Jul 31, 2008 12:06pm
McCain Camp: Obama “Playing the Race Card from the Bottom of the Deck”
Email“Barack Obama has played the race card, and he played it from the bottom of the deck," said Rick Davis, the campaign manager for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in a statement issued just now. "It’s divisive, negative, shameful and wrong.” This response came in response to comments made by Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois — mentioned in my post from last night — seeming to imply in Rolla, Missouri, and then flatly declaring in Union, Missouri, that McCain is running a campaign in which McCain is pointing out that Obama has "got a funny name and he doesn’t look like all the presidents on the dollar bills," meaning of course that Obama is African-American. – jpt
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
Obama is right and I am glad the question is out there.
Posted by: Bee, Manchester, NH | July 31, 2008, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm
Obama is right and I am glad the question is out there. Since Jake Tapper decided to propagate McCain’s talking point yesterday, i am not surprise the McCain talking machine take the bait today.
Posted by: Bee, Manchester, NH | July 31, 2008, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm
jake, you are my favorite blogger.
and im glad the mccain camp said this. its very true. he said the same thing a few weeks ago also. i dont remember where or when though. but it was at another rally and it didnt get much attention.
Posted by: venicesurfer | July 31, 2008, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm
A well-known hallmark of Rovian politics is to accuse the other guy of exactly what you are guilty of. Hence, Davis saying that it is Obama playing the race card. McCain supporters seem to buy it hook line and sinker as future comments to this post will surely prove.
Posted by: Ed | July 31, 2008, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
Thank God for John McCain…throughout the entire primary there wasn’t a single Democrat who stood up to Obama and his campaign as they played the race card time and time again. Obama can’t be criticized because if you criticize him or hold him accountable you must be a racist. If you don’t vote for him you must be a racist. I’m so sick of this. Obama is not like the other Presidents on the currency. They put this country first…just like John McCain does. There wouldn’t be a US without Washington, Jefferson or Lincoln.
Posted by: Kathy Corey | July 31, 2008, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
You have McCain charging forward on the attack and you have passive-agressive Obama hiding behind his advisors, analysts and surrogates. Really does show both of their characters.
Posted by: Mack | July 31, 2008, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm
Jake, this line is something Obama has been saying for MONTHS. This was not specific to McCain or any particular ad.
He is just stating the obvious that this was going to be part of what Republicans will use against him – as the “playing the race card” card proves.
Posted by: benjamin | July 31, 2008, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm
Thank you JB. I couldn’t have expressed this better.
You are 100% correct.
When will people wake up and see him for what he is.
Posted by: JR | July 31, 2008, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm
Obama is the only one bringing up his ethnicity and name. He is being attacked for being inexperienced, naive, and a flipflopper. And his only response is to point fingers and cry “racist”.
Posted by: marylou | July 31, 2008, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
Don’t you just love this picture of mc-more-war? This guy needs to retire with his millionaire wife, the one he cheated with while he was married to his first wife. The last thing this country needs is a unfaithful, cranky, OLD man that will only continue the bush policies. Obama 2008!!
Posted by: pt | July 31, 2008, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
There is that hope and change again.
Obama hopes that republicans will play the race card or hopes that surrogates will play it in the name of republicans.
And if they do not, he will change what is said to splash the racism issue, and attempt to sully the republicans.
Obamas dishonesty transcends race.
Contrast that with the forthright honesty of the McCain camp.
Posted by: smith | July 31, 2008, 12:43 pm 12:43 pm
JR Said:
“When will people wake up and see him for what he is.”
That’s easy: On the morning of January 21st, his first full day as POTUS!!!
And we’ll be looking forward to his leadership and courage in cleaning up the Bush/Cheney mess.
Obama 2008
Posted by: jackt51 | July 31, 2008, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
The stench of desperation from the McCain campaign has begun to become too overwhelming.
All this does is motivate me to put in a contribution to the Obama campaign so that they can fight this drivel (which thus far, seems to have been money well spent).
It is long past time to have a campaign actually based on issues, not constant character attacks.
Posted by: Anne | July 31, 2008, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
And the polls are ever-tightening. Not good news for the Dems and Obama who should be leaping ahead by now given the sour mood of the country. The handwriting is on the wall – the more America sees of Obama, the less they like him.
Posted by: marylou | July 31, 2008, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
It can’t be that he will lose because of his lack of experience, judgment and character, it has to be something else. His ego knows no bounds. Loser.
Posted by: Mack | July 31, 2008, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm
Of course John McCain will indiscreetly play the race car. So far John McCain is demonstration he is not running a clean honest campaign. This is the same big personal attack campaign that Bush ran in 2000 & 2004. Expert call this the Karl Rove Play-book. And we all know how evil and corrupt Karl Rove is.
Research has shown big masses of people remember the negatives more than they remember the positives.
This is all so unbelievable!! John McCain Ads are ridiculous and/or are proven not true at all. Hope the voters can wake up – John McCain will create another 4 years of Bush type stances and actions. Bush is already in trouble ith Legislative body of our administration,
NOTE – FEDERAL JUDGE JUST RULED AIDES, ADMINISTRATION STAFF MUST TESTIFY- NOT ABOVE THE LAW OF OUR COUNTRY – OUR ADMINISTRATION MUST COMPLY WITH ALL LAWS – GOOD START- MULTIPLE SUSPECTED INFRACTIONS – TO STOP REPUBLICAN CONTINUED POSSIBLE COVER-UPS -
Yes, no doubt about it, McCain is testing the race card waters. And I am Republican and have researched these tactics intensely. I have gotten so ashamed of what is/was happening to Republican Party. My vote will go to Obama.
Posted by: Sharonklim | July 31, 2008, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm
“he doesn’t look like all the presidents on the dollar bills”
I’ve got news for Obama: neither do I!
Have you seen what those guys look like? Thank God I DON’T look like them!
BTW: “presidents on those dollar bills”? I thought we only had one dollar bill and one President on it. I just saying.
Posted by: Magoo | July 31, 2008, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
P.U.M.A.
Bill Clinton was right. Bring back Hillary, she’s our only chance!
Posted by: Janet | July 31, 2008, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm
Jake, you’re MY favorite blogger, too.
McCain has opened the door to questions about HIS character, with his embrace of DEMONSTRABLE FALSEHOODS.
“I’m John McCain and I approved this message.”
HE ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LIES HE’S KNOWINGLY TELLING.
THAT MAKES HIM AN ADMITTED LIAR.
What happened to “Straight Talk”?
IT’S UNDER THE BUS.
Posted by: Snarxon | July 31, 2008, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm
I would also like to point out that, by accusing Obama of playing the race card, McCain and Co. are, in fact, playing the race card. It’s a reminder: This guy is black.
Posted by: Adam | July 31, 2008, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm
Saying you don’t look like the President on the dollar bills is not racist, it’s a fact.
Having your surrogates go on TV and call your opponent “exotic” and “elite” is a bit closer.
But you know what, all this posturing from the McCain campaign still doesn’t change the fact that they don’t have a plan for America and they are hoping that we don’t notice.
Nobody’s afraid of the “race card” anymore anywho. That phrase is another holdover from the dark ages, just like the rest of the McCain campaign.
Posted by: Nobodys fool | July 31, 2008, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
. “he said the same thing a few weeks ago also. i dont remember where or when though. but it was at another rally and it didnt get much attention.”
Obama also reference that he looks different in his Berlin speech.
Posted by: geevill | July 31, 2008, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm
Where, exactly has McCain ever said anything about Senator Obama being “different” or not looking like the Presidential pictures on our money? While it is certainly true that there are racists in the GOP, and some of the state parties, or statewide candidates have done some of those things, to suggest that it is coming from McCain is completely untrue, and unfair.
Posted by: Jason | July 31, 2008, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm
obama is the only one talking about race
he uses it the same way Jessie Jackson and Sharpton uses it—just delivered alittle polished
Posted by: carpenter.nyc | July 31, 2008, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
“Obama gave the same race card explanation why he can break his promise to use public financing.”
He Opted out for this very reason. I guess it’s time to start spending some of those millions.
Posted by: Mack | July 31, 2008, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
When did McCain or anyone else for that matter say anything like that.
I think I saw Obama with a copy of the book “How to Play the Race Card…and Win”.
Democrat for McCain
Posted by: Sam | July 31, 2008, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm
Isn’t accusing someone of playing the race card, based upon interpretation, playing the race card themselves?
Posted by: kat | July 31, 2008, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm
Kudo’s to the McCain Campaign for creating an issue that will consume the news cycle for the remainder of the day.
Posted by: ChrisNBama | July 31, 2008, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm
Obama is making America racist again, because he is saying that both blacks and whites are racist. Now they look at each other and assume that the other is racist. It is sickening.
I want my country back! After 9-11 we were well on the way to uniting but now Obama has taken the country back 50 years.
Democrat voting for McCain 08
Posted by: Tony | July 31, 2008, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
“will be about HIM’
Everything is about him. That about sums the ego-maniac up.
Posted by: Mack | July 31, 2008, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
Of course the campaign is about Obama.
Its always about the person. I still would vote for Paris Hilton over Obama
Posted by: =ChrisNBama | July 31, 2008, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
Adam 12:56 ” I would also like to point out, by accusing Obama of playing the race card, is in fact, playing the race card.”
I concur. The McCain et al allegation is based on a loose interpretation and it plays to a low denominator of fear.
Posted by: kat | July 31, 2008, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
Of course the campaign is about Obama. Who did Obama want it to be about. I think Obama wanted the whole campaign to keep comparing him to John F Kennedy.
Its always about the person. I still would vote for Paris Hilton over Obama
Posted by: =ChrisNBama | July 31, 2008, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
I will never vote for Obama the arrogant!
Democrat turned independent 08′
Posted by: Thomas | July 31, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
The gall of the McCain campaign for accusing Obama of playing the race card! It is transparent that the McCain campaign is practicing offense as its best defense. The truth of Obama’s statements that the McCain/GOP/FOX attacks are aimed toward scaring people are as clear as day. Shame on McCain and the rest of the true racists in this dishonorable and despicable game.
Posted by: Bonnie | July 31, 2008, 1:33 pm 1:33 pm
I’ve always been suspicious of the so-called “democrats for McCain”.
I mean, what precisely is McCain going to do for you, as a democrat?
He will appoint more Jurists to the Supreme Court and the Federal Courts in the vein of Alito and Scalia. As a democrat, are you looking forward to the overthrow of Roe V. Wade and the jettisoning of equal pay for equal work?
McCain’s foreign policy approach has been similar to Bush’s. Do you like the Bush approach to foreign policy? McCain’s beef isn’t that we invaded Iraq, it’s that we didn’t put enough forces in. Moreover, he seems fairly ready to pull the trigger on Iran as well. As much as McCain says he hates wars, he doesn’t seem so apprehensive about starting them.
As a democrat voting for McCain, do you support the Bush tax cuts? And do you think more of the same regarding fiscal policy is the right approach. Are you happy with a status quo on health care?
Otherwise, go right ahead and vote McCain.
Posted by: ChrisNBama | July 31, 2008, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
I feel like they’re both playing the race card. Obama’s comment about how he doesn’t look like other presidents definitely felt like it was about race. I don’t see how anyone could mistake it for being about lack of experience. Also, I’ve never heard John McCain or any republicans say anything about how Obama doesn’t look like other presidents, nor have I heard them make fun of his name. Now both campaigns are playing the card and each is hoping to play it better than the other.
Posted by: Andrew | July 31, 2008, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
I had it with Obama and am finally changing my voters registration to Republican
Go McCain 2008
Posted by: =ChrisNBama | July 31, 2008, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
But that still does not explain why Obama dissed American wounded soliders becuase he could not get the PHOTO OP he wanted. Obama is so vain and the ad hits right on the MARK in its subliminal messaging comparing Obama to VAIN Movie Stars
Posted by: =Randi Sobol | July 31, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm
As a Democrat voting for McCain I can tell you that I will never vote for Obama because I believe that a person should be qualified for the job that they do. Obama has gotten where he is today because of corruption and over exposer from the press.
I can deal with McCain for 4 years but Obama and all of his corrupt friends in the White House for 8 years, frightens me.
Come on America raise the bar don’t lower it.
Posted by: JakeBell | July 31, 2008, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
of course this is obama’s underhanded way to play the race card. did anyone really expect less of him?
Posted by: vickie | July 31, 2008, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
Quote
I feel like they’re both playing the race card. Obama’s comment about how he doesn’t look like other presidents definitely felt like it was about race.
Quote
earth to Andrew…Hillary could have said the same thing…then would it have been about race?
Obama is playing the reality card and republicans and reality, they don’t seem to mix!
Posted by: tinat | July 31, 2008, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
The stench of desperation from the Obama campaign is becoming overwhelming and now he brings out the race card. He thought his big political and PR trip overseas would automatically put him 20 points ahead. Instead, he has lost points.
I would like to see a real debate between both candidates since both have changed positions on many issues. But Obama is a coward when it comes to debating. No prewritten script and teleprompter are allowed and voters see him as not very well informed.
Posted by: Mary | July 31, 2008, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm
No wonder our schools are in such a mess. We sound as if we can’t stand an intelligent president, and that too many of us are actually children who were “left behind” decades ago and want to go back from the 21st century to something that was never the “good old days” for the MAJORITY of our citizens. These really are tough times for us.
Posted by: Lester | July 31, 2008, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
Yes. Because the idea he could be the first black president is unimportant and somehow out of bounds. Give me a break. Obama, be loud and proud!
Posted by: james | July 31, 2008, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
” Because the idea he could be the first black president is unimportant and somehow out of bounds.”
Or maybe the fact of his blackness is not a credential for being President one way or another?
We’re voting for an executive, not a symbol. If we wanted a symbol, we’d vote for the Statue of Liberty (French woman) or Mount Rushmore (a bunch of stoners).
This is exactly where the DNC went wrong. They aren’t trying to run a Presidential race. They are trying to convince the world and themselves that we’ve reformed our ‘bad old ways’. And that is why Obama is falling in the polls. We don’t accept the guilt and we don’t think those trying to guilt us should lead us. You wear the hair shirt if you like the pain.
Haven’t you ever figured out why Reagan was so successful against Carter?
Posted by: len | July 31, 2008, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
John McCain should be reminded that Americans are already disappointed on him and his campaign.
Within a week they have accused Obama of all sorts of things including, treason sabotage.
John McCain even plays politics with injured troops even though he himself is an American Hero.
Shame on you McCain, Americans are yearning for the McCain of 2000.
Posted by: Raymond Micheals | July 31, 2008, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm
Randi Sobel — It helps to get your facts right before you sneer. Even McCain’s own web site now acknowledges that there was never any plan for a “photo op” with the wounded soldiers in Germany. The whole ‘scandal’ was based on absolute falsehoods — it was easy enough for the press to find out what happened once they started looking. I’m sure it would have been just as easy for McCain’s campaign to find out before producing a TV ad based on lies.
Posted by: E | July 31, 2008, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm
Senator Obama has played the race card consistently to create a distraction each time he has been confronted with issues of his poor judgment and lack of integrity throughout the campaign. It is refreshing to see Senator McCain confront him on this deplorable, tactical use of race to manipulate voters.
Posted by: LJ | July 31, 2008, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
“Senator Obama has played the race card consistently to create a distraction each time he has been confronted with issues of his poor judgment and lack of integrity throughout the campaign. It is refreshing to see Senator McCain confront him on this deplorable, tactical use of race to manipulate voters.”
And Britney Spears and Paris Hilton are shining examples of integrity? For the last two weeks, McCain has been churning out inaccurate, sometimes blatantly false ads about Obama in order to make Obama look bad before the press. By your logic, does this mean McCain is also trying to cover up errors in judgment, embarrassing gaffes, and a complete lack of an agenda?
Posted by: Katie | July 31, 2008, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm
Just words!? Don’t tell me words don’t matter!
Posted by: malan89 | August 1, 2008, 1:57 am 1:57 am
“Bottom of the deck” refers to how Slaves were stacked in the bottom of the deck while being shipped to Europe and America.
It did not originae from O.J Simpson’s case. It is the lowest level of racial taunts
Posted by: Dare Nigeria | August 1, 2008, 4:31 am 4:31 am
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Posted by: 511 | August 12, 2008, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm