(CNN) - The McCain campaign suspended a staff member Thursday afternoon for distributing a YouTube video that questions Barack Obama's patriotism and includes footage from the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's controversial sermons.
“We have been very clear on the type of campaign we intend to run and this staffer acted in violation of our policy. He has been reprimanded by campaign leadership and suspended from the campaign,” McCain campaign spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said.
The suspended staffer, Soren Dayton, works in the campaign's political department and distributed the YouTube video via the internet application Twitter earlier Thursday.
A campaign aide insists Soren Dayton was a low level staffer and who had “no role in the communications shop.”
McCain insists repeatedly that he will not engage in personal attacks on Democrats, and CNN was told last week that campaign aides are working on an op-ed to be published in the senator's name warning his surrogates and supporters not to do so.
– CNN's Dana Bash
From CNN Politics
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thank you John McCain, at least someone has standards...
Truth Hurts!
Good Job John......I'm supporting Obama, but if Hillary is the nominee you will be the man I vote for.
wolf i will wait to see if you will tell the public that john mccain campaign was behind that video that that cnn played over and over to attack obama. will you be as persistant on letting the public know this as you were about obama's preacher comments. which were a few comments that were forged together to hurt obama. waiting to see what you do. if you dont donate as much time to this news i will stop watching your news channel
Once again, among the three current candidates, Hillary scores the lowest in personal integrity.
Very proud of Senator McCain.
Oboam 08
He should be sacked – suspension means nothing. This is the sort of trash activity that utterly demeans American politics.
Why wasn't this guy fired outright? This offensive video goes way beyond what any surrogate in the Clinton or Obama campaign has said.
Good job John M.! Good job from a democrat.
Did they say 'suspended' or 'removed' from the campaign? I guess that means he just gets a few days vacation then back to the same approach.
The Ticker Heading shows " Clinton backer goes after Obama ..."
OH MY GOD!
John McCain does what Hillary Clinton refused to do!
Clinton's staffer leaks innuendo and stokes the flames of this "swift-boating" of Obama, and she does NOTHING.
Hillary, you are showing yourself to be a person who will do or say ANYTHING to get elected.
SHAME on you!
Good for you McCain... One more in a long list of reasons why this long time Democrat has always had the utmost respect for John McCain. Iraq and the Supreme court will keep me for voting for him for president, but I do believe America would be a better place if we had more politicians like McCain.
Stop the madness. If only Hillary would take a note from your book.
Go McCain,this has no place in politics and i do do not blame your campaign for not wanting to get into this mess
Way to go! I'm not planning to vote for McCain, but I just gained a lot of respect for him. It shows a lot of leadership to address this issue before your opponent calls you to do so. Keep it up, I know it will be harder to do so once the heat is on, but please, keep it up!
According to SurveyUSA poll, Senator Obama is loosing by 36% in Kentucky. Any viable presidential candidate from democratic party should not be doomed in Kentucky like this one.
The Wright-wrong affair is not helping democrats anywhere in the country.
No waffling from the straight talk express..
They don’t need right now when they need they will use it
I am not a Republican, but I have always thought Senator McCain is an honest and fair man. I am pleased to see that I wasn't wrong.
Way to go Senator, you are a man of courage and a true maverick. If the contest is between you and Clinton in November, you can count on my vote and the vote and my family members and friends who regard you as an honorable man.
Yes America should aim for change. But if it not ready, it sure doesn't need another sleazy president like HRC.
Dear Senator McCain ,
just fire that idiot. and let's get back on track what really matters. Our right to freedom of religion, Our jobs, Our homes, Our america.
Please separate church and state.
cindy
waterloo, wisconsin
This is a man of integrity. I will have no problem switching if HRC wins the nomination.
Okay, this makes plenty of sense. Great bravo McCain is really help divide the democratic Party. Let's put this mess aside.
OBAMA 08
OH MY GOD!!! McCain has more ethics and honor than Hillary??? I actually said that and didn't CHOKE!
Obama 08
i dont think john mccain has the energy to launch these attacks........