Sen. McCain and his mother, Roberta, prepare for their interview with Chris Matthews from a New Hampshire hotel room.
(CNN) - The mother of Sen. John McCain criticized the religion of one of her son’s competitors for the Republican presidential nomination Friday night.
When asked about former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s experience by Hardball host Chris Matthews, Roberta McCain, who’s campaigning in New Hampshire with her son at the age of 95, said "as far as the Salt Lake City thing, he's a Mormon and the Mormons of Salt Lake City had caused that scandal. And to clean that up, it's not a subject."
Romney was selected to head up the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games after a bribery scandal tarnished the Games.
Sen. McCain, who was seated next to her, raised his eyebrows and flashed a polite grin during her comments.
"The views of my mother are not necessarily the views of mine," McCain chimed in.
“Well, that’s my view. You asked me,” Mrs. McCain followed.
After a commercial break, Sen. McCain further tried to distance himself from his mother’s comments.
“Could I just reemphasize one point? I think Mormons are great people. I think it should in no way be a factor in consideration or lack of consideration for Governor Romney,” he said. “I think it should never be a consideration and I know he will be judged on his record. He’s a fine and decent man and a family man.”
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What does this mean?
"And to clean that up, it's not a subject."
It seems to show how far from clear thinking she really is.
My God, now he has his mother involved and they don't even share the same views. This is unbelievable. He is so funny. What a character. Romney better watch out because she looks very mean and domineering.
This is the first political thing I read that I felt like the person was being honest in what they were saying, even if I dont agree.
Mrs. McCain has my vote.
I have a big interview next week for a promotion that will almost double my salary and give me a corner office with a super-fine assistant. I think I will take my mom with me...
What the hell?
I say, why doesn't she run? She would be great, she was probably around when the country was founded, she should know how it works.
I'm no Romney fan, but fergawdsake people the fact that he is not in the same branch of Christianity that McCain is in has NOTHING TO DO with his ability to be president.
Posted By Pixie, Murfreesboro, TN : November 9, 2007 9:50 pm
Exactly. Neither one deserves consideration for the office.
Everything I know about Mormonism I learned from South Park.
Amazing to see such candid bigotry.
I had to laugh. Great material for Jay Leno or David Letterman, though. They should get going and pick through CNN for some other amusing tidbits.
Only about thirty percent of the people were Mormon when I lived in Salt lake City about 10 years ago. It may even be less today. Outside of Salt Lake City it is closer to 95 % or even 100% in some areas.
McCain's resorted to having his Mommy do the dirty work. I am not positive but I am pretty sure that not everyone in Salt Lake City is Mormon. So to say the Mormons of Salt Lake caused the scandal is most likely another uneducated assumption.
Posted By Todd, Las Vegas : November 10, 2007 12:02 am
Pixie from Murfreesboro, TN-
I couldn't have said it better!
As for the situation, I think we've all experienced an "ooh..Mom!" moment of embarrassment in our lives. If anything, maybe he had her on to show that living long runs in his genes so people don't worry too much about his age?
what did the people of Salt Lake have to do with the Olympic Committee demanding favors and bribes to choose SLC for the olympics? Ignorance used to be bliss....but not anymore!
There is a difference between sticking with your views and being a bigot.
She is being a bigot, and an uneducated one at that. You cannot blame what happened with the 2002 games on the man who was appointed AFTER the scandal, nor on a religious group that probably had no hand in the affair. Her comments are hateful and uneducated, even to an Agnostic like myself.
My advice to Ms. McCain: Stay out of your son's compaign, and do your research next time. He is a big boy now, he doesn't need your help.
What a strange little family.
I like the cut of her jib. I'm voting for her as a write-in. Now, if she'll just kick GWB in the nuts too.
That picture is truly awful. She looks like she is evil and he is afraid of her. Now people can see why he talks so low and slow. I like John, but I don't like that mean evil looking woman. I have never seen such an ugly picture in my life! When she dies he should burn all his pictures.
Someone who commented earlier said it was "admirable" that she didn't backpedal. Yeah, very admirable to be an unforgiving bigot. Seriously. McCain's mom may have just given the soundbite that really puts the nail in the coffin, for his election.
It's amazing that even in the 21st century mormon bashing and religious persecution continues.
LOL! McCain brought momma along on the interview to show America he's not too old to be President, as he's been accused. As a result, he got exactly what he deserved. You can't control what a 95 yr old momma will say! Too funny, indeed!
As if other forms of Christianity have never had scandals ever. As if all religions haven't had scandals of some kind or another.
This sort of prejudice is idiotic.
CNN's headline is misleading. Mrs. McCain is not taking on Romney's Mormonism but his connection to the scandal. Mrs. McCain's comment was wrong to use religion to make the connection, but CNN is also wrong to say she's going after his religion.
Who cares?! His mothers views are exactly that – hers. Does not mean he agrees with her. And religious beliefs have no place in politics, they are personal! Look where a good Christian president has us now!
Mormon's belief system came from a talking hat, look it up. Nuff said. The old girl is right, Mormon's are a mess.
Who's going to be the whitehouse babysitter if McCain wins and mommy the mummy is skiing in Utah with the Osmonds?
For the FOX idiots out there,CNN is NOT promoting bigotry.That is strickly FOX NEWS territory.
Mrs McCain comes from a generation that would have been aware that Mitt Romney's grandfater was a polygamist and that would annoy her.Sure he is against polygamy now but he was against or for a lot of things before he changed his mind.
Sorry to see that if the story is about Mormons it is nothing more than a funny side note. If his mother had made bigoted comments about Jews or blacks, his campaign would now be reeling.