McCain cancels afternoon presser

Posted: Thursday, February 21, 2008 5:38 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy
WAYNE, MI -- After denying nearly every aspect of a New York Times article accusing him of having an inappropriate relationship with a female lobbyist, John McCain stuck to his published schedule by touring a Ford Motor plant here this afternoon.

But the real news came when he decided to cancel a planned press conference scheduled for after his tour. Instead, McCain headed straight to a finance event in Detroit, leaving the traveling press corps to spin their wheels in a hotel until departing for Indianapolis later in the evening.

In typical fashion, McCain did not dodge the story after it was posted on the Times' Web site around dinnertime last night. Although he avoided the traveling pool reporter's question upon arriving in Toledo after a fundraiser last night, saying he had not yet read the story, he a press conference this morning and stayed at the podium until every question was answered.

This afternoon his campaign manager Rick Davis even sent out a fundraising email linking the Times to MoveOn.org in an attempt to rally the base behind McCain and against the Times.

"The New York Times -- the newspaper that gave MoveOn.org a sweetheart deal to run advertisements attacking General Petraeus -- has shown once again that it cannot exercise good journalistic judgment when it comes to dealing with a conservative Republican," Davis wrote.

McCain won't publicly face the media again until tomorrow morning, following a town hall in Indianapolis, at which time I'm sure there will be many more questions to answer. After that, McCain heads back to DC where he is supposed to address the Republican Governor's Association on Saturday night.

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Comments

The 21 year old super delegate guy, according to CNN, is endorsing Barack Obama. So please verify the fact and add +1 to Obama :)

The principles of democracy, I should say, should abolish the system entirely. One person & One vote is the bedrock of democracy we all love!

Philip, NY (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 5:54 PM)

If the truth was known, the source was probably a right wing/evangelical/so called coservative individual or group behind the story. After all, who was with him in 2000? It wasn't the democrats or left wingers. Who has spewed the most hate against mccain?? Right wingers. Who destroyed his credibility in 2000? It is a right wing "swift boat" attack. The dems aren't all that worried about him at this point-when the time comes, they will destroy him.

Steve A Jonesboro IN (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 5:55 PM)

What is going to happen here in Texas will shock the country. We Texas Democrats finally have a candidate we can vote FOR. Too late Hillary.

The Sleeper has Awakened.
Tom, McKinney, Texas (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 12:10 PM)

Tom, America is waiting on your state to open up a Texas sized Can Of Whoopass to put Hillary away, before the Clinton's destroy the Democratic Party in their qwest for Power. All hat & no cattle is what she has to Offer & the rest of America has seen thru that. Texas & Ohio will also.

As far as McCain goes, i have 1 thing to say,
" The Wheels on the Bus go Round & Round".

1st Read, where is the story on Bill O'reilly or are'nt competing news networks, supposed to report on story's about his radio program & the Lynching episode.

Barack Obama for President!!!!!!!!!!

Rick,ky (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 5:58 PM)

Barack Obama for President!!!!!!!!!!

why are you Obama supporters so delusional?

He will never win a general election.

Patty, SD, CA (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:04 PM)

Explaining Obama:
If you get a chance, search for the Feb 20th - Mort Zuckerman, US News & World Report, interview on MSNBC's Morning Joe. Zuckerman, attributes Obama's success to polling data which notes 75% of Americans say they want a change in way things are handled in Washington. Zuckerman says it's because Obama's not part of the establishment, that he's drawing support.

I point this out in reference to Karl Rove's governing strategy. When you set out to only govern to your core supporters, everyone else is, by definition, left out of the equation. The result of that alienation is frustration and anger. Now, when offered a candidate speaking about hope, inclusion and change, we witness this explosion of pent-up-hope and longing -- which finds expression in the Obama candidacy.

Brian, Hudson Valley, NY (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:11 PM)

Oh darn, no Obama love fest going on today :(

Patty, SD, CA (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:12 PM)

Who said John McCain was gay ? I know for a fact he is not.

Larry Craig, Minneapolis Airport,Minnesota (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:14 PM)

I did not have "sexual relations" with "that" women, because I'am a virgin.

J.McCain (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:16 PM)

I'm surprised the lobbyist didn't know Bill...

Ron, TX (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:18 PM)

What is wrong with you people. Women are managers in industry and corporate business everywhere. Is it the male chauvonist in you that does not want Hillary to win? I believe Obama is a good young man without any great ideas of his own. The very best commercial he has on keeping jobs in America, Hillary
has already approached Congress with. That is the idea of giving
bigger tax credits to Companys who keep jobs in America. But Obama uses that as his new idea. I am afraid that Obama is a puppethead for the Kennedy family and other powerful democrats. Hillary on the other hand tried to put together a health plan when Bill was president, and was shot down because she was not supposed to stick her nose into health plans, my gosh, she was just the wife of the President. Hillary knows what this country needs, she is not going to have to be taught. Our country needs help immediately, not three years later. With
gas prices the way they are, and health insurace and medical costs sky high, we here in middle America where you don't make an arm and a leg for your hourly wage need help. And I believe that help comes in the form of a woman who has already been to hell and back, and understands the real issues for the majority of America, who do not make six figures each year.

Linda Eidson, Lebanon, Missouri (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:18 PM)

NEWS FLASH NEWS FLASH NEWS FLASH
IT HAS BEEN REVEALED THAT GENERAL PETAEUS IS A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN

"The New York Times -- the newspaper that gave MoveOn.org a sweetheart deal to run advertisements attacking General Petraeus -- has shown once again that it cannot exercise good journalistic judgment when it comes to dealing with a conservative Republican," Davis wrote.

nuanced (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:21 PM)

Congratulations Republicans. You got your guy--John McCain. You see, John McCain has been in Washington too long. He has mastered his appearance of fighting corruption while embedded in it.

Follow the money...

Mary, Holland, MI (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:24 PM)

When is Bill O'Reilly going to have a press conference to defend himself?

nuanced (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:24 PM)

"Afternoon Delight!" GO, John!

I wish these people would get asked questions like:

"Will you enforce EPA laws, or keep them as an extraction industry lobby?"

"Will you let the Interior Dept. do its job, or will you keep them on as an extraction industry lobby?"

"Will you pay some sort of attention to the Constitution, or will you having a "signing statement" to circumvent any law that impedes your crimes?"

"Will you continue to borrow money from the Chinese to support this abortion of a policy in Iraq, and if so, are you prepared to have future generations use your name as a swear word?"

"Is 'bomb, bomb bomb Iran' your best shot at articulating America's future foreign policy? Why, or why not?"

John - tells us a little about the Silvarado Savings and Loan, if you've caught your breath after telling us of your ethics.

Lee in CA (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:26 PM)

Why isn't anyone talking about the ethics trial in CA today regarding Paul v. Clinton?

Barry, Chicago, IL (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:35 PM)

This is simple: If the NYT has more, then it will be harmful to McCain. If they do not, then it will be harmful to them.

If they do not have more, then someone at the paper should pay for the error in judgement. If they DO have more, then McCain will pay for his lack of judgement.

In the interim, McCain is innocent until proven guilty.

ME, Santa Ana, CA (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:52 PM)

But the really story hasn't begun to unfold. Look at this article about how he passed legislation to steal Hopi-Navajo land and give it to the Peabody coal mining company. They ran the people off their land, stole their livestock, fouled the waters, and then suppressed the story to the press.

www.acsa.net/cain2004.org/Dine-Navajo-PressRelease.htm

choosewisely- Idaho (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:53 PM)

Wow. On the "Morning Joe Show" today the MSNBC pundits including Matthew's, all agreed that the right wing media was going to battle stations, to defend McCain from the mean and nasty liberal New York Times. And boy, they sure were not kidding.
It is simply amazing how the same people who rip the Clintons apart just about every day of the week, not only about their politics, but almost every facet of their lives (the Clintons pimp Chelsea)are now tut tuting about how wrong it is to pry into the personal lives of the candidates. Tucker Carlson actully had the guts to say that ten years ago, after trashing (my word)Bill Clinton that "the" media had agreed not to delve into the personal lives of candidates. They did? What meeting was that Tucker? I know that a lot of the media backed off poking around in the gutter when the owner of a porn magazine started digging up dirt on conservatives. Maybe that is what Carlson meant.

Patrick Casey Salt Lake City,UT (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:59 PM)

Steve A, I think you nailed it.

nuanced (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 7:01 PM)

I am wodnering wy is Limbaugh's first name rush? Was he hurriedly born?
Oh, I know now. He Rushes to judgment and criticism. Like the other 'influential' conservatives, he is really nothing but a hypocrite. I'd agree with one poster that every American is innocent until proven guilty, yet the conservatives rushed to judgment in bashing at Bill Clinton when the media reported on his alleged affair.
If the Christian Right cannot be right and tolerant of others values and lifestyles, why is it on the right side of the ideological divide?

Ron Allen (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 7:11 PM)

I'm certainly not a right-winger but I DO have a problem with this story and the way the NY Times has handled it. Since when is inuendo "fit to print"? The only thing that McCain should be worried about is whether John Weaver truly IS his friend. Why did Weaver feel compelled to advise the lady to stay away from the senator if there wasn't a problem? having said that. The only thing that should matter to the public is whether there actually IS evidence of a quid-pro-quo.
Please NY Times, don't release this story in dribs and drabs. Show us what you've got? If all you've got is what you've published then you need to send your editors back to journalism school for a refresher.
BTW, this doesn't just do damage to John McCain's campaign, it damages everyone's campaign AND it does damage to the American people's presidential election process.
The issues at stake in this election require our undivided attention. We don't need unsubstantiated distractions.
Obama '08!!! (In case you were wondering).

Ian (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 7:12 PM)

I have read Obamas books and watched most of his speeches. He does have experience in the legislative process in Illinois and the US Senate and taught Constitutional law. I care about a persons ethics and their ability to think outside the Box! And he is young enough to get something done!!He is the one to be President and all my republican friends are voting for him!!

Sally Smith Reno NV (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 7:36 PM)

Sally Smith Reno NV (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 7:38 PM)

(nuanced 6:21 pm.) not all generals are conservatives. try looking up some facts for a change instead of quoting some hack embellished by your imagination. By the way next time you quote something, you should “reveal” the source of the quote.

Rosalie,Dallas,TX (Sent Thursday, February 21, 2008 9:16 PM)

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