So far, GOP Presidential nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona has shrugged off calls from aides and other Conservatives to attack Democratic Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama of Illinois on the connection with the controversial Reverend Jeremiah Wright.
Wright is notorious for his “God damn America” sermon. This was immediately used as ammunition by the campaign of then-Democratic co-frontrunner Senator Hillary Clinton of New York. However, this did not work on Obama. In addition, it had blown up on the Clinton campaign.
The McCain campaign had attacked Obama on the Wright connection. However it did not work and it had blown up on the McCain campaign.
Several top campaign officials along with VP running-mate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin are urging McCain to attack Obama on Wright. However, these calls have been brushed aside by McCain.
McCain is concerned that it would give off the message of desperation and racism. Not long ago, Democratic Representative John Lewis of Georgia compared the recent McCain rallies to those of former Democratic Governor George Wallace of Alabama.
Overall, this is another example of internal conflict within the McCain campaign. The most recent example was McCain’s choice to concede Michigan to Obama. However, not many within the GOP are happy with that decision. Palin had publicly expressed her disappointment in the decision as well.
According to aides, it is a legit tactic to attack Obama’s twenty years with Wright. However, McCain has refused.
In short, McCain refuses to attack Obama on his ties with Wright. Ironically, McCain said that he may bring up Obama’s relationship with William Ayers. Ayers is the founder of the now defunct radical anti-war group known as the Weather Underground.
One could ask: If McCain’s going to bring up Ayers, why not bring up Wright?
The connection with Wright is as legit as the connection with Ayers.
CNN contributor and GOP strategist Ed Rollins explains that while attacking Obama on those connections are legit. But, he insists that McCain needs to stop attacking Obama on such connections and start attacking him on differences in economic policies.
CNN political analyst Gloria Borger also adds that McCain needs to focus on issues such as the economy.
Tonight is perhaps McCain’s final chance to attack Obama on the issues. At 9PM EST, the third and final US Presidential Debate between McCain and Obama is set to take place in Hempstead, New York, at Hofstra University.