John McCain Cancels Habitat For Humanity Event

The McCain campaign sent out a press release this morning, announcing a schedule change:

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that the McCain family's appearance at the Twin Cities Habitat For Humanity build site on Thursday, September 4, 2008 has been canceled.

My partner in vlog, Ana Marie Cox, made quick note of the change, twittering:

How anti-press is the McCain campaign? They just canceled a Habitat for Humanity PHOTO OP. Because it has to do with "houses"? Go figure!

Indeed. How could McCain maintain his sense of press victimization against the backdrop of people building homes for people who look forward to being able to one day say, "I know exactly how many homes I own! One! Just the one!"

But another part of the reason McCain canceled the outing is because last night, his campaign went out of its way to slag community organizers, defaming them for not having any "actual responsibilities." Habitat For Humanity, as it happens, is one of the biggest brand names in community organizing -- they maintain a massive network of individual donors, are capable of mobilizing an equally impressive volunteer base to contribute labor to the cause, and have a global reach. It's not a bad idea at all to associate one's own brand with Habitat's. But after last night, I have to imagine that McCain would have found it difficult to face the community organizers of Habitat For Humanity.

And now, a special message for Governor Sarah Palin:

Comments

[demjustice]

Bravo on the video. We have to remember that it was the republican party with its trickle down ecomonics that brought rise to our now essential community organizations who provide food and shelter to those who are in the greatest need. They gave the richest of rich the money and tax breaks then hoped it would make its way to the needy. There was not even a drip, let alone trickle.

I wonder how many food shelves could have been stocked across this nation with the $300,000.0­0 plus outfit Cindy McCain had on Monday night.

They (Palin included) still don't get it!!!!

[Veratruth]

Republicans help the evangelicals, churches return the favor by encouraging (or preaching to) church members to donate to the conservative party. PLUS, members are expected to give 10% tithing. Therefore, members donate twice ... then receive a political message. Tell me who helps those in need the most?

[chs1965]

My, oh my, whatever happened to compassionate conservatism?

[CintiBlue]

Never got off of the telepromter. But, it looked on paper.

[gelfling545]

I can understand Palin not knowing about community organizers. I don't think they go in for that much in her area with the population being so small. She didn't know what the VP does either so no surprise there but that Guilliani did not know boggles the mind. He was mayor of NEW YORK CITY. Even in my small city here in western NY State we have community organizers and we know what they do. Gulliani either served his term with his eyes closed or is lying in his teeth.

[enlighteninglad]

He knows what community organizers are all about. What the republicans are all about is shaming their opposition with everything and anything. Its not what they beleive, its what they get the people that listen to them to believe and respond to, negatively, of course. Its mind control pure and simple. Hate the opposition and, by default, love us. Once they get that anti-liberal hatred stirred up they could promise dog doo in every dinner and the repubes would STILL eat it up.

[Smirk]

Aren't community organizations who help people obtain shelter, jobs, remedial education, fight drug abuse, form neighborhood watches, offer after school programs, and such precisely the type of NGOs the GOP usually champ as an alternative to governmental agencies being involved? Aren't they one of the main sources of Daddy Bush's "Thousand points of light"? What's with belittling the importance and hard work of people helping people, especially when those who--in this money obsessed country--choose to forgo lucrative careers to do so?

[Egalitare]

Well all of that good will, all of that "Thousand Points of Light" stuff, has been discredited because Obama was (gasp) a commie, appeasing, traitorous community organizer.

So now the preferred way to show your love of country is to get yours before someone else does, and -- in the the words of another great community organizer -- BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY!

[enlighteninglad]

Community organizers do good things by helping people. You certainly can understand why the republicans would want to belittle that, can't you?

[Smirk]

Sadly, yes.

[Veratruth]

I wonder if that will be allowed on MSM ... after all she praises Sarah Palin. Isn't that what Sarah wants? Oh, heck, I just remembered that other people were praised also, and that wouldn't set good with Sarah. I think her motto is "Do unto others as you wish, but forbid them to do unto you."

[HattieB]

HEY HAVE YOU HEARD THERES A NEW MOVIE COMING OUT NEXT WEEK...TIT­LE: HOME ALONE 7 ...STARING JMAC..

OH YEAH... WHY DID THE REPUBLICANS TURN THEIR BACKS ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND ALMOST DESTROY OUR COUNTRY ??? THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT ANSWERS !!

DRILL HIM NOW !!! HA HA HA HA

[Dynamohum]

Drill here, drill now!!! hahahaha to coin their phrase.

[newsferret]

Porky Palin scores an own goal! Dear oh dear.

Dissing Jesus Christ? Whatever next.

[Dynamohum]

Porky Palin, I like that.

[HattieB]

NOOOOOOO, NOT OUR HOME BOY MCCAIN .... WAKE UP AND SMELL THE PAMPERS ! ! !

MCCAIN NEEDS TO EXPLAIN WHY THE REPUBLICAINS TURNED THEIR BACKS ON THE

AMERICAN PEOPLE IN THEIR ATTEMPTS TO DESTROY OUR COUNTRY ????...

[mikep007]

Of course he cancelled. Habitat for Humanity is run by President Carter- someone who knows about community service and also knows about foreign affairs. Odd, Carter knows what countries broder Pakistan and the difference between a Sunni and Shiite. Shame on McCain!

[bpowell1]

He cancelled because they just spent a whole evening dismissing community organizers. I can guarantee they cancelled his appearance there. Those are community organizers and that is what they do. They help people and that is why the Republicans don't understand what they do. He didn't cancel they canceled.

[Dynamohum]

Source on your info about the cancel? Please.

[esgabel]

First of all Jimmy Carter is Habitat's most famous volunteer--Habitat has a board and a CEO that run it...
I doubt that Habitat cancelled on John McCain--first of all, the publicity is worth its weight in gold and by volunteering for Habitat many hearts have been opened. Maybe John McCain would have really understood what community organizing really is...it is his loss. Eight is Enough!

[tgrk35]

The video was awesome. Palin is a joke.

[TXOBAMAGIRL73]

Anyone who believes that John McCain is their to help his or her families need only take a gander at his voting record for bill geared to helping others. Maybe even view his action, John is own by BIG Business and will never air on the side COMMUNITIES!!!

[wwoodsm]

Wow!!! Loved the YouTube video. It was right on the money. Thank you.

[ErnestineBass]

McCain and Palin embody the "values" of the GOP perfectly.

[TXOBAMAGIRL73]

Gimmicky sounds like garlicky !!!

[nccp1870]

Sooo Palin thinks community organizers aren't responsible? carin? Or able?

She insults, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Harriet Tubman, and the greatest community organizer of all----Jesus Christ.

[Egalitare]

In Palin's view, Jesus was an entreprenuer who pulled himself up by his own sandal-straps, created jobs, cut taxes and successfully lobbied the Roman Empire for an Aqueduct to Nowhere.

[ListenPeople]

Hilarious!

[enlighteninglad]

Perfect!