Obama Says Referencing McCain’s Keating Five Connection Is Fair Game
EmailABC News’ Sunlen Miller reports: Sen. Barack Obama responded today, during a press availability in Bend, Ore., to comments that Rep. Peter DeFazio made while introducing him yesterday at a town hall.
In Albany, Ore., DeFazio brought up Sen. John McCain’s association with the Keating Five savings and loan scandal, questioning McCain’s ethics. “He says we need less regulation? Hello! Wall Street mortgage meltdown, Bear Stearns taxpayer bail out, Enron, but you know, I guess maybe for a guy who was up to his neck in the Keating Five and saving and loan scandal less regulation is better.”
Obama walked on stage after DeFazio’s comments and thanked his newest superdelegate endorser for his “fiery speech.”
Obama today was asked if he believes McCain’s association with Keating Five is fair game.
“Congressman DeFazio obviously delivered a speech that wasn’t my speech,” Obama said instantaneously, trying to separate DeFazio’s comments from his own.
Obama said that he does think that McCain’s past association to the scandal is relevant to the presidency and fair game to bring up.
“I don’t have any doubt that John McCain’s public record about issues that he’s apologized for and written about it [is] not germane to the presidency,” Obama said.
He was asked a few minutes beforehand about how he will respond to Republican attacks on his patriotism, if he is the nominee, and used this as a comparison to McCain’s past, saying that his connection to the scandal carries more weight.
“I was just asked previously about a whole host of issues and associations that were a lot more flimsy than John McCain’s relationship to Keating Five. What I’ve said is, you know, I can’t quarrel with the American people wanting to know more about that and me having to answer questions about that.”
In response, Sen. McCain’s spokesman, Tucker Bounds, said, “Apparently Obama’s lively calls for ‘new politics’ ended today and politics-as-usual emerged, because his campaign spokesman said just yesterday that this is an issue they didn’t intend to discuss. If Barack Obama doesn’t have the strength to stand up to his own standards, how is he going to stand up for hardworking Americans who need a strengthened economy?”
Bounds was referencing a statement by Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki, in which she said, “There is more than enough space between Barack Obama and John McCain on the issues, whether it is tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans or a timeline for bringing our troops home, and that is where we will focus out campaign.”
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Stacey, it will not be a ‘nasty year’ if the Republicans refrain from their evil ways. lol
And why shouldn’t the “Keating Five” scandal be off the table? It is common knowledge Senatorial knowledge.
And it goes to the heart of the lack of McCain’s credibility.
If the American people make a big stink because Obama was MERELY ASSOCIATED to a pastor, who used ONLY RELIGIOUS RHETORIC, then why should the ILLEGAL ACTIONS OF McCAIN be off the table?
“Keating Five” is not what someone said about John McCain.
“Keating Five” is McCain’s CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.
And it is about why McCain would want to give away the nation’s wealth to the already wealthy, while ordinary Americans cannot afford gas!
Obama is so brilliant in addition to being a visionary that many Americans cannot appreciate this giant intellect.
When Obama said that the Rev Right issues was ‘fair game’, and McCain jumped all over it at ever opportunity, Obama was setting up McCain to make “Keating Five” ALSO ‘fair game’.
Surprise! lol
Posted by: Patriot | May 10, 2008, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm
The democratic nomination process isn’t over and yet Obama is presenting himself as nominee. He’s assumed something that has not been given to him. McCain is apparently going along with Obama’s assumption.
Posted by: katrina | May 10, 2008, 6:37 pm 6:37 pm
blog | May 10, 2008 6:23:52 PM
Right on assessment of McCain!
Posted by: Patriot | May 10, 2008, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm
So let’s get this right. Keating 5 is fair gave, but Wright and Hamas is a smear.
Thanks Obama for clarifying it for the rest of us morons as to what constitute negative campaigning.
Negative campaigning is talking about things that make Obama looks bad. Did I get an A in Obamanism.
Posted by: coolrepublica | May 10, 2008, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm
Unfortunately for a hero like John Mccain…he in his new shiny right wing form… is the worst thing (next to Hillary) that could happen to us.
The world will see it as not recognizing the mistakes we made.
Unfortunately for McCain most Americans know that. He went nasty yesterday Obama will crush him.
Posted by: dl | May 10, 2008, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm
GOP opposition research is turning up some interesting items that will be used in October. I look forward to this!
Posted by: al | May 10, 2008, 7:08 pm 7:08 pm
Old McCain will fall flat on his face as his beloved friend Hill the Bosnian General. His wife Cindy has refused to make public her tax returns for what ever reasons and McCain’s ability to lead is very questionable as well as his understanding ofthe world and the presidency, that is not a Vietnam war at all. His medical records should be made public. Many people believe that WBush’s IQ is superior to McCain’s IQ. How in God’s name people will even think to put America’s future in the hands of a man who is not at WBush’s level. May God save America from McCain. God bless America and God bless Obama. OBAMA08.
Posted by: BKMC | May 10, 2008, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
p.s. You all seem to forget Mccain was riding that platform to put his money where his mouth is long before Obama.
I guess it only means if it is an issue attacking him.
So it is bad when GW did it to him in 2000 but it’s patriotic and right when he starts it in 2008.
This will be about our future and people not being able to put food on the table and how the war…is killing us…and going to overwhelmingly hurt our children’s futures and their children’s futures if mcCain keeps it up like he says.
Terrorists are recruiting higher numbers every day because of this foreign policy.
We need change and America knows it.
so throw your mud…mud will be thrown and in the midst…
America is losing and they will forget about the mud since they both will be fighting.
Obama has learned from all the crap pulled during this campaign…to send a warning shot…you go there then yeah this time if it becomes a mud fight…that will bring everyone down.
and …
…the economy, the neverending war, the healthcare, the rights of women, the rich getting a break while the poor pay higher taxes…the military suicides their very expensive and deserved treatment when they are coming home…
yeah those issues will overrun McCain.
Posted by: dl | May 10, 2008, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm
It sounds like Barack said that if the American people wanted to know about his relationships he was obliged to talk about it.
And he said the same goes for McCain, if the American people want to know about the Keating 5, McCain would be obliged to talk about it.
Sounds fair to me.
Posted by: Anna | May 10, 2008, 7:12 pm 7:12 pm
al
gop research is bringing up everything Clinton already used…why don’t you see the interviews with the guys who did the research…duh.
McCain hasn’t and Clinton for that matter hasn’t had one during this election.
Posted by: dl | May 10, 2008, 7:12 pm 7:12 pm
Sorry..typo…Make that last line “WITHOUT a lot of under the table help folks!
Posted by: DC | May 10, 2008, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
GOP opp research has recently returned from Chicago with some extra goodies.
As Hillary said, they have been rummaging around her baggage for years.
Obama = much new to come out.
I got my popcorn ready!
Posted by: al | May 10, 2008, 7:25 pm 7:25 pm
Then, this hypocrite should not cry wolf when his financial dealings with Rezko, his education by Wright, and his friendship with Ayers are compared sided by side with McCain in Hanoi Hilton – by McCain himself.
Posted by: boneheaded, chicago | May 10, 2008, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
How things can turn! Obama if elected will turn out to be the biggest warmonger in history. Mccain has already asked for the UN to put a stop to hezbollah fighting and for states in the area to step in to stop the fighting.
Obama is totally untested. You may be shocked at what he will really do to PROVE himself. Very scary.
Who would have thought it would be the GOP running these huge deficits. In the same way, don’t count on conventional wisdom regarding bawak. He is a very dangerous man.
Posted by: al | May 10, 2008, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
Patriot – The last time I checked, working hard and getting rich is “American”. It is called capitalism. If you do not like, you can be a patriot to the socialism, which redistributes “wealth” such that everyone is poor.
Posted by: boneheaded, chicago | May 10, 2008, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
Keating Five is fair to discuss since it shows McCain’s ethics. Why should ethics of a candidate not be discussed? Now if the Keating Five were not true and could not be verified then the Keating Five issue would be a political smear. But since The Keating Five did occur and can be verified, when did discussion of a truth become a political smear job?
Posted by: Corruption | May 10, 2008, 7:48 pm 7:48 pm
The OBAMA fanatics turns on the smearing machine again. This time target McCain.
OBAMA tries to define a new way to presidency:
Old Republican playbook of the Democratic party improvisation.
Posted by: John_Lai | May 10, 2008, 8:12 pm 8:12 pm
McCain is the same as Bush. McCain is surrounded by Washington insiders and the Keating Five is an example of McCain’s corruption. McCain gave away good government land in exchange for useless property to his friend in exchange for cash. Corruption!
Posted by: Corruption | May 10, 2008, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm
IF Obama is the nominee, the Republicans will have a lot more swift boats for him than the Dems can come up with for John McCain…I want to see the MARXIST pacifist who sat in Rev Wright’s church for 20 years try to dump a load on John McCain, a true American hero, veteran, POW and dedicated statesman.
Come on Hillary! we need you now more than ever…
Posted by: mpwdc | May 10, 2008, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm
Cindy McCain’s Tax records do matter. They will show connections to some of McCain’s supporters and cash kickback’s through Cindy’s businesses.
McCain has a lot of corruption to hide.
Posted by: Corruption | May 10, 2008, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm
Karl Marx would be Obama’s biggest supporter. What’s wrong with you supposedly educated arugula eating,deep pocketed Obama supporters? Haven’t you ever had to work for a living or do Mom and Dad still foot the bills?
Posted by: mpwdc | May 10, 2008, 8:49 pm 8:49 pm
The same could be said of Obama’s association with the current Home mortgage crisis. He has been getting all that money from those lenders. This is fair game also!
Posted by: Voter | May 10, 2008, 8:50 pm 8:50 pm
Still waiting for McCain’s medical records. I have a feeling we are going to find something pretty bad for he has promised to release them weeks ago yet he has not.
Tapping my foot waiting….
Posted by: Stacey | May 10, 2008, 8:53 pm 8:53 pm
Stacey,
What about the Obama aide that was talking with Hamas that just resigned. Guilt by association. Obama is toast in November if he gets the nod.
Posted by: J | May 10, 2008, 8:54 pm 8:54 pm
Does the United States want another Corrupt president? McCain has shown he is not a man of his word. He is a Liar. McCain will change his position on an issue at a moment’s notice if he felt it would get him elected. McCain will support a certain lobby’s position if the lobby will give him cash. McCain can be bought. Corruption!
Posted by: Corruption | May 10, 2008, 9:05 pm 9:05 pm
This election in the fall is really beginning to look like a landslide for Obama. mc-more-war will be carrying a lot of baggage not to mention the bush/cheney coattails. I would say that mc-more-war really will be losing more than his bearings this fall. Obama 2008!
Posted by: pt | May 10, 2008, 9:37 pm 9:37 pm
“Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is to kill Gods who do not belong to the black community. Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject his love.”
Obama’s so-called religion — black liberation theology.
Posted by: Fred | May 10, 2008, 11:46 pm 11:46 pm
Fred
you are correct too my dad is a Methodist Minister and says that there is no place in any religion for that kind of stuff and how the DNC can promote yet another candidate with radical views is just beyond me
Posted by: staniam | May 11, 2008, 12:12 am 12:12 am
Vinny
you know your candidates pastor is calling on God to damn america
Posted by: staniam | May 11, 2008, 1:02 am 1:02 am
MR USA
there are no republicans on this site just angry Hillary supporters because she is the best candidate I suggest you get in line behind her!
Posted by: staniam | May 11, 2008, 1:04 am 1:04 am
You know what’s really scary? Carl Bernstein’s article discussing inside info on Hillary’s plans for the next few months in the democratic primary race. It’s posted over on CNN, and is positively frightening. Who new that she is this type of person? I used to support her, and even donated her some money, but no more. I had no idea! Enough is enough. Hillary, show some class and dignity, already.
Posted by: jennifer | May 11, 2008, 1:41 am 1:41 am
Mr Stephenson
I respect your views however Obama and his followers have villified Hillary and her suppoerters much more than the opposite has occured we will not back down there will be a significant number of Hillary supporters who will never support Obama period!
Posted by: staniam | May 11, 2008, 2:34 am 2:34 am
Wasnt the Keating 5 story like 20 years ago? Wasnt Mc Cain cleared of all major wrong doing, and was cited for ‘poor judgement’ .
Did he also apologize?
Obama trying to use this crap against him is signaling a pretty nasty campaign of cheap shots.
My God. It was 20 years ago. Mc Cain was cleared to boot.
Posted by: tomdavie | May 11, 2008, 2:45 am 2:45 am
Roy Rogers
Looks like youve been [laying around in fantasy land wild wiest too much! Obama will not be the next president of the US end of story! and that is comign from a mainsteam Democrat!
Posted by: staniam | May 11, 2008, 2:57 am 2:57 am
Staniam
I dont think he can win the clinton supporters back. There has been far too much bad blood.
I would far rather see Mc Cain be president than Senator Obama.
Posted by: tomdavie | May 11, 2008, 3:17 am 3:17 am
I thought BO was going to run a different kind of campaign? Just one more lie from him.
McCain is being a fool playing nice while BO moves from character assassination of the Clintons to now character assassination of McCain. The shady operatives and cronies BO associates with have not been brought to light at all by McCain. He needs to quit pussyfooting and hammer BO for his extremely dangerous judgement demonstrated by participating in a divisive, racist, hateful “church” that spews Black Separatism.
Posted by: Chantel | May 11, 2008, 4:50 am 4:50 am
After North Carolina, I seriously considered putting it all behind us and rallying behind Obama.
But Kennedy, Clyburn, and media CONTINUE to torture Hillary when there literally is no need for it.
Let the woman finish the race. Until Obama has 2025 delegates, she has the right to finish the race.
Clyburn, Kennedy, and the liberal media are NOT running for president.
They dont have the right to MOCK the candidates from the sidelines.
Their conduct has made me decide to campaign for John Mc Cain.
Posted by: tomdavie | May 11, 2008, 5:14 am 5:14 am
again everyone throws out the “sat there for 20 years”. sounds like republican speaking points, but not critical thinking. wright’s comments are disgusting no question, but over a 20 year period a senior pastor delivers over 2000 sermons. so far the media has come up with less than 5 that are “incendiary”. so if I do the math correctly that is .02%. again, not condoning his comments, but it is a stretch to try and say that wright was spewing this “hate” for 20 years. besides that obama has already said that he was not there to hear those sermons. if you’re gonna go after obama go after him for the things that he has done not what someone else has done. rezko is fair game and bitter gate is fair game because those are things he tangibly participated in. wright said those things not obama. personally i think the media overplayed its hand with it and now it is becoming old news. there is little mileage left in that story. case in point they tried to use this against democrats running in a state a couple of weeks ago with an ad showing obama next to wright and claiming that an endorsement by obama was basically an endorsement by wright. the entire ad backfired as people have already moved on from it and voted for the democrats anyway. one last point, both mccain and wright served their country honorably. wright was a marine and although i disagree with the way and manner in whic h he criticized this beloved country, he earned the right to do so with his service. peace be unto all of you!
Posted by: gammaraygus | May 11, 2008, 7:11 am 7:11 am
tomdavie could you please provide some proof with your claims that obama owns the media and that some backroom deal was made before the nomination to give the nomination to him? in school they taught us that critical thinking requires someone to ask “says who?” this question is asked to force those in a debate to provide a source for their argument. so i am asking “says who?”. see how this critical thinking thing works? i can claim the world is flat, but someone would then say…wait for it…”says who?”. oh and using the media to backup your argument that the media is the problem would be a circular argument so you’re really going to have to dig a little deeper. on a serious note i really wish more of the folks that comment would do so with some sense of logic and purpose. most of these on here are just rantings and ravings that can’t stand up to simple fact checking. peace be unto all of you!
Posted by: gammaraygus | May 11, 2008, 7:23 am 7:23 am
why would anyone want obama as president?
He’s never done anything in his life!
Posted by: trettin | May 11, 2008, 8:36 am 8:36 am
Obama’s new politics is to smear a war hero McCain? How is that new politics? SHAME on OBAMA! I’m glad to see that Obama sacrificed for his country by spending 5 years prisoner in Vietnam. Oh wait! Obama never sacrificed to that level for his country but will SMEAR McCain who did. Wow, I’m not proud of Obama.
Posted by: Drew | May 11, 2008, 8:51 am 8:51 am
Hillary or McCain – two shining Americans we can believe in. God Bless America!
Posted by: Proud of USA | May 11, 2008, 9:19 am 9:19 am
Typical Obama, says one thing, but means another. Does one thing but says another. Says one thing but does another. It’s not OK for other politicians to play dirty, but it is for him. The Republicans will mop the floor with this Rookie in November. Take away his teleprompter and this guy is as shallow as a rain puddle.
Posted by: JRS | May 11, 2008, 9:23 am 9:23 am
MaxiDial said: Keating 5? LOL! Is that the best these a-holes can do? That was 20 years ago.
Yes, and of course, McCain’s age. You can also bet that if Obama is the nominee, there will be a plethora of race cards peppering the landscape. 20 years ago; wasn’t that about when Obama was on crack? If Obama is the nominee, this election will likely find strange bedfellows; the Republicans for McCain, and many many Democrats who are disgusted with Obama, the DNC, and the elite Democratic Party leadership for McCain, also.
Posted by: Louis | May 11, 2008, 9:59 am 9:59 am
As usual Obama let’s his surrogates do the talking. Fine, let’s talk about what drugs Obama was strung out on when Keating was going on. OBama supporting are follishly naive if they think Clinton has run a “dirty” campaign. She has treated Obama with kid gloves compared to what is going to happen
Posted by: geevill | May 11, 2008, 10:11 am 10:11 am
If you think the savings and loan debacle was bad, just wait until McCain get’s his greedy hands on the nation’s wealth!
Posted by: Thomas Mc | May 11, 2008, 10:35 am 10:35 am
I will say this:
Cindy McCain doesn’t trust John with her money so why should we?
Posted by: Mr. Coffee | May 11, 2008, 11:23 am 11:23 am
I would rather have McCain than Obama since McCain will never throw us under the bus like Obama
Posted by: Voter | May 11, 2008, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm
What Obama is saying is that if the media continues to dwell on his association with Rev. Wright and Ayers,that a fair and balanced media should also dwell on McCain’s past associates. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Posted by: Don Hannaford | May 11, 2008, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm
So naturally Obama won’t mind McCain using Rezko in the general election…After all Rezko’s last dirty deal was with Obama in 2005 whe he helped Obama to buy a house that Obama couldn’t have gotten otherwise. Sounds highly suspicious to me.
Posted by: JA | May 12, 2008, 12:43 am 12:43 am
There is No There There!
A non scandal for McCain:
After months of testimony revealed that all five senators acted improperly to differing degrees, the senators maintained they were following the status quo of campaign funding practices. In August 1991, the committee concluded that Cranston’s, DeConcini’s, and Riegle’s conduct constituted substantial interference with the FHLBB’s enforcement efforts and that they had interfered at the behest of Charles Keating. The Ethics Committee concluded that Glenn’s and McCain’s involvement in the scheme was minimal.[5] The committee recommended censure for Cranston and criticized the other four for “questionable conduct.”
McCain wasn’t even censured!
Posted by: reaganfan | May 12, 2008, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
Mccain is a crook, George Bush is a crook, Hillary is a crook, Bill Clinton is a crook, I dont know about Barrack but birds of o feather flock together. This government is full of crooks.
Posted by: Clint | August 5, 2008, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
I agree with Mr. Coffee, Thomas Mc and Don. The Keating scandal is relevant because it demonstrates poor judgment on McCain’s behalf. Sorry, reganfan, it does matter. A vote for McCain is asking for more of the same failed Bush policies. Can you say record gas, food & energy prices? Unemployment at a 5 year high? Permament tax breaks for the rich?
Not sure if a change is needed? Then answer this: Are you better off now than you were 4 (or 8) years ago?
Posted by: Drew | September 13, 2008, 3:35 am 3:35 am
Why is no one in MSM covering this Keating Five connection and McCain’s prior calls for less regulation in light of the current economic situation?
Posted by: hi there | September 19, 2008, 2:12 am 2:12 am
Saul Alinsky
Posted by: Boar War | September 23, 2008, 9:21 pm 9:21 pm
LOL at all those comparing McCain’s lies against Obama with an actual and factual event that McCain was involved in and all the info/videos is scattered anywhere in the net. People still thinking that Obama has Terrorist Ties and his pastor are looking for anything to defend McCain. By the way Obama is defending himself from McCains smear campaign. Please do more research about Keating Five and McCain’s involvement. McCain is a pathetic and desperate old man. Sad how this man wants power so bad he will sacrifice everything to get it, and Keating Five scandal proves that all he want is to screw Americans even more.
If anything, this should be covered in all media and this exposes McCain is not a Maverick but the same old Bush.
Posted by: ToTheBigots | October 6, 2008, 3:46 am 3:46 am