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McCain Says He'll Bring "Every Pressure To Bear" To Stop Obama/Wright Ad -- But It's Still Set To Run

John McCain promised at a town-hall meeting today that he would bring "every pressure to bear" to stop the North Carolina GOP from running that ad hitting Obama over his controversial pastor, an issue that McCain said wasn't a legit one.

Take a look:

The North Carolina GOP's spot has McCain in something of a jam. He has come out and condemned the ad and said he doesn't want it to air, but he's now taking hits from Democrats who are demanding that he do more as the GOP's standard bearer to stop it from running. And if he can't get that done he risks looking weak.

Indeed, a top McCain strategist is now telling Time magazine that the ad won't be running at all -- the implication being that McCain managed to put the kibosh on it behind the scenes.

But guess what -- a spokesperson for the North Carolina GOP just told me that this isn't the case. Here's the statement I just got from the spokesperson, Brent Wilcox:

I'm not sure where this gossip is coming from but that is not the case. The ad is still scheduled to run early next week.

The spokesperson added that it's set to run statewide.

Hmmm. It looks like McCain still has a bit of work to do if he really wants to stop this thing from running.


Comments (181)

I didn't expect him to nor did I ever think that was the objective.

The objective is to force him into lying about it and into saying it's wrong and then not doing anything about it.

So he's a public liar and jackass over it.

HOW MANY TIMES MUST I APOLOGIZE

Tena, Cindy said she was sorry for forgetting to send you the invite to the Tupperware party. I don't know what else to say other then buzz off skank. (sorry about that too) Besides "jackass" is a Democratic term and I have not made that decision yet.

Yours truly
J. McCain

p.s. we still have some Stuffable mini sets left over if you want to drop by!

this is a win win for Old Man War.

he gets credit for condemning the ad, but he also benefits because its still going to run.

I expect we'll be seeign a lot of this type of thing. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes part of the "unofficial strategy" of the McCain campaign.

Yah if you think they'll fall for this.

Again.


O perhaps Howard Dean will make a further statement.

I don't think this will really help Himmary much in NC.

We aren't going for the racist vote in NC.

;)

We aren't going for the racist vote in NC.

97% of black Democrats are voting for Obama. 3 percent are voting for Clinton.

Yep. Nothing racist about that.


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2008 Presidential Election Weekly Poll
http://www.votenic.com
Results Posted Every Wednesday Morning.
Thanks for your Participation.

To assume that ALL of us are voting for Obama just because he's Black is ignorant as hell, and insulting to us as a group. We're not some monolithic race who all thinks alike, genius. It's obvious that the race-baiting that has been coming from the Clinton camp since Iowa has turned a LOT of us off, and while I don't think the percentage is as high as you claim, it has every right to be that high. It wouldn't be nearly that high if Edwards were still in this.

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That's funny... I don't remember anyone complaining when African-Americans were voting 90%+ for white Democratic candidates.

Well, I heard a lot of neocon radio bemoaning the fact that very few African Americans were voting for Bush in the past two elections. Other than that, nothing. Nonetheless, you're right about Dems not making a fuss.

Because we can smell bullshit from politicians a mile away.

You all should check out the commentary on abc.com.

Its pretty uummmm gross:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/04/rev-wright-defe.html

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How is that racist, EastWest? Did the 97% of blacks get together and all agree to vote for Barack Obama to keep poor, white Hillary Clinton down?

It's a loss for Rove and the RNC. They wanted this used during October, not now.

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What's really interesting here is that Rasmussen polled a couple weeks ago, and found Obama and McCain tied in the state, 47-47; Clinton trailed McCain 40-51.

You could read it as an attempt by the state party to weaken Obama, or to tilt the primary toward Hillary. But ads that run in April rarely have an impact in November, and Obama's gonna win this state irrespective of what the GOP does. That's particularly true because we're talking about Democratic voters, who are unlikely to be sympathetic to GOP attacks.

So what's actually happening here is that the state GOP decided to drum up some controversy as a fundraising tool. As the post points out, the ad's not even going to run until next week. What I find most fascinating is that they chose Obama, and not their bugbear of the past few decades, Hillary. It's a sign that, after a slow start, the GOP base has used the Wright incident to whip itself into its usual lather of hatred and fear. This is about mobilizing the GOP base and raking in donations - and the longer they can stretch out the controversy before McCain forces them to say they're not going to air it, the better they'll do.

Yeah, condeming this and then not being able to have sway with local republicans who probably would have voted for Huckabee. That's going to come across just great. McCain will appear even more impotent.

McCain will appear even more impotent.

It is interesting you mention this....I think it would be a killer for McCain if it did get out that he cant "get it up".
I know...as a man....especially if your much older, its like "fuck it....so what?" as long as you get yours right...whether it be viagra or whatever?

But to the small town voters? The ignorant asses who post on ABC.com "id like to see the full sermon, but I dont know how to do it"(youtube dumby), I think they might get hurt by it. Its sleazy trash...yes I know...and utterly disrespectful.......but it would be embarassing as shit and the jokes would never stop.

Its the kind of place you hit man and he may never recover(sorry if I dredge up old memories for anyone on this site).

McCains lady looks pretty good for her age, shes definitely still fuckin'....but is she fuckin McCain? Go after her and you prolly have his down fall. Plus his ex-wife, who he cheated on might be persuaded to do a interview maybe heh.

This was just a thought that made me chuckle.

Spitzer = McCain 25 yr age difference???

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oh, I think that has been pretty well established by now, a new twist on Rovian smear politics.

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Nah, McCain can muck up all on his own. He just torpedoed the equal pay for equal work bill and his claim is that it will promote more pay discrimination suits. Actually the law would have prevented so many suits from being filed cause it mandated equal pay for equal work. I am going to knock him over the head with this vote every chance I get. He has no concern for a woman working who is the lone support of her family and now she can be given much lower wages than a man and she just has to take it. No by golly, she can file a law suit and someone like my husband, a retired lawyer can go to court and get her what she had coming. McCain obviously has ALL the money he needs from his rich booze queen, but there are actually women who have to support their children and they often get paid far less than the going wage for men for the same job. Both men and women deserve a just wage.

if he really wants to stop this thing from running

Thanks for the laugh of the afternoon.

McCain wants to really stop this the same way I really want Clinton to continue all the way to Denver.

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Apparently, McCain Isn't Able.

There ya go - there's that as well.

It's a lose-lose.

Either he's lying and wants the ad on (and of course he does), or he's totally weak and can't control his situation.

if John McCain can't stand up to the North Carolin GOP, how is he gonna stand up agains Al Qaeda?

The media, once again, completely gives John McCain credit for "trying" to stop the ads or "speaking out" against them. Poppycock! They benefit him so therefore he will not use his position to truly stop them (and that's if he has no foreknowledge of them as I suspect).

Also, Obama should NOT make any agreements about public financing in the general if McCain does not actually stop this type of attack now. Actions speak louder than words, Johnny boy. Put up now and show yourself worthy of such an agreement or get clobbered financially by Obama in the GE. That simple.

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Who's running the ad?

PEOPLE GET READY!

BOYCOTT!!

Who's running the ad?

All of the news organizations, over and over, for free.

Which is exactly why in the end they may not run it, having already given us viewers the preview run.

I'd rather they ran it now instead of in the general.

In my benefit of the doubt moment, the spokesperson may be simply behind the curve on the information chain. And, as the case may be, behind us.

I'm sorry but I do not understand anyone who gives any Republican the benefit of any doubt at this point.

That goes beyond being open and trusting to being absolutely stupid.

I'm sorry - but for the love of the gods and goddesses!

Easy sparky. I wasn't cutting the party any slack. Only that our understanding of the full picture might be faster than the spokesperson's. I don't see how that's a matter of trust- merely putting forward a hypothesis. I would like it if McCain did stop it. That would set a precedent that will come back to haunt him when it's inevitably violated by a variety of uncontrolled minions.

No need for sorries.

Watching Fox News and they announced Clinton called the ad outrageous and should take it down.

They also said Obama is taking the day off.

Clinton is still working.

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well, Obama does have a young family, and I'm sure that his two little girls have some sort of school event today.

He can always drop out to spend more time with the kids, so we can have a nominee that will win the general easily.

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Of course Hillary could also drop out and spend more time with Bill and his many mistresses...

Yah - I was thinking about that. He's talked about that - said Michelle wouldn't let him run if they didn't have family on hand to take care of the girls and believe that. They're little.

It's embarassing that Clinton has to follow John McCain's lead...


Nice point.

Clinton's still working

And she's still behind...I'd be working, too, in that situation!

And one other thing: do you believe everything Fox News tells you?

She wants it, he does not.

Stop whining about the ad.

You chose him so deal with the consequences of his negatives.

He can't hope it away.


I haven't "complained" about the ad at all, goofball.

Carry on!

She wants it, he does not.

I don't give a rat's a$$ about the Clintons' marriage.

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i honestly get no better laughs from the Internet than when gotalife tells all us bitter losers to stop crying, with tears in his eyes.

hahaha.

forgive me, byt after hillary clinton runs an ad featuring osama bin laden, she hardly has credibility to criticize someone else's ad as "outrageous".

Man, too bad Obama doesn't want it, because he sure got it. That must make the loss all the more bitter, losing to a guy who doesn't even want it. Jeez.

Until I hear that from a reputable source, I won't believe Clinton's "rebuke". I've seen nary a mention of such a thing on any major news site. Fox News, neither.

Link, please - I can't find a single goddamn instance on any of the news websites about Clinton calling the ad "outrageous" - not even on your precious Fox News site. There's a huge article about St. McCain's denouncement but nothing about her. Don't make statements without backing them up.

Here's the Fox News article:

http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/04/23/for-mccain-rev-wright-is-off-limits/

No mention of Hillary. Sorry, I don't buy it.

Don't see a statement on her website, either. I think you are not being truthful, GetaLife. Provide a link or retract your statement.

It was breaking. Keep looking. It will show up elsewhere.

HE'S TAKING A DAY OFF BECAUSE HE IS WINNING!!!!!!

Deal with it. He's spending the day with his family. Maybe she should do the same.

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Yeah, its going to be interesting to see the panic by the GOP after they shoot their negative attack ad wad, and then it has little effect on Obama support.

I actually think that just as an originally war-supporting public has turned against it, the American people are growing weary of these types of attacks. Note that I'm not including the 30% who would support Bush if it was discovered he ate babies for breakfast.

To go along with what you are saying, I think these attacks will backfire in the end and catapult "new politics" Obama to the Presidency. McCain will go down as the old politics Bob Dole of 2008.

O I do too.

Exit polls are exit polls, but still - people said by a large majority that Hillary had unfairly attacked Obama.

I don't think this sells anymore with most people.

McCain's only hope is if Bush and Cheney promised him the electronic vote.

And I wouldn't be surprised, frankly.

But I'm taking off the tinfoil hat for now. It's too warm here for it anyway.

I think Obama's friends should counter with a McGee ad and he can go through the motions like mcwar did.

Of course, they can't because he is using "a different kind of politics."

wuh? I think Obama should act like McCain. Of course he is not McCain.

Typing comments just to type them is fun.

Yes! "Obama's friends" indeed. Like you're not one of us. I swear, Colbert has nothing on you, sir.

When will the Dems start Swiftboating McCain? Because, I'm sorry, but that's the only way that they're going to win this thing -- by playing no-holds-barred hardball. Pantywaist politics and hand-wringing over the "mean" GOP won't cut it, just like it didn't cut it for John Kerry in 2004. It's time to pull out the stops and show that we can do street brawling, too, using surrogates and shadowy organizations, just like the GOP does. And, God knows, there's plenty of good material on McCain to work with.

I just saw an ad in Wisconsin from the DNC hitting McCain on his comments about the economy being good. It was a great ad.

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Right on Doofus! We need some fighters to take on the GOP, and fox news slime machines. Fight Fire with fire! we don't need Grandpa Mcsame in office.

You kiddies better get ready for it.

All that chump-ass whining about how Clinton is a big meanie monster and how she is such a hater for not loving The Dear Leader and boy-oh-boy is she ever a bitch blah-blah-blah....

This is just a taste. Only a sip. You joined this cult, now suck it up and watch your Dear Leader get his ass handed to him by the real haters.


Oh, we're ready.

Like you, asshat?

Well it's so nice to see another totally obtuse Clinton supporter.

The difference is that ostensiblty, Clinton is a Democrat and they don't attack other Democrats from the far right like that.

It's not right.

And all that shit she threw - got her a big ass 9 point win.

Whoop-ti-fuckin-do!

Here. Have a little cheese with that.

people who can't tell whine from the end of a fist are apt to spend a lot of time with red noses and black eyes.


You are fighting yesterday's battles. You can't step in the same stream twice.

While a bunch of people on both sides of the isle want to go backwards, overall this election will be about the American public's longings for the future.

"Can't step in the same stream twice...."

First time I've seen Heraclitus quoted on a political blog. Nicely done.

And I thought that was Kenju, the great zen teacher of the Meiji era.

You're joking, right? The empty-suited Dear Leader and his empty-headed cult are always chanting about change, blah-blah-blah.... Bush is all hat, not cattle; the Dear Leader is all talk, no idea. There's no freakin' substance! Yakkity-yak! Nothing else! It's like you think American Idol is real!


Why are you so angry? If you think there's no substance, why don't you look at his very detailed policy proposals? This kind of hate-ranting isn't going to change anyone's mind, you know. It only makes me more set in my support for Obama, quite frankly - if whackjobs like you are for Clinton, that tells me a lot.

It's time to pull out the stops and show that we can do street brawling, too, using surrogates and shadowy organizations, just like the GOP does. And, God knows, there's plenty of good material on McCain to work with.

Well doofus, where ya been? Did you miss the absolutely devastating ad that MoveOn made about McCain?

I hope they play that more widely.

Is that the one I saw? Did I mis-attribute it?

I don't know - where? I missed it.

busted!

Just above EastWest:

"I just saw an ad in Wisconsin from the DNC hitting McCain on his comments about the economy being good. It was a great ad."

Just above EastWest:

"I just saw an ad in Wisconsin from the DNC hitting McCain on his comments about the economy being good. It was a great ad."

Sorry.

I think that may be the DNC ad cause the MoveOn ad was only released in DC so far.

And as I said - I really really wish they'd release it coast to coast.

It started with the sweaty hug, then there was a whole series of shots of Bush saying something with certain gestures and it cut right to McCain saying the same thing with the same gestures.

It is incredible.

"Yeah, its going to be interesting to see the panic by the GOP after they shoot their negative attack ad wad, and then it has little effect on Obama support.

I don't think that's at all a safe assumption. Negative ads, particularly those playing on fears about race, "foreigners," and the like, have a powerful, visceral appeal.

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Saw that DNC ad here in PA as well. It is a great ad.

I think you have entertained us with your concern doofus.

I'm not interested in these big scary Republican fantasies.

Those types of appeals have the greatest effect on the 30% of morons who still support Bush. They will never ever vote for anyone but a total "strong daddy" fearmonger and they are not our target in this election.

Obama can win the other 60+% of the US public and have the first true majority in 20 years. Downticket wins will just sweeten/solidify the "mandate."

WHAT ARE YOU SUGGESTING?

That the "other 60%" of us who DON'T support Bush are bed soiling pinko commie thumb sucking masturbatory whiners?

Not me buddy!

Sincerly hate you!
Jenna Bush

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I'm sure this is part of mcInane's campaign strategy, let the little guy get his hands dirty while he touts being fair and just. Have the media run the ad as a news story so its free advertising and then denounce it as being unfair. He has as much credibility as bush and the GE campaign really hasn't even started.

"John McCain promised at a town-hall meeting today that he would bring "every pressure to bear" to stop the North Carolina GOP from running . . "

Pretty much the same way Rove/Bush brought all their "pressure" to bear to stop the "McCain Love Child" story from running in 2000.

Please.

well no duh.

Where do you think McCain learned it?

Let them run their stupid ad. Why doesn't the DNC step up with an ad blitz and just bury this with the truth? Outspend the GOP 5 to 1, take on each and every lie and smear with a rebuttal. Frame this race baiting as what it is!

Wright is going to speak at the national press club.

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Not an assumption. A prediction.

The MSM has been running the ad all day on the various news programs. Talk about your free publicity!

You know what, everyone? EastWest makes me wish votenic would post more often...

Yeah, I love you too.


LOL!!!! ;)

PLEASE CAROL HOLD IT IN !

Every time you LOL your green gums jut out and that just takes me off the Viagra, pronto.

Maybe you could just chuckle and fart like when you were reciting our marriage vows.

Sincerely
Mr. Soprano

A great piece in The New Republic on Obama's alleged electibility issue: http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/04/23/on-obama-s-electability-contra-judis.aspx

"I'm not interested in these big scary Republican fantasies."

Entertainment's not my goal. My goal is to urge the Democrats to NOT roll over, for once, and pretend that the public will recognize that the vicious attacks that are already underway (and soon to get more plentiful) are "unfair" and thus dismiss them. I really don't care if YOU are scared. Kerry wasn't scared either (which is why he barely responded to the Swiftboat attacks) and how did that work out for us? Chest-thumping is not a strategy.

Please quit talking to us like we are children.
You think this hasn't been talked about over and over and over for years?

Goddamn!

Listen, Tena - I'm being serious this time, not deliberately snarky; I am being very serious.

I do think Obama is going to get the nomination over Clinton. I am not happy about that, but that's the way the system works. At the end of the day, I pray to God he gets elected. The last thing this planet needs is 4 more years of Bush.

But here's the deal: The point I've been making in my own, subtle, making-friends-and-influencing-people sorta way, is that far too many of the hard-core Obama supporters sound like children. This is NOT a game. It's as serious as it gets.

This ad isn't the Republicans blowing their wad. It is part of what will be an ongoing, vicious assault on Obama. It won't stop, and it won't get better. Coming on-line and complaining and acting all naive, etc., etc., does not help your case. It makes too many of you sound like children.

This stuff is deadly serious. The Republicans are going to throw everything they have at Obama. It's not right. But it's life.

All I'm saying is, maybe it's time for Obama's supporters to move beyond the star-struck 'tweenie stage, to the grown-up realist stage.

The world needs grown-ups, Tena. Hopefully you and the other Obama supporters can be the grown-ups.

Dude, you're pathetic.

I mean totally and completely in the most condescending of ways, pathetic.

How fucking dare you condescend to Obama supporters and make that same goddamn accusation people make because we like our candidate.

fuck right the fuck off.

Doofus, has Obama disappointed you once during this primary season with his ability to hit back - quick and hard? I have a lot of faith that this year it's going to be different. Different times, different candidate, different voters (lots of young ones who are not scared of the big bad black boogeyman). He's been very, very cautious with Clinton because she's in his own party, but he's already said that the gloves will come off when he faces McCain in the general. I think your concern is fine but this is NOT 2004.

If we just act a little more like Republicans with each passing election, we'll win!

Or, we can be proud of who we are and just play smarter.

As I said to eastwest earlier, while I was also thinking of your comment about Kerry in 2004 above that.

You are fighting yesterday's battles. You can't step in the same stream twice.

No shit - thank you.

What do we think would happen if some organization put out the McCain "VC Collaborator" story as has been floated? They would cry foul and the patriot police would have a field day.

I reject and denounce those tactics, but what would the "tough politics" pundits have to say then? Can't stand the heat . . .

How is John McCain supposed to lead the country when his own party won't listen to him?