Politics Extra: Steve Colbert on the McCain/Cunningham flap

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Steve Colbert on the McCain/Cunningham flap

68 Comments:

at 1:27 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Bill is a great American; he's an entertainer! Why don't you understand that?

at 1:32 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

The funny thing here is that the national media did not feel it important enough to research anything about Cunningham. Otherwise they would understand how out of proportion the middle name use was. Cunningham always uses middle names. I think it is also hilarious that the media is defending Obama again, just as Cunningham accused them of always doing. The problem here is that the liberal media once again has found a twist to put on a situation to make it come out as they want it to. PS McCain is no conservative, write in Fred Thompson!

at 1:41 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Ah, when will Bill Cunningham and the fading group of mean core conservatives realize their jackass schtick looks bad. The world is changing and their the last to get it. Surprise.

at 1:58 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

I am very conservative, but that Colbert piece on the Cunningham/McCain "flap" is a riot!

at 2:00 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

My preferred response is to ignore Cunningham, since what he craves is attention of any kind, but this approach of mocking him for the idiot he is ain't half bad.

at 2:08 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Great... Nick Lachey and Bill Cunningham. Unfortunately, Willie's racist, sexist, and xenophobic show is much to the delight of Cincinnatians... but I don't really think we want the rest of the country to know how much we like it.

at 2:38 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

I guess African Americans should boycott the Enquirer since you all continue to post and show racial bias towards our people. Typical Cincinnati mentality.

at 2:39 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Bill Cunningham is about 1000% funnier than Colbert.

at 2:45 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Welcome to our little world in SW Ohio. The Enquirer would not have noted anything about Cunningham's comments without the perspective of the rest of the nation. Its sick, but in our little world, we are so used to one-party conservative rule that even we Democrats are timid and no longer react when we see stuff like this.

at 2:50 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

I disagree. I think Colbert is funnier. Not by 1000%, but funnier.

at 2:54 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

No - Colbert is pretty funny. That was good.

at 3:01 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

"Embarrassing" is...how the city of Dallas welcomed JFK to town in 1963.

"Embarrassing" is...how the democrat Mayor of the city of Toledo welcomed the U.S. Marines to town earlier this month.

"Embarrassing" is...electing democrat Jerry Springer the mayor of Cincinnati after he was caught paying a hooker with a personal check.

Nothing about the recent John McCain appearance is embarrassing to the city of Cincinnati. Bill Cunningham is a Great American!

at 3:02 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

The reason this got all the press it did was due to McCain's reaction. If he hadn't reacted, the press wouldn't have jumped all over it. Why don't conservative's stop blaming the media for their problems, stop fighting within their party, and actually think of ways to make positive changes for this country. If you truly believe the media elects presidents, then how did Bush get elected for a second term. It's our vote that matters, so stand up and vote for who you think is best suited to run this country. If you don't like your options, well, make more of an effort next time to help candidates that you do like. BTW, it's a sad world if the masses think Cunningham is funnier than Colbert!

at 3:03 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Cunningham is a great American? Huh? Oh yeah, he helped this country build... um...create... umm... contribute... ummm... nothing. Nope. Not a great American after all.
McCain is a great American. Leave it at that. Cunningham is a sideshow that history will forget the moment he finally steps away from the microphone.

at 3:05 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

i love matt jones' expression in the background of the cunningham clip.

at 3:08 PM, February 28, 2008

Unknown said...

I'm trying to think of something that one man could do to hand an election to a candidate in the middle of a primary...unbelievable!

You watch. Obama, Reds in the Series, Bengals in the Bowl. And it will have all started with Willie, who, by the way, is a Democrat! Has to be!

at 3:20 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

To me, there are 4 groups within the GOP
1) the Bush groupies filled with ego, arrogance, ignorance beyond their educations. They are the very wealthy who believe, as they take tax deductions for having there luxury boats waxed, that everyone should make it on their own. Except few have done so without a legacy or without paying their penance in political capital.
2) There are the wanna be's, hoping that they will be one of the Bushies, despite the odds agqainst them. They vote against their own interests and the interests of their children.
3) Passive Republicans who vote Republican only because the party is anti-abortion and because they think the word "conservative" references some higher morality that they want to claim by virtue of politics rather than how they live their life. They are the same people who attend catholic church still knowing what they have done and expecting nothing to change, or caring
4) McCain's GOP, where he confronts our weaknesses honestly, learned from mistakes in his political and personal life, and holds the party to a higher standard.

The salvation of the GOP is in the McCain group, because lies, deception, and trickery will never be able to hold water for long.

at 3:21 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Cunningham is only funny to the ignorant

at 3:23 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

It is obvious that Cunningham and others have used Obama's middle name to try and persuade Americans that he is connected to groups/people in the Middle East that don't support the United States. We live in a free country, so Bill is allowed to make comments like the those on his radio show and at McCain's event. However, if the Republican National Committee thinks these comments hurt their candidate's chance of winning the November election, I think it is fair to ask people like Bill to stop being so combative. If you don't think Cunningham and others use his middle name for a reason, here's what is going on in Tennessee.

"growing chorus of Americans concerned about the future of the nation of Israel…if Sen. Barack Hussein Obama is elected president of the United States.” It also included a photograph of Obama from a 2006 trip to Kenya in which he is dressed in traditional attire worn by area Muslims.

at 3:27 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Cunningham is a buffoon, putting him as an introductory speaker at a presidential campaign rally is like asking Jerry Springer to advise you on ethics in media. The McCain campaign deserves the scorn they get.

at 3:28 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's a very funny takedown.

Hope the shameless self-promoters at WLW (I mean, how many days in a row is this "controversy" going to be the lead item in their newscasts?) find it amusing enough to give it equal billing on their Web site.

Why do I have my doubts about that?

at 3:47 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Barack Hussein Obama is an empty suit full of empty promises.

Are the liberals in the mainstream media going to take me away to the re-education camp now?

In the words of our leader, bring it on!

at 3:48 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Come on, people, making fun of Obama because he had a photo taken wearing a turban is like mocking "W" because he was a cheerleader. That early life 'mistake' shouldn't effect the way that person leads in the future, right?

Oh, hold on a sec -- let me rethink this argument...

at 3:50 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Barack Hussein Obama is an empty suit full of empty promises.

Are the liberals in the mainstream media going to take me away to the re-education camp now?

In the words of our leader, bring it on!

at 4:22 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Cunningham is like the little elementary kid who thinks he is funny because he gets encouragement from the other little kids around in, while all others find him annoying and immature. MLB needs to take a serious look at the kind of radio station they are allowing to be the "Voice of the Reds".

at 4:25 PM, February 28, 2008

melanie said...

Mr. Cunningham's denial of using Senator Obama's middle name for any underlying reason on last night's interview on NPR was deceitful and an obvious lie. He is following the cues given by the current Administration where that is the standard operating procedure. It is no wonder that Cincinnati is thought of as a conservative backwater. He panders to the lowest common denominator in society and then reaches down deeper.

at 4:36 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

There are a lot of people posting in this forum who don't know the difference between their, there, and they're. Come on people!

at 4:39 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Willie is a joke. Oh, wait,
William (Insert appropriate disparaging middle name of your choice... Adolph, idiot, fool, etc.) Cunningham is a joke.

at 4:55 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Willie is a true Cincinnati racist, just like Marge Schott. All you Cincinnati apologists say, "That's just Willie being Willie". I say, that just a blatant form of Cincinnati racism

at 5:01 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

I was at the rally and stayed after to watch the press. The part on the news that I saw did not show John McCain stating that he was not in the building when Cunningham was talking nor had he ever met Cunningham. When McCain was walking in, Rob Portman was speaking. John McCain had absolutely no idea what Cunningham had said, and the press was hounding him for it. One reporter after another kept brining the issue up and it was really frustrating McCain. He said he did not know what Cunningham had said, but that he repudiates anything that was disparaging to Obama or Clinton. A big part of his campaign is "nice politicking." Give McCain a break, he had no idea what Cunningham had said and he wanted to be able to defend himself while he could. The press was being relentless.

at 5:04 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

This is the biggest non-issue since the Tom Brady ankle boot. Obama's middle name is in fact Hussein. Who cares if Bill Cunningham, or anybody else for that matter, uses it?

at 5:16 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Cunnigham being a biggot is one thing - what concerns me is how many people listen to him and take him sersiously. And for Cincinnati's latest bit of national attention, we're represented by such a fool. We have so many people here who are better representatives. I'm also dissappointed in how lame McCain's response was. If that's his kind of straight talk, I don't want him to make it to white house.

at 5:18 PM, February 28, 2008

Kurt F said...

Colbert is funny??? In whose twisted world? NOTHING in that video on Colbert's part was funny...at all. PERIOD! The man's an obnoxious, arrogant ass. None of what he said was even remotely funny or satirical. People who think so obviously lead pathetic little lives.

at 5:30 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Barack Hussein Obama rhymes with Osama bin Laden !

Forget Kum Ba Yah !

Let's CHANGE the tune:

One little, two little , good little muslins !

at 5:32 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Thank you Senator McCain for upholding your high sensed of ethics and adding dignity to an unfortunate rally that was overshadowed by a local talk show host who is an embarassment to us Republicans who are interested in forming a governmentnot based upon division, but on a blending of ideas and ideals.

The kind of fascist, radical right, "republican" rhetoric that eventually led to the loss of Republican majority in Congress must be condemned by Seator McCain who is running as a "unification" candidate.

Again I have found myself in a position of having to defend my city against another embarassing episode. Cunningham need to apologize for his comments which have made Cincinnati a laughing stock in the media.

at 5:43 PM, February 28, 2008

Steve said...

Bill Cunningham is a publicity hound and a ratings whore. The fact that he was repudiated by his party's de facto candidate shows that while his act may entertain the masses, it's irrelevant in this election cycle. Who are Willie's listeners going to vote for if not the Republican nominee? Anyone besides McCain will surely lead to a Democratic White House.

Then again, maybe that's the plan. If conservative radio hosts like Willie and Rush and Coulter push for their listeners to stay home, thus assuring a Democratic White House, they have at least four years of being able to pretend to be political outsiders railing on an opposing administration. And that's certainly an easier show to produce than trying to find blame for all that has gone wrong with the world since their guy moved in to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

As for Sen. McCain, I say good for him on calling out Willie. With as many serious issues that are facing this country today, this election needs a deeper level of discourse than the name-calling that Willie demonstrated the other day.

at 5:47 PM, February 28, 2008

Randy Ready said...

Bill Cunningham is a clown.

at 5:49 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Anyone else want to join the group conservatives for Hillary!? Hillary is more conservative then John McCain will every be. Never in a million years would I imagine myself voting for a democrat, but my vote is for Hillary now!

at 6:28 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

To suggest that Cunningham was "simply using Obama's middle name" are blissfully ignorant. It was a deliberate act by Cunningham to place Obama in the same context as a dictator. That Obama's middle name is in fact Hussein is irrelevant. Cunningham's intent shone through quite clearly.

at 6:43 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Where was all this umbrage and outrage last year when Cunningham broadcast the same comments from Sean Hannity's Freedom Concert for Rudy Guiliani?

Y'all need to grow the hell up.

"Biggot"? "Muslin"? Y'all also need to buy spelling dictionaries.

at 6:54 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

It was discussed today on radio that America is not ready for a black president. I agree. It seems like any time we disagree with Obama, right away " we are a racist". And when you attack any Obama policy, of course it's because "he's a black man."

at 7:18 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Only possible explanation (as noted above) is Willie is a Democrat.
Now that he cut the Republican frontrunner, what's he going to do next?
On yeah, tune in tomorrow....

Did once & never will again.

at 7:32 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

How was Willie saying Sen. Obama's full name racist? Stop with the race card!!!!

at 7:37 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

I find it amazing that until Willie gave Barack Obama the middle name, he didn't have one! Oh wait, he did - and I'll bet the wonderful LIBERAL media knew it as well. Poor Willie - the whipping boy for the left wing media who really wanted to use this to THEIR advantage - rip on the conservatives because they are obviously uneducated racists. While Mr. Obama's middle name doesnt' bother me any more than John McCain's middle name being androgenous (Sidney), it must bother Mr. Obama as HIS OWN Website doesn't disclose that! I wonder why?

at 7:46 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Let'd focus on the facts :
Obama - has a middle name - it is of record.
So what if his middle name Hussein.. How many folks out there are named GACY, DALMER, etc.. you know it is your given name.
My middle name is RAY ..same as James Earl RAY... do I get offended? HECK NO... RAY CHARLES ..
Now SEYMORE BUTTS might be upset
with his name.
Bottome line : WILLIE SHOULD BE
THANKED FOR HIS HELP TO McCAIN..
It didnt happen ! So I will set my write in for : WILLIE !

at 8:23 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure about the 'Colbert isn't funny' group here...

The line about "I hate McCain because Rush Limbaugh told me to" was HILARIOUS! And soooo true.

Ditto this (!) my blinder wearing friends.

at 9:03 PM, February 28, 2008

Unknown said...

Stephen Colbert is a genius. His satire is second to none. His roasting of George Bush at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in 2006 was a timeless, perfectly-crafted example of speaking truth to power that will live on in history. It will probably be one thing to redeem us when students of history 50 years from now are wondering what Republican voters were thinking in 2000 and 2004.

As for Bill Cunningham, his comments at the McCain rally were ridiculous. His persistence in using Senator Obama's middle name is a juvenile and sad attempt to criticize. I hope he keeps doing it, embarrassing himself, and continues to run full speed into irrelevance. The First Amendment protects him and allows him to say whatever he wants, but until he offers some substantive criticism his words are simply right-wing noise.

Bill Cunningham's fans and other right-wingers always seem to make a similar mistake. Whenever someone like Bill or Rush or Bill O'Reilly or Ann Coulter, etc. says something inflammatory, and then reasonable people object, the 'right' feigns outrage and says we're being too sensitive/politically-correct, and that we're attacking their First Amendment rights. This is an incorrect assumption they make. I believe wholeheartedly in Bill Cunningham's right to say what he wants. That said, I think his comments and behavior were in bad taste, and an embarrassment to this city. These two elements of thinking are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the more Bill and his ilk act this way and say these kinds of moronic things, the more they will expose the Republican Party for the true prejudice, intolerance and fear that far too many of its members harbor. Even Karl Rove himself is warning GOP operatives to cut out the middle name bashing. So, Bill, enjoy the cheap publicity and keep up the good work.

at 9:29 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

So, Cunningham again acted like the no-class buffoon he always was. Why is this news? Why is the Enquirer wasting ink on this non-story?

at 9:53 PM, February 28, 2008

Hope Lives!! said...

Just the mere fact that Cunningham can be mentioned with seriousness by anyone in the same breath as Rush Limbaugh (the druggie racists), proves the point. They're views are not conservative. They are inflammatory and counter productive to getting this country on the one accord that it needs to be on to get things done. This idiot made national news..Are you kidding me with this? The people on here that agree with Cunningham are symptomatic of the divided city and country that we live in. Hillary is acting bipolar, idiots like Cunningham , Limbaugh and Colbert are firing up the so called conservatives against McCain, why don't we just move Bush the hell out of the white house right now and give Michelle the keys to 1600 Pennsylvania so she can start redecorating. You all are making this too easy. THANKS!!!!

at 9:54 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

I have grown tired Willie Boy's annoying comments. He is an embarassment to the city, and Republicans.

Please bring back Burbank! That is true entertainment!

at 10:15 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Cincinnati can continue living in a bubble and not listen to the rationale of the rest of the country, or it can acknowledge its shortcomings and try to get better. As a long time resident of Cincinnati and someone with many friends living all over the country, I can tell you that nobody feels Cunningham's comments were acceptable--except a few people in this town. Republicans supporting McCain undermine their party by paying homage to Bill Cunningham's ignorant comments. Democrats don't care except insofar as it characterizes Cincinnati as a city willing to let a sexist, racist, thoughtless individual stand on a soapbox and prophesize
Bill, do us all a favor--move south, get a cable TV commercial, become a televangelist--you'd be great at it, wouldn't have to worry about the "change in your pockets" with Obama, and can rob citizens of another state from the same free thought you've been depriving Cincinnatians of for years. You are a hinderance to progress and a primary reason for the race problem in the city (as much as I hate to give you that much sway and influence). Get off the air and out of our lives.

at 10:23 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Amen to giving Michelle the keys to the White House - thanks so much Willie (Great American).
A Democratic President & Congress scares the heck out of me - but W & the Willie's gave it to them.

Wasn't Earl Pitts an "Am'rican"?

at 11:07 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Just being Willie??? Maybe his name should be WIL LIE.

at 11:16 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

Willie, keep on keepin' on. You're the best and a great American

at 11:39 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

First off, Willie is an entertainer...anyone who takes him too seriously needs their head examined. His schtik is intended to elicit controversy. You all ate it up, too.

Second, he was never a supporter of McCain in this election, so this new "feud" is non-news.

Third: Cincinnati is racist? In my lifetime, we've had several black mayors and a lesbian mayor: Clearly the will of racist white men.

at 11:42 PM, February 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

.
"..."Biggot"? "Muslin"? Y'all also need to buy spelling dictionaries. 6:43 PM, February 28, 2008"

Perhaps you have misinterpreted the comments ?

Muslin as in character: a very cheap fabric with a plain weave !

We, certainly, would not be guilty (as you are insinuating) of linking the Arab-American to the Muslim religion because of the claims to be christian ?

The reference was to the fabric of character and the fabric of his native' turban attire !

PATHETIC phony King impersonator !

HAD ENOUGH, VOTE CLINTON 2008 !

at 12:00 AM, February 29, 2008

Anonymous said...

I am laughing my a-- off!!!!!
Democrats better take this as a wakeup call. Barack may be the second coming...but if they don't go with Hillary, we'll be watching ads with turbans and Hussein non-stop until Nov. 4.
Remember that Southwest Ohio and that Ashley Faulkner 9-11 ad delivered the White House back to Bush. Wake up Dims!

at 12:05 AM, February 29, 2008

Anonymous said...

Agree w/ Burbank comment to some extent, although, he would have said the same damn thing as Willie if you have ever listned to him - pitts off.......idiot.

at 12:39 AM, February 29, 2008

Anonymous said...

This is not a black vs. white racist issue. This is an attempt by Bull and others to use a tradition Muslim name to connect Obama with terrorism. That is what is wrong with Cunningham's approach. So stop trying to say people are playing the race card, when it is ultra conservatives like Cunningham playing the race card.

at 1:24 AM, February 29, 2008

Anonymous said...

Well, Obama's middle name might have a negative connotation to most Americans now. But it could be worse...his middle name could be W.

at 4:26 PM, February 29, 2008

Hope Lives!! said...

LMAO Janicehough...LMAO!!!

at 8:44 PM, February 29, 2008

Anonymous said...

Janice >> the best line on the blog!!
W - that's scary!

at 11:24 AM, March 01, 2008

Anonymous said...

JANICEHOUGH...that name is also scary (with all the hate in you for President Bush and your country... even more scary)

at 11:57 AM, March 01, 2008

Anonymous said...

The W stands for wimp. Too wimpy to defend the Constitution. If he had any courage, he'd have these Democrat socialist traitors tried and executed. Death to all enemies of the U.S.

at 9:31 PM, March 01, 2008

Anonymous said...

11:57 >> You want W to defend the same Constitution he's been trampling all over??
Be careful what you say on your phone!

at 12:39 AM, March 02, 2008

Anonymous said...

I think that Anon 11:24 AM 3/1/08 is a big poopy pants.

What the hell?

Are you serious? Janice ruled on this one -- you just can't handle it. Grow a pair, lick your wounds, and move on.

at 4:31 PM, March 04, 2008

Anonymous said...

How come nobody cares when these democrats do or say anything against republicans. It's crap. Who cares. Why does anyone care if we use Baracks middle name. His mother gave him that name, so if there is nothing to hide or be afraid of, then use it. Clearly Barack does not want that mentioned because it will continue to highlight the fact that he is a muslim.

at 6:26 PM, March 04, 2008

Kevin LeMaster said...

Except that Obama is not Muslim. He's a Christian in the United Church of Christ.

Previous Posts

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Steve Colbert on the McCain/Cunningham flap

68 Comments: