McCain Speaker: Have Your Tiger Woods, We've Got McCain

At a campaign stop today, Sen. John McCain's introductory speaker took a sharp and potentially sensitive swipe at Sen. Barack Obama, saying that McCain was "the real audacity of hope" and not just a political "Tiger Woods."

Former Army Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, who introduced the Arizona senator at a Vets For Freedom rally, sought to contrast McCain's "lifetime of service to our nation" against the lack of resolve of his political opponents. And while he never addressed Obama by name, he did offer this nugget.

"Rest assured," he told the crowd, "that men like Senator McCain will be the goal and the men that my two young boys will emulate and admire. You can have your Tiger Woods, we've got Senator McCain."

The line, first reported by NBC and Hotline, received a loud roar from the crowd and, standing behind and to the left of Bellavia, McCain let out an approving laugh. But considering the rate at which Tiger Woods is winning golf tournaments these days, McCain's camp may be hoping the analogy doesn't prove true.

And considering the pins-and-needles environment that is the current political landscape, the comment has the potential of being interpreted as racially divisive.

That said, the Tiger Woods line has been deployed earlier in the campaign, by GOP ad-guru Alex Castellanos

"All the sudden you've got two dots, and two dots make a line," he was quoted as saying in Politico last month. "You start getting some sense of who he is, and it's not the Obama you thought. He's not the Tiger Woods of politics."

And on an Obama conference call today, Teamsters President James Hoffa mentioned Woods as well -- in a flattering manner: "With regard to his race, he's African American. I know he's of mixed race, but, you know, he's like a Tiger Woods. He's just a great person that's really excited a lot of people. We're not detecting a lot of discussion about his religion or his race here."

Perhaps of equal political significance was Bellavia's broad hit at the U.S. congress, which he accused of not having the conviction or courage to win the Iraq War.

"Our patriotism demands the just defense of our nation and the promotion of freedom and liberty in places where there is none," he said. "As a soldier it often appears that our civilian leadership in Congress gravely misunderstand the consequence of victory or defeat in Iraq and Afghanistan today. Their will to win has been replaced by political maneuvering and partisan politics."

Comments

[ckemp]

"You can have your Fuzzy Zoeller, we've got Senator Obama."

[WLA]

Damn. I just realized you beat me to this one. Cheers.

[ckemp]

Cheers back: I'm just thrilled to have company with long memories . . .

[signifyingnothing]

Cool. I'll take Tiger. He knows more about foreign policy and doesn't suffer from explosive PTSD bouts of unsolicited rage and violence.

[Chachi]

I have been on this site constantly telling people to not worry about being so politically correct and sensitive, and that every time a white person says a black person is articulate that this is not racist. That said, this Tiger Woods comment is ABSOLUTELY A RACIST COMMENT, and I can not believe this isn't on the front page of HuffPost towards the top.

Obama is 1/2 black, so this racist guy compares him to another 1/2 black (not sure exactly what Tiger's exact heritage is) celebrity. The analogy doesn't make sense any other way. There's no correlation whatsoever between Obama and golf or Obama and Tiger Woods except the fact that they're both part black. There's no analogy that can be drawn.

To think this is not racist you'd have to believe this guy would've said the same thing about John Edwards were he the front runner. Can you imagine this guy likening Edwards to Tiger Woods? Not in a million years, it would make no sense. In fact, he wouldn't have even made any analogy between Edwards and a white athlete. If Edwards was a phenomenon who was winning a lot do you think this guy would've compared him to Tom Brady or Peyton Manning?? Again, not in a milion years.

He singled out Obama and compared him to Tiger Woods because they are both black - or more accurately 1/2 black - people dominating an arena that's usually dominated by white people.

[Lap48]

"...He singled out Obama and compared him to Tiger Woods because they are both black - or more accurately 1/2 black - people dominating an arena that's usually dominated by white people."

Bingo....p­ut that one right up there alongside "maccaca" and you've got a great snapshot diptych of a significant part of the present day GOP.

[popozuda]

McCain and his like are dinosaurs facing extinction. They are the last of a breed of ignoramouses who will be easy to beat in November. What a stupid thing to say. It doesn't even make any sense, like most of their rhetoric. You sure can sense the hate in that douchebags voice though.

[beright]

Yet another attack on the credibility and authenticity of black intelligence. Why doesn't he just say "Barack and Tiger are the exceptional negroes of our day."? That's what this entire "Tiger" thing is about; it's about demeaning the intellectual prowess, and the concrete greatness of both Barack and Tiger as some sort of freak of nature - or better yet, a result of Affirmative Action and/or white guilt.

Each time Tiger and Barack exceed many white folks' view of their abilities, the bar is raised higher and higher. Talk about changing the goal posts!!!

Pretty soon folks will be asking, "yeah, but can Tiger or Barack walk on water?" I cease to be amazed at the foolhearted arrogance of some white folks.

[vsign]

I think we will need to wait until the basketball season is over.

We need to be able to criticize Obama as if he is a politician -

Running for the job with the most power over our money and military.

Obama said on Hardball on MSNBC that he wants to tear out the bowling alley and put in a basketball court.

I think he needs to build a megachurch arena for all those big speeches he'll be giving us when we no longer have jobs or money.

I need Hillary the public servant.

I don't need Obama the preacher.

[nk007]

vsign:

Obama has been a public servant all his life. While it is true that Clinton has also been a public servant, she took time off to be a corporate lawyer representing the Wal-Marts and other corporate clients that had absolutely nothing to do with the public interest. You can despise Obama all you want but I think it had to hide your biases when you call him a preacher who wants build a basketball court to replace a bowling alley. Just remember, as much as you love Clinton, she cannot be president without the support of those black basketball playing preachers. Bill Clinton lost the white vote twice and was elected president with overwhelming black support. So keep abusing and stereotyping black people and see if "Hillary the public servant" will be elected president. I know you are saying blacks have no where to go. I know many that would rather stay home than support a candidate who is supported by people like you who have absolutely no respect for black intellect.

[WLA]

The country is growing up, vsign. Don't hold it back.

[ccmd]

"Tiger Woods" eh?? Ok. Keep em' coming...

[Hueman]

I agree to not call everything said "Black" racist. He is actually complimenting Obama. Tiger is an out of this world golfer and Obama is that in politics. It intially strikes a cord, but that is the beauty of inner strength..­.. To think intelligently about things instead of feeding into how racism, which has poisined our minds! Now what Bill Clinton said was somewhat racist!

[Lap48]

He may have ended up complimenting Obama, but that is not what he set out to do. That was another maccaca moment for a Republican who is a Republican because the world his parents taught him was ideal, and the last vestiges of which he glimpsed as a kid, are gone. It's also the reason why he's tone deaf.

He wasn't hammered because of his clumsy application of the analogy but, make no mistake, a more intelligent person saw it for the potentially idiotic youtube moment that it was--hence, Lindsey Graham graciously providing the net for Bellavia's potentially hard landing when he referred to his having such a desire to play a round with Tiger Woods that he'd throw the election for a chance at it. Graham may be many things but one thing he isn't is stupid.

[amanda08]

That’s ok we love Tiger he’s a Champion!!!! So, what the McCain’s supporters are saying is: “He’s a winner”!!!

[abellofgrace]

i just wish people would stop being so freakinfg sensitive and stop calling statements racist. Tiger Woods is a professional and successful golf player who has exceeded many players, so I actually thought it was not insulting. I have noticed that since race have been injected into these campaigns, it's rather sickening, at least to me it is. And you wonder why we can't move on.

[2008andbeyond]

It wasn't racist but it was meant to be a racialized insult. He was too dumb to understand that it's actually a compliment toward Obama and a dig at McCain, seeing as how Tiger is a dominant winner who is currently the most successful athlete. It shows how ignorant he is; his race focused humor actually is an insult toward the guy he's endorsing.

[dmj618]

Are you saying that this guy meant it as a compliment to Obama? It's not being sensitive if he is meaning it as a slur and you know that he is. It's just that the man is a stupid oaf who doesn't realize that by only looking at Tiger Woods mixed race he's just compared Obama to a winner, which makes his guy a.....L.O.­S.E.R!

[b2008]

I'm sure most Blacks didn't take it racially at all. It was a compliment because Tiger is the best at what he does and Obama will be the best at what he does. I'm sure McCain will soon find that out. But we've got to get away from this "racial" inuendos quickly. And as you can see, it all stems from THE MEDIA! So we can't blame anyone but them for divisive tactics to keep the people fighting among themselves so we won't have time to demand the TRUTH from them as we should. That's all it is, a diversion tactic.

[TIMEATELL]

What makes you so sure? I'm black and I was offended. 1/1.

[melonman]

OK, you tell me because I don't get it.

What was the guy's point in saying that?

[Toerag]

Tiger exceeded many players?

No, no. Tiger exceeds ALL players. Ever. It was definately not an insult. I'm not sure what Bellavia was trying to get across to the listener, but it didn't work. His intent may have been race-baiting, but I don't think it really matters.

[earnesttruthseeker]

I'm reminded of a line Denzel had in a movie: "You're stupid enough to think that's an insult."

Anyway, UNLESS it was a slur of some sort - I have no idea what the comment was supposed to mean. Odd. The only meaning you could take is that half black men are interchangeable. Unless he meant to point out the obvious comparisons with Tiger on class, charm, being at the top of their game, poise, intelligence and grace?

[folksonomy]

This is exactly what I thought as well, including the Denzel line...I think it's from the movie "The Siege"?

Also, is that JR Ewing in the back of the speaker wearing the black 10-gallon hat?

[b2008]

Great response! But it's the MEDIA who thinks we're stupid enough to think that's an insult. That's what we've got to realize. Their whole tactic is DIVIDE AND CONQUER, Bush's mantra.

[peskyliberal]

Great line for a great, underrated movie, "The Seige"

Creepy how relevent the movie is today.

[Lap48]

I've noticed the same thing...th­at movie was ahead of its time and I constantly find myself referencing it.

[lumpyspun]

Is it just me or does this horse's ass look like George Allen?
He acts like George Allen too.

He's probably unemployed like George Allen too.

I love dudes who get out of the Army, while they are still obviously of age to be in the Army, and then tell everyone how great the war in Iraq is.

[robbie]

Look at all the white folks! Hmmm. "Vets for Freedom" Maybe they should call themselves the "Rich White Repulicans for Freedom" since they'll do their best to screw real vets.

Actually, the Tiger Woods comment is funny when you think about it: Tiger Woods is the best golfer of all time so I'm sure Obama will seriously wipe the floor with McCain.

[Sylmason]

__________­__________­_
Poor America! We are sick people. Please God don't damn America.

[BARRISTER]

Slymason: You mean any more than He has already Damned it??

[b2008]

He already has, if we don't wake up and see what our government is doing to us by making us HATE EACH OTHER instead of them! They are the ones we need to scorn, not the candidates.

[kellygrrrl]

not to get technical or anything - but Tiger Woods is Asian. But we'll gladly take the endorsement. Thanks!

[ZimboChick]

hehehehehe Tiger is Asian? Why is everyone so afraid to be black? We are really nice people and we think we are the next best thing after sliced bread - just like you .....at least I AM! I admire Barack. He does not for a minute disown his white side but he does not kid himself either that he is white. He knows the deal. As long long as you have a fro....u are a brother (does not apply to the joggershort toting exercise guru ;) Tiger's mother is Asian - he isnt - just half. The white folks see him as what he is.... black. Black is beautiful - love yourselves.

[Toerag]

Kind of. He's bi-racial: half Thai-American, half African-American, 100% kick ass golfer.

[cmbaldwin]

I'd like to take one of Tiger's golf clubs and smack this guy on the back of the head. What an ass and an opportunist. He probably only said it to get a little press coverage and donations to his organization.