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 Their will to win has been replaced by political maneuvering and partisan politics."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

[dsmyre]

So any half-black guy is synonymous with Obama? Vote for Vin Diesel!

[Pjsandiego]

What is the point in saying this unless it was intended to suggest that Obama was just another black dude trying to make it in a white world. Get real. If you don't see how improper this statement was then you have a real big problem!

[lynnn]

It was snark!

[b2008]

No, any guy period, no matter what he's mixed with, CAN BE synonymous with Obama if he gets the education he would need to so be. What's your excuse?

[jozap]

I am getting really tired of everyone being so touchy about every word. Please let's just get over some of this.

I don't care if Tiger Wood is orange, he is a great golfer.
I don't care what color a kid playing in a tree is, that kid is actting like a monkey. That includes my own grandkids.
I don't care what color, race, religion, creed etc etc etc. We are all PEOPLE.

Can we please stop actting like victims of what ever anyone says?

[Pjsandiego]

So jozap explain what the point of the comment was. Nobody is being sensitive. You are just being stupid in not seeing how improper this was to say. Like who wouldn't want to be Tiger Woods. What was the point of the statement if it wasn't to suggest that Obama was just a black dude trying to make it in a white world. Bizarre!

[psfurlong356]

it's puzzling unless it is just what it seems. A lame attempt to minimize Obama as a black interloper in the political system, a fluke not to be taken seriously. The truth however is that Tiger and Barack are both amazing talents and one is already wildly successful and the other is on his way...

[stupidme]

What end of the rope was your ancestor on?

[alkamm]

What an poignant retort to jozap!

[jozap]

What end of the rope ... well I have lots of ends to my rope.

Mom's grandma married a native american. Mom's father's father was black. Then throw in some white people here and there.

In addition I was raised and live in an full intigrated enviroment.

Children are boys, girls or kids.
Teens are young women or men.

Why is it ok to call white kids monkeys then? Why are some words right or wrong depending on who you are talking to or about? Do we need to only use words that are not gender, age or action specific now?

[IslandGyal]

It's the "let" things go and don't worry about what people say, that allows racism and prejudice to cultivate and grow. It's the years of marginalizing others as monkeys, boys, kid, gal, girl that allows others to feel superiority, even if subtle, over others.

[dmj618]

And it's kind of easy for white people to say don't be sensitive and don't let it bother you when they don't have to put up with it day in and day out.

You know this was meant as a racial slur. It doesn't particularly work well since Tiger Woods is a winner, the best. So it just means the racist dude is an idiot, but he is still a racist.

[pilgrim7]

I have to agree with you on both points - Tiger is a superior human being no matter how you cut it. And since when do kids climbing on trees NOT remind us of monkeys, no matter what color the child is? Sounds like something me own Filipina mother would've said (and probably did), because if my own children had climbed trees I would've thought the same thing about them. I felt like a monkey when I was deftly climbing trees & hanging upside down on "monkey bars." I feel sorry for the Obama supporter who took a hit from her neighbor, which seems to be an ongoing spat between them. Her resignation had to be a heartwrenching decision for her and the Obama team. Life's complicated. Obama's race speech was sorely needed. A picture indeed says a thousand words. The picture of him and his grandmother on the bench with his grandfather said a lot about the love she had for Obama in how very unabashedly close she was sitting next to him, leaning against him and smiling with that familiar pride of a doting grandparent. (I imagine from the pictures that he was more like his grandfather than anyone, both in looks and spirit.) There's the subtlety of racism. Seems we all have a bit of it at times. We should own up to it when it crops up instead of going into denial and acknowledge that such feelings, at least from a moral standpoint, are wrong.

[b2008]

Truth does show its face every now and then. Thank you pilgrim7. But like I've said before, it's the MEDIA who are the bad guys. They want this discontent so we're not looking as they cover for Bush so he can sneak some more of our rights from under our noses. See the big picture, please.

[b2008]

There you go!

[ObamaSeeChange]

I don't get the comparison, my candidate is a scratch bowler not a golfer.....:) Pete Webber or his father would be a better Obama icon....:)

[b2008]

I don't see your comparison either. Obama certainly IS NOT A BOWLER! So what are you saying?

[Rockwell]

Sounds good to me! We've got Tiger Woods, they've got Archie Bunker.

[Pjsandiego]

Yeah, an old senile Archie Bunker. You know he's had a stroke don't you.

[SDgirl]

Yes! Tiger Woods, I guess that means we win.

[TinaFreeman]

Yes! You have your McCain, We have our Tiger Woods!

[LeftLeanWing]

So if Hillary is Rocky ( Balboa or the Flying Squirrel )

and

Barack is Tiger Woods

That means

McCain is Granpa Munster.

[Nommo]

Al "Grandpa" Lewis was a true progressive voice in these jaded and ugly times, his character deserves on comparison to McKook. "Grandpa" fought and for all kinds of people, victims of injustice all over. He made a huge noise for the people of Tulia, Tx, in their fight for justice. McWar is likely closer to C.H.U.D.

[TomWillis]

Dear God. Its only early april and the Repuplicans are already getting into their hate-mongering.
What can we expect come September??
These comments are not constructive political debate, it is merely seeking to insight distance between an American public and a fantastic Presidentail hopeful who needs their vote to bring change.
Precidents must be set, and mediators must be appointed or this thing could get messy.

[Sumocat]

I would rather be the Tiger Woods of anything than the John McCain of politics. One of the greatest athletes in the world, possibly the best golfer of all time. He's so good PGA Tour courses were reconfigured to slow him down (it's even called "Tiger-proofing") and he's still winning. I want to be that guy, not the guy opposing him.

[JonStewart4President]

Well that is an...interesting comparison to make, that's for sure.

But on the other hand, Tiger Woods is great at what he does. Started out very as something of a prodigy, the inexperience, cocky kid fighting against those with years of experience. Had to overcome barriers in a mostly white dominated field. Had to deal with his share of racism. And through it all, did very well for himself and became one of the best at what he did and did so with grace and likeability. So if Obama can be as successful at being POTUS as Tiger has at golf? Yeah, I'd be fine with that.

[Nommo]

Tiger started like a house on fire. Check his amatuer career. If that was all he did, no has yet to match that.

[OhMyGoodness]

Wait in an article over at CNN McCain is slamming Obama about his campaign apologizing about a comment made by an Obama supporter callin him a warmonger. But he laughs at a comment like this. This is starting to take it's toll on me. (the campaign).

[abot]

better get used to it. let the fun begin.

[Pjsandiego]

McCain is Mr. McStroke. What else would explains his continually bizarre statements. He's not a straight talker. He's a bitter old man with a bad temper, few actual qualifites as a leader and while a great hero, in no fashion whatsoever qualified to be the most powerful person on the planet.

[rojo7449]

Presumptive nominee.

[mrdontplay]

Tiger's a pretty damn good golfer.

This is the point people need to understand.

...Imagine if Tiger Woods was banned from the tour?

It does show the ignorance displayed by Mccain Mcbush and all the Mcpublicans.

[Canaris]

You heard that didn't you, you black people. Keep your Tiger Woods, we white folks got McCain!

*beats forehead on keyboard*

There's a voter Obama's never going to get. Makes his speech even more timely and relevant.

[Fitzy]

OMG..........that beats Bill Clinton's: "Don't forget, Jesse Jackson won South Carolina". That's probably THE most racist comment from any of the three campaigns. I'm sure McCain will respond.

[Pjsandiego]

Don't count on it.

[babybabybaby]

It's just the most racist you've heard.

[dotorfats]

if obama runs this country like tiger plays golf . will be in great shape. the pendulum is swinging and there scared , time to clean house congress and senate . dems will have total control and there scared so the mud will fly . obama is like the teflon don and there scared , peace out

[unsolved999]

I would watch it with the Tiger comments. He's not automatically an Obama supporter you know. But if you piss him off enough he might become one. We've already had the Oprah effect. Imagine what Tiger could do.

What am I saying??? Keep up the Tiger comments. The crowds LOVE it!!!

[vsign]

McCain has the real "audacity of hope" for hoping all those days in a Vietnam prison camp that he could one day be home.

Tiger Woods is recognized for who he is. A superior golf player who beats alot of - yes - old white men at their favorite sport.

After Iowa it was said on MSNBC that Obama was the Tiger Woods of the political game. It was part of how "the dream" was described.

And yet - others also brought up the concept and GOP ad-guru Alex Castellanos was quoted as saying - "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."

So when the opening act at a fundraiser for McCain says - "my two young boys will emulate and admire" Senator McCain. "You can have your Tiger Woods, we've got Senator McCain."

I think he is comparing a proven leader who has sacrificed as much as one man can for his country without dying for it - with the mere anticipation of a leader who plays a political game well. Obama is playing this primary game within the Democratic Party like it is a game - and winning is all that is necessary.

Winning is not all that is necessary to being a man his sons will emulate and admire. He will make sure they emulate and admire a man who has sacrificed as much as one man can for his country

[viewfromiowa]

Yes, he has sacrificed. He has also had a history of being physically and verbally abusive. A man to emulate? I don't think so.

[linchbell]

I thought McCain had wanted to run a respectful campaign. There goes that. Obama has been sure to remind anyone that takes a swipe at McCain personally that he is to be respected and only challenges him on the issues. I guess the "Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran" is respectful? Not to the families of the boys coming home in wheelchairs and coffins.

[peskyliberal]

Tell us when has Sen McCain showed leadership after being elected to public office?

When he voted against the Bush tax cut, then flip-flopped?
When he decided to use public campaign funds, then flip flopped?
When he stood up to the Religious Right, then begged for their endorsement (flip-flopped)

Please explain to us the leadership of John McCain.

[vsign]

None of that matters - It is sacrificing for one's country that Obama lacks.

It makes him a weak candidate compared to McCain and none of you can see it.

I don't understand why you don't get "sacrifice".... "for one's country".....?

[atila]

oh! thank you for the explanation but i don't buy it...

[LeftLeanWing]

So we should vote for McCain because he did 20 days of active duty and 5 years as a POW. ?

Sounds like a plan ...

[hannitizer]

Thank you!