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).
Well, I guess mentioning he is hot tempered and maybe crazy is out of bounds as well?
It wasn't meant to be, although I can see how you would take it as an insult. My observation is in fact my observation. Everyone else I know who has taken that view was a cheater. As I said, I know nothing about you, and of course personal observations are not very scientific.
Fidelity is a high priority in my own life and marriage. But that doesn't mean I judge others (esp. those I don't even know) by that standard. And leaders so often seem to fall victim to those sins...Like it or not, many of our previous Presidents don't have a very good record in terms of marital fidelity.
"She had a stroke"
Perhaps it was not a stroke at all... Could have been something more sinister. McCain did spend a lot of time with the V.C. you know.
I understand that, and I wouldn't judge most people if they had one divorce. But, for example, it is worth noting that Romney has zero divorces while Giuliani has two (or is it three?). And, the circumstnaces surrounding Giuliani's are not that flattering.
Gossip no, but politicians personal lives could reveal a lot about one's character.
As far as I am concerned, North Carolina Senator Richard Burr can have him.
I tend to get a little suspicious when politicians light in with high-minded bromides about leaving their personal lives out of it. It makes me wonder why they don't want anyone paying attention.
Exactly.
Let's keep the spotlight off of liberals in general, such as McCain.
Not that I'm a McCain fan, but how often would we have seen this headline:
"Bill Clinton, who masturbated into presidential aide George Stephanopolois's sink, and who received blow jobs from intern Monika Lewenski, while still married to his wife Hillary Clinton...
I agree.
Free Republic Opinion Poll:
Would you be for or against McCain?
Member Opinion
against 92.4% 2,989
for 7.6% 247
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SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO" Part II
U.S. Sen. John McCain is no War Hero
John McCain: The Manchurian Candidat
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McCain Rides to Kerry's Rescue: "John Kerry is Not Weak on Defense" (Today Show alert)
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A number of articles on McCain. (some the same as above)
McCain Seeks to Change California Primary
McCain/Soros by Rabbi Areyh Spero
Soros' "Reform" (an article about Soros‘ instrumental hand in McCain/Feingold)
Not Child‘s Play [McCain/Schumer bill could effect FR?]
McCain's Letter (McCain aligns with Global Enviro activists)
The Turning Point on Global Warming (McCain and Lieberman Op-Ed Alert)
Climate bill sets stage for debate (Sens. McCain, Obama, and Lieberman join forces)
McCain Looked into Caucusing with Democrats
McCain Still Disliked by Fiscal Conservatives (Club For Growth)
John McCain Goes Left for Money
McCain, Obama Make Deal on Financing
Sens. Snowe, Collins to head Maine exploratory committee for McCain
Double Talk Express. McCain in his own words. VIDEO
More YOUTUBE - McCain On Abortion (UH OH! YouTube Has a Video of Him in 1999)
What a control freak, trying to limit his exposure to what the MSM solid propaganda is about him. All the RINOs have this problem, Romney, Giuliani and McPain:
GOSSIP WILL DESTROY THEIR RUN!( too many skeletons in their closets!)
Get behing Hunter and /or Thompson: They are real men.
She is great eye candy, why would he want to harm her. She's the good little wife, staying in Arizona while he leads a nomad's life. Everywhere but home.
I had forgotten about HOW he divorced his second wife - publicly and without notification. Of course, she sounded like a peach too but still inappropriate.
Let us see. Hypothetical candidate Melbow loves to sodomize twelve year old boys in his 'private time.' It does not matter.
Those guilty of the same thing should be treated the same.
What planet have you been living on?
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