It's not easy telling a supporter to shut up. But that's essentially what John McCain did at a rally in Ohio.
Radio talk show host Bill Cunningham, who was warming up the crowd at a campaign event, repeatedly referred to the Democratic front-runner as Barack Hussein Obama. Sure it's Obama's full name, but we all know the intended effect. The DJ also called Obama a "hack, Chicago-style" politician.
Instead of laughing at the comment (like he did waaaaaay back in the olden days when an audience member referred to Clinton as "the bitch") or even just ignoring the disparaging remarks, McCain addressed them directly -- to the confusion of the comment maker.
From ABCnews:
"I did not know about these remarks, but I take responsibility for
them. I repudiate them," McCain said. "My entire campaign I have
treated Sen. Obama and Sen. (Hillary Rodham) Clinton with respect. I
will continue to do that throughout this campaign." ... McCain called both Democrats "honorable Americans" and said, "I want to
dissociate myself with any disparaging remarks that may have been said
about them."
Asked whether the use of Obama's middle name -- the
same as former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein -- is proper, McCain said:
"No, it is not. Any comment that is disparaging of either Sen. Clinton
or Sen. Obama is totally inappropriate."
For such quick, direct words spoken without regard to the risk of alienating potential voters, Political Nanny is rewarding John two extra cookies at snacktime.
And because it's so fun to watch toddler tantrums, here's what Cunningham said after learned that McCain repudiated his comments:
... [H]e attacked the Republican front-runner as "John Juan Pablo McCain." THen: "I’m
gonna follow the lead of Ann Coulter," Cunningham said on Fox News.
"I’m going to endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for president because she
would do a better job in the Oval Office, I think, than the liberal
John McCain. I’m done with him."
Big baby.
Photo: beloblog.com
