Sen. John McCain talks to WSLS (and refuses to condemn remarks from Jeff Frederick, GOP Chair VA)

[maddezmom]

Source: WLS

WSLS10 Anchor
Published: October 12, 2008

~snip~

WARREN: “WE HAVE A COUPLE OF SECOND REMAINING, THE CHAIR OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN VIRGINIA HAS SAID, QUOTE IN TIME MAGAZINE, “BOTH BARACK OBAMA AND OSAMA BIN LADEN HAVE FRIENDS THAT HAVE BOMBED THE PENTAGON. THAT IS SCARY.” IS THAT APPROPRIATE FOR A STATE PARTY CHAIR TO BE SAYING?”

MCCAIN: “I have to look at the context of his remarks. I have always repudiated any comments that have been made that were inappropriate about Senator Obama. The fact is that William Ayers was a terrorist and bomber and unrepentant. I don’t care about that. But, Sen. Obama ought be the candid and truthful about his relationship with Mr. Ayers in whose living room Sen. Obama launched his campaign and Sen. Obama said he was just a guy in the neighborhood.”

WARREN: “SEN. MCCAIN WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, WE WANT TO SAY THANK FOR SPENDING SOME TIME WITH US, WE DO HOPE TO SEE YOU HERE IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA IN THE COMING DAYS.”

MCCAIN: “Thank you Jay, I look forward to being back. Thanks again.”



Read more: http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/politics/article/mccain_talks_to_wsls/19188/

---

I wonder if McCain's remarks were before or after Gail Gitcho made her statement.


Gail Gitcho, a McCain spokeswoman, also denounced Frederick's remarks, calling them "not appropriate."

"While Barack Obama is associated with domestic terrorist William Ayers, the McCain campaign disagrees with the comparison that Jeff Frederick made," Gitcho said.

It was the third time in a little more than a week that Gitcho repudiated something said or written by someone affiliated with McCain's Virginia leadership team. Last week, the head of the McCain campaign in Buchanan County in southwest Virginia was forced to resign after a column surfaced in which he made disparaging remarks about Obama, African Americans and gay people. Last weekend, the McCain campaign distanced itself from McCain's brother, Joe McCain, after he referred to Alexandria and Arlington County as "communist country."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/12/AR2008101201956.html


Speaking as the Chairman for Virginia's Republican party last week, Jeffrey M. Frederick attempted to connect Obama to Osama bin Laden. Time's Karen Tumulty recalls the 33-year old's words:

As Campaign Attempts Sunnier Side, McCain Unsure Of Obama/Osama Slam

climbed atop a folding chair to give 30 campaign volunteers who were about to go canvassing door to door their talking points — for instance, the connection between Barack Obama and Osama bin Laden: "Both have friends that bombed the Pentagon," he said. "That is scary."
The remarks drew considerable - and understandable - outrage. Even the McCain camp was angry, and spokeswoman Gail Gitcho unequivocally admonished Frederick's remarks. Well, sort of. Said Gitcho, "While Barack Obama is associated with domestic terrorist William Ayers, the McCain campaign disagrees with the comparison that Jeff Frederick made." Apparently the campaign simply can't quit the Ayers angle.

Though Gitcho seemed outraged by the Frederick remark, McCain later told a local news station that he's not sure what to make of the scandal:


I have to look at the context of his remarks. I have always repudiated any comments that have been made that were inappropriate about Senator Obama. The fact is that William Ayers was a terrorist and bomber and unrepentant. I don't care about that. But, Sen. Obama ought be the candid and truthful about his relationship with Mr. Ayers.
If McCain wants to show voters he can rise above negative attacks and innuendo, he needs to make a stronger stand than that, especially since his remarks came after his campaign had come out against Frederick. What? Is he not getting his own memos?

more:http://www.queerty.com/as-campaign-attempts-sunnier-side-mccain-unsure-of-obamaosama-slam-20081013/

[jaxx]

1. And some thought McC was nice for telling people Obama was decent.

Ha! The real McC is back on track with his terrorists intact. Creep.

[stillcool]

2. Is John going to be able..

to look across the table and say this to Obama's face? Should be interesting.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081012/ap_en_tv/ap_on_tv_last_debate_4
The two candidates will sit at the same table for the third debate, so close that they will be able to reach out and touch each other. Schieffer hopes this will encourage more interaction.

[HopeHoops]

3. As long as they don't play footsies - that could get ugly.

[yellowcanine]

4. Now he is making it sound as if Obama launched his Presidential campaign in Ayers' living room.

Wasn't the fundraiser for Obama's first state senate campaign?

[demnan]

5. Jeff Frederick is a state delgate from Eastern Prince William

friend of the rabid right. He got in by smearing a Democrat incumbent who was a lady who had been in politics and served this community for over 40 years.

[Virginia Dare]

7. It's guys like him who are killing the GOP in Virginia..

that other racist asshat in P.W. too, Corey something, they deserve everything that's coming to them.

[demnan]

8. Corey Stewart

Our Head of the Board of Supervisors. He's a real jerk.

[CitizenPatriot]

6. Mkkkaine

you can't believe anything this guys says.

[KamaAina]

9. What about his own brother calling Northern Virginians a bunch of commies?

True, Lynchburg is in the far more conservative central part of the state -- it is the home of Jerry Falwell's Liberty "University", once bailed out finacially by the Moonies! -- but as long as he's refusing to condemn stupid remarks that repukes make, might as well throw that one in, too. :eyes: