October 20, 2008, 2:42 pm
McCain Campaign Maintains Steady Stream of Attacks
Elizabeth Holmes reports from St. Charles, Mo. on the presidential race.
John McCain called on one of his best friends, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, to do the dirty work for him and attack the Democratic ticket at a rally here today.
Lead by Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., John McCain enters a campaign rally in St. Charles, Mo., Monday. (AP)
Graham, a staple on the trail for the Republican presidential candidate, criticized Obama’s decision–four months ago–to opt out of the public financing system
“John McCain could’ve opted out of public financing but he had one little problem with that, he promised people he wouldn’t,” Graham said. “Apparently that doesn’t bother our opponent.”
McCain campaign manager Rick Davis likewise levied a campaign finance attack on Obama today. The Illinois senator reported raising a staggering $150 million in September, and the McCain campaign is seeking to ratchet up pressure for Obama to disclose donors who have contributed less than $200. There is no law requiring disclosure for small donors, which make up a considerable amount of Obama’s record-shattering fund-raising in this election.
Graham also buried many of his attacks in his jokes, calling the Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden “Joe the Biden”–a play on the now famous “Joe the Plumber” character that has dominated Republican talking points since McCain made Joe Wurzelbacher a household name after last Wednesday’s presidential debate.
“Joe the Biden, the third most liberal member of the United States Senate, has a lot to say,” Graham told the crowd of roughly 3,000. “And if you say a lot you’ll eventually be right about something.” Graham then repeated comments Biden made at a fund-raiser in Seattle on Sunday, suggesting that Obama will face an “international crisis” during his first six months in office.
“Mark my words,” Biden said Sunday, “Watch, we’re going to have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy. I promise you it will occur. As a student of history and having served with seven presidents, I guarantee you it’s going happen. I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate.”
Graham turned that comment into a pitch today for McCain. “Let me tell you something, in his entire life, John McCain has passed every test given to him,” he said.
Although McCain did not mention Biden’s remarks at his rally Monday morning, he is expected to hit him on them later today.
According to an excerpt released by the campaign, McCain will say: “Just last night, Senator Biden guaranteed that if Senator Obama is elected, we will have an international crisis to test America’s new president. We don’t want a President who invites testing from the world at a time when our economy is in crisis and Americans are already fighting in two wars.”
An Obama-Biden spokesman had this to say of Biden’s remarks: “With our nation facing two wars and 21st century threats abroad, Senator Biden referenced the simple fact that history shows presidents face challenges from day one. After eight years of a failed foreign policy, we need Barack Obama’s good judgment and steady leadership, not the erratic and ideological Bush-McCain approach that has set back our security and standing in the world,” said David Wade in a statement."
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with Biden had not made that statement today
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http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/10/20/mccain-campaign-maintains-steady-stream-of-attacks/>
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