AP again reported McCain "didn't embrace the [bitch] epithet" without noting that he called the question "excellent"
SUMMARY: Associated Press reporter Liz Sidoti wrote: "Last fall, [Sen. John] McCain faced criticism for initially not repudiating a voter in South Carolina who called [Sen. Hillary Rodham] Clinton a 'bitch.' McCain chuckled in response to the voter's question, but didn't embrace the epithet." Sidoti further reported: "A few minutes later, [McCain] said he respected Clinton, a New York senator and colleague." However, Sidoti made no mention of the fact that McCain first called the question "excellent" and then pointed to a Rasmussen poll that he said showed him beating Clinton in a head-to-head matchup.
In a February 26 article on Sen. John McCain's apology for radio host Bill Cunningham's recent comments at a McCain campaign event in Ohio, Associated Press reporter Liz Sidoti wrote: "Last fall, McCain faced criticism for initially not repudiating a voter in South Carolina who called [Sen. Hillary Rodham] Clinton a 'bitch.' McCain chuckled in response to the voter's question, but didn't embrace the epithet." Sidoti further reported: "A few minutes later, [McCain] said he respected Clinton, a New York senator and colleague." That incident took place during a campaign event in Hilton Head, South Carolina, in which a questioner asked McCain: "How do we beat the bitch?" However, Sidoti made no mention of the fact that McCain first called the question "excellent" and then pointed to a Rasmussen poll that he said showed him beating Clinton in a head-to-head matchup before saying, "I respect Senator Clinton. I respect anyone who gets the nomination of the Democrat [sic] Party." In fact, McCain's first response to the question was: "May I give ... the translation?" He then added: "But that's an excellent question," before mentioning the Rasmussen poll. Only then did McCain state that he had "respect" for Clinton.
As Media Matters for America previously documented, both the AP and The Hill previously reported on the incident without noting that McCain said that it was an "excellent question."
From the February 27 Associated Press article:
Responding to McCain's apology, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, "It is a sign that if there is a McCain-Obama general election, it can be intensely competitive but the candidates will attempt to keep it respectful and focused on issues."
Last fall, McCain faced criticism for initially not repudiating a voter in South Carolina who called Clinton a "bitch." McCain chuckled in response to the voter's question, but didn't embrace the epithet. A few minutes later, he said he respected Clinton, a New York senator and colleague.
Aside from using Obama's middle name, [conservative radio host Bill] Cunningham also mocked the Illinois senator's foreign policy statements about his willingness to meet with the leaders of rogue nations. He said he envisions a future in which "the great prophet from Chicago takes the stand and the world leaders who want to kill us will simply be singing Kumbaya together around the table with Barack Obama."
These are the types of people that hurt the GOP.
Actually, these are the types of people who ARE the GOP....
Here's the video of Bill Cunningham on the Hannity and Colmes show last night. Funny stuff. Why does this guy scream all the time?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/27/bill-cunningham-defends-c_n_88739.html
Why does this guy scream all the time?
You mean like the Arthur Spooner character on "The King of Queens"? Probably because as George Carlin once said, those who know the least say it the loudest....
WHAT? HUH! YEA, I LIKE ICE CREAM! ;>)
I know Cunningham is demented but maybe he's hard of hearing too. ;>)
Cannon balls and bells...
Johnnie learned a lot from the way Duhhbya's surrogates slung slime at him in 2000. Like a cannon ball that's been fired or a bell that's been rung, the slime can't be unslung.
And, as long as you let someone else sling the slime, you can always disavow it later.
Or not.
TEST POST. My posts aren't showing up, so this is a test.
This is just the republican's SOP. Have one of your surrogates say something that you can't, and then denounce the person who said it...but the desired effect is achieved and the smear is out and being talked about in the corporate media.
Huh? Who's there? Did somebody say something?
;-)
Many of your conspiracy theories on this would be valid, except for the fact that McCain would never, ever have voluntarily put himself in a position opposed to a right-wing talk show host who unfortunately sways voters that he needs.
Well, if it was a "conspiracy", I would imagine one conspirator wouldn't turn on another conspirator because the whole thing went according to plan.
I'm not saying that it was necessarily that calculated, just that your point sort of defeats itself.
Cunningham denounces McCain in order to promote McCain? Doesn't sound very effective to me. I'd expect more of an admission that he (BC) was out of line, while continuing his act, and complimenting McCain for standing up to him.
Hypothetically, of course! ;0)