Political Punch

John McCain's first wife was indeed crippled, but to be fair so was John McCain. He still is. I don't begrudge anyone for holding his infidelity against him, but if you can't see the complexity of the problems that those two were facing I think you're a little to judgmental. His infidelity was a moral failing. It adds to the complexity of his character. I think that George Bush and Bill Clinton getting out of serving in Viet Nam was a greater moral failing when I consider the job of the President.

Incidentally, McCain and John Kennedy have very similar personal stories. War Service, infidelity, family history. They are interesting to compare.

McCain cheated on his wife and therefore he should not be trusted.

Um, yes. Yes they are Jake. He IS an adulterer. Why don't you ask him about it?

Your corp. media friends don't seem to mind focusing on John Edwards' sex life but considering McCain left his CRIPPLED first wife (who waited for him for 5 yrs. while he was a POW) for Cindy (which was while he was still in the military), it's also illegal. No?

It's about time the issue of McCain's adultry got raised in national mainstream media reporting.

Now if only the Keating 5 scandal will become a talking point on the 24/7 cable channels.

Reading over all this commentary...

I find it difficult admiring or looking up to more than half the Christian voices being raised here.

Of course, that just may be me.
Just my honest opinion.

I'd rather deal with a moral secularist than a dogmatic religionist-- any day.

Again, that may be just me.

Buddy S.

First impression of this ad was that Obama is a family man. He will stand by yours. A very simple ad really.

People will read what they want into many of the ads coming out on both sides right now.

McCain's ads are easier to read. I guess after 8 years we get the Rove/Schmidt picture and message by now.

McCain has stayed with his second wife for a long time. There is something to be said for that. But he did dump his first wife and based on his behavior with his current wife, he doesn't seem to know how to treat women with respect.

I think Obama is a much better role model for men on how to treat their wives.

The Mathew 25 Network supports an abortion agenda. By that standard they don't really qualify as a Christian Group. They are on the right side of the adultery issue, but it seems that McCain's first wife agreed to and participated in an amiable divorce. If she had any issues with McCain's fidelity it would have been in the National Enquirer.

Jiggs, not all republicans are dumb as a rock. Some of them are millionaires.

Ok, cheating on your wife while she is at the hospital fighting for her life is not an adulter, really? Pastor Rick Warren said he cannot trust someone who cheated on his wife and, therefore, could not vote for him when he was talking about John Edwards. Let's see what he said about McCain tomorrow.

Republicans are usually dumb enough to take your breath away, but you have to give them credit for one thing---they face harmful facts with matchless composure. No matter how convincing the evidence nor how compelling the argument against them, their emotional and intellectual equanimity stays unshaken as they look the other way, shifting blame and quoting the Bible.
Not that it will save him, but McCain must be grateful for such robotic support.

pickler,

Could you please answer these questions i posted below

Another point i didn't include in my last post. How can someone that claimed to represent family values offered his wife as a striper?

How do you explain that to someone that follows strict constructionist of the bible? How do you explain it to your congregation on Sunday?

McCain does not represent what we want in a President.

I don't see the problem. McCain insinuated Obama is the Anti-Christ in his Moses ad and according to him, his campaign and republicans, that was just a plain funny ad that was meant as a joke! Which ad is worse? I think McCain wins the bad taste category hands down! Obama '08!!

I expect McCain to do the honorable thing and get out of the race, retiring to one of his ten homes with his only reward, from a grateful nation, free budweiser.

McCain committ the sin of adultery by cheating on his first wife. He has not apologized for it.

McCain is a poster child of what is wrong with family value

Bee, Manchester,NH

I hate to tell you this but all things that we know as right and wrong comes from Religion. Call it MORALITY if you want. But its still Religion that runs things. YOU

Mike

It was Obama and this fake religion that is trying to turn Obama into a better christian by his Marriage. They have no idea what GOD has in store for them using his name in VAIN.

Whenever Republican Party is defensive of their marriage affairs, you know there is a problem. McCain is a phony Christian; he doesn't believe in family value let alone stick by his first wife.

At least Democratic Party doesn't impose morality test on us like Republican do. McCain has failed the test and he is not fit for command…

Real christians would not preach like Rev Wright or even attend his church.

I can't believe Obama now has bought a religion that will use the word of GOD falsely to preach what Obama says. Obama is a CULT plain and simple.

Obama and the religion that follows him is what the bible means when it says.

"They honor me with their lips but their hearts are far removed from me"

ckcgye,

You have a point. People can learn from their mistakes. But first they must honest and admit their mistakes. McCain is running for president. He should be honest with folks that it was his actions that led to the demise of his marriage and that he acted less than honorable. Then it is up to the public to decide. To be honest I really don't know if he has ever done that but I do know that it has been ignored thus far by the media in this campaign. I do think it is relevant. Being a war hero does not give him a pass on honesty...

I’d like to see much more on McCain, afterall, there is still an election coming up isn’t there? The bleeding heart liberals would crown Obama King today if they could. I thought we left England to get away from royalty, but Obama is treated like a King.
God help us all if he is elected. I bet he won’t get a second term, but how much harm will he do in those first 4 years if the worst happens.

All you holier than thou are why your not real Christians.

And this phony religion endorsing Obama is about the same as that phony pro gun group that really was a anti gun group that endorsed Obama. They are both PHONY

So what's the problem.
The ad talks about Obama being married to Michelle for 16 years - that is the TRUTH. Obama is a family man - that is the TRUTH.

The ad does not mention that McCain IS an adulterer, McCain deserted his sick wife, and McCain deserted his first children - which is the TRUTH! Also, I think the media should be talking about how McCain applied for a marriage license to marry Cindy BEFORE his divorce with is first wife was finalized!

Excuses for cheating on wife and children- are all just that, excuses!

It's sad that the only place you'll read about McCain's admitted adulterous behavior is on a blog like this one. The media just won't write anything negative about McCain. It's ridiculous. It's not old news when the majority of Americans do not realize that this man cheated on his ill wife, dumped her and married his mistress, Cindy, the 'other woman' homewrecker, who would be our next First Lady. Wow. MSM, get off your rears and report this news to the masses. Are you waiting for someone else to break the story first? Man up!!

The fact McCain- ABANDONED his children with his first wife- makes a statement
about the man.

This is not about Obama- or whether you approve of adultery or not.

Christian groups should judge both candidates with the same criteria.

He is.... but lets not drag his name down. He is a war hero so he can do and say what he wants and get away with it.

Hmm, they make it sound so ground breaking that a black man can still be married after 16 years.

Jo: "No, McCain's actions do not count. Anyone who was held captive as a prisoner for 5 years, tortured, bones broken etc. and who came back a totally different man can be forgiven."

This is cleverly circular logic that will allow you to ignore anything you hear regarding your preferred candidate.

A Christian group is not suggesting McCain is an adulter- the facts show he is!
He cheated on his first wife & children with his now wife- Cindy.

Nancy Reagan was a friend of his first wife and has never liked McCain- because of the treatment of his first wife. He was an honorable soldier and a dishonorable cheater.

His daughter, with Cindy, wrote a book- about her Dad. The children by his first wife was never mentioned in this book- only the siblings of the writer.

No Christian group approves of ADULTRY!!!

Oh yeah sure, the average voter is going to dwell on the McCain past so-called adultery (he was separated when he met Cindy - so it doesn't really qualify)

Yeah, riiiiiight. Lol. Dream on.

By the term liberal Christian church, one may wish to be cautious. Brian McLaren the emergant church movement are controversial topics in Christian circles.

I'm just saying...

No, McCain's actions do not count. Anyone who was held captive as a prisoner for 5 years, tortured, bones broken etc. and who came back a totally different man can be forgiven.

Period. End of story.

Its amazing how we all see the same ad but get different impressions from it. I just saw it as an ad praising Obama.. I believe we see what we want to see or what we are sensative too.

Curious on CNN and MSNBC Saturday..

This is a great ad. It shows that “values” voters are not always in lock step with the GOP.

Regarding McCain adulterous affair(s), it does matter. It’s not about the sex or whom he’s been “sleeping” with; it’s about the guy’s integrity, trustworthiness, the value he places on his spouse(s) and children. Really a guy or gal that can do that to a loved one without batting an eye will screw the voters as well.

I think this ad is a dig at John Edwards, not McCain.

marylou, And were McCain supporters 100% sure there was not anything in his past before throwing darts at Obama? In my opinion let the facts (not slurs) come out and let the public decide whether they make a difference.

You know, this ad is about Barack Obama and does not even mention McCain. It is a positive statement, an introduction to Obama the family man.

The media have to get over the fact that McCain is irrelevant. Who cares how this looks in respect to him? Its all about Obama, McCain isn't even in the same league, there is no comparison to make.

Some of you need to remember that this presidential race is about two people: McCain and Obama. The marital affairs of others do not matter.

The facts are there! What is there to dispute? I feel for Cindy. I do not believe he was the husband for her.
She is beautiful, rich. What is she doing with an old man? He probably is abusive and cannot get away from him. There are a lot of women that are trapped in situations like that. Look at Cindy's face, does she look happy. I feel her pain.

I wonder uf Edwards will endorse McCain?

I wouldn't miss it for the world. Where and at what time will McCain confess?
Will it be on Fox?

I am curious enough to watch this on Sat. Does anyone know what channel it might be on?

First of all neither Obama or this PAC said that McCain is an adulterer. But that being said, McCain has been taking some incredibly stupid but apparently effective jabs at Obama. If Obama doesn't so something about it he could actually lose the election, and that would be a disaster for America. These petty issues like; Obama is a Muslim (we all know it's not true but still something like 20% of Americans think he is), Obama is a celebrity (and by extension he is therefor as shallow as Britany Spears or Paris Hilton), Obama is an elitist (well he was an extremely good student at both Columbia and Harvard, while McCain virtually flunked out of the Naval Accademy, but he grew up very poor), Obama is a racist (well perhaps he took some abuse from his classmates over his skin color) but it would seem extremely unlikely that a man brought up by a white mother and white grandparents would hate white people), are all absurd but they are costing him votes. We need to realize that this election is probably the most important one in a century. If we continue doing what we have been doing for the past 40 years (politicians more interested in their party or the rich people contributing to their campaigns) we will continue to see our economy and influence slip away until we wake up some day in a world where China is the sole superpower. While we are all worried about Al Qaeda, China is taking over the world, Russia is moving on eastern Europe, and even India is surging ahead.

I don't think McCain is a bad guy, but I know he cannot and will not make the changes in Washington that are needed to insure our survival.

Rhys - I absolutely agree with you! It seems that the concept of separation of church and state doesn't exist anymore. Religion has no place in politics.

I bet all these moral pillars badmouthing McCain's infidelity voted for Bill Clinton--TWICE! Why don't we all just watch the debate with Warren and draw our own conclusions? I am truly looking forward to seeing how Hillary highjacks the Democrat convention--lots of fun to watch! It doesn't really matter who wins for President--watch the Congress, as it has WAY more influence over our lives!

Before making too big a brouhaha over McCain's personal life, Obama supporters had better be absolutely 100% certain that Obama has nothing in his past personal relationships that can come back to haunt him. I think there's enough smoke that they'd better tread lightly.

Nothing gets me more riled than a candidate's supporters trying to convince folks in the face of facts or offer some lame explanations. The facts are Clinton is an adulterer and liar. So is, Edwards. And so was McCain...Now deal with it...Does it matter to the public? You have to let the public decide that. But stop portraying your candidate as some icon because he was a POW or that he has sound judgement and experience simply because he was able to stay employed in the Senate.

Obama got 300 grand off his home from Rezko who was under investigation

Obama is a crook.

Obama and his shady dealings with Rezko.

Rezko had been identified as a crook for two years in the chicago papers. Yet Obama does a land deal with Rezko who was raising money for his campaign. Rezko was convicted in court for the criminal dealings into how he used strawmen to raise millions for obama.

Obama is a crook chicago hack sytle politician.

Go Obama!!!

Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free - McCains supporters are angry at the truth becasue the lies they are telling are not holding up - No Weapon form against God's children will Propsper - Finally another one of God's children will be in a place where the righteous will rejoice!!!

Only the Truth will stand this day!!

Regardless of who is elected, I only wish we could get religion OUT of politics!

It is amazing that the media and the McCain campaign has subjected Senator Obama to one lie and smear after the other - and never once were you bothered in the least.

A group runs an ad emphasizing something GOOD about Senator Obama, and now you all exptrapolate that it's a dig at John McCain?

Sensitive much?

The ad is about BARACK OBAMA. If John McCain doesn't feel good about the choices he's made, that's his issue - not Obama's.

P.S. Where is all the belabored talking about John McCain's "presumptuousness"? Yeah, that's what I thought . . . gotta save that for first term Senators. Yeah, that's the ticket.

If Edwards being an adulterer is an issue after he supended his campaign I believe McCain's history is relevant.
Does anyone remember the crap spewed by Republicans about Bill Clinton??? If these people say they cannot support an adulterer (which I've heard repeatedly from these hypocrites) They need to know McCain ARE one. I'm sick of these Repubs going in learning the lingo of the Christians & claiming to be one.
It's been completely transparent to me for years & I think the Cristian groups are finally starting to feel played.
The penduulum is finally swinging back.

This is just a cheap and shoddy attempt of the Obama campaign to try and garner votes in any sector he can. He found out that it was not a wise move to alienate one of the most reliable voting blocks in Democratic history, the 40+ women group. He is just about staying neck and neck in the polls with McCain and is not steamrolling over him so he is getting woried now. I hope McCain pulverizes him in November. All of you saying that Obama is sincere and has better values, etc. should be ashamed of yourselves. He is an elitist, sexist pig in the truest sense of the word. Two days after Hillary lost the nomination to him he said to people in a closed meeting regarding the women voters who were upset with him, "They'll get over it." Well, we haven't gotten over it and we won't get over it. We are supporting John McCain and sending a loud message to Obama, his cronies and any and all of his supporters which is if you insult ANY woman, you can kiss out vote good bye! We must boycott the Democratic party until they stop this nonsense. And, please, don't tell me boycotts don't work. After one week of organizing our groups against Obama Howard Dean called us and asked what he could do to solve this problem. So, PPPPPLLLLLLLEEEEEAAAASSSSSEEEEE don't tell me boycotts don't work and wake up people because they do work.And, don't tell us that we are electing someone who is not that supportive for women's rights. It is insignificant to us because we simply want to boycott the Dem party so that they never pull this _ _ _ _ ever again on women!!! And, check out Obama's failed housing project in Illinois which he backed and still has the AUDACITY to brag about it! Check out his relationships with pastors, friends, associates in business and observe how many of them are prejudice against white people. So don't tout him to me as a savior and a great all around guy because I am not buying it. It doesn't sweeten the deal any more for me. And, I won't vote for him because Hillary says we should. He'll never get our votes! Loser! We'll do everything we can to get McCain elected in November! If you look at the two of them, the one looks fatherly and calm, and the other one has a mouthpiece bigger than an elephant's behind. Is it any wonder people are giving McCain serious thought?

Obama spent 20 years in a church that teaches hate and intolerance. That was his choice--and he didn't have the decency or the courage to leave until it hurt him politically.

Great judgement and great family values.

McCain's first wife ran off on her first husband with another man.

McCain's first wife and him agreed their marraige wasn't working.

If the shoe fits.....

How unfair! John McCain came back from Vietnam to a wife he didn't know anymore, she, to a husband she didn't know, He has continually taken care of her, and they are friends. He talks about it, and how unfair for anyone to judge, who hasn't been beaten for 5 1/2 yrs! and still suppose to be a lovely couple. Grow up!

" Jesus blasted the hypocrites who said their prayers publicly for admiration - Which party does that? "

BOTH now , who would have thought Sen. Obama actualy would dive into the gutter like this. He will have no power to resist the powers in Washington D.C.

Fire your staff now Sen. Obama before they drag you down

Ads like these give Christians a bad name. Run this nationwide for a few weeks and then you can say Christian-extremists in the same sentence as Islamic-extremist and no one will question the comparison.

And in other news..

Gallup

McCain 44
Obama 44

POTUS OBAMA - ITS INEVITABLE CYNICS!

(No matter how much you whine)

Given the list of Democrat adulterers, I suggest we decide on the lesser of the evils: adultery past or adultery ahead?

Obama took his children to that church of hate.

Some family values.

Obama took his children to hear how bad America was.

Obama took his children to a church that gives out awards to Farakkan.

Obama took his children to a church that puts on the bulletin praise for Hamas.

Obama took his children to that church and stayed there even after Wright blamed america for 9/11. Obama even after that praised Wright.

Some family values.

This ad came from liberal christian dollars, not the Obama Campaign.....

But mcCain has sent out video's to try and paint Obama as sympathetic to Al Quaida, the Antichrist, and projects a ton of falsified info about his plans..

I am a Christian, and I pay attention to both campaigns.....And so far I have seen more public and private statements of christian morals and family values from Obama.....

Plus he is more sincere, McCain cant even talk at a biker rally without his notes and podium

Christian values? As a state senator, Obama voted PRESENT on a bill that would grant healthcare to babies born in abortions gone awry. Pro-choice isn't enough for Obama, it seems. He won't even let babies who have survived infanticide live.

Why are the "Christians" turning this election into a soap opera? It's bad enough we have to put up with this nonsense from the religious right but now we have to put up with it from the religious left? Our time would be better spent discussing the Democratic Party Platform: "33 The Democratic Party believes that there is no more important priority than renewing
34 American leadership on the world stage. This will require diplomatic skill as capable as
35 our military might. Instead of refusing to confront our most pressing threats, we will use
36 all elements of American power to keep us safe, prosperous and free. Instead of
37 alienating our nation from the world, we will enable America –once again –to lead." Our time would be better spent talking about the economy, the energy crisis, the resurgence of the cold war. Anything other than who slept with who decades ago.

As the "Church Lady" would say... isn't that special!

How uplifting to see this nice blameless "Christian" group casting the first stone.

Great. Now someone will dig something up on Obama's sex life and we'll endure a week of that.

Just great...

I guess it's too late to run an adult campaign. Yawnnn.....

"but I'm still voting for Obama because he supports the Christian values that really matter."

Nice to be able to pick and choose which values suit you.

Jesus stood up for the poor over the rich - Which party and which candidate does that? Jesus blasted the hypocrites who said their prayers publicly for admiration - Which party does that? Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers" - Which party and which candidate wants peace? I'm a Christian and I read the words of Jesus in the Gospels and that's why I'm a Democrat. Jesus forgave adultery and so can I, but I'm still voting for Obama because he supports the Christian values that really matter.

Jesus stood up for the poor over the rich - Which party and which candidate does that? Jesus blasted the hypocrites who said their prayers publicly for admiration - Which party does that? Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers" - Which party and which candidate wants peace? I'm a Christian and I read the words of Jesus in the Gospels and that's why I'm a Democrat. Jesus forgave adultery and so can I, but I'm still voting for Obama because he supports the Christian values that really matter.

"Deb, President Bush admits to previous drug experimentation as well, as well as the fact that he is a recovering alcoholic."

I guess in Obama's case the experiment was a success, because he didn't stop after once or twice.

I read your comments and I can't believe how you obsess over the most trivial of non-issues. Hello: There are a few wars going on in the world, the US economy is halfway in the gutter and there is still no universal healthcare system in place. Come on people, smarten up!

I think this is great; finally someone is putting the so called "pro-family" side to shame. Why is it that to be considered "pro-family" you only have to hate gays? Never mind the affairs, the divorce, or any of that. Thank you to this organization for bringing the true meaning of "pro-family" back!

Oops! How about Wright and Ayers for judgement? Judgment to lead?

How about Jack Abramof and Ralph Reed...Oops!! that is part of McCain's double talk

Deb, President Bush admits to previous drug experimentation as well, as well as the fact that he is a recovering alcoholic. Perhaps that supports your point, but I hope anyone who goes after Obama for doing "blow" does not overlook what Bush got up to.

In the opening of this commercial a man comes on and claims to be a pastor. Given Obama's extreme support for abortion including Live birth and late term abortion I found this hard to believe so I googled him. Turns out the guys isn't a "pastor" at all but some kind of Christian motivational speaker who sells books and does paid performances. Just another Obama lie.

Abortion is an ObamaNation!

this is the same old politics , the same old smears. I will take may chances weathering out a bush third term than have been played a fool by Sen. Obama. What happened to him?
I won't be the only one that thinks this way either, no blow out this election.

Republican tells us to love our wife but arrange for stripers after hour. I guess we should not be surprise at McCain's action; perhaps, we should just ignore it since the Evangelical is so obsessed with women's right to choose.

Where is the outrage on McCain's infidelity? Again, this issue tells me how evangelicals are so hypocritical. After all, the same evangelicals ignored hail Jim Crow as a hero.

wow ...not one mention of the Clintons, or the Convention, or the roll call vote in the last 3 days, but McCain is an adulterer in todays post. No mentiom of the Russian invasion or comments (or lack there of) from Obama, who is on vacation like Pelosi and the rest worthless group in congress, no we get to talk about McCains first marriage.....REALLY?

so Danny ... you think abortion is less evil than adultery ... you better re-think your vote!