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Surrogate Watch, Part 676

April 08, 2008 4:23 PM

Following Obama-backing Sen. Jay Rockefeller's impugning of Sen. John McCain's sensitivity because he killed Vietnamese from a distance -- "McCain was a fighter pilot, who dropped laser-guided missiles from 35,000 feet. He was long gone when they hit. What happened when they [the missiles] get to the ground? He doesn't know. You have to care about the lives of people. McCain never gets into those issues" -- come:

1) An Apology to McCain from Rockefeller

As reported in the State Journal, Rockefeller phoned McCain to say sorry. In a statement, he wrote: “I have deep respect for John McCain’s honorable and noble service to our country. I made an inaccurate and wrong analogy and I have extended my sincere apology to him. While we differ a great deal on policy issues, I profoundly respect and appreciate his dedication to our country, and I regret my very poor choice of words."

2) Another Call for Obama to Condemn the Remarks

On Fox News, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, said, "I hope Senator Obama will comment on this. I hope he will step up to the plate and say, 'You know whatever differences I have with Senator McCain, this is out of bounds. I don't question his humanity.' You know, John McCain was a fighter pilot assigned his missions by the United States Navy and I can't think of a more noble thing to do for your country than to fight for freedom and to serve in uniform. So John will move on, but I hope Obama will comment on this."

- jpt

UPDATE: Oama spox Tommy Vietor: "Senator Obama has a deep respect for Senator McCain’s service to this country and doesn’t agree with what Senator Rockefeller said.”

April 8, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (79)

User Comments

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You can tell that the republicans are salivating at the prospect of an Obama nomination because Fox News this past week has stepped up its attacks on Clinton.

Will the DNC be able to focus on winning in November or will they promote Obama - who will be responsible for the third straight presidential loss - in an election that would have been the Democrats to lose. We'll see.

Posted by: s. valenti | Apr 9, 2008 3:16:52 PM

jake51...

McCain knows exactly what he is doing....Hillary has not been allowed to attack Obama or question him on anything..media bias..McCain does not want to get in the same position..


He is setting the tone. Obama insisted on Federal Financing...broken promise.

Everytime Obama attacks and it will be every day just like he attacks Hillary every day...McCain will shake his head and say...."Barack this is not the "politics of hope" I'm disappointed"....McCain is the adult...Obama is the petulant child..STRATEGY

Then McCain turns the Republican attack machine lose on him in September...and he'll shake his head and say...I warned him to stop these attacks and keep his promises now the dogs are lose..And McCain will shake his head and say I really tried early on to stop Obama from these shoddy and false attacks.I am totally against these types of attacks, but since Obama didn't take them seriously when they were against me...I can't stop them when they are against him.....Strategy

The Republicans are thrilled that it looks like Obama may get the nomination...they know the story that is not getting told in the mainstream media...they can't wait to start the ball rolling.

Posted by: Jackie | Apr 8, 2008 11:57:06 PM

Did McCain and Hillary vote for the War?

Did Obama make the statement?

Answers 1st question: yes 2nd question: no

Let's be accountable for our actions; shall we?

Obama already made the statement that he disagrees with Rockefeller, to apologize for Rockefeller would be making a statement that Rockefeller was speaking for him which is not the case.

Nothing rude in my statement if they want to vote like they did then should be able to take the criticism. Nothing like personal responsibility.

Why do I have to respect these guys anyway.

Posted by: Thinking | Apr 8, 2008 10:12:53 PM

@ thinking

That is just rude and very disrespectful. I think Obama should apologize for every time he has said he has always been against this war and this war shouldn't have be waged because he was singing a different tune in his book and when Kerry was running for President.

Talk about pandering for votes!
----------------

McCain and Hillary have to give personal apologizes but Obama sends his spokesperson to do his job!

Posted by: John | Apr 8, 2008 9:47:32 PM

@ thinking

That is just rude and very disrespectful. I think Obama should apologize for every time he says this was shouldn't be waged because he was singing a different tune in his book and when Kerry was running for President.

----------------

McCain and Hillary have to give personal apologizes but Obama sends his spokesperson to do his job!

Posted by: John | Apr 8, 2008 9:45:20 PM

McCain wants a personal apology, perhaps McCain, along with Hillary ought to give a personal apology to the families of the over 4000 men and women killed, and over 30,000 wounded, and the all the military that keep going back 3-4 rotations, riping apart their families, for a war of choice.

Posted by: Thinking | Apr 8, 2008 7:53:00 PM

Did you read older people are going to vote for Obama because their children and grandchildren are twisting their arms? Now that's a great way to pick a president,
elder abuse.

Posted by: Tina D | Apr 8, 2008 7:37:15 PM


I detest Bill and Hillary Clinton. But, I do have to admit, she is getting the short straw in media coverage. So much is out there about Obama that isn't being reported. So very much.

But at least Hillary is staying in and, in so doing, is shredding the party. Good news for people who care about issues rather than assertions.

Posted by: Surelock Homes | Apr 8, 2008 7:18:05 PM

Kevin claims to be a staunch Obama supporter, but also claims he'd vote for Clinton, according to one of his posts yesterday. He pretty much did the same thing yesterday, deteriorating into a blabbing fool and then checking out.

In all seriousness, how do people hang on to the idea of hope, change and a new kind of politics but can't seem to engage in healthy debate and avoid denigrating everyone and their brother who is not in support of Obama? Are they listening to their candidate at ALL?

Posted by: LOM | Apr 8, 2008 7:12:46 PM

LOM - You know Kevin may support Obama. Hard to tell. What do you suspect?

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 8, 2008 7:08:46 PM

I'm a kid :) and don't write such foul stuff here. It doesn't make for a very compelling argument for anything to be so angry. Quite the opposite actually.

Posted by: LOM | Apr 8, 2008 7:06:50 PM

LOM,
He's just a kid.
========================================
Hillary stands up for all the voters!
========================================

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 8, 2008 7:05:17 PM

"Can some one recall how many times Obama's surrogates have made "unneccessary" comments and apologized again and again?"

True Truth -- It's BO's MO! They are following his lead..."What I meant to say..."

Posted by: LOM | Apr 8, 2008 7:04:00 PM

WCM - Kevin. Such a soft spoken boy, that one. So elegant in his support. So masterful with words. So beautiful in his presentation, Wright?

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 8, 2008 7:01:44 PM

Can some one recall how many times Obama's surrogates have made "unneccessary" comments and apologized again and again?

Maybe this type of pattern would not end for a while...

When people looks near the top of world, they just can't control themselves.......

Posted by: True Truth | Apr 8, 2008 7:01:43 PM

Kevin seems to falling apart at the seams. He is exhibiting some real frustration. I wonder if that means there is finally some realization that this contest isn't over and Clinton actually does have a chance of winning the nomination??? Why would you lose your cool otherwise?

Posted by: LOM | Apr 8, 2008 7:00:39 PM

Jackt51,
It doesn't take a Republican to give pushback against rank stupidity which is what Rockefeller's statement represents. I hope Clinton condemns Rockefeller for his statement.
=======================================
Obama, too arrogant to apologize?
=======================================

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 8, 2008 7:00:09 PM

East Coast Air Farce:

Just what we need, an alter ego for West Coast Mess!!!

Glad you're thinking ahead to Obama in November, though, unlike WCM and Dogbreath, who are still "stuck on hillary."

But anyone who is deluded enough to think that McCain will win in November should take a nap now! The times, they are a changin'!!!

Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!

Posted by: Jackt51 | Apr 8, 2008 7:00:08 PM

Anyway folks, it was fun. I'm out. We'll do this again tomorrow if i have a little time.

Posted by: Kevin | Apr 8, 2008 7:00:06 PM

WestCoastMessenger

I have no idea what a typical Obama supporter is supposed to be like. All i know is that i am Kevin and there is no other person like me.

Posted by: Kevin | Apr 8, 2008 6:59:11 PM

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