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Likely to Be Omitted from McCain's Autobiography Tour

March 31, 2008 9:18 AM

Sen. John McCain's stop in Mississippi reminds me of when, back in February 2000, we sat down with him to let him know that despite his campaign claims to the contrary, genealogical and historical research done by Little Rock writer Suzi Parker indicated that his family owned slaves.

Read it HERE.

A recent report in the Baltimore Sun -- based on work done by William Addams Reitwiesner --  indicates that ancestors of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, owned slaves, too.

Interestingly, in his report on Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, Reitwiesner writes: "In her autobiography, Living History, Sen. Clinton describes her maternal grandmother as 'one of nine children from a family of French Canadian, Scottish and Native American ancestry'. No records have been found to support this claimed Native American ancestry."

(He also writes that none of his reports should be considered exhaustive or definitive, but rather first drafts.)

- jpt

March 31, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (6)

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RE: Hillary Cliton and Reitweisner. A lot of Americans have Native American ancestors. The trouble is establishing it genealogically. For one thing, there is very little written and census tribal information. In order to establish yourself as officially having lineage, you have to pinpoint your tribe then approach the tribe and request to be accepted. The tribes have different lineage criteria for acceptance. I don't think HRC was fabricating her Native American background. Like many, she just never took the time to establish it. It can be a lengthy, complicated and frustrating process, like the Democratic voting system. Ultimately, Reitwiesner will be neither able to prove or disprove her claim, which millions of Americans make.

Posted by: katrina | Mar 31, 2008 2:19:24 PM

Barack Hussein Obama's ancestors own Slaves what a disgrace. How American can Obama Be with that History? Historically there's been a lot of bad blood between Blacks and Whites.

Barack Hussein Obama's best days are behind.

His mansion is waiting for him with Rezko!

Posted by: spock | Mar 31, 2008 1:51:35 PM

I think it hurts Obama more that Cheney (aka the REAL President) is his cousin. Ouch!

Posted by: cba | Mar 31, 2008 1:11:38 PM

Give me a break...If anyone's American ancestry exists prior to 1865 then chances are vast that slavery was "all in the family". It was basic to a large segment of economy of the country...unfortunately.

Posted by: Poohbah | Mar 31, 2008 11:30:30 AM

John McCain's, ancestors own Slaves what a disgrace. How American can John McCain Be with that History? Historically there's been a lot of bad blood between Blacks and Whites.

John McCain best days are behind.

The "Rocking Chair" is waiting on John McCain.

Posted by: Lookup | Mar 31, 2008 10:23:07 AM

Clearly McCain should not run based on this report. It is disgraceful that someone should have a family history that includes of all things ....Grandparents!

But then does he get points for the blues guitarist connection?

Posted by: flyover | Mar 31, 2008 9:59:04 AM

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