McCain On Obama: "Clear Who Hamas Wants to be the Next President"

From The Weekly Standard's Michael Goldfarb:

McCain spoke with bloggers this morning on a number of issues ranging from William Ayers to Rev. Wright to Tony Rezko. Jennifer Rubin noted that Hamas had endorsed Senator Obama and asked McCain whether Obama might have given "an unhelpful signal" to the terrorist group. McCain's response:

All I can tell you Jennifer is that I think it's very clear who Hamas wants to be the next president of the United States. So apparently has Danny Ortega and several others. I think that people should understand that I will be Hamas's worst nightmare....If senator Obama is favored by Hamas I think people can make judgments accordingly.

Huffington Post's Will Thomas breaks down the truth behind McCain's fear mongering claims that Hamas supports Obama:

John McCain has repeatedly insisted in public that he wants to run a respectful campaign, but a recent fundraising email from his campaign suggests there will be nothing revolutionary about the Republican nominee's tactics this year.

McCain's deputy campaign manager, Christian Ferry, sent an email to donors today with the subject line: "Hamas Weighs In On U.S. Presidential Election." The email, which attacks Obama over his foreign policy stances, includes these paragraphs:

Barack Obama's foreign policy plans have even won him praise from Hamas leaders. Ahmed Yousef, chief political adviser to the Hamas Prime Minister said, "We like Mr. Obama and we hope he will win the election. He has a vision to change America."

We need change in America, but not the kind of change that wins kind words from Hamas, surrenders in Iraq and will hold unconditional talks with Iranian President Ahmadinejad.

The letter comes in response to this report of a Hamas leader speaking favorably about Barack Obama. The article -- though not the McCain campaign -- notes that Obama has condemned Hamas, repeatedly said that he would not meet with the terrorist organization, and also condemned former President Carter's decision to meet with Hamas leaders.

Contrast the fundraising letter to the praise McCain has won for statements about running a respectful campaign:

Sen. John McCain called Saturday for a presidential campaign that is more like a respectful argument among friends than a bitter clash of enemies, and said he is better able than either of his Democratic rivals to govern across party lines....

"It is more than appropriate, it is necessary that even in times of crisis, we fight among ourselves for the things we believe in," McCain said. "It is not just our right, but our civic and moral obligation."

"Let us exercise our responsibilities as free people. But let us remember we are not enemies," he added.

And speaking of former Rep. Morris Udall, McCain said:

"I intend to wage this campaign and to govern this country in a way that they would be proud of me."

McCain, in April, on running a "respectful campaign":

The subject arose when a questioner at Episcopal High School asked McCain whether the prospect of two senators running against each other in the fall might lead to less negativity.

McCain said he hopes so, adding that he respects both Obama and Clinton, and believes they respect him. "Americans want more respectful campaigns," he added.

And in January, a respectful McCain said:

"I'm going to raise the level of political dialog in America," McCain, R-Ariz., said at a campaign rally in central Michigan, "and I'm going to treat my opponents with respect and demand that they treat me with respect."

***UPDATE***
Spokesman Hari Sevugan responded to McCain's insinuations about Obama by pointing out that McCain may be going back on his pledge to run a positive campaign:

"We want to take Senator McCain at his word that he wants to run a respectful campaign, but that is becoming increasingly difficult when he continually tries to use the politics of association and makes claims he knows not to be true to advance his campaign."

Comments

[VivaZapata]

12:12 AM on 04/29/2008

just as clear who AIPAC wants as president. keeping taking that lobby money, johnny.

[desmirl]

10:56 PM on 04/28/2008

While McBombBomb was a captive of the North Vietnamese, HE COLLABORATED WITH THE ENEMY. Lots of our enemies who'd be more than happy if Senator John Eggo McCain became President.

[Janus]

01:00 PM on 04/27/2008

Responding to RedStateVoter's post at 513pm 4/25

Having been born in the Deep South of parents whose ancestry spanned generations of Southerners and my having relatives still in residence there, I know something about the place and about the Midwest, where I spent my 'teen years and completed my education, thanks to my father's career requirements.

I note your oblique reference to Obama's "bitter" remark. In your mind this says something about my political choice?

As to racism, I'll just refer you to the historical fact that in 1964 the sun set on the region filled as it was with Democrats and rose the next day filled with Republicans. LBJ himself correctly predicted it when he signed the Civil Rights Act that year. Further, you need only consult the foundation and purpose of the Southern Strategy born in the 60s and still very much alive and well. I strongly suspect that you know these things as fully as the rest of the Country does, and would not deny it.

I don't accept your suggestion that miscegenation is nonexistent in the South. Not everyone in the South listens to and obeys the tradition of Bob Jones University and the many televangelists who broadcast from Southern locations and who would never openly discuss this subject anywhere.

There was no change in the name of any company. It related to your hero's description of his show as being Excellence in Broadcasting.

Regarding your choosing residence in Bibleland, I say enjoy yourself.

[irishgawdess]

08:41 PM on 04/26/2008

To counter McCain and the Republican smear campaign, consider donating to MoveOn.org's political action campaign. They are implementing a "groundbreaking election program."

MoveOn's homepage: http://moveon.org/

Also, "10 Things to Know About John McCain": http://pol.moveon.org/mccain10/email.html?rc=homepage

[dezzertguy]

04:20 PM on 04/26/2008

How is this fear mongering? Obama has said many times he would talk to enemies of the US and try to find common ground. Of course, Hamas, Iran, No Korea any state that disagrees with current US policy would want Obama. That is a no brainer

[BlackmaninAmerica]

02:59 PM on 04/26/2008

McCain has fallen under the extreme right wing. The only way the GOP wins this year is by Americans falling for their game. If we do as Americans, we are in for devastation like never before. If McCain gets in office, our country will go down the tubes.

[standforpeace]

02:37 PM on 04/26/2008

Well never let it be said that there is any shame to the Republican game. Or that John McCain isn't just as slimey as the rest of them. Basically, the argument that the Republicans have been making since 9/11 is that the only valid response is a one party state governed by them. Because anything besides a vote for George Bush and now John McCain means that we are letting the terrorists win. So the only way to promote democracy abroad is to curtail it at home. Well I think that I will resist terrorism and celebrate what little democracy we have left here at home by making up my own mind which candidate and party will receive my support rather than relying on the unprincipled, self-interested, fear mongering of John McCain to dictate my choice.

[realtalk]

03:24 PM on 04/26/2008

John McCain is disgusting. Of all the political tricks played yet, THIS IS THE LOWEST !!!
I thought that Hillary's Bin Laden commercial was as low as it could go, (although I was not surprised to see such behaviour from Hillary), But I was shocked, and appalled, to see just how low McCain would sink, especially since he vowed that he would run a respectful campaign. McCain is a hypocrite, and someone who cannot be trusted to keep his word. He is just another Bush like politician, luckily he is showing us his true colors now.

[revolutionaryjerry]

01:05 PM on 04/26/2008

Yeah that's right McCain, Hamas wants Obama to win. Why? Not because they think he's soft, but because they can see that Sen. Obama is committed to diplomacy, and to finding real solutions when it comes to the many different conflicts facing the world. Oh, and we all get it tough guy, you're going to be Hamas's worst nightmare, because you're so big, bad, and scary. This tough guy rhetoric has gotten this country nowhere in case you haven't been paying attention. McCain will clearly be just a continuation of the Bush Administration and it's failed policies, no matter how hard he tries to distance himself from them. All that said, anyone who thinks Obama will be soft on terrorism is a fool. He will offer a different approach, seeing as fighting terrorists with a conventional military has proved to be a failure.

[ceasenake]

11:55 AM on 04/26/2008

They probably just like his name. What's nest Kim Jong Il's pick for president?

[tsloan]

11:48 AM on 04/26/2008

Is that the best grumpy McGoo can do?

[December7]

10:41 AM on 04/26/2008

Economic brainiacs endorse Obama - (Nobel Prize Economics 2001)
http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=9595dd85-2990-431d-9c6f-bf9c7eadac42

[munimula]

08:45 AM on 04/26/2008

It's clear who the neo-con warmongers want ot be president!

[stoneworks]

03:17 AM on 04/26/2008

Yeah!!! Tough guy!!!!

[jollyelle]

02:01 AM on 04/26/2008

He's our worst nightmare. Who needs peace when you can threaten, scare people and obliterate.
oh yeah, that was our other worst nightmare.

When are we going to be able to openly and sanely discuss our foreign policy with regards to Israel? Does the general public have to hear $$$$ figures in order to wake up? Okay, people you are all going to work every single day and paying your taxes so that we can give money to the 4th largest military INDUSTRIAL complex in the world. That 5 billion they request with no strings attached in given per request in one lump sum----but boil it down and that is 7 MILLION $$$$ A DAY! Yup.....
Until we can criticize the segregation and oppression that is occurring within that country and address the fact that many of our states are economically tied to the weapons industry and distribution of arms to others by Israel, we will continue to have national security problems and instability in the Middle East.

[PhoenixtheUndying]

02:56 AM on 04/26/2008

wait didnt similar people endorse bush in 04

[arocco]

01:54 AM on 04/26/2008

All mothers should understand that if McCain wins their sons will be off to war. McCain will have to institute a draft in order to support his war plans. The military does not have enough men and women to attack and occupy a country the size of Iran. Think about it, he will have three wars going at once! If you think he can get away with nuclear weapons, think again, there are two little countries who might have something to say about it, RUSSIA and CHINA. SO VOTE FOR McCAIN AND SEND YOUR SON OFF TO WAR!

[gonavy]

03:24 AM on 04/26/2008

Holy cow!! I can see the commercial now, a high school football team, the cheer leaders, then suddenly they are in uniforms...with GUNS!!!

Exactly who is doing the fear mongering here?

[deb3mscapecod]

03:50 AM on 04/26/2008

This isn't fear mongering. It is physically impossible for us to engage in another conflict. The Army is broken and that has been reported for awhile now. Remember, this is the guy who thinks Vietnam was a good idea. I was in the Army and I will tell you that men like McCain are usually the ones who feel all men should serve their country. Afterall nearly every male in his family had the honor. Honor, duty, country, the montra of the military academies. The joke will be on all the war lovers when they have to send their kids to the MEP stations for their physicals. Hopefully there will be no college deferments. Equal opportunity tragedy for all families. Maybe we can finally knock some sense into all these flag waivers. Bush didn't have the balls to do it but maverick McCain does. I bet my house on it.