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McCain Opens a New Flank on Rev. Wright

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April 27, 2008 6:29 PM

ABC News’s Bret Hovell reports: Sen. John McCain maintained Sunday that he does not approve of the political advertisement being run by the North Carolina Republican party that links his potential presidential rival Sen. Barack Obama with comments made by the Illinois Democrat's pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright, but at the same time brought up new comments by Wright that he says he found disturbing.

Speaking with reporters in Coral Gables, Fla., McCain, R-Ariz., said he has done all he will do to convince the North Carolina GOP to take the ad down, noting that though he himself did not call and request its removal, members of his staff did call and ask that the ad be taken down.

"I will continue to say that I think that ad should not be run," McCain said. "But I won’t continue to try to be the referee here."

McCain has said in the past that Wright’s comments should not be an issue in the campaign, because he does not think Obama subscribes to the views.

"My position that Sen. Obama doesn't share those views remains the same," McCain said Sunday.

But McCain noted that Obama said on Sunday on Fox News that Wright was an issue, seemingly opening a door for McCain to connect the Democrat to his former pastor.

"I saw yesterday some additional comments that have been revealed by Pastor Wright, 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..." McCain said.

"I can understand why Americans, when viewing these kinds of comments, are angry and upset," McCain said.

Obama campaign spokesman Hari Sevugan said McCain had broken his word to the American people about running a respectful campaign.

"With each passing day, John McCain acts more and more like someone who's spent twenty-six years learning the divisive, distracting tactics of Washington," Sevugan said in a written statement. "That's not the change that the American people are looking for."

April 27, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (181)

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This Rev. Right issue is bound to backfire at one point. In trying to get at Obama, some old wounds are going to be opened in the black community which may set America back several years in race relations.


Posted by: June | Apr 27, 2008 6:44:57 PM

Good move John!! Let Hillary and Barak sink in their own mud.

Posted by: Lindsey Brutus | Apr 27, 2008 6:52:49 PM

Deos anyone listen to good old john anyway?

Posted by: Thinking | Apr 27, 2008 6:58:46 PM

Good Post, New Yorker, my sentiments, exactly!!!

Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!

Posted by: Jackt51 -- Vietnam Vet and Proud Liberal | Apr 27, 2008 7:06:55 PM

One must remember that Rev Wright was also a Marine. As far as I am concerned he has earned the right to be critical of US policies, unlike some people who bash him.

I find that he is a very intelligent, thoughtful, well educated individual. He does what he thinks he has to do. McCain and Hillary on the other hand do what is politically expedient.

The Rev Wright and Obama are sticking to their guns. More power to them. I have the utmost respect for their willingness to do so.

Posted by: Thinking | Apr 27, 2008 7:14:49 PM

McCain said he believes that Obama doesn't subscribe to Writes views as did Huckabee. What point is left to be made then?

McCain will get lambbasted over this - especially as he said on the record with Chris Mathews he wouldn't do exactly what he is doing.

The only thing MccCain had going for him was the disalusion of honor "my friend".

The Doubletalk Express is full steam ahead straight for a wall.

Posted by: DS | Apr 27, 2008 7:20:45 PM

Is Wright wrong? That actually shouldn't be the question. The real question is Obama who've been so critcal on HRC's judgement on one vote, why he has been lack of judgement on more than one issue for prolonged period of time? and refused to make a break from the past, and even often attempted to gloss over whatever mistakes he made as inconsequential. The media has been buying it with complete faith like treasury bonds. The problem is honey moon will last only so long and when people look more carefully, he's less and less like an inspirator and more and more like a regular politician.

Posted by: JJ-VA | Apr 27, 2008 7:40:44 PM

This Reverend Wright is a gift that keeps on giving. Looking forward to his Presser tomorrow morning.

should be fun!

Posted by: Mitch | Apr 27, 2008 7:46:02 PM

People don't go to churches to worship their pastors, otherwise christianity could not have lasted 2000 years.
Think about all those pedophile priests, I haven't heard of anybody who stopped being catholic because of them.

Posted by: Andrew | Apr 27, 2008 8:03:04 PM

What I find disturbing is that John McCain wants us to stay in Iraq for 100 years,wants to bomb,bomb Iran,and continue Bushes warmongering machine. He also wants more tax breaks for the rich and big corporations. John McCain is especially bad for the poor and middle class. Plus he will lead us to a depression no doubt.

Posted by: AJ | Apr 27, 2008 8:08:18 PM

Why does Obama always blame someone else for his Wright problems? He's the one who sat in the pew with his family for 20 years.

Posted by: Gerry | Apr 27, 2008 8:18:05 PM

America is making a real progress here. People are no longer judged by the color of their skin but by the words of their pastor. Yeepeee!

Posted by: Justin | Apr 27, 2008 8:18:32 PM

Obama is not being judged by the words of his pastor he is being judged by the support he gave to those words for 20 years. All he had to do was get up and leave like most of us would have done. It's really not that hard!

Posted by: Carol | Apr 27, 2008 8:22:32 PM

Unless you symapthize with the pastors sentiments, you wouldn't let him baptize your children, you wouldn't donate 26,000 $ to his church just this past year......Sure you have MSNBC and CNN pimping you all day and night for months, despite all that you can fool so many people only for so long...

Posted by: dem | Apr 27, 2008 8:27:15 PM


I read where McCain said that Obama is insensitive to the poor...that's quite a statement coming from a republican.

Posted by: Alpha | Apr 27, 2008 8:39:13 PM

McCain SHOULD criticize Obama on Iraq, the Economy, and as long as Wright keeps trying to unvillify himself he's fair game to point to for the radical clown that he is and that Obama is excusing. What's not fair?

Posted by: altoona | Apr 27, 2008 8:39:39 PM

Three words for McCain: Reverend John Hagee.

Posted by: foxisms | Apr 27, 2008 8:40:36 PM

The hate I see for the Rev Wright is out of touch with my christian belief.

Posted by: Thinking | Apr 27, 2008 8:41:24 PM

Obama is the one that is creating a devisive tone. This man is unbelievable. Associating with highly anti-American people and then accusing patriots of being devisive. Sounds like we all should roll over and accept every felon that comes along. Obama does nothing to explain his associations. He only accuses others of not accepting his every word. Who does this guy think he is???? Obama answers to nothing and constantly accuses others. Something is real lopsided here.

Posted by: virginia | Apr 27, 2008 8:46:31 PM

Go McCain, finally doing the right thing. Obama doesn't appreciate when you tried to stop the ad. He never said anything nice except that he'll hold you responsible if you can't take the ad off. Why do something when they don't appreciate and blame you for it? As long as it's not you approve or pay for the ad, you have nothing to worry about it. there's no reason to go out of your way to stop others from putting up something legitimate. wright issue is legit. It's a fact so just let the american people decide for themselves after viewing the fact.

Posted by: hannah | Apr 27, 2008 8:46:53 PM

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