This is going to be short, but I think it is important that Obama reacts quickly and strongly on what McCain said today.
McCain's comments as reported on the politico:
I have said that I will not have any comment on it and that because I thought and I believe that Senator Obama does not share those views. But Sen. Obama himself says it's a legitimate political issue, so I would imagine that many other people will share that view, and it will be in the arena. But my position that Senator Obama doesn't share those views remains the same.
He was obviously talking about Rev. Wright.
Why is this important? Well, in the same press availability, McCain also said the following:
I saw yesterday some additional comments that have been revealed by Pastor Wright, one of them comparing the United States Marine Corps with Roman legionnaires who were responsible for the death of our Savior. I mean being involved in that -- it's beyond belief. And then of course saying that Al Qaeda and the American Flag were the same flags.
So, McCain is basically saying that he does not believe that Obama shares the political leanings of Rev. Wright but that he is still willing to play along with the guilt by association game and even raise it with an Al Qaeda reference. I mean, does anybody else see the hypocrisy in this? Sadly, the immediate response by the Obama campaign didn't point it out:
By sinking to a level that he specifically said he'd avoid, John McCain has broken his word to the American people and rendered hollow his promise of a respectful campaign. With each passing day, John McCain acts more and more like someone who's spent twenty-six years learning the divisive, distracting tactics of Washington. That's not the change that the American people are looking for.
McCain also said that he would no longer try to stop Rev. Wright smear ads but that he would continue to denounce them...
Basically, McCain has now openly said that he is willing to use this story for political gain even though he thinks that there is nothing behind it - meaning that he does not believe that Sen. Obama shares Rev. Wrights values. What do you take from this?
NOTE: this is my first diary, don't be too harsh...