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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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god should be allowed to be talked about every where
Posted by: person | Apr 28, 2008 12:06:27 PM
Shouldn't the author have written "OBAMA TRIES TO HAVE IT BOTH WAYS ON REV. WRIGHT"?
After, all on March 3rd, Barry said he didn't ever hear the wright speak those awful things, a few days later he had heard of it, a few more days and he said he was there (with his children) to witness some of the speeches,
later still he threw his grandmother into the trash pit.Fianlly in the PA. debate he said he denounced what the revered had said.
Now he's back to somthing esle.
Posted by: Tuck | Apr 28, 2008 12:05:19 PM
What McCain wants more than anything is for no one to drag up his past comments or actions. On more than one occasion he's put his foot in his mouth or attempted to put his fist into someone else's mouth. Hopefully the press will get around to looking into his behavior to evaluate what kind of leader he would make.
Posted by: Javalation | Apr 28, 2008 11:56:33 AM
MIKE LIKE WHAT?
YOU THINK HE HATES WHITES AND IS GOING TO LINE THEM UP LIKE HITLER DID JEWISH PEOPLE? YOU THINK THAT ALL THE WHITE PEOPLE IN THE SENATE ARE GOING TO BE LIKE COOL GREAT WHERE IS THAT LINE I WANT TO BE FIRST???
PEOPLE AROUND YOU IM SURE HAVE THOUGHTS YOU DONT AGREE WITH IT DOESNT MAKE YOU WHO YOU ARE! YOU DO....
PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO VOTE IN A BLACK MAN AND THATS ALL IT IS NO ONE IS WORRIED THAT MCCAIN IS GOING TO RUN HAGEE'S THOUGHTS AS A BILL THAT NEEDS TO PASS... PEOPLE GET CARRIED AWAY WITH THE FEAR OF THE NEW BUT THEY HAVE TO REALIZE THATS ALL IT IS!!!
Posted by: MELISSA | Apr 28, 2008 11:53:12 AM
VERY TRUE, MCCAIN SHOULD NOT BE EVEN WILLING TO BRING UP REV. WRIGHT BECAUSE OF HAGEE...
THE FACT IS SOME PEOPLE ARE MUCH MORE WILLING TO OVER LOOK WHAT A WHITE MAN OR WOMAN DOES THAT A BLACK MAN OR WOMAN... AND THOSE WHO THROW NASTY COMMENTS OUT IN BLOGS ARE PRIME EX, THEY WILL SUPPORT HILLARY CLINTON WHO IS MUCH MORE SCANDALOUS THAN OBAMA - THEY WILL TALK ABOUT BITTER YET REFUSE TO BE UPSET ABOUT SCREW EM, THEY WILL THROW OUT REV. WRIGHT AND CLAIM THAT OBAMA IS A RACIST FOR NOT TAKING ACTION AGAINST HIM FOR HIS " HATE OF WHITE PEOPLE" BUT THINKS THAT ITS OKAY FOR A BLACK MAN OR WOMEN TO IGNORE RACIST REMARKS MENT FOR THEM - EVEN WHILE SOME BLOGGERS ARE SPEWING HATE AT OBAMA FOR THE THINGS REV. WRIGHT SAYS!!!! IT MAKES ME SICK HOW DARE YOU THINK YOU ARE SO GREAT THAT BLACK MEN AND WOMEN SHOULD NOT " RIOT" BECAUSE THEY ARE BEING MISS- TREATED BY WHITES BUT THAT THEY DONT STAND UP FOR US AND " RIOT" WHEN WE ARE BEING TALKED ABOUT!!!!
THE FACT THAT REV. WRIGHT IS BEING BROUGHT UP ALMOST DAILY YET HAGEE IS NOT.. THE FACT THAT WE WILL QUESTION THIS MANS VERY LOVE FOR AMERICA AND WHAT HIS TRUE WANT FOR AMERICANS BASED ON WHAT ? EVEN IF HE WAS HALF WRONG ABOUT HIS BITTER COMMENT HE WAS HALF RIGHT WE IN SMALL TOWNS ARE MAD AND PEOPLE DO TEND TO CLING TO GOD IN HARD TIMES AND THEY CLING TO THE THINGS THEY LOVE THAT REMIND THEM OF GOOD TIMES LIKE HUNTING IN PA MEN... HOW IS SCREW EM EVEN ANY WHERE NEAR A HALF TRUTH OR EVEN A SMALL MISS UNDERSTANDING? ITS NOT IT WAS A DISMISSIVE COMMENT IF WE ARENT FOR THE CLINTONS THEN DONT BOTHER WITH THEM!
BUT WHO ARE WE MOST CRITICAL OF ???
Posted by: MELISSA | Apr 28, 2008 11:44:05 AM
Racism is WRONG no matter what!!!!!
So why is it ok for the Rev. Wright to be so wrong. Because he is Africian Americian, if so then there is a deeper problem when one race shouts out against racism and then turns to racism as a tactic THERE IS A PROBLEM let us correct this before we correct the other
Posted by: blackcreek61 | Apr 28, 2008 11:39:17 AM
Have you noticed that everytime
Mr. Obama tried to explain himself
it makes things worse??
Posted by: major | Apr 28, 2008 11:01:19 AM
No way we should elect a long time
cult member as president...
Posted by: diana | Apr 28, 2008 10:58:52 AM
People supporting Wright are going
to be sorry - since Mr. Wright
will very soon be campaigning against
Obama -- thats how cults work...
Posted by: minor | Apr 28, 2008 10:53:29 AM
America:
As you vote, seriously consider whether you want the likes of Jeremiah Wright to be a frequent guest and speaker at the White House.
A vote for Obama is a vote for Wright.
Posted by: Jayhawk | Apr 28, 2008 10:53:20 AM
I'm more concerned with McCain's pandering visit to Bob Jones University than I am concerned with Rev. Wright's goofy comments. But then again, I don't stay awake at night, paranoid about slave uprisings. McCain is no Maverick.
Posted by: Sara B. | Apr 28, 2008 10:53:07 AM
Let us talk about Wright:
People familiar with the church compare its emphasis on African culture to the way some Catholic churches play up Irish or Italian roots. People who know about the church reject the accusations that the church is separatist or turns away white members.
An actual member who is white tells the story of a group of young Germans visiting the church. Wright met with them before the service and prayed with them in German, she said. Later, he delivered part of his sermon in German and the choir sang in German.
“To me, it’s a testimony that this is not a church that rejects people of other cultures and races,” she said.
Posted by: Johnny Boy | Apr 28, 2008 10:50:14 AM
Since he is poking at Wright, what are McCain's spiritual beliefs and who is his minister?
Posted by: Johnny Boy | Apr 28, 2008 10:49:14 AM
I have permanently lost my trust
and respect for Mr. Obama.
Posted by: francesca | Apr 28, 2008 10:48:34 AM
Age, Health and judgement will be Achilles hill for John McCain this November.
Obama all the way!
Posted by: Lookup | Apr 28, 2008 10:47:52 AM
Obama is a long time member of Mr. Wright's cult:
what more do American's need to know?
Obama should withdraw...
Posted by: stacey | Apr 28, 2008 10:45:25 AM
Only in america we have a change to put too idiot into the highest office of the land (as my mother would say GOING OUT THE WORLD AS? BACKARD)keep it up america
Posted by: t.v.eddie | Apr 28, 2008 10:30:22 AM
John McCain is too old for the job and his best days are behind him and "Rocking Chair" is waiting for him.
His Wife cut him out of her fortune with a "Pre Nuptial" agreement, the "Little Miss Sweetie" Cindy McCain wont give him a dime?
Hillary and Bill are reaching for straws and trying to fool the people in NC and IN it wont work the American people are fed up with the Clintons, Bushs, and the old sneaky McCain Bush want-to-be politics as usual. The American people are to smart for that and will turn the page. The talk radio Conservatives shook Jocks want the American people to believe that their for Hillary but they want the fight between Hillary and Obama to continue until November to try and make McBush look good that want work either.
Obama's state wins 30 lost 15, Delegate count 1715 +/-, Negatives are way down, Better nominee
Clinton's state wins 15 lost 30,
Delegate count 1585 +/-, Negatives way up. Not a good nominee.
Fund Raising Obama beats Clinton or McCain Expediently.
Registering new voters Obama beats Clinton or McCain.
Bring the country together Obama beats Clinton or McCain.
Overall, Obama beats Clinton or McCain.
Race against McCain, Obama better nominee.
Obama all the way!
Posted by: Lookup | Apr 28, 2008 10:16:32 AM
What Wright has said is very troubling but it is even more curious how Obama is handling this. Wright's going on a massive speaking and pr tour while Obama is saying "this is a legitimate issue". It's like Obama has said "Yep, this is what I'm about. I'm unelectable."
Posted by: hopesprings52 | Apr 28, 2008 10:14:15 AM
Thanks to JPT for bringing out this point. A candidate speakes out of both sides of his mouth in a wily, slimy fashion, saying he's not doing something and then, in fact, doing the very thing he says he's not doing...that sounds like George W Bush's tactics. Use the language of reconciliation for window-dressing while actively spreading smear and divisiveness on other occasions. I'm afraid McSame is all about appearance versus reality and he will fool enough of the voters to make enough headway to win against a damaged Democratic Party.
Posted by: hageehoggie | Apr 28, 2008 10:09:29 AM
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