President Obama Waxes Poetic About a GOP Opponent Like John McCain
- Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:04pm by
Erica Ritz
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(Photos: AP)
(The Blaze/AP) — President Barack Obama seems to think that the world of politics would be better if someone like John McCain were running for the White House.
The Democratic incumbent and his re-election advisers are waxing nostalgic about the Republican senator from Arizona who lost to Obama in the 2008 presidential race. They’re embracing McCain as a reasonable voice on climate change and immigration, someone who took on extremism in his own party.
It‘s all a way of drawing a contrast with Obama’s current GOP rival, Mitt Romney, and trying to convince crucial independent voters that the former Massachusetts governor is outside the mainstream.
But Obama’s flattering memories of McCain conflict with their campaign clashes of 2008. Back then, Obama hammered his rival as “out of touch” with many of the problems facing people in the United States.
Today‘s platitudes also conceal the reality of Obama’s current dynamic with McCain. The senator is one of the president’s staunchest critics on everything from health care to foreign policy, and he’s a vocal Romney supporter.
To hear Obama tell it now, the McCain who ran against him in 2008 was an example of a principled Republican who knew how to reach across the aisle. The implication from Obama is that those qualities simply don’t apply to Romney.
“John McCain believed in climate change,” Obama told supporters at a fundraiser in Minneapolis Friday. “John believed in campaign finance reform. He believed in immigration reform. I mean, there were some areas where you saw some overlap. In this election, the Republican Party has moved in a fundamentally different direction.”
(Photo: AP)
Obama’s take on McCain has become a standard part of his fundraising appeal to donors. As the general election heats up, the Obama campaign is relishing more opportunities to try to turn its former foe into an asset.
When Romney didn‘t condemn his supporter Donald Trump for raising more questions this week about the president’s citizenship, the Obama campaign dug up old video clips of McCain correcting supporters in the 2008 who said they were scared of Obama and one clip of a supporter who thought he was an “Arab.”
“As the Republican nominee, John McCain stood up to the voices of extremism in his party,” an Obama Internet video says. It then asks why Romney won’t do the same.
The 90-second video ends with words on the screen that read: “McCain and Romney: Two Republican nominees, only one willing to lead.”
Brian Rogers, a spokesman for McCain, said Friday that if McCain and Obama “share so many priorities and are in such agreement, why didn’t the president or his staff ever reach out to Sen. McCain to work on them?”
Not surprisingly, veterans of the 2008 campaign are split down party lines over whether the 2012 Obama campaign’s strategic embrace of its former rival makes sense.
“They‘re not announcing that they’re embracing all of (McCain’s) positions on issues,” said Jennifer Psaki, a former Obama White House official who also worked on the president’s 2008 campaign. “But they are highlighting the standards that John McCain held himself to that Mitt Romney has not.”
Steve Schmidt, a senior strategist to McCain’s 2008 campaign, said voters will see through the Obama team‘s attempts to use the former GOP nominee to paint the party’s current standard-bearer as an extremist.
“It’s very difficult to make the case that Mitt Romney is a right-wing nut, particularly because a lot of real right-wing nuts have spent a lot of time saying Romney’s not one of them,” Schmidt said.
(Photo: AP)
Like Romney, McCain faced criticism from Democrats in 2008 who said the independent-minded senator had kowtowed to the conservative wing of the party in order to claim the GOP nomination.
The nearly four years since Obama and McCain’s electoral face-off have been filled with interactions that the president probably won’t be bringing up at campaign fundraisers or using in a campaign video.
In a meeting during the 2010 health care debate, McCain criticized how Democrats were constructing the legislation. Obama cut him off, saying “We’re not campaigning anymore. The election is over.”
McCain responded: “I’m reminded of that every day.”
McCain has characterized Obama as often being too passive on foreign policy, and in recent days, said it was “embarrassing” that the United States wasn’t doing more to stop the bloodshed in Syria.
The Obama and McCain conflicts aside, Schmidt said he’s not surprised to see his former boss back in the electoral mix: “The last guy is never more popular than after there’s a new guy.”
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Comments (94)
JustMeHere_01
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:30pmJohn Kerry also served during the Vietnam era and it was proven that he used his service as well to advance his career.
This minion staged a demonstration to highlight him throwing his medals over the white house lawn.
Yet the peopel kept electing this person to office.
You really want to know what the problem is. It is people that continue to elect people with name recognition and not those that stand for principle.
Our citizens are the ones that elect those that represent us. So our country will be as those of us who cast theri ballots.
Report Post »FreedomWitness
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:47pmI know that John F. Kerry fought in Viet Nam, I just can’t remember which side he fought for!
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 12:01amDid he not fight for jane fondle during that “Police Action”?
Report Post »daxbrady
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 12:56amI did not know that John Kerry served in vietnam! lmao If you listen to him talk you would think that he was in vietnam for a few decades rather than the few months he was actually there. And yes it was all for his political resume, he took that page out of john kennedys book.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 7:41amASK: You are a Lefty Jason Levin Troll. Begone ….
Report Post »Ballot_Box_Revolution
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 2:35pmanother problem is people really didn’t pay attention to local elections, reps or senators…..I don’t think average people really started paying attention until 2010.
I have always considered myself into politics more than the average person. (comparing myself to the people I knew and were around most of the time) and I knew some senators, but only those that got MSM attention.
I think people are waking up. More and more people i know personally are speaking of senators, which in the past had no idea of lesser offices than president…..
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 4:28pmObama… loves… Obama-lite — Not too Gay!
Report Post »Joey Odendahl
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:22pmYeah, this basically boils down to Obama saying, “I wish Romney would act more like the guy I was able to BEAT.“ He wants a more ”passive” opponent that won’t wage war against him.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 12:46amI hope Romney goes after Obama .. .as strong if not stronger (I know wishful thinking) than he did his opponents in the primaries … if not the PACS will! I will donate to whoever is going after Obama the hardest! Romney or a Pac ..makes no difference to me .. as long as Obama is thrown out of office…November 6, 2012!
Report Post »DEFCON4
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 1:09amJOEY I agree it does boil down , indeed a passive deflection, CAT B. I believe the Romney Camp is holding course and will fire back when needed..Right now I feel / hear Team Obama in retreat…..
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 2:50amBut where was the “poetry”? Is that what passes for “poetry” from Barry now that daddy Frank has passed on to the great Collective in the sky? (or where ever it is)
Report Post »bpodlesnik
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 7:42amI don’t think Mitt should go after Obama, let the PACs do that. I don‘t think McCain lost to Obama because he didn’t go after him. He simply lost because Obama was the “cool” first black president and had people believe in his “hope and change”. It was inevitable unfortunately.
And now that Obama has had his time as president, and the whole country can see how miserably he failed on the economy. And the Catholics can see that he is waging a war against them. And the Jews can see that he is not a true supporter of Israel. And the rich can see that Obama wants to take their hard earned money and give it to the government. And many other people have waken up to realize that this community organizer needs to go.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 8:10amI wish we had a REAL MAN running for office this year. All we have are a bunch of spineless wussies running. No men…they have all beem pussified. Why the hell do we want to work with Marxist Communists? Why do we feel like we need to be nice to them and the ir followers that suck off the land lie a bunch of pigs?
Report Post »I saw a man in the store using a food stamp debit card. He had a smart phone. I said to him right there…”It’s awfully damn nice of me to pay for your food while you enjoy that smart phone. Have you no pride at all???” He just gave me a dirty look and walked off…I said “You are welcone!!!” The people around who heard it applauded…
Screw being nice to liberals…It’s time to fight!
STQ
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 7:07pmAsolutely.This is EXACTLY what he’s trying to shame Romney into being.Please don’t be ignorant,Romney,and go along with this obvious TRICK!
Report Post »SHASTADIANE1
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:21pmMcCain rolled over and played dead. Had they turned Sarah loose, they might have had a chance at winning the last time. McCain didn’t really want to win. He just wanted to “talk” about it. I voted for him, and had to hold my nose. My Vote was for Sarah…but anyone who did not VOTE last election, or says they won’t get out and Vote for Romney after seeing what we have had for this last 3 yrs, deserves whatever is coming their way in the next few months. You all best hold on to your hats, cause I think we are in for a bumpy ride. I seriously doubt Romney can save us…but he might slow it down a bit.
Report Post »daxbrady
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 12:58amJust getting rid of BO will go along way toward saving us. Want to see the market take off like a rocket and then the biggest christmas in history.. Elect Romney in november.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 9:11amSarah was the only life in the McCain campaign. I doubt he even really wanted to win. I think he picked Sarah to further torpedo his campaign and was shocked when She gave it a boost.
Report Post »teddie888
Posted on June 4, 2012 at 7:27amMcCain took a “dive” in ‘08
Report Post »vtxphantom
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:17pmDeep in obama’s narcissistic mind, he is running against Bush.
Report Post »Living In NYC
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:12pmI am a conservative and I held my nose while voting for McCain! I just want John to go back to AZ and help his wife run her father’s beer company and leave us alone!
But the Choom Boy always wants a pass (except in when he is in the toke line)….that’s how the re-distrubutor and chief has always got along!
Report Post »angelcat
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:11pmMcCain refused to hit Obama hard on his weak points, his radical roots and associates. Obama wants Romney to be as easy on him and to ignore his disgraceful record as president.
Report Post »JustMeHere_01
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:09pmJohn McCain should really consider retiring after his current term expires. John McCain, with your reaching across the aisle, you gave us the current campaign refinance reform. Thank you so much for that.
Now all can contribute not millions but now billions for new campaigns. Wow, thank you for that Senator John McCain
I am sorry that you were imprisoned by the Vietnamese during your term of service to this country but that does not give you the right to help destroy it.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:08pmObama and his demons are at wit’s end. Though Romney is a rino, a flip-flopper; he will have his trophy but America will still have America. You will be defeated, Mr. ‘president.’ Your game is coming to an end. Prepare your library, sir.
Report Post »JustMeHere_01
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:14pmI really do not know what Mitt Romney is. I do know that he was a Govenor of a very liberal state that was controlled by a very liberal house and senate. He could only do so much.
I do think that he is a very successful businessman and save the olympics when asked to step in. I think he is the right man at the right time to take over the reins of this country and that obama needs to go.
Report Post »JustMeHere_01
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:02pmI didn’t read the whole story but I can just bet that Barrack Obama would love to have someone like John McCain being his adversary.
I also know that the last eletion that I could not vote for John McCain nor could I vote for Barrack Obama. I chose to leave the choice of President blank at that time. So I am sure that Pres. Obama would love to once again run against the likes of John McCain.
I will say that this time I will vote for anyone that is running to oust him out of the White House. I do not care who his opponent is.
I know that if he is given another 4 years then this country will no longer exist.
So yes, Pres. Obama, I am sure that you are now a staunch supporter of the likes of John McCain.
Report Post »lovenfl3
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:10pmThis man is the most pathetic excuse for a President in our nations history. The same guy who has yet to repudiate Bill Maher thinks he is in a position to wag his finger at Mitt Romney. Shut up and worry about your own people Barack! How about your number one guy David Axelrod calling the Koch Brothers and Karl Rove “contract killers?” I bet McCain would have stood up to him as well. Pathetic.
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5kwKTxxEy4
JustMeHere_01
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:22pmNo, John McCain would have told anyone not to desecrate his candidate and pretened to be proud. I am sorry, but John McCain is a joke and when the people of Arizona realize that then the better off they will be.
Report Post »JustMeHere_01
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:26pmI understand that John McCain was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. I also served in the Marines during that period although I did not experience combat. John McCain was a pilot and was shot down and captured.
We all know that.
John McCain seems to taking that experince for his personal gain. I am sorry John McCain for what you went through, but that does not give you the right to destroy this country.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:58pmThis is a clear cut warning to Romney: BE A PUTZ like McCain so that I can have four more years to finish off America!
Report Post »Tankertony
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:56pmI, and almost everybody I know voted for Sarah. We all knew McCain was a progressive, and anyone who cozy’s up with the MSM is an idiot.
Report Post »I’ll only hope with Romney is that he has learned his lesson and turned away from the dark side.
TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:54pmRomney will do just fine…… he can argue both sides of any issue because hes been on both sides of every issue. Romney takes the term Flip Flop to a whole new level.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 7:44amThat’s all you got ? Pretty weak. Surprised you aren’t criticizing his ” evil capitalist ways ! ” Would seem more up your alley…
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 12:51pmThats all the dems need. Cant you just wait for the ads? Maybe you could list some of the flip flops for us. dont tell me you cant think of any. I would be willing to bet if you do a search there are a ton of videos all ready out there. Or do you want me to post some of them here? fun fun fun
Report Post »iBeliever
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:53pm“Poetry”? As if we needed more proof he is one of the gays….. LOL
Report Post »the58thstate
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:48pmjust when has this pos ever stood up to the commies in his party? never! its amazing how people that show up for this idiot dont see this liar for what he is. how could they not be thinking what the hell this idiot is talking about.
Report Post »valleyfever
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:47pmWhen I voted for McCain it gagged me but at least he wasn’t a Marxist.
Report Post »iprazhm
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:41pmIn other words, McCain layed down and gave the election to Obama by refusing to challange him about ANYTHING. Absolutely anything.
Report Post »And for this Obama is giving him props and eluding that Romney should follow suite.
If taking that wipped ignorant dog stance had given McCain the election win, then it would have been good advice…
rickc34
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:37pmObama’s record of failure and lies is his true opponent that he cannot win against.
Report Post »Legion5
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:34pmMcCain is everything Barry can and will never be a true leader! Barry is an arrogant power hungry Marxist pile of Crap and I say we start a campaign to let him know what we think of him. We should mail him fake dog poo with a note simply reading This is the real Obama! We must not send the real thing as that is a health risk for everyone and dangerous, but a pile of the good old fake poo will send the same message.
Report Post »sooner12
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:29pmMcCain was so inept in 2008 and is an embarrassment to the GOP then and now. 2012 will usher in a GOP senate and presidency.
Report Post »Conservative AMERICA
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:25pmLet us face it, Barry Hussein:
There never was evidence for global warming junk science,
immigration “reform” – which means amnesty – is a slap into the face of the millions around the world who are waiting in the legal line to become citizens of the greatest country in the history of history
and holding up the constitutional requirements for the highest office in our country is anything but extreme.
Is it not time you show some overlap, fraud? Let us start with your impeachment!
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:25pmOf course the Marxist POS wants to run against another fossil who’s over the hill,and a progressive to boot.McCain was a sacrificial lamb,an old progressive RINO and the only difference between the Marxist POS and McCain was that McCain was older and paler and that was the extent of their differences.
I understand why blacks vote for Barry they say it‘s because he’s black but he’s half black and all Marxist.They also like all the freebies but those will soon be gone with the collapse of the system so who will provide for them? They’re clearly not thinking of the future just what they can get today.
But it really doesn’t matter who the next president is because our crushing debt will be the final arbiter as to our fate,and a skinny Marxist who’s constantly flashing that s h ! t eating grin won‘t correct the problem because it’s all going according to plan. If Romney wins it won‘t make any difference because this corrupt government is addicted to spending and they’ll continue to spend
Report Post »until we go bankrupt.China will stop buying our debt and when that happens the party’s over.
mils
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:29pmOMG…of course he wants another milquetoast azzwipe like McCain…the do nothing white man…DO NOTHING …that’s all McCain is/was..
Report Post »My grandchild would have beat McCain..
McCain had no intention of winning over Obama..
JustMeHere_01
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:43pm@progressiveslayer
You make some very good points but I will draw the line that if Mitt Romey were to win the next election that it will be business as usual.
I would hope that he would purge the White House of those communist/marxist CZars.
I think that Mitt Romney has a grasp on economics. I did not vote for him in the Florida Primary but I will fully support him over this current President.
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:20pmI could not believe McCain was the nominee. The only good thing that came out of that absolutly ridiculous move was Palin.
Report Post »He was a white Hussain!
13th Imam
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:19pmAll I want to see is Mitt reach across the aisle. And throttle that pencil necked, slim fingered, closet gay,, tyrant bowing, , steaming pile of excrement Barry. Just Dreamin. Thanks for your service John, now watch how a candidate that actually wants the job , do it. Mitt, I’m counting on you.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:14pmnews flash to obama
we are going to not only take our ball and go home, we are going to take your ball too
NO MORE COMPROMISING WITH THE ENEMY, WHEN THAT ENEMY WANTS YOU DEAD
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:11pmWell of course 0bama would love to run against McCain again. After all McCain just did not campaign against 0bama. I hope Romney will come out of his corner swinging at 0bama like he did when he was campaigning against Teddy Kennedy. Naturally, in Massachusetts Kennedy won though. Romney was really roaring then.
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