McCain Defends Robocalls

On "Fox News Sunday," John McCain defended his use of nasty robocalls against Obama, telling host Chris Wallace that the calls are nothing like the ones used against him in the South Carolina 2000 primary. (In fact, McCain appears to be using the same firm as that smear campaign.) Asked if, in response to bipartisan condemnation, McCain would stop the calls, he replied, "Of course not."

WALLACE: But Senator back, if I may, back in 2000 when you were the target of robo calls, you called these hate calls and you said--

MCCAIN: They were.

WALLACE: And you said the following: "I promise you I have never and will never have anything to do with that kind of political tactic." Now you've hired the same guy who did the robocalls against you to, reportedly, to do the robocalls against Obama and the Republican Senator Susan Collins, the co-chair of your campaign in Maine, has asked you to stop the robocalls. Will you do that?

MCCAIN: Of course not. These are legitimate and truthful and they are far different than the phone calls that were made about my family and about certain aspects that -- things that this is -- this is dramatically different and either you haven't -- didn't see those things in 2000.

WALLACE: No, I saw them.

MCCAIN: Or you don't know the difference between that and what is a legitimate issue, and that is Senator Obama being truthful with the American people.

Watch:

Comments

[JStandish]

09:53 PM on 10/21/2008

Senator McCain should receive phone calls objecting to the robocalls. McCain National Headquarters: [phone]

[JStandish]

09:17 PM on 10/21/2008

These hateful calls are also supported by the Republican National Committee (RNC).
RNC: 202-863-8500.

[gibsontx5]

02:39 PM on 10/21/2008

he sounds like O.J. Simpson saying he is going to find his wife's killer. he is starting to believe his own hypocrisy and lies.

[RyokoMocha]

01:12 PM on 10/21/2008

I think that what we have to realize is that McCain has stopped even TRYING reach reasonable, intelligent people anymore. I think he realizes that anyone with the mental capacity to think for themselves isn't going to vote for him at this point. The people he's reaching out to now are the types who actually believe that Obama is a Muslin Arab terrorist from Kenya who has legions of tribal witch doctors casting curses on Palin, the ones who scream "Kill Him!" and "Terrorist!" when Obama's name is mentioned at McCain rallies. I really think that now he's just hoping that there are enough of these mindless, rage fueled racists and fundie idiots out there to get him elected with their votes alone. I think he realizes that they are really the only supporters he has left, them and the rich life-long Republicans who don't care who or what person gets elected as long as they are a Republican who will protect their money and support their greed.

It's frightening, and pitiful, to watch the man and his campaign literally disintegrate before our eyes like this. It's painful to watch. It's like he knows he's going own, and now he just wants to take Obama down with him. And the scariest part is that McCain is building up such a huge amount of blind mindless hatred toward Obama from these idiots and racists that I am genuinely terrified that something awful will happen soon after Obama is elected.

[Kryten]

08:48 AM on 10/20/2008

What happened to you, John?

[rhetoricdog]

03:30 AM on 10/20/2008

Also, isn't this implying that the U.S. Government can't sniff out a terrorist after 2 years of actively being in the public spotlight, campaigning for the presidency? Doesn't this argument totally weaken the Bush Administration and their ability to fight a war of terror even further?

[rhetoricdog]

03:10 AM on 10/20/2008

I must say, his ability to repeatedly deny his underhandedness in the robocalls, and what they imply, is really scary. His excuses are starting to wear thin and his posturing is becoming more and more obvious, even to those who claim him as a personal friend, a war hero, a likeable guy, a media darling, and a "maverick." When is he going to realize his two-face tactic isn't working?

[Smurfysax]

03:31 AM on 10/20/2008

rhetoricdog,

I think the only way he will see, along with the rest of the folks that seems to turn a blind eye, is when the voters go to the polls. The unfortunately thing about the polls is, they are already starting to steal votes with the electronic machines.

As long as McCain has a listening audience, it doesn't matter how wrong it is. People are willing to believe a lie to further their cause, even when it's blatantly obvious that he's lying and they're cheating. To these idiots, the means justifies the end.

I hope and pray they are not able to steal this election again for the third time.

[Layman23]

01:50 AM on 10/20/2008

Lets see all the things McCain has to defend.

Had to defend, Palin as his choice for VP. Though all the defense in the world will fly in his face, the moment that woman starts speaking.

Had to defend, the "pal around with terrorist" comment.

Had to defend his "Suspend the campaign to take care of the financial crisis.".

Had to defend, not showing up at letterman, but to katie couric.

Had to defend "Fundamentals of our economy are strong.."

Had to defend "Our troops will be in iraq for 100 years if need be".

Had to defend "I dont know how many houses i have.."

Had to defend "Mortgage buy back plan"

Has to defend "Robo calls.."

Had to defend.. ..

I am actually getting tired.

And this man is going to defend our country, economics and stature as a world power ?

I am having a hard time defending that thought.

[iswideopen]

01:18 AM on 10/20/2008

John McCain, you are a sorry, poor excuse for a human being. Children are answering their parent's telepones. What part of IGNORANT don't you understand. I hope your legacy is all that your Father and Grandfather said it would be; JOHN MCCAIN IS NOT MEASURING UP, AND HE NEVER WILL.

[Layman23]

01:54 AM on 10/20/2008

You know if he hears what you said, he will suspend his campaign and head to the mountains to umleash his fury and probably jump off the cliff in rage.

Your comment almost seems like his inner voice. You nailed it man !

[rhetoricdog]

03:04 AM on 10/20/2008

Ouch.

[Lexica]

12:49 AM on 10/20/2008

He must be in complete denial.....or, he is suffering from the initial stages of dementia. Anyone with a brain can figure out that he is driving people AWAY with his tactics, yet he persists. Does he have no control over the sleazeballs running his campaign?

[Blue in NH]

12:45 AM on 10/20/2008

The melanoma must be lodged in his brain. The man is delusional.

[FloridaBlogger]

12:23 AM on 10/20/2008

John McCain has forever tarnished his reputation by running the sleaziest presidential campaign in modern history. This fact combined with the insulting pick of Sarah Palin as his running mate have really served to show his true colors. He is not grace under pressure; he is a "win at all costs," petty and angry man. How sad to see a man once respected by both Republicans and Democrats alike go out like this.

[MrKnuckles]

11:56 PM on 10/19/2008

Sorry, but the man is now officially scum.

[Repslasher]

12:06 AM on 10/20/2008

You want to know where all of this comes from: watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGn9F1Jw24U&feature=related. It's 10 minutes long and not pretty. but this is what is happening!

[JimO]

11:51 PM on 10/19/2008

You don't have much of a strategy if all you can say is "don't vote for the other guy". McCain can't even give you a reason to vote FOR him.

[pbgv23]

11:45 PM on 10/19/2008

McCain is apparently confused. He seems to think the Golden Rule is "Do unto others as others have done unto you."
This repeated accusation that Obama is not revealing the full extent of his relationship with Ayres reminds me of a certain type of customer I encounter at work. When you politely explain why you can't give them what they want, they stare fixedly at you and tell you that's impossible, they need it *now*. And they keep repeating their demand over and over again, as if you will magically produce what they want from thin air. The reality is not what they wish and so is unacceptable.
Unfortunately for such people, I can't wave my wand and produce something that doesn't exist. Nor is Obama going to confess to Bill O'Reilly on live TV that he and Ayres were actually so close they had a secret love child.
The question, and all it implies, is what is important to the creators of this scurrilous campaign tactic. The answer and the truth are immaterial.
"What I tell you three times is true," said Lewis Carroll's Bellman. The McCain campaign seems to have taken that statement to its heart with a vengeance, not to mention a great deal of overkill. One can only cherish the hope that the masterminds behind this Snark Hunt will discover their Snark is a Boojum, and "...softly and suddenly vanish away, and never be met with again..."
I'm not holding my breath.