McCain on the 'warmonger' remark

Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:15 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: 2008, McCain, Obama

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy and NBC's Mark Murray
McCain at his media avail today: "It's a free country, and we have freedom of speech in America, and Mr. [Ed] Shultz is entitled to his views. I would hope that in keeping with his commitment that Sen. Obama would rapidly condemn, Sen. Obama would condemn such language since it was part of his campaign. But that kind of thing, I don't think is necessary at all in this campaign. I made it very clear how I feel about war and my experiences with it."

As mentioned earlier, the Obama campaign didn't condemn Schultz's remark, but issued this statement: "John McCain is not a warmonger and should not be described as such. He's a supporter of a war that Senator Obama believes should have never been authorized and never been waged."

And contrary what McCain said, Shultz's remark wasn't technically part of Obama's campaign; it came at a fundraiser for the North Dakota Democratic Party, which Obama attended.

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Comments

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
How about senile, hot headed, irrational, untruthful, would those be okay to say?

twocanpete (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:23 PM)

Why is it hurtful if he indeed comes from a warrior family, with his forefathers serving in the military? And why would he need to have Barack apologize if it is well known that McCain is the strongest and passionate backer of the Iraq war, creating an image of a warmonger for himself through his own public actions? And people calling him a warmonger reflects Americans' anger over the direction of the war in Iraq and the sacrifices of over 4,000 troops who fought a war without a legitimate cause, in contrast to the sensitive nature of Obama's middle name that he has nothing to do with and which only creates a false suspicion that he may be a closet Muslim when he has no say in the selection of his birth name.

Smith, AZ (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:26 PM)

He's not a warmonger, just a warmaker.

Anyway, can someone at FirstRead look into a report on the Huffington Post that an Ohio hospital refutes one of Hillary's stump narratives involving a pregnant woman who died because she didn't have $100.

thanks (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:29 PM)

John McCain is showing signs of desparation already? Why is he so concerned about what someone says at the sides fundraiser?

Dave, NY, NY (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:37 PM)

McWar the Warmonger, this was not an Obama event but a Demacratic party event. Even Hillary was there and gave a speach after obama.... Get over it the American people need to know your going to wage war with Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Iran.... Remember Saying this old man...

James Tn (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:37 PM)

How the heck is Ed Shultz considered an Obama SURROGATE??????

He did not appear at an Obama campaign event, he was not asked by the Obama campaign to talk at the North Dakota Democratic Party Fundraiser.

In fact, since Hillary Clinton ALSO appeared and spoke at this fundraiser where Ed Shultz made the comments, I would like to know why McCain did not demand an apology from Clinton.

ED SHULTZ HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN.

However, he was right that McCain is a warmonger, and I'm glad someone finally said it. McCain can start a fight with Ed Shultz all he wants, but instead he's being an opportunist and blaming Barack.

Cheerio, Asheville NC (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:39 PM)

McPain is no warmonger but straight talker like in this video clip:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioy90nF2anI and I think we can believe him.

LePage (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:45 PM)

Obama has it made. As with Rev Wright, he can sit there and listen to the rants but as with this reporter, technically perhaps, he wasn't there. Get a life!

Gary (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:47 PM)

The funny thing about anti-Obama folks reacting to the "warmonger" remark is that they are out of sensible words to use other than to cry big rivers and keep talking about Rekzo (I have my own Rekzo, First Read, and I know you do the same as all Americans do) and Rev. Wright and the "black liberation" and that and this and that. There is an endless list of nonsense bigots post that is turning mf off.
Folks, please put on your thinking caps and THINK, THINK, THINK. First Read is trying to do the job of reporting, not trying to draw your negative energy.

erry S. Oakland, CA (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:00 PM)

The supporter is an average joe who does not have a role as an advisor in the campaign. Obama should not be held responsible for comments voters say. If the candidates and their advisors did not make the comment, than it is a non-issue. I don't understand why in this election freedom of speech is being hindered. Shortly, voters will not be allowed to say anything without the candidates having to apologize. What happen to freedom of speech?

voter (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:06 PM)

The big redhead is right. John McCain employs many of the same advisers who hypnotized George W. Bush into invading Iraq, and they advocate invading Iran.

Russ Elba, NY (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:10 PM)

twocanpete: Amen to that!

Janus (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:21 PM)

McCain is a hypocrite. Last year at a meeting an attendee said, "How do we beat the bitch" referring to Hillary Clinton and he did absolutely nothing.

Jared, Seattle, WA (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:23 PM)

By definition, McCain IS a warmonger. Singing a song with the lyrics "bomb, bomb Iran" is a pretty clear call for war if I ever heard one. Obama's campaign should not be ashamed to describe their opponents using real English definitions.

Ben, Chicago IL (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:29 PM)

McCain is a dangerous man,and yes,a warmonger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl9YE4G8gcY

lfr (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:32 PM)

According to dictionary.com:

war·mon·ger Audio Help /ˈwɔrˌmʌŋgər, -ˌmɒŋ-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[wawr-muhng-ger, -mong-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun a person who advocates, endorses, or tries to precipitate war.

Where's the inaccuracy?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Origin: 1580–90; war1 + monger]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Sharon (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:32 PM)

McCain: War Hero, War Veteran, War...War...War..(We are
just sick of the word.)

Mispeak Corrector (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:36 PM)

war·mon·ger
Noun
One who advocates or attempts to stir up war.

John McCain is a warmonger -- why should Obama have to denounce the truth? I hope not only that Obama doesn't denounce these statements but makes it clear that they are accurate.

Jonathan Sadowski, Franklin, Wisconsin (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:53 PM)

As someone who attended protests before this war started to no avail, in a failing attempt to get the media and the US public to listen to reason, I have to say McCain really does meet the definition of a warmonger. He pushed and pushed for it along with Bush and Cheney.

We were called terrorists, traitors, idiots, "not-serious", etc. when we were against this war. We were correct. Seems to me warmonger is correct, though not polite, and Senator Obama is right not to use the term. But man, it sounds correct, as does "war profiteer" sounds correct to all the companies who took millions (billions?) of our tax dollars to employ Philipinos and other non-Iraqis as part of the FIASCO that is the Iraq War.

Whew. That felt good...

Beth in VA (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:56 PM)

Boo hoo, John McCain,

Did you ever apologize for your little war-mongering musical performance of an old Beach boys tune? Or for asking for the endorsements of wacko rightie preachers who make remarks at least as offensive as anything any Obama's preacher ever said?

How's this... No more apologies. The public can decide what they think of everybody's stupid remarks and the remarks of everybody's supporters, volunteers, speakers at all events and allies among the clergy and vote accordingly.

And it's certainly possible to be a war hero and a warmonger at the same time, though it's not common.

Unfortunately McCain's heroism consists mainly of being an isolated POW who really didn't have the opportunity to acquire much knowledge or experience during the Vietnam war on the politics, strategy or tactics of the war as a prisoner. No wonder he thinks we could have "won" that one and we're gonna "win" this one.

He exhibited great fortitude, honor and courage but gained no particular military experience that would translate into helping him understand the Iraq conflict. Clearly, he DOESN'T understand it.

I'm sure this post offends a lot of people and thank goodness I'm not an important enough person to have to apologize.

No Billary/McCain Littleton CO (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:57 PM)

Mccain IS a warmonger, and has nothing else to offer America!

Steve A Jonesboro IN (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:07 PM)

Definition -
militarist: a person who advocates war or warlike policies.

I think that does define McCain when it comes to Iraq and Iran.

If the shoe fits wear it.

OBwan, IN (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:09 PM)

why didn't you provide the rest of obama's statement. Obama also stated Ed Shultzis not a surrogate and he was invited by the DNC not Obama. Please keep with the facts and let the voters decide their opinions too. But when the truth hurts it shows..."bomb bomb bomb iran"

Marcus, Upper Marlboro (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:14 PM)

Confusion and not real issues..
Why do these candidates always try to evade the issues?
Sticks and stones can break my bones but...you all know the rest...
BOO HOO McShame...
you can't even take faux bunch...

Bill (Hussein ) Jones (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:16 PM)

Mccain is a warmonger.That is all he knows.
How about him demanding apologies from the Democratic party for the comment?Why single out Obama?

Ndali,Clinton,NJ (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:17 PM)

If I read this right, Obama says that while McCain is not a warmonger, just a supporter of a war that Obama believes should never have happened.

So if we wish to find a word to describe such a person more succinctly...what would that be?

This is just the latest example of people being shamed
away from telling the truth. Because we can't do that in America anymore. If it isn't phrased in the most gutless passionless emotionally detached language possible it can't be said in American politics.
People who support wars as anything but a last resort are by definition, war mongers.

Don, Winston-Salem, NC (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:25 PM)

I think warmonger fits. Boom boom boom

kim, Maine (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:27 PM)

Other than war and running on his military service, what else can John offer the country? More of GW Bush's policies - Torture, war, tax relief for the wealthy, no increase in the G.I. Bill, ignoring the Constitution, no understanding of economics, no plan for health care, threats of war with Iran, unequivocal support of Pakistan's Musharraf and a continuation of the war in Iraq. McCain talks about "victory, my friends" but that's as far as it goes. He can't define it, doesn't know what it looks like or when it will happen. He and Bush are one and the same. McCain's military experiences have nothing to do with being a good President. The U.S. needs statesmanship, not more huffing and puffing about our military prowess and our ability to defeat every nation that does not agree with us. McCain's agenda is GW Bush's agenda. The same agenda which has caused the U.S. to be reviled but many nations around the world. The Bush doctrine has not worked and McCain offers nothing but more of the same.

R.Merrell (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:59 PM)

This is great news for Hillary Clinton!!!

Bill NYC (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:15 PM)

A fish monger sells fish, a war monger sells war.

McCain takes money from the War Lobby (the Defense, Energy and Israel Lobbies) and then he goes about the business of selling their lethal product.

John McCain never saw a weapons system that he did not like and he never saw a conflict that didn't have a military solution. Big Eddy called it like it is.

If it's a short-cut to Armageddon that we seek, then short-fused McCain is the perfect leader.

new_york_loner (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:19 PM)

Don't know why McCain is so offended. He seems to be trying to relive his past war history with this ridiculous bio tour! Who doesn't know his bio by now?
He seemed thrilled to be among the troops as if he was one himself, again, talking about "us soldiers" like he was one of them.
Sorry, the man was a POW, we all know that, 5 1/2 years, he's got to have unimaginable baggage and I thought we caught a glimpse of some of it this past week. Scares me!!
And something's funny about the delay in releasing his health records. Something just doesn't feel right.

Scary McCain (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:25 PM)

Me too ! Me too ! Somebody apologize to me for something too !

Frank (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:29 PM)

This stuff is getting petty. McCain IS a warmonger. Why should Obama repudiate the truth?

Tired of Petty Politics (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:35 PM)

Mccain is a warmonger and a hot head. He don't give a crap about the everyday person on the street. Why is he even running? He is way to old..I really don't understand why people want him..No health care no nothing but 100 more years of war. No thank you Mccain.

Jenny Huntington Indiana (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:40 PM)

Why MSNBC always reports like it's campaigning for Obama??

Does Obama pay for these MSNBC reporters. They are making people sick of their biased reporting.

JKan (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:54 PM)

Go Obama! And by the way, Hillary is at it again with those untruths, uh "misstatements":

“Also Saturday, Clinton campaign officials acknowledged that an anecdote Clinton has made a staple of her stump speech in recent weeks may not have been true and wasn't thoroughly checked for accuracy before she began repeating it on the campaign trail.

Since competing in Ohio's March 4 primary, Clinton has shared the story of an Ohio woman who worked in a pizza parlor and died after giving birth to a stillborn child. The woman was uninsured, Clinton said, and twice denied medical care at a local hospital because she couldn't pay a $100 fee.

Clinton said she learned of the story from a deputy sheriff whose home she visited while campaigning in Ohio. She told the story as recently as late Friday, at a rally in Grand Forks, N.D.

Officials with O'Bleness Memorial Hospital in Athens, Ohio, have disputed the story, saying the woman, Trina Bachtel, was insured and did receive care through an obstetric practice affiliated with the hospital, The New York Times reported Saturday.”

Stewart Lowery Charlotte, NC (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:56 PM)

Again, Mr. Obama, you sir are a class act. No need to be name calling, run your campaign with dignity and respect, and you sir will win. Now we can only hope that McCan't has the same respect for you. We shall see.

Yes we can!!!!

justthinkinoutloud (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:01 PM)

Which number on McCain's Bucket List is "Run for President"

Tommy, Detroit, Michigan (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:10 PM)

Let's see. McCain would like to keep our troops in Iraq for 100 years and he sang a song about bombing Iran. I'd say that he's a warmonger.

Enrique, Chicago (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:22 PM)

Take it like a man Mccain---Ed has been in attack mode over Hillary from the get go---he went a lot easier on you than he does the Clintons.Besides who the heck is he?

Nobama-MI (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:23 PM)

From American heritage Dictionary:

Warmonger - n. One who advocates or attempts to stir up war.

McCain: The only major candidate for president who continues to ADVOCATE for the war in Iraq.

McCain: "Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran"

Carlos Gardel, San Francisco CA (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:26 PM)

I was at the North Dakota State Democratic Convention and Ed Schultz did not speak there!!! Joel Heitkamp a progressive radio talk show host and brother of former Leutinant Governor Heidi Heitkamp spoke, but to be honest I don't remember the war monger comment - but it certainly should not be credited to Schultz - he did not speak.

Kate G, Fargo, North Dakota (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:31 PM)

Why isn't he calling on Hillary Clinton to condemn the remarks? She spoke at the same event.

DVS (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:32 PM)

The man want to be in Iraq for a 100 years. Warmonger sound about right to me. Mr. Bomb bomb bomb.

Ruthie GA (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:42 PM)

McCain at his media avail today: "It's a free country, and we have freedom of speech in America, and Mr. [Ed] Shultz is entitled to his views.

--------------

Mr. McCain, you should have stopped there, but no, you go on to invalidate the "freedom of speech" you say Mr.Schultz is entitled to. Next you'll be coming into our living rooms telling us what we can or can't say about you.

I looked up the definition of warmonger just to be sure. The definition didn't sound that far off from your policy stances.

Brenda, Mesquite TX (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:47 PM)

He better grow some thicker skin..........we got a list of words that fit him and the Repub carpet he is flying on: he definitely ain't gonna like it.

laughaday (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:54 PM)

Great job of cover up this weekend by McCain in regards to MLK.

It still does not cover the fact that McCain repeatedly voted not to honor MLK in Arizona, though.

Obama '08

Kim M--AZ (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 9:10 PM)

Thanks for the fact check First Readers. McCain seems hell-bent on trying to confront Obama on a lot of things of insignificance lately. Grandpa, get a clue- it ain't sticking so quit coming up with these elementary press releases on he-said, she-said. THe American people have plenty enough to deal with such as the mortgage crisis, student loans, debt, job loss, job insecurity, lack of healthcare, gas prices, aging parents, etc! Oh, I almost forgot- none of those appear to be the issues you like to address McCain! If it isn't about the war, taxes or patriotism it gets little mention by you.

I for one have never been comfortable with the labeling of Democrat or Republican, because in my mind a great leader is for the people as a whole. But this election has definitely showed me which party cares about the common, everday families- and it ain't you Reublicans!

Independent Voter, MA (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 9:20 PM)

Why is this old man running? That's all we need, a third world war, because of some hotheaded old man who couldn't care less about the future since he won't be here. We need someone who can talk to world leaders instead of yelling at them and making the US look like a bunch of bulles. McCain is too hotheaded. Iraq is enough. Please let's stop the fighting and learn how to come to the bargaining table and TALK to people. Is that all he knows, war? That's the last thing we should be doing now with our country falling apart. Bring our kids home. Nothing has been resolved.
'

olivia harris, new york, NY (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 9:42 PM)

I believe McCain when he talked about him hating war and not trivializing it, glorifiying in it or playing make-believe, such as how Bush 43 and Hillary Clinton does. However, he has used the same kind of rhetoric as Bush has about the Iraq war, saying we will stay there "until we win". Win what? I think the only objective left is just to get out while trying to get there country as stable as possible so the people don't need to worry about more civil war.

bc, CA (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 9:47 PM)

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