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McCain Tries to Have It Both Ways on Rev. Wright

April 28, 2008 7:39 AM

Yesterday in Florida, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., raised and twisted remarks Rev. Jeremiah Wright made in 2003 while insisting he would continue to avoid making political hay out of Wright.

Quite an interesting maneuver.

Asked what steps, if any, he would take to stop the North Carolina GOP TV ad that hammers two Democratic gubernatorial candidates for associating with Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, who associated with Wright, McCain said, "I've stated my position very clearly that I don't like the ad."

McCain's campaign has intimated using Wright in the ad is race-baiting and asked the state party to stop running it.

That said, McCain noted comments Obama made to Fox News Sunday seeming to OK Wright as an issue. Obama said that, "I think that people were legitimately offended by some of the comments that he had made in the past.  The fact he's my former pastor I think makes it a legitimate political issue.  So I understand that."

Said McCain, "If he believes that, then, it will probably be a political issue."

McCain then picked up some of the Wright passages that are getting renewed attention on conservative/Hillary Clinton-backing blogs and radio, though they are not new.

"I saw yesterday some additional comments that have been revealed by Pastor Wright," McCain said. "One of them, comparing the United States Marine Corps with Roman legionnaires who were responsible for the death of our savior.  I mean, being involved in that.  It’s beyond belief.  And then of course, saying that al Qaeda and the American flag were the same flags.  So, I can understand.  I can understand why people are upset about this.  I can understand why, that Americans when viewing these kinds of comments are angry and upset."

Wright never said "al Qaeda and the American flag were the same flags." He compared Americans thinking that God blesses US military actions that kill innocent civilians with the belief of al Qaeda. He decried "making a pre-emptive strike in the name of God. We cannot see how what we are doing is the same thing that al-Qaeda is doing under a different color flag -– calling on the name of a different God to sanction and approve our murder and our mayhem.”

You may well find that offensive in itself, but McCain misrepresented what Wright said, in his April 2003 sermon.

After making a political issue out of an issue he said he wouldn't make a political issue, McCain then pivoted to attach Obama to Wright in making comments McCain considers to be out-of-touch, saying Americans would be offended by what Wright said "just like they viewed Senator Obama’s statements about why people turned to their faith and their values. He believes that it’s out of economic concerns, when we all know that it’s out of fundamental belief, fundamental faith in this country and its values and its principles.  Again, Senator Obama, out of touch.  I can’t control, and will not in the future control.  I will voice my opinion, and I will continue to think it to say that I think that that ad should not be run."

A reporter noted that McCain had previously said that Wright was not a legitimate political issue.

“I have said that I will not do, have any comment on it and that because I thought, and I believe that Senator Obama does not share those views," McCain said. "But Senator Obama himself says it’s a legitimate political issue.  So, I would imagine that many other people will share that view and it will be in the arena.  My position, that Senator Obama doesn’t share those views, remains the same.”

How is it unacceptable for the North Carolina GOP to use Wright as an issue, quoting him accurately in the TV ad, but totally fine for McCain to do so, misrepresenting what Wright said?

Wright, meanwhile, continues to draw attention to himself.

- jpt

April 28, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (75)

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thanks laot

Posted by: دردشة | May 23, 2008 12:12:41 PM

When is John McCain going to apologize for dumping his first wife after she became disabled by a car accident?

His first wife was a beauty queen and she had three children with McCain. She waited for him during Vietnam. But when she became disabled, McCain viciously dumped her for a 20 something year old beer heiress/USC cheerleader.

He was 40 something at the time. McCain is a scumbag.

Posted by: Doug | Apr 29, 2008 1:33:29 PM

And we truly want to believe that everything in America is all good. Some of us are living in make believe world's and this including Reverend Wright speech is waking up covert feelings of racism in our society. It has never went away but manifested into anger and diviseness. Martin Luther King, Jr would be turning in his grave if he would see how his dream never turned into a reality.

Posted by: al | Apr 29, 2008 12:12:08 PM

Obama tries to have it both ways on everything!

Senator Obama is a train wreck, a tornado, earthquake and a hurricane all rolled up into one “typical” politician.

One simply does not know what he is or what he believes in. He keeps trying to change his colors in order to win. It looks like Obama’s chickens “are coming home to roost”.

Don't forget --- we have 50 states --- not 48!

GO, SENATOR CLINTON!

Posted by: Concerned American | Apr 29, 2008 10:49:43 AM

right on, Pastor. Good By John McWAR!

Posted by: frrancisco maresso | Apr 29, 2008 6:39:00 AM

When will the media also cover Hagee and other extreme Christian ministers as well?

Posted by: MsSwin | Apr 29, 2008 4:11:07 AM

OBAMA HAD IT BOTH WAYS FOR A YEAR --- UNTIL NOW! FINALLY, THE MEDIA IS TELLING THE TRUTH --- AFTER HALF OF AMERICA HAS VOTED!

WE HAVE 50 STATES --- COUNT THEIR VOTES.

Obama is making a huge mistake by not debating Hillary. We all know their policies are similar ,but when they debate the American people have a clearer picture of who is the better candidate of the two.

We all know that she is better than he is in these debates, but he should try to show the American people that he can also be good. By not accepting to debate her , he is showing a weakness and I do not think it’s good for him.

The American people want a strong President who can stand up and fight for us --- Obama can't even stand up and debate! He can only read speeches from a teleprompter. He is not capable of confronting the tough issues.

VOTER PHOTO ID’s SHOULD BE REQUIRED IN ALL STATES! TOO MANY “DEAD” PEOPLE HAVE VOTED!

HILLARY 2008!

Posted by: 4MYCOUNTRY | Apr 28, 2008 8:29:47 PM

I called my cable company and told them to shut off my T.V. service because of this racial crap. They begged for answers so I told them I will turn it back on as soon as the cable news channels turn the news back on. I mean come on the pentagon came out with a bunch of fake nuke site pictures to stir up a war AGAIN and the media has not said diddly about it.

Posted by: jomo | Apr 28, 2008 6:46:32 PM

Reverend Wright has a much better command of facts than John McCain ever had.

Yet the media still gives McCain a pass. Is it the barbecue or the skin color?

Posted by: kravitz | Apr 28, 2008 6:31:38 PM

It is apparent that most of the comments are those supporting Barack and his pastor's message of hatred. I thought Barack was running on the platform of unity. Where has that message gone? I think the other candidates are entitled to have their own PERSONAL feelings about the hateful words and crazy thoughts that Pastor Wright has made us all aware of. The problem of course is getting religion involved in politics. Wright says he is not political but much of what he says certainly has political implications. When you bash McCain you should be equally bashing Barack and Hillary for bringing Wright into the mix in the first place. Of course that would be too much to ask since all most of you really want to do is just continue to throw mud and run down the opponent. I personally am angry with Barack for having ignored this problem to begin with. He knew it would surface and didn't or couldn't take care of it. He is walking on a thin line because at this point no matter what he says he will offend many. McCain is walking a thin line also because as evidenced in this very bias article those that want to get their panties in a bunch will take this opportunity. If you are a Barack supporter this article is meaningless since nothing McCain can say or do will pass the mustard. The same is true for those that oppose Barack. He has crossed the line too much times for some of us to just take his word that he just didn't know about many of his political associations and didn't really know his mentor at all. That being said, I honestly think nobody should be held accountable for anybody else's words. Wright is enjoying the attention at the expense of Barack and maybe the country. Wright knows exactly how to manipulate his followers and while doing so uses the scriptures as evidence he is only doing the lord's work. All religious types say the same thing. Who is right, and who is wrong?

Posted by: Susan | Apr 28, 2008 5:23:57 PM

It's really funny how wingers like John can claim the press to be liberal while talking about the Wright issue. This same "liberal" press is busy wrapping McCain in the flag and barely mentioning that ol John has turned his back on his church of 71 years to embrace Christian extremist for political reasons. For them, the right can do no wrong.

Posted by: Javalation | Apr 28, 2008 2:12:51 PM

"Please pass-on to family and friends. Thanks"

------------------------------------------
Yeah...let me get right on that. Why don't you stop demanding special treatment. You were warned that you couldn't vote early and have your votes counted. Your leadership made a stupid decision and now you need to live with it.

Don't worry though, some deal will be brokered by which your votes will be worth half as much or something. Encourage your party leaders to follow the rules next time.

Posted by: JR | Apr 28, 2008 1:56:13 PM

I love it. McCain is being forced to relinquish "straight talk" and adopt negative campaigning. You see, McCain is not in tune with his own party platform, traditional conservatives or African Americans. He is alienating too many and cannot win without the core conservative base or African Americans. That is also why he is not attacking Clinton. He is terrified of the Obama movement. Clinton is McCains easiest path to the White House.

OBAMA '08

Posted by: Matt | Apr 28, 2008 1:48:39 PM

If the democrats can finally figure who will be running in the fall, their opponent will provide an easy victory for the democrats.

Posted by: pt | Apr 28, 2008 1:45:07 PM

John McCain seems to be contradicting himself more and more these days. The John Hagee comments in the interview with George Stephanopoulos, the Lower 9th Ward comments, now this. How could this guy be our president when it seems like he has a hard time staying on message or even figuring out what his message is??

Posted by: ericajane | Apr 28, 2008 1:36:14 PM

Racism, by its perhaps simplest definition, is discrimination based on race. One with racist beliefs might hate certain groups of people according to their race (i.e., bigotry), or in the case of institutional racism, certain racial groups may be denied rights or benefits. Racism inherently starts with the assumption that there are taxonomic differences between different groups of people. Without this assumption, prejudices against different peoples would be categorized as being prejudices related to national or regional origin, religion, occupation, social status or some other distinction.

Millisa according to Wright black people are differant the way their marching bands act the way they learn etc etc he says white ppl like opera etc etc he there for is racist not prejudices he believes there is a racial diff. I/E blacks learn differantly if he just said that the music blacks like was a prefarance then thats ok (note I'm white hate country music several afir/amer friends love it this tells me country music is based on likes and dislikes not color.)

Posted by: blackcreek61 | Apr 28, 2008 1:06:17 PM

Lol.

Mc Cain tried to take the high road. He even went against his own party on the wright ads in North carolina. What did the liberal media do?

chastise him anyways .

All hail the MEDIA SPIN .

If Obama says in an interview that the Wright issue is a legitimate one, then again its just another instance where he doesnt think things thru before he opens his mouth.

He gave Mc Cain -and Clinton for that matter - a green light to attack him on it.

Posted by: tomdavie | Apr 28, 2008 12:56:12 PM

It's true..Wright = False Prophet

Posted by: Bill | Apr 28, 2008 12:40:59 PM

I THINK MOST BLACK AMERICAN REALLY COULD CARE LESS IF YOU WANTED A ALL WHITE TV STATION OR ALL WHITE RADIO SHOW- HOWEVER I THINK THE BET THING IS ILL THOUGHT OUT SEEMS THE COUNTRY CHANNEL IN MOSTS EYES IS THE WHITE MUSIC STATION---LOL.
BUT I THINK IF IT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL GOOD AND ITS NOT TO HURT ANYONE ELSE GO FOR IT!

Posted by: MELISSA | Apr 28, 2008 12:28:52 PM

BLACKCREEK61,

FIRST LETS TALK ABOUT RACISM AND BEING PREJUDICE
BECAUSE THEY REALLY ARE VERY DIFFERENT IN MY EYES- RACISM IS THE VIEW THAT A PERSON ISNT HUMAN AND IS MORE LIKE A OBJECT THAT HAS NO FEELINGS AS CAN BE DONE WITH WHAT YOU WANT - KILLING A SMALL CHILD OR A INNOCENT ADULT FOR THE COLOR OF HIS OR HER SKIN COLOR BLACK OR WHITE IS RACISM....
PREJUDICE IS HAVING THOUGHTS ABOUT THE WAY SOMEONE THINKS OR FEELS WITH OUT REALLY KNOWING - THE THOUGHT THAT ALL IRISH ARE DRUNKS THAT ALL BLONDES ARE STUPID THAT ALL BLACKS ARE CRIMINALS OR WISH TO DO HARM ..
PREJUDICES ARE EVERYWHERE IN AMERICA BUT I THINK YOUR RIGHT THAT ITS NOT A GOOD THING FOR ANYONE! BUT IM NOT SURE WHAT REV.WRIGHT SAID THAT YOU FELT WAS PREJUDICE OR RACIST?

Posted by: MELISSA | Apr 28, 2008 12:19:47 PM

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