Think Progress

Cunningham contradicts himself on Obama.

By Matt on Feb 27th, 2008 at 11:11 am

Cunningham contradicts himself on Obama.»

Defending his widely condemned comments about Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), conservative radio host Bill Cunningham contradicted himself within a matter of minutes yesterday on Fox News’s Hannity and Colmes about whether he refers to Obama as a “Manchurian candidate”:

CUNNINGHAM: And the Daley — the Daley political machine gave us this — this stealth candidate, this Manchurian candidate. We don’t know who in the heck he is. I’d like to know more about Obama.

VERSUS

CUNNINGHAM: No, I did not concur with any caller. I do not believe Barack Hussein Obama is a terrorist or a Manchurian candidate. I do believe we know nothing about this guy from the Daley political machine.

Watch it:

Screenshot

The “Manchurian candidate” label is part of the false chain e-mail claim that Obama “is actually a stealth Muslim” who “would take the presidential oath with his hand on the Koran.”

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96 Responses to “Cunningham contradicts himself on Obama.”

  1. FearandSmear Says:

    FUD… It’s what’s for breakfast…


  2. Leftside Annie Says:

    Oh, Jebus.

    What a gigantic pantload that idiot is. *eyeroll*


  3. Bobwurst Says:

    So, is this guy a “Larry Craig” republican or a “ted Haggert” reppublican?


  4. Juan C. Says:

    And going a little further:

    If he is Muslim, so what?


  5. DieNowForPeace Says:

    If he is Muslim, so what?

    So the Repukes can scare the Wall Mart crowd.

    Nothing more.


  6. toasterhead Says:

    I do not believe that conservative radio host Bill Cunningham is a child molester. I am not saying Bill Cunningham molests small children, nor do I wish to say in the future that Bill Cunningham is a child molester. I would also like to state, for the record, that I have not said in the past that Bill Cunningham molests children NOR that he is a child molester.


  7. Uncle Ho Says:

    No surprise here. The GOP is the fear and smear party. hate-mongering is the party specialty.


  8. toasterhead Says:

    If he is Muslim, so what?

    Comment by Juan C. — February 27, 2008 @ 11:17 am

    Would government workers get Fridays off?


  9. raynman Says:

    “I said what I didn’t say and didn’t say what I said. How much clearer do I have to be?”


  10. Doc Rock Says:

    I believe that the Manchurian Candidate was brainwashed while a POW of a Communist power–why would the Right/GOP want to start throwing that term around when they are riding a horse that . . . ??????


  11. Shayne Says:

    Good job Cunningham. Way to send any moderates fleeing from the Republican party.


  12. Badmoodman Says:

    I do believe we know nothing about this guy from the daily political machine. - -

    - - What’s this confusion over the name Daley?
    Oh, and Mr. Cunningham, your hair’s on fire.


  13. mary Says:

    Unfortunately, this crap works on many people.

    I heard the UPS guy talking to one of the girls I work with and they were both exclaiming how they can’t support Obama because if he was elected next thing you know there’d be a flood of Muslims coming over the border.

    I kept my mouth shut (very difficult) until the girl said, “Mary likes Obama!” and the UPS guy spun around asking, “Why?!”.

    He was very surprised to learn that Obama is not a Muslim. I told him to stop watching Faux News.


  14. katy Says:

    i’ve heard it said that cunningham is a child molester!

    and some have even wondered if he might also be homosexual!

    you know what they say: “where there’s smoke there’s fire”…


  15. toasterhead Says:

    And going a little further:

    If he is Muslim, so what?

    Comment by Juan C. — February 27, 2008 @ 11:17 am

    Oh - I know! We’d have a major overhaul of military and financial aid to Israel?


  16. katy Says:

    mary - WAY past time to keep your mouth shut!

    good on you for what you did say!


  17. mary Says:

    Personally, I can’t wait until the first atheist President.


  18. Badmoodman Says:

    Mary: “Mary likes Obama!” and the UPS guy spun around asking, “Why?!”

    - - Evidently, the UPS guy doesn’t know what brown can do for him.


  19. ralph the wonder llama Says:

    “From the Daley political machine”?

    Is that the best smear they can come up with?

    Sheesh.


  20. katy Says:

    that didn’t come out correctly, but you know what i mean…

    SPEAK UP! SPEAK OUT! PUSH BACK!


  21. mary Says:

    Comment by Badmoodman — February 27, 2008 @ 11:32 am

    Kkkkkkkkkkk


  22. LiberalVoter Says:

    Considering the current president placed his hand on the Bible and has lied us into an illegal war, is trying to start another one, lies about supporting the troops, makes toilet paper of the Constitution, and has put the country into massive debt (among other negative things), if the next president places their hand on the Koran it would not bother me.


  23. tballou Says:

    The irony of using that particular slur (Manchurian candidate) is almost beyond belief given that McCain was the one held captive in a communist POW camp and then went on to high political office!


  24. mary Says:

    Comment by katy — February 27, 2008 @ 11:32 am

    Oh, you know, I try to pick my battles. Certainly, if someone asks me directly, I will speak up. Like at the other place I work, a fellow there asked me directly and, again, I got a very surprised reaction that I was supporting Obama. Of course, the first thing I said was, “Well, I like Kucinich best but considering he’s been pushed aside Obama is my second choice.”


  25. hellinabucket Says:

    That man has a face for radio. After McCain distanced himself from this fearmonger’s words this DJ went on his own radio program and bashed McCain.

    Why is there so much anger on the far right? It appears this is part of their conditioning.


  26. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Personally, I can’t wait until the first atheist President.

    Comment by mary — February 27, 2008 @ 11:32 am

    mary, I’ll go so far as to say we must have had a whole string of atheist Presidents all along, ’cause if they REALLY believed in God, don’tcha think they would have all done things differently?


  27. mary Says:

    You know, if they’re talking about the Manchurian candidate at this stage of the game I can’t even imagine what they’ve got up their sleeves between now and November!

    Hold on to your hat!


  28. Bobwurst Says:

    Did you hear that cunningham is a child molesting gay?!?!?! I heard it from a couple of different people so it must be true!


  29. toasterhead Says:

    You know, if they’re talking about the Manchurian candidate at this stage of the game I can’t even imagine what they’ve got up their sleeves between now and November!

    Hold on to your hat!

    Comment by mary — February 27, 2008 @ 11:39 am

    The Onion broke this story already


  30. Eric Says:

    I’d like to know more about Obama.

    Does the guy know how to use a Web browser?


  31. Uncle Ho Says:

    mary; I can’t wait for the 1st DRUID president. :-)


  32. hellinabucket Says:

    toasterhead, saw that yesterday. Best laugh of the day.


  33. LiberalVoter Says:

    I wonder if the Republicans are trying to get rid of McCain by planting the idea of a Manchurian candidate in the publics mind then building on it? Getting the idea out there then pointing it at McCain, like the connection made by tballou. A lot of the Republicans are not happy with McCain and have said they would not vote for him. This sounds like the kind of dirty tricks they deal in to dump McCain and get Romney back in. And they get a double whammy out of it by also slurring the Democrats. Just a thought.


  34. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    It appears this is part of their conditioning.

    Comment by hellinabucket — February 27, 2008 @ 11:38 am

    It’s what draws them to together and gives them focus.

    It seems to me like the GOOP looked around back in the 70’s, after Nixon crashed and burned and took the party down w/ him, and decided the best way to build a new power base was to cobble one together out of all these angry, alienated groups. So they adopted all these “causes” (guns, God, & Gays) that really don’t have anything to do w/ each other, and called it their “philosophy”, then invited each of these little constituencies into the party.

    As a result, you had the “new and improved” GOOP of the 1980’s - a bunch of angry white guys united by their rage. And that’s why they’re in so much trouble these days. All that anger got them into power, but once there, they had no real plan or idea or basis for running the place. They just knew what they didn’t like, but not what to do, except continue bullying and, of course, STEAL like crazy.


  35. Uncle Ho Says:

    badmoodman & all;

    my apologies in advance for any offense here, but none intended.

    Once you go black, you never go back.


  36. Roket Says:

    It’s a damn shame that gossip is news in this country. And here I thought Evangelicals thought gossiping was a sin. Silly me.


  37. mary Says:

    mary, I’ll go so far as to say we must have had a whole string of atheist Presidents all along, ’cause if they REALLY believed in God, don’tcha think they would have all done things differently?

    Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — February 27, 2008 @ 11:39 am

    Short answer - yes!!


  38. paleolib Says:

    This is too beautiful. For years Republican presidential candidates have used Cincinnati as a personal piggy bank trolling for dollars from doddering old money types. For years the local Republican Party has been a microcosm of the national version with said old money types tolerating knuckle dragging twerps like Cunningham so the red meat crowd would keep voting for God’s Own Party. Until yesterday they managed to keep the yahoos off the stage while the cameras were rolling. Having footage of that chipmunk-cheeked douchebag up on stage with the “respectable” collection of pinstriped androids is NOT going to help McCain take Ohio and will NOT be useful to the vulnerable R incumbants in the area who are going to need independent votes to hang on.


  39. Bobwurst Says:

    Off Topic Post:

    William Buckley is dead.

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/

    I used to think he was crazy, but by today’s standards he was a rational, moderate republican.


  40. hellinabucket Says:

    Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — February 27, 2008 @ 11:46 am

    I believe you hit the nail on the head with this.

    GOOP Grumpy Old Outraged Politicians

    or

    Grand Old Outdated Party

    I’m liking the term GOOP for these stains.


  41. RobertSeattle Says:

    Now in Manchuria, to they name-call the other candidates the American Candidate? :-)


  42. natisman Says:

    That man has a face for radio. After McCain distanced himself from this fearmonger’s words this DJ went on his own radio program and bashed McCain.

    Why is there so much anger on the far right? It appears this is part of their conditioning.

    Comment by hellinabucket

    But McBush did not distance himself from what Cunning-ham said when he took the microphone after Cunning-hamlet spoke he waited until he got off the stage and then spoke.

    He should have spoke at that time while he had the same people there.


  43. toasterhead Says:

    It’s a damn shame that gossip is news in this country. And here I thought Evangelicals thought gossiping was a sin. Silly me.

    Comment by Roket — February 27, 2008 @ 11:47 am

    Only when someone ELSE does it. It’s a very subtle loophole in Biblical law.


  44. Badmoodman Says:

    Eric: Does the guy know how to use a Web browser?

    - - He’s a white male, past middle-aged, Republican. Of course not.


  45. Uncle Ho Says:

    Bobwurst; I don’t ever recall ever agreeing with Buckley about anything in the 70s, 80, & 90s. But you are right in that by today’s standards, he was a sane voice in the GOP. Today’s Repugs are foaming-at-the-mouth, goose-stepping, batshit crazy fascist pigs.


  46. Bob Says:

    If we do end up with Obama v McCain, people who think the US is not still brimming with bigotry and racism are in for an interesting eight months. It takes a big pile of those to be intimidated by a guy’s middle name, much less the color of his skin.

    What will the repubs do for the illegit black child angle with this? How ironic that McCain could give advise on how to deal with it. They must be glad for a different smear angle: the false Muslim claim. That, unfortunately, will work well due to the ignorance of the masses.


  47. GSD Says:

    Oh no! Another member of the Uptight Citizens Brigade who lies when caught.

    Watching the GOP meltdown in a puddle if urine, racism, xenophobia and childishness has been a sight to behold.

    Keep it up children, you are running yourselves down the drain.

    -GSD


  48. RobertSeattle Says:

    The secret 2008 Prayer of the Right Wing Talk show Host:

    “Oh Lord, please let Obama or Hillary win the Presidential election so I can increase my numbers in the all important mouth breather, high school dropout, racist, and christian fundamentalist demographic”.


  49. hellinabucket Says:

    It’s my understanding that McCain didn’t even hear the rant by Cunningham. Not much of an excuse and I’m not here defending McCain at all but just because some asshat throws some crap out of his mouth it doesn’t mean all who may be in the same political tent as the ranter should be held accountable.

    The more Cunningham talks the more he’s seen as a fearmonger and McCain will be wise to distance himself from this.


  50. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Eric: Does the guy know how to use a Web browser?

    - - He’s a white male, past middle-aged, Republican. Of course not.

    Comment by Badmoodman — February 27, 2008 @ 11:55 am

    Only to find kiddie porn…


  51. Dr. Matt Says:

    Off Topic Post:
    William Buckley is dead.
    Comment by Bobwurst — February 27, 2008 @ 11:51 am

    And the Gates of Hell welcome yet another citizen. Good riddance to bad garbage.


  52. NoMoreBush Says:

    Why can’t these undiginified goons just STFU already.


  53. Xisithrus Says:

    Jeez, what is it about amplitude modulation that affects peoples rationality causing them to become enormous hypocrites?


  54. AlphaLiberal Says:

    What a dumb ass. Obama is not from the Daley machine.


  55. Exley Says:

    #12 , “Unfortunately, this crap works on many people. I heard the UPS guy talking to one of the girls I work with and they were both exclaiming how they can’t support Obama because if he was elected next thing you know there’d be a flood of Muslims.”

    And that is exactly why the Hillary Clinton campaign earlier this week circulated that photo of Sen. Obama in the garb that closely resembled traditional Muslim garb. They were trying to plant a seed in voters’ minds….just as this guy Cunningham was apparently trying to do (Not that ThinkProgress reported anything on that incident — unlike pretty much every other political blog — left and right).


  56. Xisithrus Says:

    My condolences to the Buckley family. I’ll save my opinions for a later time.


  57. Xisithrus Says:

    I havent seen any proof that Hillary did circulate the photo Exley, its certianly plausible, but not proven.

    As for wearing garb from other cultures, heres Putin and Buch wearing Chinese garb: http://www.voanews.com/ english/ images/ AFP_Bush_Putin_Hu_in_Hanoi_eng_195_19nov06.jpg

    Are we about to have a huge influx of communist republicans in this country? No, its ludicrous to even frame such things and I wish people would stop falling for this political hackery.


  58. Shayne Says:

    Mary: “Mary likes Obama!” and the UPS guy spun around asking, “Why?!”

    - - Evidently, the UPS guy doesn’t know what brown can do for him.

    Comment by Badmoodman — February 27, 2008 @ 11:32 am

    There goes my coffee all over the keyboard. Thanks for the chuckles.


  59. Exley Says:

    Xisthrus,

    Oh, I completely agree that politicians wear the traditional garb of the nations they visit all the time….And they frequently look out of place or even a little silly. But the Clinton campaign didn’t circulate that photo because they thought Sen. Obama looked silly….They did it because they hoped it would reinforce a rumor (especially among less informed voters) that Obama is actually a Muslim.


  60. Shayne Says:

    that didn’t come out correctly, but you know what i mean…

    SPEAK UP! SPEAK OUT! PUSH BACK!

    Comment by katy — February 27, 2008 @ 11:33 am

    Glad you clarified katy. That’s right Mary it like it is. Shout it from the rafters. I’m so sick of these liars on Fox influencing these idiots. We need to take the country back and to stop letting the fools stupid enough to believe this crap spew it all over.


  61. PatrioticLiberalChristian Says:

    JOHN Wilkes Booth killed Abraham Lincoln, one of our best and most beloved Presidents. Do we really want to elect a presidential candidate whose first name is also JOHN?

    /snark off


  62. Shayne Says:

    I know Cunningham is a homosexual (not that there’s anything wrong with that) and a pedophile because I’ve seen it written several times now. But I think we have proof that he is also batsh*t crazy and should be locked up for his own protection. Really once you hear a rumor more than three times it’s not a rumor anymore right?


  63. TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong Says:

    “Evidently, the UPS guy doesn’t know what brown can do for him.”

    Comment by Badmoodman — February 27, 2008 @ 11:32 am

    Now that’s Funny!


  64. Klem Kiddilehopper Says:

    What kind of man wears a sleeveless sweater these days? Wonder if Bill “has a wide stance?”


  65. lefty Says:

    Unfortunately, this crap works on many people.

    Yeah but I think more and more it’s limited to the ignorant 19 Percenters.If anything it’s driving people away from the GOP rather than attracting them.


  66. satirev Says:

    Mr. Cunning isn’t as sly as he thinks he is. The american people are onto him and he will be off the air soon due to public outcry.


  67. satirev Says:

    Ignorant 19% indeed! Doesn’t that make the GOP the “third party” in terms of numbers?


  68. satirev Says:

    The Party of Outcasts and Parade of Propaganda. The Confederacy of Dunces, Fools, and ignorant idiots.


  69. Marie Says:

    Cunningham is taking full advantage of free speech in America - we don’t want to deny him his rights, but we certainly can show him up as a bigoted, hatefilled, loudmouth at every opportunity.
    It says a great deal about what passes the FCC these days; what the right wing corporate owners think makes for good radio: vile playground taunts of hate and lies.

    The politics of Lee Atwater and Karl Rove have won elections for the right - the radio owners have taken their lead. Smear and fear — it works for them and society’s lowest common denominator who listen to them.


  70. satirev Says:

    Shayne: Thanks for the tipoff about Mr. Cunning being a pedophile. Let’s get some links now.


  71. Marie Says:

    Does Cunningham even know the story of the Manchurian Candidate? If one were to make such an assertion, it would actually apply more to McCain wouldn’t it.


  72. satirev Says:

    All of these loudmouth bigots have one think in common: Their own self-hatred even trumps their hatred of others and that’s going a stretch.

    It’s all based on jealousy and covetousness - they’re all simple-minded, inane buffoons and definitely jealous of Obama’s accomplishments, eloquence, and class.

    Class is something Barack has in spades; Class is something these bigots haven’t the first clue about. Ignorance is bliss to them.

    I say to these bigots: Bliss On! America soon will have “their bliss” in the form of a president who isn’t a criminal and who recognizes that he’s working for the people of this country…..something the GOP and these hate mongers don’t seem to comprehend.


  73. satirev Says:

    How about CunnieMcWideStance?


  74. satirev Says:

    Marie: How right you are. These retarded blowhards are so overcome by their hatred that they don’t even get historical references correct.


  75. Lefty Patriot Says:

    And that is exactly why the Hillary Clinton campaign earlier this week circulated that photo of Sen. Obama in the garb that closely resembled traditional Muslim garb. They were trying to plant a seed in voters’ minds….just as this guy Cunningham was apparently trying to do (Not that ThinkProgress reported anything on that incident — unlike pretty much every other political blog — left and right).

    Comment by Exley — February 27, 2008 @ 12:05 pm

    another exley lie, what a surprise. the Clinton campaign did no such thing.


  76. ctalk Says:

    I know who Obama is. I don’t know who Cinniham is.


  77. lefty Says:

    After 7 years of Republicans hiding stuff and hiding who they really are, they’re all of a sudden very concerned about the possibilities of politicians having secret agendas and lives.


  78. McWars Says:

    Bill Cunningham from Ohio, the bastion state of white supremacy. (No offense meant to progressive commenters from the state.)


  79. Exley Says:

    #75 Poor Left Patriot….It must be difficult for him to see his candidate, Sen. Clinton, go down in flames — and in such graceless way too.

    The Obama campaign is already out with a statement from campaign manager David Plouffe condemning the Hillary campaign for circulating tjhe photo and saying it’s part of a “disturbing pattern” from Camp Hillary:

    “On the very day that Senator Clinton is giving a speech about restoring respect for America in the world, her campaign has engaged in the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering we’ve seen from either party in this election. This is part of a disturbing pattern that led her county chairs to resign in Iowa, her campaign chairman to resign in New Hampshire, and it’s exactly the kind of divisive politics that turns away Americans of all parties and diminishes respect for America in the world.”


  80. highballer1 Says:

    I think this just further “bolsters” what I’ve said about the hatefulness and demeanor of the Republicans. All I gotta’ say is, don’t be caught knocking on my doorstep looking for Republican votes and have me answer the door!!!!


  81. tombaker Says:

    Keep it up Mr. C, and all you ranting righty kooks - you’re driving a whole generation far away from any association with your “ideology”, and that’s something way overdue.


  82. toasterhead Says:

    And that is exactly why the Hillary Clinton campaign earlier this week circulated that photo of Sen. Obama in the garb that closely resembled traditional Muslim garb.

    Comment by Exley — February 27, 2008 @ 12:05 pm

    I think it was Jon Stewart who put it best when he described that photo as making Obama look, at worst, like a member of the al-Qa’ida Chess Club.


  83. Exley Says:

    #82 Toasterhead,

    Heh!


  84. natisman Says:

    What kind of man wears a sleeveless sweater these days? Wonder if Bill “has a wide stance?”

    Comment by Klem Kiddilehopper

    He is trying to make himself look thin. my guess is he ain’t scoring with the youngsters.


  85. Shayne Says:

    Cunningham is obviouly a celebrity among Ohio Republicans, why else would he have gotten the opportunity to introduce McCain. Maybe we need to give Ohio to Mexico or Canada.


  86. Evergreen2U Says:

    That wasn’t a contradiction, it was a lie.


  87. enough Says:

    Obama is not “a stealth Muslim” who “would take the presidential oath with his hand on the Koran.”

    He’s a stealth human being who might take the presidential oath with his hand secretly on a copy of the Constitution.

    As a matter of fact, he should announce publicly that he will take the oath with a copy of the Constitution tucked into his Bible.


  88. Smyles Says:

    Just Despicable…it is people like these conservative talking heads that lead me to lose faith in humanity sometimes… and to think that more people listen to Rush Limbaugh everyday than any other radio talk show in the country….disgusting. Scary too.


  89. LividLib Says:

    As a matter of fact, he should announce publicly that he will take the oath with a copy of the Constitution tucked into his Bible.

    Comment by enough — February 27, 2008 @ 1:55 pm

    now there’s a thought!
    better yet, take the oath of office with just the constitution.
    screw the bible, or any other religious reference.


  90. Lawyer Smith Says:

    News to us in Chicago that Obama is a Daley guy. He came to prominence by a different route than the Daley machine. This Cunningham guy is just an idiot.


  91. RobertSeattle Says:

    “I’d like to know more about Obama” - Right - as if Cunningham’s “mind” isn’t already made up

    John “My Gaydar Goes Off ever time I see him (not that there is anything wrong with that” Cunningham



  92. lurker Says:

    “I’d like to know more about Obama”

    So he had already “judged” him without knowing anything about him other than his middle name is Hussein which is pretty close
    to the name of that evil guy we had to kill in Iraq.


  93. nville Says:

    My 7 years old nephew smarter than you are. Maybe it’s time for you educate yourself little bit idiot, I think you are just another guy brain washed by jew


  94. nville Says:

    Obama’s middle name is hussein so what


  95. Quizmos Says:

    Hate and fear mongering from the right is considered free speech, polite discourse from the left is considered anti-American terrorism. At some point the hammer of justice needs to fall squarely on the heads of these hate filled, high paid propagandists. If that is left wing justice, then so be it. I guess the Nuremberg trials would be considered left wing justice by some as well. I will not vote for him, but I stand with John McCain on this one. Whoever is President, I want justice back in America.


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