McCain grows a brain; realizes that Wright is an issue
I know it sounds snide and snippy, but seriously folks, he acted like a spoiled brat demanding that the NC RNC pull the ad they put together that involved Jeremiah Wright. It's fine to take the high road, if one wants to, but this is politics; it's a bare knuckle game. But on the heels of Obama's interview with Chris Wallace this morning on FOX, Jonathan Martin at Politico has discovered that McCain has switched gears:
Pointing to Barack Obama's remark today on "Fox News Sunday" that his pastor was "a legitimate political issue," John McCain this afternoon brought up two new controversial statements by Jeremiah Wright that have recently surfaced.
"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," said McCain, responding to a question only about the North Carolina GOP ad, at a press conference in Coral Gables, Florida, He also cited comments Wright made that seemed to compare the United States and al Qaeda.
But even while raising the Wright comments unprompted, McCain continued to say that he didn't think held Obama similar such views.
When it was pointed out that he had previously said Wright was not fair game, McCain again alluded to Obama's statement this morning.
"But Sen. 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," McCain said.
Pointing to past comments by McCain and his advisers that they would stay away from Wright, Obama's campaign quickly pounced.
"By sinking to a level that he specifically said he'd avoid, John McCain has broken his word to the American people and rendered hollow his promise of a respectful campaign," said spokesman Hari Sevugan. "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. That's not the change that the American people are looking for."
On Wright, McCain appears to be torn. He wants to avoid even the hint of exploiting the race issue, but he and his advisers (not to mention the North Carolina GOP) plainly recognize the politically opportunity Obama's pastor provides.
Further, McCain's camp is not deaf when it comes to the anger expressed by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and other conservatives who have grumbled about their nominee's criticism of the North Carolina GOP. To many on the right, Wright is a gift from above and for McCain to excoriate those who use it reminds them why they've always been wary of their new standard bearer.
Which may explain why, in addition to the cover of Obama's political permission slip, McCain eased off his criticism today and even brought up other Wright comments.
"I can understand why the American people are upset about this,"he said of Wright. "I can understand that Americans viewing these kinds of comments are angry and upset, just like they viewed Senator Obama's statements about why people turn 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 is 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 and to say that I think that ad should not be run. But I won't continue to try to be the referee here."
OK, fault the old guy for going on the attack, but dammit people, we knew that Obama and his minions in the press would turn around and use the race card. They're going to, no matter what is said or done, so let's just get this over with. McCain's not a racist, and he's not focusing on the race of the man he's running against. Like many pundits on the right, he is stating the obvious.
People are outraged over the sermons of Jeremiah Wright where he does sound very racist, and arguably anti-American. You know, you have a right to your opinion, but we'd expect a bit more out of a former Marine and Navy man. Obviously that's not the case. Plenty of people have argued that his rhetoric reflects the times he grew up in, but that's no excuse. We're not living back in the 50's and 60's. This is the 21st Century, and while we'll admit that there is some racism still in this nation by backwards individuals, this nation -- this society -- is far more color-blind today than it was back then, but I guess the reverend missed that memo.
McCain made a mistake, and it's one he'll have to make up for to the conservative base. We recognized that the Wright issue was a legitimate one, and we went right after Obama on it. He's his former pastor (Notice now that Obama emphasizes that every chance he can, as if telling people to drop the subject because Wright no longer ministers to him?) and he should have to answer for the rhetoric spewed from the pulpit.
I said it not too long ago that if such vitriolic and visceral rhetoric emanated from the pulpit in the Church we attend every Sunday, we'd disavow that Church, and I'd have a few words with the priest. A church is a place to worship God and give Him thanks for all you have in life. In other words, we give thanks for the good in our lives, and pray for things not so good to get better. It's not the site of political soapbox punditry. If Jeremiah Wright wants to do that, I suggest he apply for a job at a newspaper or a website. He said it himself in his interview with Bill "What-Media-Bias?" Moyers:
“I don’t talk to him about politics. And so he had a political event, he goes out as a politician and says what he has to say as a politician. I continue to be a pastor who speaks to the people of God about the things of God.”
But he didn't do that. He chose to "preach" his political ideas to a congregation to the attendees apparent delight amidst cheering, applause and a spattering of "amens." Maybe those churchgoers like to here the whole "truth to power" rhetoric, but it greatly offended a lot of Americans, and Obama should be asked the tough questions about what he did hear. Furthermore, he should be pressed on why he stayed at a church for 20 years when, as he claims, he disagreed with the controversial statements. And, of course, there should be one more question he's asked that no one has, as yet, and he hasn't explained either. "Why did you lie to the nation when you said you hadn't heard controversial statements from him when in your speech you admit you did?"
The electorate is awaiting your answer, senator.
Publius II
Pointing to Barack Obama's remark today on "Fox News Sunday" that his pastor was "a legitimate political issue," John McCain this afternoon brought up two new controversial statements by Jeremiah Wright that have recently surfaced.
"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," said McCain, responding to a question only about the North Carolina GOP ad, at a press conference in Coral Gables, Florida, He also cited comments Wright made that seemed to compare the United States and al Qaeda.
But even while raising the Wright comments unprompted, McCain continued to say that he didn't think held Obama similar such views.
When it was pointed out that he had previously said Wright was not fair game, McCain again alluded to Obama's statement this morning.
"But Sen. 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," McCain said.
Pointing to past comments by McCain and his advisers that they would stay away from Wright, Obama's campaign quickly pounced.
"By sinking to a level that he specifically said he'd avoid, John McCain has broken his word to the American people and rendered hollow his promise of a respectful campaign," said spokesman Hari Sevugan. "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. That's not the change that the American people are looking for."
On Wright, McCain appears to be torn. He wants to avoid even the hint of exploiting the race issue, but he and his advisers (not to mention the North Carolina GOP) plainly recognize the politically opportunity Obama's pastor provides.
Further, McCain's camp is not deaf when it comes to the anger expressed by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and other conservatives who have grumbled about their nominee's criticism of the North Carolina GOP. To many on the right, Wright is a gift from above and for McCain to excoriate those who use it reminds them why they've always been wary of their new standard bearer.
Which may explain why, in addition to the cover of Obama's political permission slip, McCain eased off his criticism today and even brought up other Wright comments.
"I can understand why the American people are upset about this,"he said of Wright. "I can understand that Americans viewing these kinds of comments are angry and upset, just like they viewed Senator Obama's statements about why people turn 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 is 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 and to say that I think that ad should not be run. But I won't continue to try to be the referee here."
OK, fault the old guy for going on the attack, but dammit people, we knew that Obama and his minions in the press would turn around and use the race card. They're going to, no matter what is said or done, so let's just get this over with. McCain's not a racist, and he's not focusing on the race of the man he's running against. Like many pundits on the right, he is stating the obvious.
People are outraged over the sermons of Jeremiah Wright where he does sound very racist, and arguably anti-American. You know, you have a right to your opinion, but we'd expect a bit more out of a former Marine and Navy man. Obviously that's not the case. Plenty of people have argued that his rhetoric reflects the times he grew up in, but that's no excuse. We're not living back in the 50's and 60's. This is the 21st Century, and while we'll admit that there is some racism still in this nation by backwards individuals, this nation -- this society -- is far more color-blind today than it was back then, but I guess the reverend missed that memo.
McCain made a mistake, and it's one he'll have to make up for to the conservative base. We recognized that the Wright issue was a legitimate one, and we went right after Obama on it. He's his former pastor (Notice now that Obama emphasizes that every chance he can, as if telling people to drop the subject because Wright no longer ministers to him?) and he should have to answer for the rhetoric spewed from the pulpit.
I said it not too long ago that if such vitriolic and visceral rhetoric emanated from the pulpit in the Church we attend every Sunday, we'd disavow that Church, and I'd have a few words with the priest. A church is a place to worship God and give Him thanks for all you have in life. In other words, we give thanks for the good in our lives, and pray for things not so good to get better. It's not the site of political soapbox punditry. If Jeremiah Wright wants to do that, I suggest he apply for a job at a newspaper or a website. He said it himself in his interview with Bill "What-Media-Bias?" Moyers:
“I don’t talk to him about politics. And so he had a political event, he goes out as a politician and says what he has to say as a politician. I continue to be a pastor who speaks to the people of God about the things of God.”
But he didn't do that. He chose to "preach" his political ideas to a congregation to the attendees apparent delight amidst cheering, applause and a spattering of "amens." Maybe those churchgoers like to here the whole "truth to power" rhetoric, but it greatly offended a lot of Americans, and Obama should be asked the tough questions about what he did hear. Furthermore, he should be pressed on why he stayed at a church for 20 years when, as he claims, he disagreed with the controversial statements. And, of course, there should be one more question he's asked that no one has, as yet, and he hasn't explained either. "Why did you lie to the nation when you said you hadn't heard controversial statements from him when in your speech you admit you did?"
The electorate is awaiting your answer, senator.
Publius II
posted by Syd And Vaughn | 7:45 PM
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