Most of these people who serve as the 527's should also be exposed interms of their backgrounds and what their personal live activities are. These should then be linked to the candidates they support. Cunningham if researched may have a lot of dirt in his closet he needs to be exposed as well.

Sent by concerned | 1:03 PM ET | 02-27-2008

The Billaracky political family feud only lacks having divorce attornies present. Bill must be feeling somewhat cuckolded being left out of Barack and Hillary throwing serious accusations against each other.

As for John McCain, his strategy is rather wise. Why should he get in the middle of Billaracky's very public, very vocal, very bitter acrimony? Sure, it makes good strategy. Sit back and let Billaracky accuse itself.

Except, of course, you really don't tell a radio talk show host to be silent. That really doesn't logic out. Might as well tell fish not to swim. So, that part wasn't smart on John McCain's behalf.

McCain does himself a service by allowing Billaracky to inflict as much harm on Billaracky as Billaracky is capable of inflicting on itself. Billaracky has become Vaudeville, slapstick, a carney sideshow, a round of Jerry Springer. And Billaracky can't blame anyone but itself.

So, this is not going to be a pleasant election. Is anyone surprised? Sure, Billaracky would enjoy the luxury of being the only entity on the planet capable of criticizing and condemning itself. That's not going to happen. Because the longer Billaracky feuds with itself, the more people will add voice to the growing agreement that Billaracky is a menace to society.

John McCain will most likely take Cunningham's anger in stride. Because, in the end analysis, if Cunningham and other conservative talk show hosts persist to pick fights with McCain, then Cunningham and company will have Billaracky to pick fights with for the next four years.

And maybe that's what radio talk show hosts secretly want. Billaracky in the White House will boast conservative radio talk ratings through the ceiling.

I mean, would Vince McMahon really hire honest professional wrestlers?

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 1:12 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I consider myself a moderate conservative and I agree wholly with Sen. McCain apology. Disagreeing with Obama's philosophy is one thing, but attacking him personally is not acceptable. McCain should not only have apologized but he should have chastized Cunningham, by name,publicly for his comments.

Sent by Larry Doelker | 1:14 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Why is Obama described as black and not white, since he is 50% white and 50% black. Is the glass half full or half empty?. Afterall his skin color is not really black as in the color black. Does the description black refer to something other than color?. If so for people who do not fit the characteristics of what "black" actually stands for, what would be their color?.

Sent by concerned | 1:18 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I find it a bit humorous that Cunningham would be furious at McCain for taking him to the woodshed. Does Cunningham live in a bubble, and not understand that the reign of the knee-jerk conservative is drawing quickly to a close? Name calling is childish and pedestrian. When Cunningham does that, it does nothing else than make him look like an idiot. Doing it to "support" McCain just causes McCain problems in a carefully crafted campaign (wether or not McCain actually agrees). Mr. Cunningham, had I been at that convention, not only would I have cheered McCain's apology, I would have grabbed your other arm, and helped him throw you under.

Sent by McCain 08 | 1:39 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Cunningham threw himself under the bus. It's time to give the citizens of this country a meaningful debate not name-calling and trash talk. Don't we get enough of all that already?

Sent by Dave | 1:39 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I dont see why McCain apologized. If anything more should be said about Farrakhan and Sen. Obama's church.

He rejected the racist Farrakhan's endorsment, but said nothing about his mentor and minister Wright. Or his church, which supports Farrakhan.

How can anything a talk show host said, be worse than supporting a racist?

Sent by Chris | 1:50 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Republicans need to "use bigger buses" and take out all of the hate-mongering radio and talk show personalilies like Cunningham and Limbaugh, etc.!

Sent by donaka | 2:05 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I for one regret that McCain is the apparent Republican that will be running for President. For the first time ever I don't know if I will vote for a Republican or Democrat. If thats the best that either party can offer us its a shame. McCain's appology is rediculos and he did nothing but help the other party.

Sent by James Dickason,Weatherford, Texas | 2:09 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Mr. McCain is being disingenuous. Bill Cunningham has been saying the same stuff and worse about Obama on his radio show for months. The McCain campaign asked him to speak and gave him a platform for a reason. This will be the pattern of GOP negative campaigning this season. Get someone else to say it and then distance yourself from what is said on your behalf. Quite Rovian and certainly not "straigh talk" if you ask me.

Sent by Rusty Bienvenue | 2:25 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Comments above made by concerned are so stupid as to be almost beyond belief. Remarks like that prove that not all people get the government they deserve, they get better than they deserve.

Sent by Tom Espy | 2:38 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Why doesn't this story include the remarks by Cunningham for which McCain apologized? What a pathetic piece of reporting! It does absolutely nothing to enlighten or inform the reader on the substance, or lack thereof, of the remarks. NPR should be ashamed of what appears to be a coverup in the guise of news reporting.

Sent by Jim Brand | 2:41 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Very telling that as a result of this Cunningham intends to throw away his convictions and vote the other side...grow up! Further, the McCain camp was irresponsible in asking him to speak - what did they think he would say?

Sent by B Allen | 3:02 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Hi Jim

Actually, I wrote about what Cunningham said quite extensively Tuesday. Just scroll down a bit and its there. But your point is well-taken. I'll put in a link to the piece I wrote yesterday.

Tom Regan

Sent by Tom Regan | 3:03 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I saw a beautiful positive sign watching Cunningham's video online yesterday. There were some teenager girls had McCain's banner in hand. I never saw them clapping single times when Cunningham was making those degratory comments. Those signs are good for our future.

Sent by Al | 3:11 PM ET | 02-27-2008

The commentator "told it like it is." Mr. Obama lacks the fortitude to confront the enemies of the United States if he indeed is motivated to confront them. He's been "breathing his own ether," and seemingly believes that he has been elevated to savior, and all conflicts will be solved if people touch the hem of his garments. He seems mentally ill.

Mr. McCain is the emasculated Republican as he withdraws from merited critical comment regarding a noxious candidate. Still muted is the 1200 pound gorilla of Mr. Obama's long-time racist associations as well as his purchase of a $1.6 million home at $300,000 below market plus receipt of other lagniappes from an Arab-American businessman. Those should also come into play.

Mr. Obama is deeply flawed. Let's get on with it and stop pussyfooting around. Cut him off at the pass for his racist associations, his Afrocentric church with his racist anti-white, anti-Semitic Pastor, whom Mr. Obama declares is his mentor, and the church's selection of the anti-white, anti-Semitic leader of the Nation of Islam, as the church's equivalent of the "Man of the Year in 2007. This selection is consistent with the Mr. Obama's church's racist position. Mr. Obama's black racism will come home to roost as will his early years working for a neo-Alinksy type organization stirring up class and racial antagonisms, and threatening racial unrest uncless concessions were made to black people. Not particularly unifying or inclusive.

We'll see how censorship operates at NPR nowadays.

Sent by Randy Sykes | 3:19 PM ET | 02-27-2008

John McCain is a loser he gets someone else to say what hes thinking and thens backs away from that person. If Barrack Obamas middle name is so offensive let him speak to his parents about it or get it changed. Obama is just another big tax Dem hiding behind words like hope and change. So I think our only hope is Ralph Nader.

Sent by pete | 3:20 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Cunningham needs to get over himself. He was funny about 15 years ago. He's been "over the top" obnoxious far too long. Cincinnati deserves better representation than this knucklehead.

Sent by Jerry | 3:20 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I don't understand Mr. Espy's umbrage at concerned. It is a legitimate inquiry into the methodology of categorization by the media. Why should Mr. Obama's color be a determinant at all. If, as was stated, he is 50% of one ???race??? and 50% of another the only reason to to use ???black??? is to describe the color of his skin. He has not lived the stereotypical life of a ???black man???, if anything he has lead a life more usually associated with a middle (even upper-middle) class ???white man. Perhaps Mr. Espy should reconsider the helpfulness or necessity of denigrating someone for voicing a not unreasonable question. If positing whether skin tone should be a criteria for Presidential qualification can cause such vitriol, our country is in a sad state indeed.

Sent by Shinea | 3:38 PM ET | 02-27-2008

To mister Cunningpork: Neener, neener, neener!

Sent by Jose Rios | 3:40 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I find it funny that everyone needs to apologize now.

Obama for being affiliated with Farrakhan through donations and his church.

McCain for being affiliated with Cunningham and neo-cons.

And Clinton, for her last name being Clinton.

Sent by Find It Funny | 3:55 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I am not a McCain supporter, but I admire him for his stand against this no news talk show host. Cunningham's words were used in an extremely defaming manner. He used Obama's complete name in a extremely derogatory manner. When talk show hosts such as this and the other clowns who proclaim to be journalist actually start talking about the issues facing this country instead of name calling we will all be better off.
I find it very interesting that Cunningham will now back Clinton. His convictions must be very shallow that he moves from one candidate to another so easily. Cunningham, please don't speak for the Democratic supporters.

Sent by Suzi | 3:55 PM ET | 02-27-2008

How incredibly refreshing! I have to admit I disagree with John McCain on some very critical points, but I have to applaud his refusal to engage in the trash talking tactics that have become the norm in US political campaigns. John McCain, you might not have my vote in November, but you definitely have my respect.

Sent by Karen Hennigan | 4:46 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Bill Cunninham was immeadiately called to task in public by McCain. And rightly so!

Louis Farakhan(sp?) words were (sort of?) denounced by Obama (after being prodded by Hillary.

There are a lot of unsavory blowhards giving endorsements, coose wisely!

Sent by Harold | 5:18 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Hate, Hate, Hate and more Hate from the group of people that have hurt the Republician party. Why do these people continue to be a part of a party that once had values. If these people were not speaking for the Republicians I might take a look at that party. I will continue to vote Democrat until I see a "forsure" change in their values. We are all looking for a quarterback and on the same team. My vote will go to Hillary Clinton if nominated...!

Sent by Steven | 5:51 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Once McCain get the nomination the general public is going to confuse him with Bob Dole and think he should have stuck to selling Viagra.

The last time we had an inexperienced President we almost ended the world with a nuclear war. We'll have only ourselves to blame for electing an "American Idol" instead of a seasoned professional.

Sent by Rick Taylor | 1:12 PM ET | 02-28-2008