Barack Obama: Lay Off My Family

On the same day that former GOP presidential contender Mike Huckabee told his party that demonizing Barack Obama is a 'fatal mistake,' Obama told a reporter from CBN news that the GOP needs to lay off his family. Read part of the transcript below and watch the interview here.

Obama told CBN News that he is deeply disappointed that John McCain has not spoken out against political attacks leveled at his wife.

"I think families are off limits. I would never consider making Cindy McCain a campaign issue," he said. "And if I saw people doing that - I would speak out against it. And the fact that I haven't seen that from John McCain I think is a deep disappointment."

The McCain campaign sent CBN News a written response to Obama's comments.

"Senator McCain agrees with Senator Obama that spouses should not be an issue in this campaign, and he has stated that position frequently," Joe Pounder, McCain's spokesman, said. "Unfortunately, when the Democratic National Committee was attacking Mrs. McCain, Senator Obama was not strong enough to stand up and speak out."

"Obama's silence speaks volumes, and it's unfortunate that he would single out others for a standard he himself has failed to live up to," he said.

Comments

[devinsbuddy]

Senator Obama wouldn't do it and John McCain shouldn't. Difference is Senator Obama would speak out against it and John McCain would mealy mouth his way around it. Can we say "Swift Boat-Phase Two"? Keep the course Senaor Obama, find the course Senator McCain...

[pithy]

Is this Pounder character referring to cookiegate?

[VolvoBirkenstock]

No. To C's theft and use of drugs from a charity.

[dora rice]

why is she running, and why did she run down Hillary. ? Now lay of my wife? Then your wife should stay away from the campaign. But she does go to places and speaks, and therefor she can be judged. He can't have it both ways.

[ladyv]

He can have whatever he wants.

[PixieThis]

Senator, you ROCK!!! It was this kind of talk about mc'cain's family in 2000 that made me lose all respect for him. And the childish reply from his campaign that O. didn't say anything isn't a valid point when mc'cain doesn't assertively say anything at all. But of course, mc'cain also has publicly referred to his wife with a less than affectionate term.....

[LeftCoastLefty]

I think you've got that wrong, pix. He wasn't being unkind...h­e was just pressed for time and saying goodbye. He didn't have time to say the whole sentence: see you next Tuesday.

See?

[habajebe]

I got it now. It's an IM, texting kinda thing. And Jowls McBush claims not to use a computer. Clever misdirection, McLame.

[kellygrrrl]

for realz!

if these PIGS start in on those two little girls - trust me - I will THROW DOWN!!!!

[nunzia]

sure you will.

[learnsomething]

I know what you mean...but I tell ya. The Repubs are dirty enough to do just that.

[aperezfl]

The GOP is comparing apples and oranges. Cindy McCain has been letting John use her private jet at a highly discounted rate; he's exploiting a loophole in a law he created.

Republicans have personally attacked Michelle Obama. A personal attack on Cindy would look more like this: "Cindy McCain is a former drug addict who stole from her own charity."

[ynp7]

When did the DNC attack mccain's doped up stepford wife?

[CTtransplant]

When they pushed for her to release her tax returns...­whole different issue that has nothing to do with what Ob ama was talking about....a­pparently, McCa in didn't get it....

[Leota2]

They consider asking her for tax records an attack. So Republican . . .

[xxxDjoolsxxx]

As long as Obama can walk the high road (practice as you preach) he is the teflon man. Keep going.

[TheLeoAfricanus]

As usual the GOP responds with vagueness and basically leaves the option open to smear the Obamas.

[OhMy]

I'll lay off yours if you lay off mine. DON"T RAISE MY TAXES!!!!

[ghop]

Unless you make more than 250k per year, you don't have to worry. If you make more than 250k a year, cry me a river.

[outnow]

True, unless you are making $175,000 your taxes will not go up. The vast majority of Americans do not make anywhere near this amount. If you are on a W-2 then you are more apt to pay. But most heavy-hitters have tax attorneys and do not pay their fair share of taxes. With incomes of over $250,000 their are ways to avoid taxes.

[dora rice]

you be crying a river if the business invests their money oveseas, and if businesse keep outsourcing.

[rinpochet]

I won't have to pay higher taxes as they will only be raised on those making $250,000 plus but that said, I would be more than willing to pay higher taxes if it meant universal health care.

We get so little for the taxes we do pay but wealthy corporations make out like bandits with their subsidies better known as corporate welfare

[heather11483]

Attacking each other over not speaking out against attacks?

Gah, I'm confused. Wake me up in October.

[blurredtruth]

Agree, we still have "miles to go" before we sleep...un­less we are already.