Bill Cunningham responds to McCain Controversy

[Bengals_Mama]

(Courtesy of Cincinnati.com & The Cincinnati Enquirer)

Radio talk show host Bill Cunningham told listeners today that Mike DeWine, John McCain's Ohio campaign chairman, and county prosecutor Joe Deters asked him over lunch last week to speak at the McCain rally.

They wanted him “to throw some red meat to the crowd… To get the crowd on their feet and get them happy,” he said.

DeWine is a former U.S. senator and Deters used to run the Republican party in Hamilton County. Deters spoke at the rally.



• Video: Watch Cunningham's rant, McCain's apology
• Tell us: Did Bill Cunningham go too far?
• Audio: Listen to Cunningham's complete remarks

Cunningham called Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama a "hack Chicago-style Daley politician" and used Obama's middle name -- Hussein -- twice. Cunningham also mocked the foreign policy in an Obama presidency.

The comments were subsquently repudiated by McCain, who said his campaign would not denigrate Obama or Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Deters – who said he had no problem with what Cunningham said at the McCain rally – said that he did invite Cunningham to speak, but not at the lunch with DeWine.

“That lunch was about a month ago, long before McCain was scheduled to come into town,’’ Deters said.

The lunch with DeWine was arranged so DeWine could sound out Cunningham on whether or not he would support McCain for president.

Last week, when the McCain campaign told local party officials that the candidate was coming to Cincinnati, Deters said he told people at party headquarters that he would contact Cunningham about being one of the warm-up speakers. Deters said Cunningham agreed, as long as he could get back to his radio studio by 12:30 p.m. for his regular show.

“Everybody knows that when you invite Bill Cunningham to speak, you’re not going to get a church mouse,’’ Deters said.

Cunningham said today his comments were not offensive or racist.

“Everyone in the hall was happy with what I had to say, because it was regular political discourse,'' he said.

Cunningham said he had received many emails at the station about his McCain rally comments. He found it ironic that “many are using hate speech attacking me in emails” in complaining that his remarks was hate speech.

He again said that he isn’t supporting John McCain. And he backed off Tuesday’s on-air remarks that he would support Democrat Hillary Clinton.

“John McCain, I’m done with you. I may not vote for Hillary, but I’m done with Juan Pablo McCain,” he said. Then he declared: “McCain should lose the election.”

Last night, Cunningham burned up national TV time, getting about five minutes on CNN to give his side regarding his remarks.

"Get them fired up and give them some red meat. And I did. In fact, when I left, John, the crowd was cheering," Cunningham told host John Roberts.

"All was well. No problem whatsoever until about an hour later . . .when John McCain threw me under the bus, under the Straight Talk Express. I got thrown under the bus."

• Video: McCain visits BAE Systems • Video: McCain speaks at Cincinnati rally • Photos: McCain campaigns in Cincinnati


McCain denied ever meeting Cunningham before, saying "I will certainly make sure nothing like that happens again." But Cunningham told CNN he met McCain twice before, including with Mike DeWine at Kenwood Country Club. "John McCain is developing -- maybe because of his advance in years -- a bad memory,'' Cunningham said.

The purpose of using Obama’s full name *- Barack Hussein Obama - “is to identify that person. I meant no offense by it,” Cunningham said. Those who oppose his use of Obama’s middle name are those who should be criticized, Cunningham added.

The radio talk show host went on to say McCain is not a conservative. “Why is he attacking me and not Obama or Hillary? He ought to attack Democrats and quit attacking conservatives like me.”

Cunningham said he has no plans to meet McCain again. "I've had it up to here with John McCain. He's off the list. I'm joining Ann Coulter in supporting Hillary Rodham Clinton."

*HUGE GASP* Did he say he will be supporting Hillary now...lol

[clara]

no he didn't go to far i was glad for him to speak the truth and not back down on how he felt good for u mr. cunningham

[TheMan]

Grow a pair McCain.. Geesh...

[mark]

.............I can't understand what's all the controversy is all about??

What's wrong with the truth? ...........see ya mark

[Chuck]

.............I can't understand what's all the controversy is all about??

What's wrong with the truth? ...........see ya mark

And just what is the truth? Explain what it is you got from his using the full proper name?

Most people, and parents, normally use the full proper name when scolding a child or to chastise another person. No one does this in normal conversation unless it is demean another during a conversation.

What was his intent in using Obama's full given name repeatedly?

[Unregistered]

Bill Cunningham is a shameless self promoter. No excuse for using Obama's name for what we all know was an attempt to muddy the waters.
By the way, I'm not an Obama fan (I'll vote McCain) but I am ashamed of how Cunningham behaved. Believe me, not all conservative Republicans are bigots.

[mark]

And just what is the truth? Explain what it is you got from his using the full proper name?

Most people, and parents, normally use the full proper name when scolding a child or to chastise another person. No one does this in normal conversation unless it is demean another during a conversation.

What was his intent in using Obama's full given name repeatedly?

Hmmmm......let's see......for the last 70 years.....the truth, OK......what about:

Franklin Delano Roosevelt
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Lyndon Baines Johnson
Richard Milhous Nixon
George Herbert Walker Bush
George W. Bush
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Barack Hussein Obama

All names I've heard or read before.

I don't get it. When conservatives say the full name, it's blasphemous.
When liberals says it, it's never mentioned in the press.

Funny thing is.....the flaming liberal Jon Stewart says something very similar on TV recently & no one has heard anything about it.

Yet, let Cunningham say it & the world falls apart.

Yep, more proof the press has an liberal agenda.

There's proof enough.........see ya mark

[Chuck]

Franklin Delano Roosevelt - Not to be confused with Theodore Roosevelt
John Fitzgerald Kennedy - AKA.. JFK I will concede this one
Lyndon Baines Johnson - Never heard this one, Till now I thought his middle name was "B".
Richard Milhous Nixon - Richard Nixon is what I remember him being referred to.
George Herbert Walker Bush - Not to be confused with "W" and I thought his middle name was H.R.
George W. Bush - Not to be confused with "H.R."
Hillary Rodham Clinton - Not to be confused with Hillary Jefferson Clinton AKA,, "Bill" Generally know and referred to in speeches as just "Hillary"

Barack Hussein Obama - Every time someone mentions his middle name it is to refer to him being Muslim. They are trying to draw attention to the similarity to Saddam, or am I missing that.

[Bengals_Mama]

I believe he did it to insult Obama, but he was instructed to go out there & give them some "red meat"... what did McCain's people expect? They knew Bill Cunningham before this happened, and how outspoken he is. I'm not a fan of any of these people mentioned, but I am glad that Cunningham stood his ground. Plus, I don't think anyone that was at the Cincy rally cared that he was saying what he was saying... it would have been forgotten about if the media would not have blown it out of proportion, and McCain had not responded to it.

[TheMan]

His middle name is Muslim.. Instead of complaining about people using it he should be proud of it. The controversy stirred by his middle name is only because supporters need an excuse to explain it.

Be proud of your name or get rid of it..

It's no different then saying Hillary Rodham Clinton or George W. Bush.. intentions aside, it's only a name.

How can you insult someone by using their name?

[maysvillebulldog]

Franklin Delano Roosevelt - Not to be confused with Theodore Roosevelt
John Fitzgerald Kennedy - AKA.. JFK I will concede this one
Lyndon Baines Johnson - Never heard this one, Till now I thought his middle name was "B".
Richard Milhous Nixon - Richard Nixon is what I remember him being referred to.
George Herbert Walker Bush - Not to be confused with "W" and I thought his middle name was H.R.
George W. Bush - Not to be confused with "H.R."
Hillary Rodham Clinton - Not to be confused with Hillary Jefferson Clinton AKA,, "Bill" Generally know and referred to in speeches as just "Hillary"

Barack Hussein Obama - Every time someone mentions his middle name it is to refer to him being Muslim. They are trying to draw attention to the similarity to Saddam, or am I missing that.

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other word would smell as sweet." Let me paraphrase Chuck. "What's in a name? That which we call a thorn, by any other word would still stick." Barack Hussein Obama may not be a practicing Muslim but he cannot deny his parentage and he is certainly doing a poor job of separating himself from his minister and self-proclaimed mentor, the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. and Louis Farrakhan, the hate monger who targets Jews and Whites.

Hmmmm......let's see......for the last 70 years.....the truth, OK......what about:

Franklin Delano Roosevelt
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Lyndon Baines Johnson
Richard Milhous Nixon
George Herbert Walker Bush
George W. Bush
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Barack Hussein Obama

All names I've heard or read before.

I don't get it. When conservatives say the full name, it's blasphemous.
When liberals says it, it's never mentioned in the press.

Funny thing is.....the flaming liberal Jon Stewart says something very similar on TV recently & no one has heard anything about it.

Yet, let Cunningham say it & the world falls apart.

Yep, more proof the press has an liberal agenda.

There's proof enough.........see ya mark

[Chuck]

"What's in a name?

It yours and other following post you prove my point. People associate his middle name to Saddam Hussein, Muslim, or a terrorist. In his speech I believe it was his intent to "Strike that Match" again.

The mass majority can only tell you 2 things about Cunningham's speech.
1. It was Pro and For John McCain.
2. The shouting of Barack Hussein Obama.

It had no other "Meat" only "Red Meat".

The Man,
You are correct in everything you said, including "intentions aside". The purpose of the conversation/debate here is if Cunningham's intentions was clear to the message he wanted to convey.

With the above statements I can unequivocally say we agree on Cunningham's intent.

[tkcomer]

The truth? Cunningham used Obama's middle name because he is well aware on how easy it is to dupe the conservative voters. Jeeze, these voters though Saddam was in on 9/11. How crazy can you be? McCain is probably embarrassed to admit that these voters can be led like cattle with half truths and lies. The fact that mentioning Obama's middle name will drive them into a tizzy shows how dumb they really are. It shows they choose to ignore facts. Which is why the country is in the shape it's in.

[maysvillebulldog]

The truth? Cunningham used Obama's middle name because he is well aware on how easy it is to dupe the conservative voters. Jeeze, these voters though Saddam was in on 9/11. How crazy can you be? McCain is probably embarrassed to admit that these voters can be led like cattle with half truths and lies. The fact that mentioning Obama's middle name will drive them into a tizzy shows how dumb they really are. It shows they choose to ignore facts. Which is why the country is in the shape it's in.

The good thing about being an American is being able to express your own view. Yes I am a conservative voter, and even though I might be considered a little obese, the last time I looked I am not a bovine. I do not go into a tizzy when I hear Obama's middle name and I certainly am not DUMB. It seems to me that it is some of you liberal voters that seem a little thin-skinned but of course that is just my opinion ---thankfully guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Lighten up TK. Too much stress is not good for the body.

Hmmmm......let's see......for the last 70 years.....the truth, OK......what about:

Franklin Delano Roosevelt
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Lyndon Baines Johnson
Richard Milhous Nixon
George Herbert Walker Bush
George W. Bush
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Barack Hussein Obama

All names I've heard or read before.

I don't get it. When conservatives say the full name, it's blasphemous.
When liberals says it, it's never mentioned in the press.

Funny thing is.....the flaming liberal Jon Stewart says something very similar on TV recently & no one has heard anything about it.

Yet, let Cunningham say it & the world falls apart.

Yep, more proof the press has an liberal agenda.

There's proof enough.........see ya mark


All names I have heard before too, Mark.

[Unregistered]

I listen to Willie sometime,,,he has always called people by their full names....he is a show man..... how about Billy Clyde Gillespie....Orlando Tubby Smith....GEorge Washington Carver,,,,,,,,

[Brian K Beckett]

Franklin Delano Roosevelt - Not to be confused with Theodore Roosevelt
John Fitzgerald Kennedy - AKA.. JFK I will concede this one
Lyndon Baines Johnson - Never heard this one, Till now I thought his middle name was "B".
Richard Milhous Nixon - Richard Nixon is what I remember him being referred to.
George Herbert Walker Bush - Not to be confused with "W" and I thought his middle name was H.R.
George W. Bush - Not to be confused with "H.R."
Hillary Rodham Clinton - Not to be confused with Hillary Jefferson Clinton AKA,, "Bill" Generally know and referred to in speeches as just "Hillary"

Barack Hussein Obama - Every time someone mentions his middle name it is to refer to him being Muslim. They are trying to draw attention to the similarity to Saddam, or am I missing that.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt- Said to have had knowledge of Pearl harbor attack
John Fitzgerald Kennedy- Bay of piggs/ Marilin Monroe
Lyndon Baines Johnson- Screw ups and lies about Vietnam
Richard Milhous Nixon- Watergate/ "I am not a Crook"
George Herbert Walker Bush- Made deals with Sadam Hussein
George W. Bush- Not enough web storage to write all the bad things
Hillary Rodham Clinton- Flip Flopper
Barack Hussein Obama- Was raised a muslim but says now a christian.

I dont know if he is a Christian or not but I know people are most generally not the religion that they were raised. I read a story the other day I wish I could find the link describing how often people change their religion.

[kdown]

Saddam, Arabic, meaning: Powerful Commander

[kyred73]

If you ever listen to Bill Cunningham (which I do frequently) you would know that is the way he addresses many people of status...by their full name. He has been using Obama's full name (and Hillary's full name) for months & months and no one has complained until it reached national media. People need to chill out over this man's comments and Obama's middle name. I for one don't like Obama's first name...sounds too much like OSAMA....but that's my opinion and that's all it is.

CORRECTION....I meant to say Barak OBAMA's LAST name not first name!

[tkcomer]

Like I've said numerous times before, I'm a Republican. But I'm disgusted at how the the 'Pubs repeatably lie to get elected and then immediately reverse themselves once in office. Its a wonder the bible they swear in on doesn't just burst into flames. At least with the Dems, you pretty much know what you're going to get if you vote for them. Its a wonder their entire body doesn't explode when they swear to uphold the Constitution. And what saddens me is how the conservative voter falls for these half truths and lies time and time again. That's why the right wing talk show hosts say the things they do. They know the conservative base is easily fooled. Repeatedly. If the conservative base would only open their eyes at what their elected politicians actually do after being elected, 90 percent would not make it through the primaries. The lies work and the talk show hosts know it. And when the media calls for accountability for their lies and half truths, the conservative base's only answer is that the media has a liberal agenda.