Media uncritically report McCain surprised by Cunningham's remarks despite Cunningham's history of using Obama's middle name
SUMMARY: NBC's Kelly O'Donnell and CNN's John King asserted that Sen. John McCain was surprised by conservative radio talk-show host Bill Cunningham's controversial remarks about Sen. Barack Obama at a February 26 McCain rally, failing to note that Cunningham has previously referred to Obama as "Barack Hussein Obama" and "Barack Mohammed Hussein Obama." Fox News' Molly Henneberg suggested McCain could not have expected Cunningham to refer to Obama's middle name, even though Cunningham did just that on Fox News a month ago.
In February 26 reports, NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent Kelly O'Donnell and CNN chief national correspondent John King asserted that Sen. John McCain was surprised by conservative radio talk-show host Bill Cunningham's remarks at a February 26 McCain rally, including Cunningham's repeated use of Sen. Barack Obama's middle name, Hussein, but did not note that Cunningham has previously referred to Obama as "Barack Hussein Obama" and "Barack Mohammed Hussein Obama," as Media Matters for America has documented. Rather, the reports noted only that Cunningham was known to be "controvers[ial]." Fox News correspondent Molly Henneberg also suggested McCain could not have expected Cunningham to refer to Obama's middle name, even though Cunningham did just that on Fox News on January 27.
On NBC's Nightly News, O'Donnell said: "McCain acknowledged that the shock jock's appearance was coordinated by his campaign, and although Cunningham has a well-publicized reputation for making controversial comments, McCain advisers say they did not know in advance what Cunningham would say." On The Situation Room, host Wolf Blitzer asked King: "Was the McCain camp blindsided by this radio talk-show host's introduction of the Republican candidate, John?" King replied: "Well, Wolf, the campaign says he was blindsided, that he had no idea that the talk-show host was even part of the program, let alone that he was going to say controversial things. Now, locals here say the talk show host in question is a magnet for controversy." On Special Report, Henneberg said, "Little did Senator John McCain know, as his bus pulled up outside of an event site in Cincinnati, Ohio, that inside one of the warm-up speakers was going way off message " and then noted that "Cunningham emphasized Obama's middle name at least three times."
In addition, King reported on The Situation Room that Cunningham provided "an instant headache for a candidate who every day promises a respectful tone," while on Special Report, anchor Brit Hume introduced Henneberg's report by stating, "If Republican presidential candidate John McCain has his way, he says his eventual race against the Democratic nominee would be both civil and respectful." But neither noted that McCain did not denounce a question asked by a voter in South Carolina in November, in which she referred to Sen. Hillary Clinton as a "bitch"; rather, McCain called her question -- "How do we beat the bitch?" -- an "excellent" one. In addition, at an October event, McCain referred to a nursing school training mannequin as "Hillary." Nor did King or Hume mention that McCain apparently has yet to address remarks by another of his supporters, former Rep. Rob Portman (R-OH), who praised Cunningham after Cunningham spoke about Obama at the February 26 McCain rally. The Associated Press reported:
As Cunningham finished, Portman, who is mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate, took the microphone to introduce McCain.
"Willie, you're out of control again. So, what else is new? But we love him," Portman said. "But I've got to tell you, Bill Cunningham lending his voice to this campaign is extremely important. He did it in 2000, he did it in 2004. It was crucial to victory then and it's even more important this year with his bigger radio audience. So, Bill Cunningham, thank you for lending your voice."
Speaking to reporters later alongside McCain, Portman said: "I was backstage so I didn't hear everything he said. Bill Cunningham is a radio talk show host who is often controversial so it does not surprise me that he was controversial." He added: "That's, I guess, how he makes his living."
From the February 26 edition of CNN's The Situation Room:
BLITZER: It was supposed to be a rousing warm-up for a John McCain event in Cincinnati. Instead, it turned into a tirade against Barack Obama, repeatedly stressing the Democrat's middle name, Hussein, in a disparaging way. And it was a stark reminder of a potentially very ugly side to a campaign, despite McCain's very quick and adamant apology.
Let's go to our chief national correspondent, John King. He's watching the story for us. Was the McCain camp blindsided by this radio talk-show host's introduction of the Republican candidate, John?
KING: Well, Wolf, the campaign says he was blindsided, that he had no idea that the talk-show host was even part of the program, let alone that he was going to say controversial things. Now, locals here say the talk-show host in question is a magnet for controversy. But Wolf, it is safe to know this: When the warm-up act is getting the headlines, it's a sign of trouble.
[begin video clip]
KING: At first glance, perhaps a sign of progress -- a conservative radio talk-show host on hand to support John McCain.
CUNNINGHAM: All is going to be right with the world when 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 of Barack Obama.
KING: Bill Cunningham is a local legend in Cincinnati --
CUNNINGHAM: Well, my fellow Americans, now we have a hack Chicago-style Daley politician who's picturing himself as change.
KING: -- and an instant headache for a candidate who every day promises a respectful tone.
CUNNINGHAM: It's going to peel the bark off Barack Hussein Obama. That day will come. At some point the media will quit taking sides in this thing and maybe start covering Barack Hussein Obama.
KING: Senator McCain was on his bus at the time, planning to focus his day on the economy and national security.
From the February 26 edition of Fox News' Special Report with Brit Hume:
HUME: If Republican presidential candidate John McCain has his way, he says his eventual race against the Democratic nominee would be both civil and respectful. For that reason today, McCain moved quickly to distance himself from some remarks made at an Ohio campaign event that many considered neither civil nor respectful. Correspondent Molly Henneberg reports.
[begin video clip]
HENNEBERG: Little did Senator John McCain know, as his bus pulled up outside of an event site in Cincinnati, Ohio, that inside, one of the warm-up speakers was going way off message. Bill Cunningham, a local conservative radio talk-show host, slammed Senator Barack Obama.
CUNNINGHAM: We have a hack Chicago-style Daley politician who's picturing himself as change. When he gets done with you, all you're going to have in your pocket is change.
HENNEBERG: Cunningham emphasized Obama's middle name at least three times, in this instance saying the mainstream media soon will --
CUNNINGHAM: Peel the bark off Barack Hussein Obama. That day will come. Then you'll know the truth about his business dealings --
HENNEBERG: And he even went after former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in a comparison with the current secretary.
CUNNINGHAM: How about Condoleezza Rice and Madeleine Albright, who looks like death warmed over. I think there's a difference between Condi and Madeleine.
HENNEBERG: McCain heard none of it. When he entered the event, former Ohio congressman and possible vice presidential contender Rob Portman was introducing him. But aides filled him in later and he quickly distanced himself from Cunningham's remarks.
From the February 26 edition of NBC's Nightly News with Brian Williams:
O'DONNELL: After the event, McCain tried to quickly undo any damage.
McCAIN [video clip]: And I absolutely repudiate such comments. And again, I will take responsibility. It will never happen again. It will never happen again.
O'DONNELL: McCain acknowledged that the shock jock's appearance was coordinated by his campaign. And although Cunningham has a well-publicized reputation for making controversial comments, McCain advisers say they did not know in advance what Cunningham would say.
And Brian, Senator Obama heard about all of this and said he appreciated Senator McCain's apology. And, of course, this overshadowed much of what McCain wanted to be talking about today. And that radio host went on the air. He remained unapologetic and turned against McCain.
The McCain campaign was well aware of what Cunningham was going to say. This was a staged event to enhance McCain's false PR constructed image as the "straight-talking moderate maverick" non-Republican Republican. It's not plausible they didn't know. The Republicans will be pulling a lot of this good cop bad cop routine as McCain's henchmen and Corporate Media shills ruthlessly smear the Democratic nominee while McCain pretends to be above the fray.
Bill Cunningham says McCain campaign told him to throw out the Red Meat during intro."Good cop..bad cop"
This is an excellent point and I believe you are right you will see this ploy again.
SNOOPY,
I think it would be wise for all of us to stop calling this type of trash: Bush tactics and call them what they are..... right-wing corporate backed sleeze attacks and smear/whisper campaigns!
These types of underhanded attacks have been around long before Bush or Rove were around and while the shoe has fit during the last 8 years, it isn't Bush that is running for the Repubs, it is McCave....er McCain
I would also advise mightily to the Obama and more to the Hillary camps to stop going in this direction.... we the 'mythical' little people are sick and tired of being sick and tired of underhanded attacks and smears against eachother and as tempting as it may be to do this to McCain, don't!
We must be the better party!
I don't see the big issue with the middle name. Republicans using it as a weapon can be very annoying but I don't understand the misinformation aspect of it. I see how it could work on simpleton minds that vote Republican but that will be a limited amount in November. I guess my point is we as liberals, or whatever you call yourself, have to have more faith in the majority of the American people. John Fitzgerald Jennedy, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Richard Milhouse Nixon, GHWB, William Jefferson Clinton and George Walker Bush. Middle names are as much a part of a president as their initiatives, it seems. Why not embrace the fact that America will elect, without hang ups, not only a man of color but a man with a name that is much more popular in the world than Herbert or Walker is in the US. I mean that in the sense that Americans hear the word Hussein and immediately think Saddam. Let's embrace Obama's middle name so we immediatley think "our president". PS:I still love Hillary.
Seeryer,
I too see nothing wrong in calling Barak Obama by his full name. Heck, Barak and Obama are as unusual as Hussein. I don't see the difference. I lightheartedly referred to Obama as Hussein a while back and was met with the standard derision. I usually refer to Hillary as just that, but have no problem with Rodham. :-) Heck, a name is a name.
People like Cunningham include Obama's middle name mainly just to tweak liberals, like they tweaked John Francois Kerry. So many here fall for it every time. If anyone mistakenly thinks BHO is a muslim because of his name, they simply have not been paying attention. They wouldn't be voting for him anyway.
To repeatedly bring up the use of Hussein as supposedly right wing misinformation is simply trying to make the middle name part of the 'off limits' group of words in the liberal PC dictionary. The more lefties object, the more righties will tweak them with it.
Puh-leeze. What the guy said was wrong, but the media going nuts over this Bill Cunningham thing is a joke.
Who (besides his 19 listeners) ever heard of Bill Cunningham before this?? In the Talkers magazine 2008 "Heavy 100," he checks in at a number 69, where he's outranked by folks by the name of "Don & Mike," "Jim Gearhart," "Boomer & Carton," and "Phil Valentine." (list)
C'mon, now. The media reporting this episode so much is another great example of the liberal bias in the media.
Puh-leeze. What the guy said was wrong, but the media going nuts over this Bill Cunningham thing is a joke.
And that is the way McCain's campaign wants it so he can be seen as a stand up guy. The story only serves to hold up the image of Obama as his middle name "showing him to be the Muslim he is" for a certain segment of his detactors. McCain only has to bask in the light of his magnamious gesture. It is a win-win for McCain and by extension the GOP. Liberal bias -- funny.
SHOES: C'mon, now. The media reporting this episode so much is another great example of the liberal bias in the media.
Your disgust with the overkill is well warranted – the focus of you angst is not. You can repeat the “liberal bias” myth all you want but the only reason you hear this “so much” is because cable news networks have 24 hours to kill with about 15 minutes of real news. If it was a McCain smear, you wouldn’t be complaining about it “so much”, I’m sure.
Was he heard only by 'all the 19' of his listeners? NO.
your point is invalid
Media Matters for some reason expects that John McCain, a man who is very busy running for president and being a senator, had not only sat down and heard Cunningham's radio show, but also stayed tuned up to the exact moment that Cunningham used "Hussein" on Obama.
Talk about high expectations.
I'm sure McCain has no idea who's warming up the crowd for him, and the GOP puts very little thought into these things.<sarcasm>
But let some college intern on one of the Dems campaigns, working in a remote office, or on a blog, put something half this meaty out there, and watch the "liberal media" go to town on it.
And that intern doesn't get to go on prime-time cable the next few nights to explain theirselves with the help of Sean Hannity. (Cunningham was on H&C tonight, I didn't realize from the bits here what an utter moron he is, not even a good propagandist) Hannity almost looked bright as he walked Cunningham through his rationalizations.
I also assume he was too busy being Senator and running for president to think about Farrakhan endorsing him without being asked.
That's why Obama hasn't been questioned about it and commentators haven't tried to paint him as a racist, right?
As far as I know Obama never paid Farrakhan a cent for any services rendered.
The same is not true of the McCain and Bill Cunningham.
Who is more culpable?
Media Matters for some reason expects that John McCain, a man who is very busy running for president and being a senator, had not only sat down and heard Cunningham's radio show, but also stayed tuned up to the exact moment that Cunningham used "Hussein" on Obama.
Talk about high expectations.
Whoever organized that event for McCain and invited Cunningham to speak bears the responsibility for what Cunningham said. And it's safe to assume that the local people knew what Cunningham would say, since he seems to be in the habit os using Obama's middle name quite frequently.
So it would be very easy for McCain to have heard Cunningham use "Hussein" when referring to Obama. And if he didn't know about it ahead of time, someone connected with his campaign did.
Um....SEEKER,
I wonder..... would be so kind to Obama or Clinton if the exact same thing had happened to them?
You would be willing to put either side on the same pedestal.... right?
Or is this only defendable by you if it's a conservative or Republican?
It is a little implausible that McCain never heard of this guy, and was uninformed in terms of how he behaves, and so on. I live in philly and have heard of him, and mccain's much more in tune with politics than I.
However, the reason I think that it is somewhat plausible is because why would Mccain again want to start a war with the far right when they were coming on board? I mean, after the nytimes story they all were warming up to him, and now this. Had he known beforehand of the good chance that he'd have to denounce (or reject) this guy, I don't know what he'd have to gain by inviting him. It seems like a risky way to try to shore up support from moderates.
Thomp,
It could be that McCain had been told this guy was a crowd pleaser but had no idea how bizarre a jerk he was. And quite frankly IF all the Right has is referring to Obama as Barack HUSSEIN Obama, then I would tell the Left to relax. Chances are if folks are turned off by Hussein, they were also not too comfortable with BARACK or OBAMA either. Another words it's not gonna change anyone's mind.
Further more, I really doubt that this whole thing was staged. Yeah just what McCain wants, to piss off another Right-Wing radio host. Let's get real.
Of course many of my otherwise reasonable Left leaning cyber-buds here do seem to love a good conspiracy.
I would suggest the Dems worry more about the spilt between the Obamabots & Clintonites. Should that race go all the way to the convention & not be settled the way one or the other group likes, it could result in a huge split in the party. Now I doubt any of them would wander over to McCain's side, but some might sit the election out. Which would give the election to McCain.
Jeter,
You make great points, and it's absolutely logical to believe that there is no reason for McCain to further irritate these rightwing radio hosts any further. Actually, Cunningham and the rest are just whining babies for going off on McCain about this, and the media certainly has taken off with it to try and fuel the flames of the McCain/conservative battle.
But give the benefit of the doubt to McCain on this for being so public in his denouncing of Cunningham and his schtick on Obama. I say good for him, for standing up to these blowhard talk show hosts, even if it may be some ploy, which I don't think it is.
As for the middle name Hussein thing, I agree with you. It's time the left stops freaking out about it every time it's uttered. Yes, the right is doing it for the obvious reasons, and it's sickening, but they will not stop as long as it's gets under the left's skin - better to shrug it off and say whatever, that way it may stop.
Tommy, don't go changing, I know this is your thing, but...
What you describe as "freaking out" is simply pointing out the stoopidity and desperation of this obsession with the name "Hussein".
Your advice to just ignore everything is appreciated, as always, but understand, many will exercise that same "freedom to ignore" regarding your helpful advice.
No freaking out. Simply pointing out. Enjoying it to a certain extent.It's having a laugh that this is all they have, and possibly waking up a few along the way who may have been scared or fooled by this trivial nonsense.
You know, I don't think it's so much the "left" as it is a fabricated story that keeps cropping up in the MSM. Personally, I don't like it because it's logically flawed. I mean, John Walker Lindh fought for the Taliban, and Bush's middle name is Walker, so according to this logic, one could assume that Bush is a terrorist. As much as I dislike Bush, it's still absurd.
But really, it's a vicious circle. Right wing bloviator uses his middle name as a wink wink to tie him to terrorism, the main stream media picks up on it, the left gets mad, then the right does it again to make the left mad, starting it all over again.
I agree the left should stop being so touchy about it, but I don't think the circle can break because no one's willing to give it up.
It's sad that our politics have come to this.
DB,
I agree. And despite the Colonel's knee jerk reaction and his useless sarcasm, if the left shrugs it off as no big deal, whatever effectiveness it has, will become impotent. When you know your opponent is unfazed by the needling, what is the point to continue? None. As long as the left stomps it's feet everytime Obama's middle name is said by some rightwinger, it only emboldens them to keep at it.
My hope is that McCain puts his money where his mouth is and refuses to sink to the level of many in his conservative base where this is concerned. If he doesn't dignify it, maybe it will just peter out and become tired and boring. And then the issues will be the focus, which is what they should be.
Col. does have a point though. Though there are some who are actually "freaking out," most of us simply just want to point out how absurd it is.
And it's definitely made a difference to people. Just look on the thread about Gretchen Carlson calling Obama a Muslim. One of the posters a little ways down, can't remember the name, said he could never vote for someone with a name that reminds him of 9/11. And then calls him a Muslim. I doubt he checked back on his comment to read the replies, but he needs convincing that 1. Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11, and 2. Obama is not a Muslim. It's just going to drive him away further if every time he reads about Obama, his middle name is used as a sly dig to tie him to terrorism.
But alas, I wish we didn't have to defend such banalities of the campaign season. If you want a really good insight into the nonsensical modern political campaign process, watch last night's Daily Show interview. He had an author on who wrote about the Lincoln-Douglas debates for the Illinois senate. It was really telling.
I have much confidence in Obama's handling of his "middle name issue" should the situation present itself to him. He is very skillful and capable of not sinking to these levels and throwing this kind of stuff back in their faces, by showing how ridiculous and irrelevant it really is.
But Jeter makes a good point, those that won't vote for Obama because his middle name is Hussein probably would never have even considered him in the first place.
"But Jeter makes a good point, those that won't vote for Obama because his middle name is Hussein probably would never have even considered him in the first place."
Agreed.
Tommy,
I started reading this thread and stopped to comment on what I thought was an excellent post by seeryer back on page one.
I agree wholeheartedly that if one was going to not vote for Obama because of his middle name, that person was not going to vote for Obama to begin with.
As for those questioning who is Billy Cunningham, he is a lawyer turned talk show jock in Cincinnati. I used to hear him years ago on WLW 700 am. I don't listen anymore so I am not sure if he is still there, but I believe he is still in the Cinci area.
Tommy, the middle name isn't being used to "freak out" (your view) or "tweak" (AA's view) anybody on the left except for maybe a few outspoken oversensitive types. The purpose is to "freak out" and "tweak" ultraconservatives who might find it scary. I appreciate that it's being done, it's an opportunity to get the facts to the uninformed, at least those who are open to facts.
I think you're smart enough to realize this, AnotherAmerican may not quite get this, as he seems pretty brainwashed.
You are both right, however, in thinking that chanting the name "Hussein" is unlikely to deter somebody who is planning to vote for Obama from doing so. I don't think anybody has argued that.
It's partly a distraction from issues, and partly aimed at what is probably a very small group of likely Republican voters, I would guess made up of elderly, hyper-religious and extremely uninformed types who may be motivated to vote by the threat of that scary name.
"Hussein" is Obama's middle name. Glad they're saying it now, some of the less-ignorant may still have a chance to overcome their emotions and make an informed decision.
"And despite the Colonel's knee jerk reaction..."
Not sure what you're referring to, I'd say my point was pretty well thought out.Yours, on the other hand, seems to be adhering pretty tightly to the knee-jerk media response
"..and his useless sarcasm"
Useless? Not if you get it.and as long as it freaks you out, and tweaks you, it's fun for me.And isn't that what it's all about?
Just kidding, I don't write anything here just to annoy people.There is a point to my comments, it's only useless if you really want to ignore it.
Actually, the only people who think it's an issue at all is MMFA. Using the guy's middle name is not misinformation or hateful. I don't know if MMFA was around for the 2004 elections, but wow...in the past couple months I've witnessed this site shift from a conservative hating/gay rights page to a full out left wing election propaganda tool to make apologies for obama.
It's a dangerous game though...Hillary set this site up, and it has failed to get her where she needs to be. Now, MMFA is going turncoat for obama. What are you guys going to do if Hillary pulls her money out of here and the site goes under?
..in real news:Ashcroft Agrees to Congressional Smoke and Mirrors Session
The man who insisted the 2001 Anthrax Attacks had at least one most remarkable "person of interest" Stephen J. Hatfill, will instead pay a penance to the empire for some trivial consultancy relations with a company that offers its customers kickbacks.
Kind of going a long way to obstruct with more fiddle-dee-dee. Your government taxes hard at work protecting your lives and families...
(page 4 of pdf article)
http://www.freewebs.com/writingindependence/PostAnthrax04.pdf
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http://www.freewebs.com/writingindependence/main.htm
I just signed up and I wonder why everyone here is so angry. Did anyone ask Mr. Obama if he cares that they use his whole name? Can't we just try being nice?
I agree with the poster above. There are spinners for every side (this site is one of them)and less than honest reporters, commentators and editors abound but what bothers me most is the inability for people to speak the truth these days. If that is his name then complain to his parents. If he is ashame of it, he should change it. Get over it. It is what it is. If you are offender by that it is really a matter more of your perspective than anything else. It is just like the race/gender issue that is running under this whole thing. I find it quite unsettling that in interview after interview you hear people so happy and energetic to support an "african american" or female canidate with the inference that they will support them because of that status and everyone is completely fine wiht that but if someone were to say that they would not support support the same because of thier race or gender they would be run out of town, tarred and feathered etc....Honesty has no place in America anymore