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....

Story continues below

advertisement

"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

[kmam101]

So the Mccain says the I'm gonna scare them, like that's gonna work against people who are willing to die...

[WHusseinLA]

The people that buy that are the people that think war is like "Rambo."

[bayman]

What a pathetic argument from McSame. OK, let's play it your way. The KKK wants McSame to win. How about that?

[kawika]

It is clear...If I were anti-american and/or an extremist I would want America to elect anyone but OBAMA...It would make any anti-American happy to have America as a fundraising and recruitment tool. Way to go Hill and McCain...
You're playing right into their trap...
We don't get it...7 years and no coherent plan...

[MelArawak]

I seriously doubt you believe this but certainly it is epedient to say this to scare up some votes. Too many folks act like neocon sheep dogs. Who gives a rats arse what Hamas wants. Senator Obama has clearly expressed his views on Hamas, terrorism and support for Israel, as well as for an internationalism that includes public diplomacy. What is so amazing is how close-minded so many Americans have become, particularly those whose intolerance trumps commonsense.

I strongly recommend folks check out the article, "Disappointing the World: Does international enthusiasm for Barack Obama hurt him?" By Shmuel Rosner Slate.comm, Wed, 9 April 2008). Almost 2-1 world opinion favours Obama so perhaps it is no surprise that even this guy does. But to try and use this as a smear. How silly and embarrassing. It shows Sen McCain does not think Americans are critical thinkers; he is patronizing and thinks folks will fall for any kind of mass hysteria. Its a disgrace and he is a liar. He claimed he was going to run a respectful campaign. But McCain's campaign tactics put him in line with those of Putin and Robert Mugabe.

We'll welcome back McCarthy! This is America 2008 and we need a new witch-hunt.

[SCG2]

Not to mention bankrupting the country...­.when McFool says the gates of h*ll he means it, fasten your seat belts, and wave your flags..... the curve is out on the roller coaster...­...

[SpinCycleRadio]

The entire blogosphere should be emarrased by this.

We complain about ABCs elevating gotcha over issue in its debate questions, we rail about the MSM's compliant posture towards candidates and fluffy pieces. Then these bloggers are handed the holy grail of campaign journalism, a personal interview with the candidate himself, and they serve up even more ridiculously slanted questions on the very same topics.

They are a disgrace to the blogosphere as a whole.

[SCG2]

All Barack has to do, is take this entire mess that the country is in, and wipe all up with one mop labeled "Republica­n"....and repeat that refrain as often as he's said "yes we can". They only respect power, not goodwill or common fate.

[kay]

I think he's back on track.

He's just hitting issues, while Clinton drones on and on about electoral process, and, well, HERSELF, and McCain slings this garbage.

I don't know. There's a choice. We can talk about trade with China with Obama, or we can talk with Clinton campaign consultants about the latest polls, or we can listen to this old fool play Karl Rove.

I'd rather talk about China, and how it came to pass that they own my country.

[SCG2]

Kay, part of me is not too worried, Obama has used "rope a dope" on his opponents before....­they all circle around sniping, then he steps over them. They'll make their own bed, as Hillary found out with her backfired snide attacks. Recall the debates when for weeks he layed low, letting the spotlight go to others. Then in a one on one with Hillary, the polished serious debater came out, a performance not seen since Kennedy.

[jpshotwheels]

Don't worry John McCain won't remember what he said today on Monday. He couldn't remember what he said in New Orleans a couple days ago.

The only thing this man knows is the Military, if you want him as a President, our economy will go straight down the tubes, its about there now, but remember McCain knows nothing about economics.

Now if you want this angry, hot tempered man, in charge of the Nuclear Button be my guest.

He just gave Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'reilly, and Sean Hannity something to talk about again for the next 3 months, over and over again. Well at least we won't have to hear them talk about Rev. Wright anymore.

[Podewumun]

I almost feel bad for John McCain.

First his own party tosses him aside in favor of a preening, alcoholic frat boy, George W. Bush. Then Bush's butt buddy, Karl Rove, rubs salt into the wound by insulting McCain's wife and child, and questioning his patriotic credentials.
And now, after eight years of playing Bush's beeotch, he's finally being asked by his party to run for President of an America on the brink of ruin, and restore her to prosperity, all the while knowing he lacks the tools, the support of the people he'll be governing, or the backing of his own party to do so.

I don't like John McCain.
I would never vote for John McCain.
Still, I can't help but feel sorry for him.
He's being thrown to the lions by his own imperial masters.

[BWonka]

They did the same with Bob Dole in '96 when they knew they weren't going to win.

[WHusseinLA]

Exactly. It's like the lifetime achievement award that goes to the guy who never won an oscar.

[shockmagog]

'(right wing talk radio host Dennis)PRAGER: No, I’m only trying to understand that in the case of New Orleans, you do feel that God’s hand was in it because of a sinful city?'

'HAGEE: That it was a city that was planning a sinful conduct, yes.'

'Unconvinced by Hagee’s explanation, Prager said “frankly” that critics “can get you” for those comments “because people don’t like to hear that sort of thing.”'
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/23/hagee-katrina-mccain/

Then:

'New Orelans, LA — Rev. John Hagee’s view that Hurricane Katrina was punishment for the sins of New Orleans residents is “nonsense,” McCain said at least nine times aboard his bus today.'

'The DNC has been calling on McCain to specifically condemn those remarks for weeks even though the GOP presumptive nominee has previously rebuked other controversial Hagee remarks.'

'“It’s nonsense, it’s nonsense, it’s nonsense, it’s nonsense, it’s nonsense. I don’t have anything additional to say. It’s nonsense, it’s nonsense, it’s nonsense, I don’t have anything more to say….it’s nonsense. I reject that categorica­lly.”'

'Hagee endorsed McCain in late February.'
http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/04/24/mccain-calls-hagee-views-nonsense/

McCain's deep and thoughtful repudiation of Reverend Hagee should satisfy most Republicans.

[pfurlong56]

Hagee will be John McCain's downfall when the Jewish community realizes that this right wing fringe group is using a pseudo pro-Israel stance to further it's "end times" and Armageddon ambitions which includes the extermination of non Christian believing Jews.

[kay]

I'd like ti remind Americans who started this weirdly authoritarian "renounce and reject" theme.

Hillary Clinton did, when she was losing, badly.

Ever since, we haven't had a single day where this nonsense wasn't filling the airwaves.

For someone that wants to talk about "the issues" she's been the driver behind the dumbing down of the debate.

Makes me wonder.

[hannitizer]

If elected, John McCain would begin his term in office as Reagan ended his- out of touch with reality. His statements from the last eight years, when looked at in totality, are ripe with illogical transformations of his positions on major issues. This from a man whose not quite sure what he said earlier. He will not be able to finish one term without horrendous consequences.

[BlueStateMan]

Reagan was out of touch with reality WAY before he entered the White House.... he was used as a beard (just like Bush).

[plages]

McCain, is a reincarnation of McCain from the 1800's, just ask the true people of this nation . . . You know them as Indians! You see what 5 years in a prison gulag can do to your brain!

[dill]

Dylan Loewe, a Hillary supporter who is quite good at the Republican type of propaganda we have become so accustomed to--you know, the type of propaganda Bush and his cronies have used for the last seven years, with the media letting themselves be used as a tool to fool the people. The media is once again being manipulated and used by Hillary, McCain and the Republicans with propaganda, such as this article, to make sure that the status quo in Washington stays the same. Hillary has an alliance with McCain and the Republicans to try and knock Obama out of the race, though Hill doesn't have a chance in hell to win against McCain once they start vetting her. Hillary and Bush, two peas in a pod, neither has any morals, character or integrity.

[graffen48]

Hey Johnny, what do you think of Hillary "nuclear obliteration" Clinton? Isn't it great when the opponent makes a statement so far to the right of your position, that it enables almost anything you say to sound moderate? By the way, John, thats a great picture of you and George Bush standing there with your birthday cake in Arizona, on the very day New Orleans was being devastated by Katrina!! Great job there being our leaders.

[AtomicSplash]

Interesting. America has had a policy of nuclear retaliation against a nuclear attack on America, her allies or her interests for at least fifty years. When did it become "so far right" of anything?

[benwha]

HRC said in the ABC "debate" that she would create an umbrella protection strategy over anyone considered our ally in the middle east. Taken literally, that is a pretty far right strategy don't you think?

[anti54]

Um... ever thought these statements are made by terrorist groups because they are politically convenient to them, and opposite of who they actually support?

[ClutchCargo]

McCain just slammed Obama for being in bed with terrorists and the best you can do is call him McCrappy pants? Ought to be a cakewalk come November..­. if he even makes it out of Denver.

[pfurlong56]

Don't worry, Rush will tell you what to say on Monday, in the meantime just cut and paste.

[pfurlong56]

McCrappy pants... He's OLD and rickety.

[pfurlong56]

BTW: Rush is off Jenny Craig again isn't he?

[kay]

You're bankrupt, on the Right.

Obama spent the day answering real questions from a newspaper editorial board, that required real answers.

Conservatives spent the day "slamming" the opposition with lunatic charges, and crowing over how clever they are.

When do you get around to governing? You've had, what? Since 1994? When does the magic happen?

Look around. Things aren't going so hot. Might be time to take off the frat boy grin and get an IDEA.

[SCG2]

Thank you.

[OrionGal]

I just wish the media would show these video clips of Obama! This is where his marketing and campaign strategist needs to find more avenues for the voters to see what Obama is really like !

[IntelligentDesign]

So Dems are going to lose in November because bloggers are not up to the task of hurling insults back at John McCain? Brilliant analysis!

My guess is that you are a Rush Limbaugh fan, hoping for a riot or worse in Denver was my clue.

[kay]

McCain covered the following issues today:

Hamas/Obama

Wright/Obama

Ayres/Obama

Conservative politicians, like McCain, have brought this country to the brink of bankruptcy.

This is what he offers.

Is this what the Right is offering this election season?

Is this the mea culpa for the JOKE that "conservative governance" has become, as practiced, outside of think tanks?

This is our TRUE AMERICAN HERO ,and his PLAN FOR AMERICA?

How about an IDEA conservatives? Just ONE? You've beaten THIS idea to death.

[SCG2]

So much for the Mc Bomb taking the high road. It lasted a few months, more or less.

[kay]

Is this going to work for conservatives?

Are they really going to blithely run this tape again, and leave the absolute MESS they made, without a single idea or solution?

Christ. They could start with an apology.