Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., left, looks on during a new conference where he announced his support of the presidential bid of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Friday, March 9, 2007, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek).
Posted on 03/09/2007 5:19:28 PM PST by NormsRevenge
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Republican presidential candidate John McCain (news, bio, voting record), who remarried one month after his 1980 divorce, said Friday that the personal lives of White House hopefuls shouldn't become an issue in the 2008 campaign.
"I would like to see this campaign conducted on past record and ambition for the future," McCain told reporters after a fundraising luncheon in Charlotte, N.C. "I would hope that gossip — or, quote, 'family issues' — would not enter into this campaign."
McCain's call to keep personal lives private came the same week that chief rival Rudy Giuliani asked for privacy as he deals with strained relationships within his family, including estrangement from his children.
The Arizona senator's remarks also came as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a potential candidate for the GOP nomination, admitted to having an affair at the same time he was leading the effort to impeach President Clinton for allegations of perjury connected with the president's affair with Monica Lewinsky.
Another Republican candidate, Mitt Romney, has emphasized his 38-year marriage.
Richard Land, head of public policy for the Southern Baptist Convention, has said religious voters may have deep doubts about Giuliani, who has been married three times. Land told The Associated Press that evangelicals believe the former New York City mayor showed a lack of character during his divorce from second wife, television personality Donna Hanover.
"I mean, this is divorce on steroids," Land said. "To publicly humiliate your wife in that way, and your children. That's rough. I think that's going to be an awfully hard sell, even if he weren't pro-choice and pro-gun control."
McCain, who divorced and remarried, said evangelical conservatives are "free to make whatever judgments they want to make." He noted his improved ties with conservative Christian leaders, including the Rev. Jerry Falwell.
In the 2000 campaign, McCain called Falwell and others "agents of intolerance." Last year, McCain spoke at Falwell's Liberty University.
"I am a great believer in redemption — given my life," said McCain, a prisoner of war in Vietnam. "People's family difficulties should be kept private as much as possible."
McCain also received the endorsement of North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr (news, bio, voting record).
Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., left, looks on during a new conference where he announced his support of the presidential bid of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Friday, March 9, 2007, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek).
Cindy McCain, wife of presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks during a fund raising event, Thursday, March 8, 2007 in New York. According to a recent poll, McCain is trailing former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani by more than 20 points, triggering doubts about his stance on the war in Iraq and his age. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
Who is this McCain guy? Isn't he the one who lost many of his staffers after he appeared on Letterman? LOL!
It is time to take the focus off of personal lives. I never felt comfortable with the gossip about Clinton or any of the others. People in public life have flaws and mistakes just like everyone else, and we should stay out of them.
I think I remember something about that. It's odd that I really did not pay too much attention to the story.
He had Al D'Amato's support before he lost it. That's pretty sad if Al won't be caught cheering for you.
You're right, John. Let's keep it focused on reality:
McCain-Feingold
McCain-Kennedy
Good luck with that, you RINO sonofabitch.
But but but McC has Kissinger in his corner.
Much as I have no use for McC, it is nice to see his wife looking well. She had a stroke and that must have been very difficult for her.
It is time to take the focus off of personal lives. I never felt comfortable with the gossip about Clinton or any of the others. People in public life have flaws and mistakes just like everyone else, and we should stay out of them.
--
Now if only the media would be so kind as to do the same..
How can we miss him if he won't go away?
I thoroughly disagree with McCain. Everything depends on the circumstances.
Giuliani is not opposed to divorcing those to whom he has sworn fidelity, and he'll do it publicly, brutally, and without prior notification.
In that regard, his marriages says a lot about how he might treat those to whom he makes promises (conservatives.)
I believe this what McCain really thinks about the religious right in this country.
It discloses a deep prejudice and disdain and makes him unfit to be POTUS.
I'm sure if McCain become POTUS we would need a person like in the ancient Roman times to whisper in the emperor ear, "you are not god"
Too bad, John. Hillary research is all over your troubles. She will use it if and when it becomes necessary.
Whatever. Of course I don't know anything about you, but every other person I have heard say that cheated on their spouse, and that's why they don't think it is a mark of character.
Ah, the following is too personal!
McCain/Kerry F the POWS/MIAS
McCain/Feingold F free speech
McCain/Kennedy F American Sovereignty
McCain/Gang of 14
McCain/Keating 5
McCain/Terrorist Bill of Rights
McCain/Gun Grabber
More?
That's quite an insult. I don't judge people for their mistakes, it doesn't mean I've made the same ones. And when it comes to character, it seems we have put the standards too high for national leaders. Many past ones regarded as great would not have passed the test.
Like Newt?
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