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

[lvdragonlady]

Isn't Habitat a CO ???
No wonder Mac cancelled it, since the GOP is anti-community service now.

[prafmm]

Well !!! Habitat is a community organization... no real responsibilty (chuckle, shrug, hair toss).
" Community Organizers" are the backbone of our country. We need people who volunteer they, fill our food banks, supply clothing & sweat equity especially in this economy.g. My parents were community organizers. As I child I helped prepare food baskets for less fortunate families during the holidays. The mayor, the govenor and other elected officials were not involved in the hard work of "organizing" a task of this magnitude which to this day feeds 150-200 families every Thanksgiving & Christmas. We raised money and volunteered for relief supplies for hurricanes, tornadoes, you name it. We have organized rallies to build playgrounds, provide book bags, provide after school tutoring, etc. Sarah Palin may chuckle when she thinks of community organizers, that their efforts are of little value, but "community organizers" hid Jews during the war, they planned the bus boycotts that led to the birth of the civil rights movement. Community leaders fought and gave their lives for the womens right to vote, that Governor Palin enjoys today. It may seem cool to belittle the men, women and children who give of themselves every day in service to others. However, my father believed in helping others, it was apart of his christian values, the values he lived every day. He died assisting someone changing a tired by the side of the road. People who care enough about their community to give back are not punchlines.

[luvangelHussein330]

McCdraft didn't want to be seen with comie community organizers. Funny they make fun Of Obama's community organizing skills...his whole sucessful cmapaign has been one big community organization...that has run better then McKeatingFive...matter of fact in political history...

[rinpochet]

They should talk LOUDLY about the community organizing that took place after 9/11 and how that helped thousands of people. Would make a great ad and hit back to those ignorant people who know absolutely nothing about community organizing and what it accomplishes.

Almost made me cry with anger. I have been a community organizer and know exactly how it helps the lives of members of communities across the country.

[canobserv]

SP touts PTA as one of her credentials. Is this not community organizing. I'm confused. As apparently is Sarah

[VOTER]

Many more schools are dropping from the PTA and becoming members of the PTO.

http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/292-pto-vs-pta-what's-the-difference

And yes she slammed all school parents and volunteers.

Funny how she missed that..............................

[Tommygun264]

Great vid - I'm sending it to everyone I know. It should be noted that veterans get help accessing their benefits through - you guessed it - community organizers. All the blue collar workers who get laid off get help weathering tough times from - right again - community organizers. No wonder the pubs hate and belittle them.

[barackobama4prez]

Usually you have to have compassion and humanity to work for this project. The G O P ticket is short on both.

[grandjam2]

Sarah you should have written your own speech. DID YOU SEE WHAT YOUR OWN TOWN PAPER SAID ABOUT YOU STRETCHING THE TRUTH. THEY WOULD KNOW BETTER THAN WE DOWN HERE IN THIS PART OF THE US. Sayiing words that was wriitten for you has put much damage on your so spotless reputation. I am very shocked that you could not go that distance yourself. Another thing you spend a lot of time talking about community organizers, well all those people that the McCain/ Palin camp going around trumping up votes for this election ARE THEY NOT COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS? You and the speech writers just blow it for your VP position and mostly for John McCain, I really think they are in the background are just gunning for him to lose this election which I know he will. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL.

[emmaspeaks]

And what will Sarah's excuse be...I don't build houses, I hunt moose. So, get your guns and stop being bitter. I'm busy. And by the way, get your own nails, I'm cutting that budget. If You can't build your own house, you can't have one.

[VOTER]

Why Sarah's mean spirited words included so many wonderful Americans. What a shame.

She should have kept her Republican Warmongering Claws hidden a bit longer.

Food Banks........... are busier than ever thanks to McBush.

The Red Cross Volunteers are the one and only Community Organizers in some states.

The United Way brings in donations for many Community Organizer Groups.

Volunteer Reading Programs for Seniors is set up through Community Organizers.

Meals on Wheels, including those who deliver hot meals to the homeless on America's
streets are organized and work well and efficiently due to Community Organizers.

And as the article stated, Habitat for Humanity.

SARAH AND THE GOP LAUGHED AT THESE AMERICANS!

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS KNOW THEIR COMMUNITIES NEEDS AND GET TO WORK.

THEY DO NOT SIT IN OFFICES DREAMING ABOUT DOG RACES.........................................

[NCNative]

Bush told students to "Embrace Community Service" in a graduation speech.
(See here on Fox News - it must be true:)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,157262,00.html
I guess McCain/Palin want to do everthing they can to not be like Bush, including community service.

[RememberTheAlamo]

Hi All,

Really . . . this is news?

We have all worked on these house and community projects . . . nothing Sarah said offended me.

Swinging a hammer and running an excavator, in my widest dream, would not lead me to believe I was somehow qualified for a government leadership position.

My reward was in the value of the work I was doing . . . knowing somebody (with children) would benefit . . . have won state awards (given by governors) . . . and never placed these on my resume . . . one award was an extreme surprise and I am proud, but this is private pride.

Sounds like a real stretch to "make" news.

[helonias]

But organizing such projects teaches nothing?

[RememberTheAlamo]

Hi helonias,

Appreciate the reply.

I never placed a title upon organizing volunteer work . . . am good at it . . . but never take credit for it . . . learned alot . . . have enjoyed it, in a fulfillment sense . . . but on the career scale . . . I chose not to leverage it.

[barackobama4prez]

read and study the issues and maybe you'll "get it" unlike the G O P.

[RememberTheAlamo]

Hi barackobama4prez,

So . . . your response was a political ad?

[VOTER]

Good to know you didn't mind Sarah and those at the Convention laughing
at the good work you and tens of thousands of other Americans do on various community projects.

I was offended.

[RememberTheAlamo]

Hi Voter,

Am sorry to see you offended by political discussion . . . yet, what was the offense? What was taken from you? . . . are not your efforts non-political? . . . isn't your reward measured by how you feel, not by what other's speak?

I wasn't offended . . . nothing was taken from me.

But, I, as well as others, encourage your efforts . . . we never do this for money or recognition.

[rinpochet]

You might be proud of it but Sarah and Gulianni mocked community service. Do you really believe that community service deserves the laughter and derision of these people?

[RememberTheAlamo]

Hi rinpochet,

My community service is far longer and deeper than Senator Obama's. Now, nice guy and sure he means well . . . but I never place my community service activities on my resume and trade upon the credentials . . . I do that out of service to the others I affiliate with . . .

I received an award from the Governor of Texas (83?). It was a stealth award . . . few who I worked with knew my volunteer extension . . . upon the Governor's handshake and acknowledgement I was asked to make a speech . . . it brought tears to my eyes . . . but it wasn't my pride which flashed in my eyes . . . it was the sudden memory of those I was helping . . . and their momentary disadvantage was not something I sought to publish or leverage.

Senator Obama made more of community service than the rest of us normally do . . . he was called on it. . . . it is hard to reconcile an honorable man advantaging himself via the disadvantage of others . . . and we deal with the paradox by chuckling.

[luvronpaul]

As long as you are comfortable with her laughing at the hard work you do, then be my guest.

[RememberTheAlamo]

Hi luvronpaul,

I laugh when I allow myself to believe my volunteer efforts are so significant that they rise beyond private pride. The laughter returns my humility and restores my purpose.

Without the humility my work would be quite hollow.

[Agnim]

8 tragic years of American decline under the wild bush.
And John McCaint went along 90% of the time.

Incompetence prior to and after 911
Neglect to remove insane islamists terrorists in Afghanistan-Pakistan
UNPROVOKED invasion and mass slaughter of Iraqis

[TakingBackTheUSA]

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!

This needs to be one of the Dems newest ads. Make it happen people! Let's go!

[Airforce-1]

Nice piece Give Mrs. Pander a history lesson.