McCain Regrets MLK Vote

How convenient. Hey Johnny, nobody is buying it.

McCain need not apologise for his vote!
National holidays had always been reserved for U.S. Presidents and only 2
were so honored, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln!
While Dr King was a great leader for civil rights many believed at the time
of the Senate vote that some other
memorial would more appropriate than
a national holiday!

dano: Give the man credit. Whether you like John McCain or not, he is still a war hero and served our country honorably.
Dr. Martin Luther King would of appreciated the sacrifices that McCain endured for this country.

To compare Obama to Martin Luther King is like comparing Captain Crunch to Superman. Not the same league.

I think McCain’s vote against the MLK holiday only 25yrs ago should put Wright’s comments in some context. Why wouldn’t he realize how important MLK was by 1983? And this is the man who may be our next president? He was supposed to be a senator and even most of his colleagues voted for it. Finally admitting you were wrong when everybody already knows you were wrong, doesn’t show courage. If people don’t understand why there are so resentment in “black America”, here is one reason.

Couldnt care less the holiday should be rescinded as it is anyway.

Oops
I do agree with you that it is a political thing. At the same time, I do believe that he regrets it because he is now going to be our next President. He doesn’t need the black vote because many of Hillary supporters… actually I should anti-Obama voters will vote for him. The problem is many blacks had no idea that he voted against it until now. The people that support Obama are the real Dems (not because they support him) because they know that our next Pres needs to be a Dem, unless you want AT LEAST 4 more years of Bush.

I as a black man who do not generally agree with Mr McCain’s views or politics but I must say I admire him for not only showing up but amitted his mistake in voting against the holiday. It is about time that people of differing views and opinions can speak the honest truth, the lack of speaking the truth is the cause of most of todays problem. I will be voting for the democratic nominee but if Mr McCain’s party did not have so much disdain for black people I would vote for him, but his party see us as an object without any value.

WestCoastMessenger writes:
“To compare Obama to Martin Luther King is like comparing Captain Crunch to Superman. Not the same league.”
And yet, you are comparing Dr. King to a cartoon character, which cheapens both Obama AND Martin Luther King.
Doh.

John McCain votes against the MLK holiday bill. Hillary Clinton votes in favor of a measure to approve sending troops to Iraq. Barack Obama votes against this Iraq measure. Of these three, why is Obama being vilified? (And I don’t care about Rev. Wright.)

I don’t care how you vote. McCain is no war criminal. He is a veteran and a hero who had the guts to go and do what most of us never will. Don’t like his politics, vote against him. Think he’s apologizing because its an election year – maybe. Think he was wrong for voting for Iraq war – fair enough. We can all agree to disagree and vote our conscience. But even Obama said he was an American hero. On that Mr. Obama and I are in complete agreement – and I thank him for his words – some of you should listen to them.

Just because Byrd – and others – haven’t apologized for civil rights doesn’t mean that McCain shouldn’t apologize. It means he has more class than they do – or that its an election year. It is a good thing to point out that Kennedy and Johnson could not have gotten civil rights passed without Republican votes – we always conveniently forget that – but Republicans shouldn’t be thanked for doing the right thing – no one should as it ought to be expected. And everyone should atone for mistakes – we all make them – even in non election years.

I sometimes have a hard time separating the evil and racist things people do and say from the acts of good. I usually always side with the fact the racism and evilness outweigh the good. The bad usually is a true reflection on how someone truly is. McCain is an idiot that will keep us at war and begin new ones only to keep his war-mongering alive. He is a very bad choice for any office, war hero or not.

Let’s be totally fair then. Obama said that he would unilaterally bomb Pakistan.Should we speak about the fallout from that.

McCain never had the (vast majority) African American vote to begin with and never will. McCain is clearly pandering to whomever he thinks will vote for him. It’s not working.
As a African American, I’m very happy that there is a national holiday honoring a great American – like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

MLK was nothing more than a communist. Anyone ever wonder why his FBI files are sealed to 2023? Because there is plenty in there that would change peoples opinion of that criminal. It is sad that America actually honors that crook with his own holiday. Typical, I guess, considering the world we live in today.

Dear oops, McCain has forgiven the North Vienamese for torturing him. That requires a pretty strong character. I doubt that I could be as forgiving, and wonder whether you could be.

As if McCain’s vote 25 years ago is really going to change how anyone votes in November.
yawn…

I agree with you, but i have to say this, ,actually Reagan did a great job on the economy. Bill did even better, but in the Past 25 years, those two men did very well.

AT LEAST MCCAIN HAS THE GUTS AND WITS TO APOLOGIZE UNLIKE THE HATE MONGERING OBAMA WHO TURNED IT AROUND AND IT MADE SOUND LIKE IT’S THE AMERICANS CITIZENS FAULT WHY HIS PASTOR WRIGHT HATES AMERICA….

Please come up with proof that Bush and McCain finished at the bottom of their classes. Once again Dem talking points. This is the same old tired crap the Dems were spewing when Bush was against Kerry. Then we find out Bush had a HIGHER GPA than Kerry. So please show me some proof of your LALA land you live in where they finished bottom of their classes.

Dr. King’s accomplishments were less than those of many people who accomplished more without getting holidays named after them. One example is Ida B. Wells-Barnett, who spoke out against lynching in the 19th century. Another is John Muir, one of our country’s greatest preservationists. King’s personal behavior, such as plagiarizing much of his doctoral thesis and paying for prostitutes with SCLC money, should have precluded him from getting any kind of national recognition.

OBAMA SUPPORTER WHAT MAKES YOU BELIEVE OBAMA WILL STOP ANY WAR?

I don’t say that forgiveness and bravery are the only qualifications for president. I am merely pointing out and correcting misconceptions promulgated in this forum. I believe that experience and proven leadership are important qualifications for president. Neither Clinton nor Obama has enough of these essential characteristics. Obama might be qualified for president in another 8 years or so. I doubt Clinton ever will.

It is funny how when someone speaks of facts about MLK they are labeled racist. I guess when you have no argument to back up with facts the only thing you can do is call someone a racist.

Who cares? Now what did Chris Rock say about MLK Blvd in any large city?

ERIC…CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS? MLK DAY WAS PROMOTED DURING A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT…YES RONALD R REAGAN…

McCain’s sincere reflection comes at a time when Obama is trying to explain away his own passive racism (Rev. Wright). I think McCain’s honesty and decency in this matter contrast with Obama’s self-righteousness. I applaude Senator McCain.

Thanks you for your update Marine4Ever and I’m well aware that Regan is the President who signed the legislation for the MLK Holiday…HOWEVER…He opposed it from the start so the move was nothing more than a political one.

If Obama can support Rev. Wright I can support John McCain, they both are about equally offensive.

So the Presidents lost their individual days, and we got “Presidents Day” instead, and the only person in the history of the United States with a “personal day” becomes MLK? I disagreed with it, too.

You know I think it is funny that when the Demacratic party was founded they were in favor of slavery and that was the same time the reublican party was founded and they were the ones on the side of anti-slavery. So my point being will people seem to coment on how the rebublican party doesn’t really care about black people but that the democratic party does it seems silly because on both side there have been bad people and policys just as there have been good ones, i think it is so much more important to vote for the individuale that represents what you belive the most. By continually standing by the well i am going to vote with my party all we are doing is labling and seperating. If we could all say that we would vote for the best canidate instead of the party maybe we could actually get somewhere

OOOHHH SNAP! Way to go DANO! That was just to darn funny!

I used the term earlier but in reality a hyphenated-American is not a real American at all. Your post made that fact rather glaring all “through” the post if you read it for yourself.

shucks why can’t we have January 8th as a hoiday. why can’t we honor elvis presley

I am just so tired of the African-American community complaining that race is ALWAYS the reason things aren’t going your way. I am a hispanic and the reason that hispanics aren’t doing so well is that WE keep ourselves down. We don’t push getting an education. We push getting a job and making babies. Blacks want to say that every time something bad happens, it is racism. IT ISNT. It is pure old fashion greed. Race is a factor but not the main factor. Obama is what he is because his family was able to provide him opprotunities money can buy. I have a college education but I got it from paying loans and grants. Hillary is more experinced than Obama but quite a bit slimy. I really like McCain because he says who he is and doesn’t try to hide everything. He may make mistakes and apologizes for them but his are right there in plain sight. I think people will see that Hillary is opprotunistic and Obama is too inexperienced. McCain may be older but that doesnt mean he can’t handle the job. Look at Reagan. He wasn’t much younger than McCain will be if he takes office. I think McCain moves and interacts a lot better than Reagan did at that age.

Here I am a liberal Democract. and I don’t think McCain did anything wrong with that issue. That is not a knock on MLK. But only one other citizen has had a national holiday named for him Washington. Not even Lincoln whose contributions to all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, dwarfed that of MLK’s. The holiday declaration was a politically motivated one.

Another politician just trying to buy votes.

ajm don’t put Blacks all in one category because, I don’t fit that mold that you are portraying.

These ignorant, arrogant, and racist comments saddens me. No one ever claimed MLK to be a perfect man, but he did however make a very substantial contribution to our nation’s history and he most certainly deserve a day in his honor. Very suspicious that McCain has all of sudden changed his view. Very suspicious that some of you dont understand why he’s being called a racist when Obama is being called one for someone else’s statements. Statments that McCain seems to be validating.
Al – If other races have their problems why did you feel it necesary to single out black people.
Jerry – I would ask the Native American community how they feel about Columbus “discovering” America.

tam, so you think MLK’s contributions were more important than Abraham Lincoln’s (or a number of other such American’s).

McCain was in a prison camp when King was killed. He was there for another five and a half years.
McCain wasn’t in this country during that time.
McCain voted against it because he voted against all holidays then. He is a small government conservative.
McCain adopted a black baby.
Look up McCain’s policies on race relations. He is moderate.
McCain is being smeared. I am so sick of this election.
McCain should drop out because the media has distorted his views and smeared him to pieces. I hate seeing this.

David, he would be smeared less if he simply said he feels his vote was appropriate, and not filp-flop for political brownie points. His chameleon-like willingness to become whatever people at the moment want is his single biggest political liability.

To Jason
McCain is far different then bush.
Different on gitmo, stem cells, allowing drugs from canada, allowing negotation with drug companies.
McCain and Bush are completely different on the enviornment.
I can’t believe people are falling for the lies that McCain is like Bush.
Jason, how can you fall for the lies from someone like Howard Dean over someone like McCain.
McCain would be a great president like Reagan but the problem is he will never get the chance because the media lies saying he is like Bush.

Jason look up McCain’s positions and his record in the senate he isn’t anything close to Bush.
Just because Howard Dean says it doesn’t make it true.
Only in America could someone like Howard Dean who didn’t serve because of a bad back but was sking in colorodo be taken seriously.

Sitting1: Let’s be totally fair then. Obama said that he would unilaterally bomb Pakistan.Should we speak about the fallout from that.
Sure. Support it 100%. What argument could a Republican possibly make against bombing bin Laden back to the stone age when you unilaterally bombed Iraq, which had nothing to do with bin Laden?
I am equal opportunity- I say bomb Pakistan if that’s where that piece of garbage is. Or maybe McCain supporters want a UN litmus test?

What about the Economy, what about the war. That is what Americans are caring about more than anything. McCain said it himself he didn’t know much about the economy. His reason to why, is because to many people are getting into loans they can’t afford. I partially agree with that. However, it is not a few people here and there, this is across the United States. As far as Gitmo, Stem Cell, Canadian Drugs the only one I might actually believe him on is Canadian Drugs. I think that’s great but no one honestly cares (at the present time). Gitmo and Stem Cell all that is, is a ploy to suck Dems in, and its working. I’m a Dem and I could careless about Gitmo. I’m also a soldier so, to be honest they can stay in Gitmo for shooting at me, and killing my buddies.

Don’t give only part truths. He said IF there was substantial intelligence (evidence) that Pakistan was harboring terrorists, he would. Not just go bombing them because they are there.

Mr. McCain was right to vote no. His aspirations of having Mr. King day declared a National Holiday were defeated. He had to settled for less. A Federal Holiday. I remember him suggesting the National Holiday for Mr.King; I was appalled! What about Cesar Chavez??!!! or John Miccokusee??!!
LG

Hey brothers and sisters, peace be unto you. As Rodney King said:”Why can’t we get along?” Try to forget past wrongs and look forward. Can’t do nothing about the past.

There are two things I disagree with my party. I disagree with the war thing, I never understood this war, never supported, and knew it was a lie from the start HOWEVER, as much as this was the another republican blunder, we can’t leave (GOD I hate saying that) unless we figure something out politically, or actually win. Two, something needs to be done about illegal immigration. Did you guys know that there are cities/towns in some states that have recognized spanish as an official language. I live in Miami, FL. Its not even America anymore. I go places and people look at me weird because I speak english, something has to be done.

Atleast McCain admits when he is wrong instead of saying “I misspoke(lied)”

McCain is not just now apologizing for political votes. He apologized decades ago. He lead the fight in 1992 to make it a holiday in his state.
He voted against all holiday in the 80′s because of the cost. Please put it in the proper context.

David, in your earlier post you mentioneed “two holidays”. I don’t know if you were referring to Lincoln, but he has never had a national holiday.

Jason, look it up on the net, and they were 2 distinctly different Presidents.
Why they changed it, I do not know.

plainsmm, some states celebrate Lincoln’s birthday and the feds used to give a holiday to its employess for it. But it has never been a declared national holiday.

You’re damn right McCain was wrong to vote against the MLK holiday and we all also remember the extra long list of other blind Republicans who voted against it.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand when people say he we are not there anymore or get over it already, I really do. But at the same time they need to understand that they didn’t have to put up with the stuff that our elders did. They weren’t brought to this country and then called the enemy. The weren’t hanged, and raped and murdered, only to watch the person walk away with not even a slap on the wrist. Blacks had to establish themselves, they weren’t decendents of rich people. They were push into ghettos of all the same type of people; people without a clue and no education. Considering what they went through many were able to emerge from it all, but not all were able to. We still have ghettos of people without a clue and uneducated to this day. Now is not as much as an excuse as it was then but when you have the blind leading the blind and no seeing eye dog, people just don’t know how to do it.

Jason, I don’t know if that was to me. I have no answers. I was just providing background to show that w/o the militants, it is unlikely the establishment would have conceded much to MLK and such.

give McCain a break! you’re all over him for a vote on a holiday and disregard his service for this country. miles1967, are you out of touch with reality, if the surge is not working why it’s all over the news that the surge is helping. so was it bad judgement for him to sacrifice for your country and his patience for staying in prison and got tortured for over 5 years and still managed to alive?

McCain has absolutly nothing to appolgise for…He was 100% right. King should have never had this holiday..

Who cares!

USA mosts needs
Strong leadership in foreign relations
A leader who is somewhat between the left and the right
Experience in dealing with the legislature
Moderation in outlook, policies, and temperament
Obama? Hillary? McCain?
I think you know the answer….

Hannah, I have no idea what your point is…Lincoln has a holiday. Yes, the “suffering” of blacks is comparable to the suffering of American indians. Is your question whether there is a quantitative similarity between U.S.-issued diseased blankets/mass extermination and Tuskegee experiments/lynchings/institutionalized racism. I guess my response would be..once you reach a certain horrific treatment of once race or group, it does not matter how far you go past that point. Was that your point??

I can’t imagine what would have possessed John McCain, of all people, to give a speech in honor of this important anniversary. It only spotlights his hypocrisy and it was so self-indulgent! I don’t believe for a minute that he cares at all about MLK or black people. It is the epitome of gall for him to interject a shameless political plug for himself on the anniversary of King’s death. Bad, bad judgement!

Just kiddin with the previous comment:
Why should a person of a particular race get a holiday??doesn’t make sense

Funny, you think those folks booing McCain got him all shook up? He spent most of his time as POW being tortured and in solitary confinement. When a bomb exploded on the deck of his aircraft carrier he had to dive out of his plane and roll through burning jet-fuel to escape. Those folks can’t lick his shoes!

Aaron–As a liberal I have not been proud of my country for a while. We now torture, spy on our citizens, imprision people without the right to judicial process. We don’t seem to need or want that piece of toilet paper (constitution) that has distinguished us from our enemies. I love my country, and I plan to do everything I can to change it back into the country our founders built. Not the hateful, greedy, corrupt place of cowards like Cheney, and his inept boss. In November, our country will finally get back on track because we will have a democrat in the white house. Then maybe you will understand–you will see leadership. Obama 08

You are right when you say that John McCain will not get the black vote. But it was right of him to have said what he said. I was opposed to the MLK Day too, but not because I did not think him a good man and even a great citizen, but I did not want our government (read, us taxpayers) to be saddled with another paid holiday. I would have been in favor of trading it with Columbus Day… but that would not have been politically possible.
The claims that Pancho Villa Day or even Cinco de Mayo will soon be foisted upon us are poor analogies since these or Mexican National days… MLK is an American and added greatly to the cause of racial equality in the US. That is a big deal.
I’m glad McCain went to Memphis… good job!

McBush, McSame, McShame… these are great taglines, but a poor tactical move on those 527 groups out to get McCain. They should have waited in the tall grass until November.
Considering what a trouncing McCain got during the 2000 primaries, I think he’s ready for whatever mud is gonna be thrown.
Obama on the other hand… you don’t have to be a genius to figure out the kind of stuff the’ll hurl at him. Wright, NAFTA, 3am phone call, etc…
I doubt either candidate (Obama or McCain) will participate in this kind of campaigning, but those pesky 527′s. I guess that’s what Rendell was aluding when he said we only know 50% of Obama… so far the best help McCain has had in the past few months have been the Democrats.

No it wasn’t.

MCCAIN IS WRONG ON MANY THINGS,INCLUDING THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY, THE FUTURE OF AMAERICA, THE WAR IN IRAQ, EVEN WRONG ON RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. HOW CAN ONE HEAR AND SEE THE PAIN IN THE WORDS AND THE FACE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, AND THEN LATER VOTE AGAINST MAKING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASSISNATION OF ONE OF THE TRULY GREAT MEN IN AMERICA? YOU MUST BE MADE OF STONE.

To little, to late, and not the TRUTH. Besides, what he did or didn’t do in ’83 for whatever stupid reason he suggested. It never stopped what was right and timely. The Clintons are learning this lesson now. While McCain will be sorry again, in November.

There ought to be 2, and only 2, National Holidays, 4th of July and Memorial Day.

McCain is a genuine American Hero, Obama/Clinton – PpHHhhhh!