McCain-Backing GOP Senator (Mel Martinez): Obama Did Not Play the Race Card

[jefferson_dem]

McCain-Backing GOP Senator: Obama Did Not Play the Race Card

August 02, 2008 1:08 PM

"I think we should be in a post-racial environment," said Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., a supporter of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., "I think Sen. Obama has done an admirable job of that. I don't think he has race-baited. I think he has been very good about that."

Martinez made his comments to ABC News' David Puente on Thursday in an interview to run on Puente's show "Exclusiva," which covers Hispanic news from around the world and airs on the network's digital channel, ABC News Now.

This week, Obama, D-Ill., suggested that McCain and the Republicans would try to convince voters that he was too "risky," in part by pointing out that he has a funny name and doesn't look like other presidents on the dollar bills.

After those comments, McCain campaign manager Rick Davis said, “Barack Obama has played the race card, and he played it from the bottom of the deck. It’s divisive, negative, shameful and wrong.”

But Martinez, born in Cuba, told Puente that he thought Davis was wrong.

"I would not agree with" Davis's statement, Martinez said.

The Martinez interview is scheduled to run on "Exclusiva" on Thursday, Aug. 14 at 1 p.m.

- jpt

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/08/mccain-backing.html

[BlooInBloo]

1. hahaha!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6576128

[jefferson_dem]

3. Ooops. Didn't see that one.

Thanks!

[BlooInBloo]

4. It was just funny cuz I caught babysis doin it to one of your posts.

[Barack_America]

2. The Republican brand is already crap...

I'm not surprised to see some Republicans push back against McCain's attempts to drag it down further.

[Inuca]

5. WOW!

I hope somebody will ask him the same question in English and that we will see his answer in as many venues and as many times as possible. I don't care what his ulterior motives may be for saying this, and I prefer not to start by thinking the worst of anybody, but in any case, this is great coming from somebody like Martinez.

[Cha]

6. It's so weird to me that Mel Martinez would

call out mccain on his whining race baiting charge!

[flpoljunkie]

8. Martinez, who's up for re-election in 2010--knows how popular Obama is with hispanics.

I think perhaps this explains his comment. He is not all that liked in Florida; his popularity has definitely declined since he was elected.

[Supersedeas]

7. wasn't he GoP Chair...wow...McRove can't buy a friend