McCain: Of Course I'd Allow A Qualified Muslim In My Cabinet
On a conference call with conservative bloggers today, John McCain was asked about our stories reporting that Mitt Romney had nixed Muslims in his cabinet on a second occasion. His response: Maybe Mitt wouldn't allow a qualified Muslim to serve high in his administration, but he would.
"I’m proud of the Muslims who are currently serving in the United States armed forces," McCain said, "and my sense is that if they can serve in that manner, they can serve in any position of responsibility in America." McCain's comments were provided to us by his advisers.
McCain added: "I just think, appoint the most qualified individuals to positions of responsibility."
McCain's comments today built on his criticism of Romney yesterday: "I think his comment is indicative of how he might govern and I think it's absolutely wrong."
One interesting side note: Saying you won't appoint Muslims to your cabinet certainly isn't something that will hurt you in a GOP primary, so unsurprisingly, none of the other GOP candidates has had any criticism for Romney over this. Only McCain has been willing to go down this path.
Comments (10)
Anonymous wrote on November 28, 2007 8:23 PM:I think sounding rather openly racist can still hurt you, at least a little, even among GOP primary voters (and independents in NH), and even when directed at Muslims.
Give a little credit, Greg. Do you think Sen. Webb would have won without Allen's macaca moment? S.R. Sidarth is not a Muslim, but he has a dark complexion and is of south asian descent.
memyself wrote on November 28, 2007 9:37 PM:
Well Ok. 1 reason to like Mccain(but still 6,525,476 reasons not to).
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Where’s Flip Wilson and Geraldine when we need ‘em.
Monotheism has compatibility issues with our constitutional democratic republic, where the concept of equality remains a stone in the shoe of God fearing closet authoritarians.
Reports regarding Mitt’s reactionary one-off comment are not surprising — can’t hold it against him – it’s the way he was raised. It comes from the roots of and belief in theological separatism. Good and bad — white and black.
A question I'd like to see asked is, Would the candidate appoint a qualified atheist or agnostic to a cabinet position?
I'm not holding my breath.
someparisian wrote on November 29, 2007 3:10 AM:Excellent comment, Chuck, but there's your answer: yes, if it helps steal elections. Dude's name is Karl Rove.
demwinger wrote on November 29, 2007 8:55 AM:good! many muslims voted for Bush in 2000 cause they are in the business community. if they dont want their votes they can come on our side and give us their money instead.
loki wrote on November 29, 2007 10:42 AM:Anonymous (First, please pick a name. Just as an identifier. Doesn't have to be real.)
You're right about being openly racist...or appearing that way. It can negatively affect your campaign. How much or how badly probably varies from region to region, but yes.
Now, the big thing is the under-the-radar racism. The stuff McCain suffered in SC against Bush. The stuff that will undoubtedly creep to the surface against Obama in similar places if he is the Democratic nominee. Conservatives, especially in places south of the Mason-Dixon, still have not progressed in large enough numbers.
The notion that Obama will do better amoung Republicans that Clinton (as some have suggested in here) is laughable. Sad, but true. He may do no worse, but better? Uh, no.
As Joe Scarborough said, If Obama is the nominee the Republican Party won't have to say or do anything! That's pretty damning.
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