun rights, reduce their employment prospects by killing off employers, tie up the nation’s prospects for energy independence in the same regulatary red tape that’s existed for 30 years, give the Fannie-Freddie enablers a free pass, appoints judges who will release terrorists into the suburbs of Virginia, and all that and more in exchange for an unclear health plan and seven complicated, half-*ss tax credits that are nothing more than glorified welfare for half of all recipients.

As passionately as George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) spoke to his depositors as they were making a run on the Bailey Building & Loan in It’s a Wonderful Life, McCain needs to convince Middle America that Obama (Henry Potter) isn’t selling, he’s buying. And in Obama’s case, he’s buying their votes–and along with it their freedoms–in exchange for that pittance of glorified welfare.

BuckeyeSam on October 13, 2008 at 5:16 PM

By going after a pastor’s words, any pastor, you turn off as many people simply on First Amendment grounds as you bring over to your side by exposing Rev. Wright as the racist nut that he is. A lot of people will just say that’s Obama’s business–not our’s. It would probably just end up being a wash. Better to go after the ACORN connection to the mortgage crisis and Obama’s connection to ACORN.

RBMN on October 13, 2008 at 5:18 PM

Look…With mcCain now attacking Ayres and the other thugs..he’ has gained in polls throughout the week. Stop over meddling, he is gaining almost a point a day. Dont you remember the hemmorrhaging, pre-Ayres?

malkinmania on October 13, 2008 at 5:21 PM

I feel like I am in Jerry Seinfeld and experiencing the bizarro world. I go back and forth from extremely angry to just shaking my head not knowing what the f*** to do anymore.

Michael in MI on October 13, 2008 at 4:57 PM

My sentiments exactly.

BuckeyeSam on October 13, 2008 at 5:22 PM

McCain refuses to go after any of Obama’s questionable connections leaving the obvious question- Just how does the cranky old bastard expect to win in 22 days if he essentially is an echo chamber for Obama.

A curse on all the stupid “Republicans” who handed the nomination to such a terrible candidate.

highhopes on October 13, 2008 at 5:42 PM

I must have been in a transporter accident and transported to some bizzaro alternate universe when Scotty tried to beam me up.

This can’t be an actual Republican candidate, can it?

gstrickler on October 13, 2008 at 5:44 PM

By going after a pastor’s words, any pastor, you turn off as many people simply on First Amendment grounds as you bring over to your side by exposing Rev. Wright as the racist nut that he is. A lot of people will just say that’s Obama’s business–not our’s.

RBMN on October 13, 2008 at 5:18 PM

That’s the spin of the Left (not accusing you of being Left, just that this is the rationale of the Left). If this were a White Supremacist preacher somehow linked to Palin or McCain, you know damn well the mass media would find it relevant and it would sink their campaign. So I don’t buy this whole thing about “going after a preacher turns people off due to freedom of religion”. That’s nonsense. Especially since Black Liberation Theology is not a religion, but a political ideology. A political ideology which is anti-American and anti-capitalism. That should have been evident to every sane person in America when Wright was exposed. People clearly saw that we were not dealing with religion, but anti-Americanism and racism.

No one tolerates the KKK and rightfully so. Rev Wright and his church are the equivalent of the KKK. To say that people just don’t care about that and “it’s just Obama’s business to be a racist and Black Supremacist and okay with Black Supremacism if it hurts Whitey”, well… if that is the case, then I wonder what is wrong with American society nowadays to just let that pass as irrelevant.

Michael in MI on October 13, 2008 at 5:52 PM

I guess it’s fitting they’re having the debate in the Hofstra sports complex. I remember seeing Jimmy Carter speak there in the old gym back in ’76. As an alumnus I would have preferred they hold it in the Playhouse (fitting in a different way?) but it’s probably a little too intimate for the occassion. Saw some good concerts there though: four hours of solo Jorma, Return to Forever, Pat Metheny, Les Dudek (more Kingfish!).

Hey, maybe the Mac and That One will head out to Borelli’s for pizza afterwards…

sanguine4 on October 13, 2008 at 5:59 PM

In addition, people had no problem sinking Romney’s campaign with the smears about Mormonism and I would have no issue with people attacking any Republican if they had gone to the Westboro Baptist Church for 20 years.

So I don’t buy the whole idea that people are turned off by bringing up extremist preachers. Obama is just getting a pass, because… well, I have no f***ing clue why he is getting a pass. No f***ing clue.

Michael in MI on October 13, 2008 at 6:00 PM

So I don’t buy this whole thing about “going after a preacher turns people off due to freedom of religion”. That’s nonsense. Especially since Black Liberation Theology is not a religion, but a political ideology. A political ideology which is anti-American and anti-capitalism. That should have been evident to every sane person in America when Wright was exposed. People clearly saw that we were not dealing with religion, but anti-Americanism and racism.
Michael in MI on October 13, 2008 at 5:52 PM

+1

If McCain doesn’t have the stomach for exposing Obama’s decision to choose a hate-mongering bigot as one of his closest advisors, then I hope one of the 527s does it for him. I don’t think that the Rev. Wright story penetrated into the minds of mainstream, apolitical Americans. My recollection is that it mostly played out in the Spring, during the Dem primary.

Y-not on October 13, 2008 at 6:08 PM

If McCain doesn’t have the stomach for exposing Obama’s decision to choose a hate-mongering bigot as one of his closest advisors, then I hope one of the 527s does it for him. I don’t think that the Rev. Wright story penetrated into the minds of mainstream, apolitical Americans. My recollection is that it mostly played out in the Spring, during the Dem primary.

Y-not on October 13, 2008 at 6:08 PM

Exactly right, Y-not. It’s amazing what the “moderate voter” doesn’t know, or manages to forget about. I’ll bet a lot of them think Wright, whose name they don’t recognize immediately, was some old crank that Obama bumped into a couple of times, and then Obama gave this great speech that was in the same league as the Gettysburg Address (all the reports said so!) and that was it. A good number of them will be genuinely surprised to hear some of Wright’s Greatest Hits, then be told Obama was his close friend and disciple for 20 years.

This why liberals get so much mileage out of endlessly beating dead horses. The true “swing voter” thinks history began four weeks ago.

I don’t think it would be productive for McCain to dwell on Wright at the debate, but I’d be making some effort to get that story into the public eye again. Hell, let Palin denounce him. The liberals won’t be able to help talking about that – it will make blood vessels in their temples burst.

Doctor Zero on October 13, 2008 at 6:52 PM

The Wright deal is stale and forgotten and if McCain doesn’t have the stomach to go there he probably will lose.

Buzzy on October 13, 2008 at 7:06 PM

The thought of Michelle Obama as First Lady is almost more than I can bear, for those reasons.

a capella on October 13, 2008 at 3:54 PM

This is what we can expect with a militant whitey hater and a terrorist sympathizer in the oval office.

csdeven on October 13, 2008 at 8:21 PM

That’s okay. Don’t go after Wright. But do…

GO AFTER RAILA ODINGA!!!

ericdondero on October 13, 2008 at 9:35 PM

I’ll repeat what I said earlier, because I’m 100% right.

Brass knuckles at the debate? Hell, no. McCain’s going to wimp out. He won’t bring up Ayers, or he will bring him up in passing in such a small way that Obama won’t bother to acknowledge it.

And McCain will expect the base (us!) to eat that shit sandwich. “Hey, I mentioned Bill Ayers, why are you base people complaining?” Is what he will say. It’s BULLSHIT.

McCain needs to step up. He’s not a “pussy,” and I was wrong to call him that. He’s just acting like one, for reasons unknown (a misplaced sense of honor? trying to suck up to his liberal media friends? surrounded by squishy Republicans taken in by Obama who warn him that the country will devolve into race war if McCain wins by going negative?)

I don’t care why. McCain won this nomination by claiming he was the best Republican to win the election. He promised he would do his damnedest to win. Obama certainly is. If McCain flip-flops on that promise–that’s a flip-flop too far. I’d prefer he flip-flopped on partial-birth abortion, or gay marriage, or announce big new steel tariffs. If he’s going to flip flop on trying to win the race, we’re screwed.

daryl_herbert on October 13, 2008 at 10:31 PM