Why is McCain Holding Back on Wright?

One statement at a recent McCain rally in Wisconsin caught my attention: "I am begging you, sir. I am begging you." That was the plea of McCain supporter James T. Harris, an African-American radio host in Milwaukee. He was asking McCain to go after Obama's Reverend Wright connection.

But McCain just skipped that reference and went on to talk about the economy. For some reason, he hasn't been going there, and people are noticing.

Why?

It isn't because he's afraid to throw mud and any other earthy substance, or for that matter, use Sarah or even Cindy to go after Obama's connections with Ayers, Rezko, Daley and anyone else they can tar him with.

Republican strategists and pundits such as Ed Rollins and Pat Buchanan are wondering why McCain is avoiding Wright, as the name resonates more than Ayers. Meanwhile, McCain's stance is confusing his supporters, otherwise roused to yell alarming comments: "Off with his head!" "Traitor!" "Kill him!" and "Barack Hussein Obama." Placards are waved with "Obama-Osama," and supporters are wearing tee shirts with Obama in a devil's mask.

That hateful stuff doesn't seem to bother McCain. So why doesn't he allude to Wright? What's holding him back?

McCain is implying he doesn't want to go racist. And a McCain senior adviser has said. "It's not appropriate to attack someone's faith." That makes it sound like the candidate is taking the high road.

Or maybe McCain is afraid of backlash, or crowds that go over the top.

More likely, he doesn't want to go there because of his association with his own two Reverends. One is the far-right John Hagee. At first, McCain said he was "very proud" to have his endorsement. But after Hagee referred to the Catholic church as the "Great Whore," McCain denounced the comments.

And there is Rod Parsley a right-wing televangelist who at one time McCain called "his spiritual guide"; McCain finally shrugged off Parsley's endorsement when the extremist's wacko positions about Islam surfaced.

If you ask me, those two men are the real reason Wright is off-limits. So far. But McCain is a gambler, and may take a chance on the media giving him a pass, as they have so many times before. And if Wright comes up, the vitriol and ugliness -- and results -- may be frightening.

Comments

[Lea Lane - Huffpost Blogger]

This from Tucker Carlson, on Daily Beast, right before the final debate:
"The campaign won't do it. This spring, McCain said he wouldn't use Wright as a campaign issue, and so far he's stuck to that pledge. While Sarah Palin did go briefly off message and mentioned Wright in an interview, the campaign hasn't run a single ad featuring Wright, and neither have the RNC or pro-McCain 527s. Late last week, senior McCain advisors broached the topic with their candidate, but McCain wouldn't budge."
We'll see ....

[Liberoservative]

They are just holding out till the last week before the election to bring out Wright...

I don't believe that there is any low that they will not stoop.....

Problem is this.... we have had O under a microscope for almost 2 years... we KNOW who he is and we know the content of his character.... it is obvious that he is his OWN man.. he runs his campaign as he would run his presidential administration... with authority, intelligence, no-drama and an open mind for listening to those he doesn't agree with....

We have a chance in this election to reintroduce the civility that long ruled the Nation before the fascists and neocons took over....

Let us take our nation back!

GObama/Biden 08/12

[allonfla]

I know Rev. Wright came up during the dem primaries, but realize that it was all seen by the entire country not just dems. It went on for months and STILL Obama is ahead of the game. If Obama just continues to run ads that McCain is only focused on smears and solutions, then McCain's tactics won't work.

[whit4brains]

I've read where he is planning on bringing up Wright during Wed night's debate. If so, I sure hope Obama brings up Hagee and Parsley. I've seen the Hagee videos on Youtube and I would think McDone would be crazy to go there.

And I would just like to say how p.athetic I thought that radio host looked at that rally. Was he there trying to pick up new listeners for his show? Or was he suppose to be the one token black guy out of a crowd of thousands? Both?

[Bob H]

Bringing up Reverend Wright at this time will likley bring out Senator Obama's exceptional address in Philadelphia (easily seen here http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/18/obama-race-speech-read-t_n_92077.html or viewed here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU)

I don't think the McCain machine can withstand such brilliance, personal experience or rationale.

[FaceYourFears]

Rev W's tone undeniably was harsh....but some of the things he said weren't that far off!

[Whatashame]

Don't forget Sarah's witch doctor.

[boing007]

John Birch Society anyone?

[SharonAustinTX]

Voters this year are more concerned with their 401K's, jobs, etc. (Those who have a brain). There's evidence that economic issues are trumping race (Newsweek).

Voters by and large are rejecting these smears as noted by Gallup. Coleman (R-MN) just took all his negative ads down.

Plus the rise of angry mob mentality at Palin/McSame's recent rallies is starting to get McSame's and prominent Republicans' attention (eg. McCain tried to calm them down yesterday).

Now with Palin's bubble bursting (she's not the pure snow queen made out to be) -- she's just anpther typical lying politician -- which I hope tames her vitrialic comments about Obama can't be trusted. This discovery undermines here integrity.

McCain has a big problem. He's painted himself into a corner. The McCain campaign must be in a panic trying to figure out a plausible strategy moving foreward.

WHY ISN'T THE REQUEST (by Citizen's Responsible for Ethics in Washington - CREW, 10/9/08) TO THE SENATE ETHICS COMMITTEE ABOUT McCAIN NOT REPORTING HIS ANNUAL GAMBLING WINNINGS ON HIS SENATE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORMS HITTING THE NEWS? This is the next shoe to drop.

[toochie50]

he's also worried about Sarah's witchdoctor - don't forget her blessing to be "witch free" that is what he's worried about too - don't worry - it's not that he's decided to take the "high road" it's more that it will affect him worse than Rev Wright could affect Obama..

[Speakupper]

It seems McCain's use of James T Harris was not random. Here is the report of a conservative blogger who reports that :
"James T. Harris was in line a few hundred people behind me. He wasn't there for long. James was picked out of the line and ushered to another entrance and given a great seat in the hall. He even got the opportunity to ask a question at the town hall meeting. Some guys have all the luck."

http://www.no-libs.com/index.php/Anti-PC-League/Anti-PC-League-Feeds/McCain-and-Palin-in-Waukesha.html

McCain's recent decency conversion rings a little hollow given the evidence that at least one of these "angry voters" may have actually given a carefully staged performance.

[Lea Lane - Huffpost Blogger]

FYI, just found out that James T Harris (the man who "begged" McCain) is also a motivational speaker, and his services are for hire through his main business, IllumiNation. Homepage: http://www.jamestillumination.com.
A set up?

[FaceYourFears]

Motivational speaker?!? Thanks but not thanks...

[edwarvir]

I believe James T. Harris was a person that
was put out by the Mccain Camp. Mccain has
a few pastor problems himself, so he better
get back to the issues. Hagee, Parsley Rick Warren
he doesn't want none of Rev Wright.

[Whatashame]

Yes he was a planter because no sane black person would put themselves in that crowd full with white hatred. He must have had 10 secret service around him.

[Vere15]

Lest we forget James "Faust" Dobson who sold his soul to the devil over the same sex and abortion issues (and seems to be losing both in the bargain) was attempting to get Sarah Palin out of Troopergate.

[pgoody]

I think he's holding Wright in reserve for when Ayers stops exciting the base.

[Egalitare]

I agree. Ayers for now, then Resko, then Wright.

[haveitoldyoulately]

then Obama can lead with Palin, Keating, and Richard Quinn