Television: McCain Repudiates Bill Cunningham

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

McCain Repudiates Bill Cunningham

Gee, why am I not surprised about this: John McCain comes to town today, and people are talking about WLW-AM's Bill Cunningham, not McCain's policies and promises. Cunningham is telling listeners that ABC News, Associated Press, the New York Times and other national media outlets want to interview him about his remarks warming up the crowd before McCain's Memorial Hall rally this morning.

Cunningham told listeners today that he was asked Monday to warm up the crowd today. On stage, Cunningham repeatedly referrred to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama by his middle name, Hussein. He also said Obama was part of the Richard Daley's Chicago Democratic machine, and a political hack. He said he didn't meet McCain, because he left before McCain arrived.

After the event, McCain said: "I take responsibility and I repudiate what I said... I will not tolerate anything in this campaign that denigrates either Sen. Obama or Sen. Clinton."

Cunningham has been calling Obama "Hussein" for a long time. Back on Jan. 10, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann called Cunningham one of the "worst persons in the world" for referring to Obama as Hussein on his Sunday night nationally syndicated show.

Cunningham has relished the attention today. He'll relish it tonight on the TV news/talk shows, even if some paint him as a clown. On the air today, he's in Willie mode, which means we can't really tell if he's telling the truth when the convservative Republican says on the air: "I've had it with McCain. I'm going to throw my support to Hillary Rodham Clinton." Or when he says that program director Darryl Parks has banned him from the airwaves Wednesday. (He wasn't scheduled to be on Wednesday because of the Reds spring training opening game.)

Let's face it: WLW talk hosts -- especially Cunningham -- are masters of making themselves the center of attention. They seemingly can take any situation and make it All About WLW. McCain learned the hard way today about Cunningham's on-air schtick. I bet Willie won't be invited to any more McCain events.

50 Comments:

at 2/26/2008 2:25 PM

Anonymous said...

Actually MSNBC's Keith Olbermann called out Cunningham for calling Barack Obama: "Barack MUHAMMAD Hussein Obama".

He referred to Cunningham as one of the top 3 "Worst Persons in the World" segment on Jan. 10, 2008.

You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY9WBlTM0tQ

It goes without saying that Cunningham is a "media whore" and is absolutely eating this publicity up.

Unfortunately he is a bad reflection of the Tri-state to the rest of the nation, especially in front of the national media.

It is very sad someone of his ilk was chosen to "warm up" the crowd before John McCain.

McCain is now very sorry he was, too.

at 2/26/2008 2:36 PM

Anonymous said...

I was at the event and his act bores me. Why not select someone uplifting to warm up the crowd? Shame on those in charge for choosing someone who can't ever be serious. Cincinnati looks stupid! At the other two rallies you heard none of this kind of nonsense.

at 2/26/2008 3:02 PM

Anonymous said...

Maybe it's because I'm a right-wing media whore too, but I have no problem with what Cunningham said. Why are we allowed to say anything about anyone EXCEPT Obama? I don't get it.

and of COURSE he's milking this for his show. If I were him, I'd do it too.

He's entertaining when he wants to be, and he's very effective and informative when he wants to be. I have no problem saying I live in the same city as him.

at 2/26/2008 3:02 PM

Anonymous said...

Yet another good reason why WLW needs to be sold to a company that offers a quality product, instead of the garbage you're hearing today, and why that entire staff needs to be replaced.

The national media passing thru with McCain got a first hand sample of the "bush league media" we have to tolerate everyday.

This was an embarassment to the whole city.

at 2/26/2008 3:38 PM

Anonymous said...

It has been said that lawyers lack a soul and a conscious.

I cannot think of a better example than Cunningham.

Whilst the earth still settles on his mother's grave, the old demagogue didn't miss a beat in insulting whomever he thought would get him attention

Cunningham has an extremely short greiving process, compared to "normal Americans"

Who's the idiot who thought he'd be a good one to introduce McCain??
That ranks right up there with "New Coke."

at 2/26/2008 3:48 PM

Anonymous said...

We all know by now not to take cunningham seriously. unfortunately the rest of the country does not. The person I am most disappointed in is Mayor Mallory, who last night came out in support of Barack Obama. Now he is in favor of Willie???? Come on Mayor, make up your mind.
from the neighborhood

at 2/26/2008 4:10 PM

Anonymous said...

This proves exactly why CC needs to sell 700 as one of the three stations in this market. This place sickens me. Everything is done as "in your face" and then if they go to far, they apologize and move on like its nothing. Get a new owner, fire the whole damn place and start over and quit this sophmoric crap. Cunningham and 700 are nothing more than shills for the republican party -- always have been and always will be until someone or somebody reels them in!!

at 2/26/2008 4:13 PM

Anonymous said...

This is exactly why you cant call anything in this town "a media outlet" we have none. Look at this clown Cunningham. Who benefits -- 700 as now everyone is talking about them and wham --- there go the ratings. Dont you wish we had a real in depth radio news team that gave us something instead of "in depth team coverage" of two people reading two sentences about the snow coming? We look so silly nationally.

at 2/26/2008 4:34 PM

Anonymous said...

Cunningham was a last minute fill-in for McCain.

Butler County Auditor Kay Rogers (R-Felon) was the keynote but something came up and she couldn't make it.......

at 2/26/2008 4:38 PM

Anonymous said...

Do yourself a favor...don't use the death of someones mother(less than a week ago) to make a personal point about them. Yes, he may have went to far, but he never mentioned anything other than politics when he was talking about Obama. I don't understand this blog...Everytime I come on to read about Television it turns into a big ClearChannel bash. Is there no other radio in this market? Was everyone that comments on this blog turned down for a job or fired from ClearChannel?

This looks like a blog writer that has a personal agenda against CC and is using his blog to attack. Give Willie a break, he has a job to do..His job is to entertain and get ratings for ClearChannel...I would say give you guys a break, but I don't think it's your job to try and belittle and destroy the character of CC and it's employees.

at 2/26/2008 5:15 PM

Anonymous said...

The good news is...talk radio is irrelevant. They had no luck with any of the candidates they pushed in the primaries, and the Repubs ended up with a nominee who they've been bashing for years.

The people left listening are fewer and fewer, and dumber and dumber.

at 2/26/2008 5:55 PM

Anonymous said...

4:38:

one problem...character has to exist before you can destroy it...

the best thing Obama can do is appoint people to the FCC that will eliminate the radio monopolies allowed to proliferate under the Republicans...

at 2/26/2008 6:00 PM

Anonymous said...

One day someone is going to take at shot at Billy with a 38 and it will be no one fault but Bill's..what a sad publicity monger

at 2/26/2008 6:05 PM

Anonymous said...

Much worse has been said about our President and our Vice President and our soldiers, sailors and marines. By national politicians!

Spare me the indignation.

I'm with Bill.
I'm with Deters.
Do it again. Say it loud. Say it over and over and over--Hussein Obama is an empty suit with a pretty voice. This country will find out the hard way. Bill is just trying to warn us...

at 2/26/2008 6:19 PM

Unknown said...

I blame the whole thing on Willie's laziness that he has developed since CC and Parks took over. He admitted as soon as the controversy started that he had no script and had NOT planned on anything to say. Who, when asked to introduce the possible President of the USA, doesn't sit down and think about what he will say? He figured he would just deliver his usual schtick, and it backfired. He is embarressed, I could tell by his tone and his conversation with Hannity. He should be.

If he had prepared he would have realized that Mccain is not running a negative race and that smear comments were not appropriate. Mccain did the only thing he could, which is seperate himself from the whole thing.
I lost a lot of respect for Willie today.

at 2/26/2008 6:21 PM

Anonymous said...

Equally as outrageous was WLW's Jeff Henderson's 6 PM news report on the matter.

While he mentioned there was a controversy, he didn't even mention what Willie is drawing so much criticism about--the whole Obama middle name thing. Instead he made it seem like Willie was only picking on Obama's lack of experience.

If you are going to report the story Jeff, report the whole thing.

at 2/26/2008 7:00 PM

Anonymous said...

Was jut flipping channels and I saw Cunningham's face plastered on CNN. That guy Cafferty was talking about Cunningham and said something like yeah everyone knows him in Cincinnati. He's been on that WKRP for a long time there. I didn't know Bill was on that show. I'm guessing he meant WLW but I thought it was funny. Cafferty then went on to ask where Bill bought his clothes and continued to make fun of him. Just a tidbit of this story on the national front. *lol*

at 2/26/2008 7:46 PM

Anonymous said...

The sight of homely-looking Cunningham making an ass of himself on national TV was pitiful.

Show some class. Oh wait, he has none.

He likes to call himself a fine American, then be one. You don't have to like the candidates, but RESPECT THE OFFICE.

And, dress professionally. You don't wear brown to speak at a political rally.

at 2/26/2008 7:50 PM

John T said...

Mike K needs to "sit willie" down for two weeks, otherwise if the Mormans get their hands on WLW they will sit Mike down for a lifetime. What a "Stooge"

at 2/26/2008 10:49 PM

Anonymous said...

Here's the real shame out of this - the national media focus on this, willie gets his moment of glory, and McCain ends up looking bad.

What's worse is that local GOP leaders laughed it off to Cunningham just being Cunningham.

at 2/26/2008 11:34 PM

Robert Scott said...

I watched Bill's warm up remarks before McCain's speech. Like Joe Deters, I too was NOT surprised by his remarks. Bill's comments are new accusations against Barrack that have not been in the wild very long and have not gained any political traction either.

New accusations against candidate McCain's opponents was not something John McCain was looking for while campaigning in Cincinnati. Somehow Bill managed to make his presence at John McCain's rally a bigger story than John McCain's visit to Cincinnati.

I did enjoy the one hour of Bill's radio show were he talked about Barack Obama calling the UC Bearcats the "Bob Cats" and then also Bill's highlighting the fainting spells at Barack's public appearances in Ohio.

I always prefer a Republican in the White House over a Democrat but believe either Hillary or Barack will defeat MacCain, depending on which one wins the Democratic nomination.

at 2/27/2008 12:43 AM

Anonymous said...

same old stuff. we already know bill cunningham is an evil moron. his comments have no basis nor will they have any effect.

to the few dozen cunningham worshippers, i'm sorry you don't have the ability to formulate your own opions and must therefore adopt bill cunningham's. i wish you the best.

at 2/27/2008 7:13 AM

Anonymous said...

Your argument for Willie was in a previous post

No. 69: Bill Cunningham, WLW-AM and Premiere Radio Network

That's why he's there!!

at 2/27/2008 8:23 AM

Anonymous said...

No matter what his comments were, he made Cincinnati look terrible. When we get national attention, it needs to be for good things, not the children at WLW. What a joke.

at 2/27/2008 9:19 AM

liz said...

Why would McCain's people let someone introduce him that they know nothing about? They got what they deserved!

at 2/27/2008 10:24 AM

Anonymous said...

The people in charge of this region are the ones who deserve blame for putting us in a bad light.

They were the ones in the front row cracking up at "bill being bill".

Elect that class of politician, and you deserve what you get....you're actually better off when they get indicted later and thrown out of office.

at 2/27/2008 10:57 AM

Anonymous said...

Willie and a select, like-minded, no-class coterie of his compadres are why several of the USA's AM radio stations (50,000 watt blowtorches, or not) will soon be converted to a wireless switching network for the nation's electrical power grid.

I'm sure Helen and the rest of the Mays family (Clear Channel Communications and WLW's owners) are proud of what he did.

Next time you drive by Spring Grove cemetery, roll the window down and slow your speed and listen for that spinning noise.
That's WLW's founder Powel Crosley who was a grand act.

Yes, it was a different time. But, he understood Cincinnati, what it needed, and how to convey success with pride, class, and elegance. Those are still in vogue, and still can be done. But not by the bad boys at the little-minded one.

Willy won't be adding any more important warmups to his resume anytime soon.

Upper management, you aided and abetted and enabled. Willie even went over his line today. The thin line between publicity and stupidity.

Oh, yeah!... The Lowry Mays family's gonna be real welcome at the White House... no matter who becomes president.

at 2/27/2008 10:58 AM

Anonymous said...

There really are a lot of stupid, mis informed people on this board. Not one, but two different posters allude to possible violence to Willie. One saying someone will take a potshot with a .38 and another actually threatening Willie to "stay out of the hood. Nice thug mentality you small minded loser.

To the different anon's that have posted dumb remarks: it is "Great American" not 'Fine American". It was Paul Brown, not Lou Holtz that FIRST said, act like you have been there. If Lou said it, he stole the comment.

If anything, McCain come off looking like a wuss. Let's placate to the centrist and left wing loonies instead of supporting the very people you are trying to convince you are not a wuss. This country is in a world of hurt because of the lack of backbone by anyone to stand up for what is right. Except for the loser in the hood who thinks Willie should stay out. He has backbone, but cowardly thug mentality backbone. Probably another 5 foot 2 thug carrying around a gun that is as big as he is.

at 2/27/2008 10:58 AM

Anonymous said...

Willie looks like a fool, but I don't see why people are so hung up on how it reflects on Cincy. Why does it matter what people around the Country think of Cincy? It doesn't reflect on you personally! You, like me, are just one person living here. Maybe if you got out more, you would realize that people are the same everywhere. You got jerks, idiots, and good people on every block in every town in the whole country.

I will never get this importance people place on how our town looks on some stupid cable news show.

at 2/27/2008 11:15 AM

Anonymous said...

Puh-leeze...if you think this gives Cincinnati a black eye, or makes people think poorly of us, you've never lived anywhere else.

Truth is, people don't think about communities other than their own. Have you thought about San Diego lately? How about Fargo? What's your opinion of Eugene, Oregon?

People outside of Cincinnati are not thinking about Cincinnati. They're considering the issue at hand.

Only people in Cincinnati think about Cincinnati. And they've already made their minds up about Cunningham.

at 2/27/2008 11:37 AM

BoilerMatt said...

What's the big deal? Hussein is the guy's middle name. It's not like it is a secret.

at 2/27/2008 12:05 PM

Anonymous said...

I don't see what the big deal is. Hussein is his middle name. Since when is calling someone by their full name being a racist, or attacking them? My mother did it all the time.

Far far far worse has been said about George Walker Bush, William Jefferson Clinton and Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton. Oh wait, I went WAY too far.

at 2/27/2008 2:51 PM

Anonymous said...

Kiese,
I know you refuse to take any responsibility for your blog most of the time, but don't you think it's beyond the pale even for you to post comments that directly threaten someone?

ok cunningham's a moron. call him whatever you want. and kiese should go ahead and post them.

but people who are talking about taking a shot at cunningham...or warning him to stay out of the hood...is that really something you want to give a forum to, john?

at 2/27/2008 2:59 PM

Anonymous said...

To 8:23 and anyone else who is hurt because Cincinnati got another black eye yesterday.

Cunningham does not embarrass Cincinnati. WLW does not embarrass Cincinnati. The "Springers" don't embarrass Cincinnati. CINCINNATI embarrasses Cincinnati! Cunningham wouldn't have been there in the first place if this town didn't listen to his show and make WLW "The Big One."

This town has some deep rooted issues. And Clear Channel selling WLW will not change things. That's because "Cincinnati" and "change" are oxymorons.

Much like "The Banks," when given the opportunity to develop something creative and positive, Cincinnati will prefer the dirt.

at 2/27/2008 2:59 PM

jackscrow said...

Here are a few notes I took while listening to Cinci radio this morning on the drive into work.

Was McCain introduced as John "Sidney" McCain?

I can just see Willie jumping up and down shouting "Hooray for John Sidney McCain".

Who thinks a middle name makes the man? It sure don't -- I gotta cool one.

This is ridiculous. There are plenty of important issues connected to Obamamania that scare me -- his "Spiritual Leader", his Church, his socialist plans and connections; but his middle name does not.

And as usual, the only thing that impresses me about Cunningham is his ability to still spout racist and xenophobic crap with foot firmly inserted in mouth.

If the "base" of my party was Willie Cunningham, I would either leave it or find a way to eject the mouth of Cinci.

No wonder we don't do well outside "our" white-bread demographic.

How did Willie the Mouth get on that stage, anyway? We got no black 'pubs anybody respects anymore? Yeah, that's the guy I want talkin' to America for me.

I heard The Mouth of Cinci on Jim Scott this morning and the exact quote was "well, they (the Media) call Bush, Cheney, etc... everything but a WHITE MAN...".

There was a little skip of silence and and I swear I almost heard Jim Scott choke. I wonder if he didn't throw up a little in his mouth.

I'm thinkin' 700 doesn’t put THAT in a podcast or transcript. I'm a-bettin' they LOSE that one.

What an idiot. If the 'pubs lose, a part of it may be that the general public thinks that all conservatives are like that puke.

at 2/27/2008 3:54 PM

Anonymous said...

Bill, you've jumped the shark, big time buddy.

I caught your unprepared act and in a word: TIRED.

You are tired, Bill.
A novelty in 1990, but today, we can really tell you DO NOT prepare, you don't work hard, you've lost it.

Don't worry, lots of people when the make it big, get lazy.

I mean, did you SERIOUSLY pull out the "Change in the pocket" comment?
WOW.
GOOD one Bill!

I'm a republican. We're screwed.
Retire, Bill.
And quit treating WOMEN on your show like you are some kind of Grandpa sex offender.

at 2/27/2008 4:36 PM

Matt said...

His middle name is Hussein...just like Cunningham's is Daniel, and Bill Clinton's is Jefferson, and George Bush's is Walker...

By the way John McCain's name is John Sidney McCain III...

John Stewart referred to Barack's middle name as well at the Oscar's...nobody's on his case. He got applauded.

at 2/27/2008 5:14 PM

Anonymous said...

You people need to get a life! Good Lord, where is Sam Wyche when we need him?

There is golf to be played and songs to be sung. Wake up, ya'll! This is just one more thing for people to get upset about.

I say, watch some basketball, eat some skyline chili, drink a beer and play with your kids.

If what Cunningham said even remotely triggers an emotion from "ANYONE" then this country really, really needs a life!

Cincinnati, it is time to get with it and stop worrying about the little things in life.

Thank you!

at 2/27/2008 8:08 PM

Anonymous said...

I don't agree with anything that comes out of Bill Cunningham's mouth, but I enjoy listening to his show (sometimes anyway).

In the past, he has said offensive and racist things, but what he said before John Sidney McCain III's speech was neither. He said nothing that any strongly conservative talk show host doesn't say everyday.

It does seem Willie is calling Obama by his full name to associate him with Islam. However, he often refers to Bill Clinton as William Jefferson Clinton and Reagan as Ronald Wilson Reagan.

Calling Obama "Barack Muhammad Hussein Obama" on his show was clearly not appropriate.

As for John Sidney McCain III, I think he has further alienated the right-wing conservative base of he Republican Party and this only adds to the accusations that he is "too liberal".

at 2/27/2008 9:22 PM

Anonymous said...

Wow, didn't realize free speech was no longer tolerated here.

at 2/27/2008 10:22 PM

Anonymous said...

Believe me, all of this will pale in comparison to what the republican and democratic machines will unleash in a few months when Obama is the nominee and the gloves come off. You know it. I know it. And the American people know it.

at 2/28/2008 5:49 AM

Anonymous said...

Get over it! Cunningham's a radio personality...he's in the entertainment business...and this is, after all, politics. Like Hillary and Barrack arent taking jabs at the other side? Please! I respect McCain's desire to take the high road but all this nonsense talk about how this makes Cincinnati look bad is rediculous.

at 2/28/2008 10:45 AM

Anonymous said...

Cunningham is not to be taken seriously. He has been an embarrasment to Cincinnati for many years. His language is usually sarcastic and belittleing of others. Barak Obama is just the opposite. He speaks with grace, humore, intelligence, inclusiveness and class.

at 2/28/2008 11:23 AM

Anonymous said...

Did anyone see the cooking channel last night? They had a great recipe for fried shrimp.

Oh wait!! Most people were sitting in their living rooms discussing the latest involving Cunningham and OBAMA

Three words...

GET A LIFE!

at 2/28/2008 12:02 PM

Anonymous said...

Three words that are not associated with getting a life: The Cooking Channel. Dude, you need to get out once in a while if you are watching that channel. Wow.

at 2/28/2008 1:45 PM

Anonymous said...

My point being, there is more to life than Cunningham and Obama!

You people in Cincinnati need to discover other things. There is a whole word out there with fresh opportunities.

Stop living in the past and move on and prosper.

In other words, get a life!

at 2/28/2008 3:22 PM

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, there sure a lot of 'get a life' reponses here...wonder if it's the same person posting? Ya think?

at 2/28/2008 7:48 PM

Anonymous said...

I really like Cunningham on the radio and on TV and in various personal appearances.

Secondly, I love the poster who said that no one anywhere else gives a thought to Cincinnati. When I moved here, I was amazed at the blathering about the "nationally famous Riverfest fireworks".. Hell, I lived in Columbus and never heard of this!

Nope, if you don't live here, you don't think about Cincinnati.
Stop being embarrassed.

at 2/29/2008 1:25 AM

Anonymous said...

I like the post that says
"You people in Cincinnati need to discover other things"

I gather from the "you people in Cincinnati" that this person does not live in town, yet he is monitoring a Cincinnati blog. And he is telling us to get a life?

at 3/05/2008 10:12 PM

Sophia said...

I wish WLW would DUMP that HORRIBLE Eddie and Tracy show and carry the new Lou Dobbs show..at least he is INDEPENDENT and bashes both sides . :)

I can't stomach 5 minutes more of E/T. even one of my doctors mentioned how HORRIBLE they were..he was SHOCKED at how bad they are and does not understand how they stay on the air either.

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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

McCain Repudiates Bill Cunningham

50 Comments: