(CNN) - John McCain's campaign is denying Democratic charges the presumptive Republican nominee flippantly dismissed a new book attacking Barack Obama that includes several documented falsehoods.
Asked by the Associated Press earlier Friday what he though of author Jerome Corsi's new book, "The Obama Nation," McCain said, "gotta keep your sense of humor."
Related: Book blasted for 'vicious innuendo'
Those comments were immediately slammed by the Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee, which e-mailed its 3.4 million supporters declaring, "John McCain thinks smears and lies are funny."
"Despite pledging to run a respectful campaign, McCain is just standing by while Corsi and his publisher, former Dick Cheney aide Mary Matalin, poison this presidential race," read the e-mail from DNC Rapid Response Team.
Watch: Is Obama being swift-boated?
But McCain spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan said later Thursday the Arizona senator actually did not hear the question, and would not be commenting on the book.
The book, which is expected to debut No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list, repeats many long-discredited falsehoods about the Illinois senator, including the claim that he is Muslim.
Corsi, who has said he's on a “mission” to take down Obama, also co-wrote "Unfit for Command" - the 2004 book that spawned the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth attacks against then-Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry.
From CNN Politics
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Not surprising that Obama Cultists would attack anyone or anything that disparages their leader:
“For none shall speaketh in a negative tone of Obama the Great, for he is untouchable and all shall shower him with praise and pay homage to his eternal orations! Kneel before him! Obama! Obama! Obama!”
Wake up drones of Obama and see the truth!
ummm...I'm an out of work English teacher. Can I have a job proofreading at CNN??? You guys have got a major boo-boo there in the last two words of the article...I'm pretty sure you mean John Kerry.
ps...Go Obama
So is there a video of the Q & A? Is John telling us that he's hard of hearing or is he using a 'senior' moment as his defense? Either way, it doesn't say much for his ability to "lead" America.
However, what John didn't / wouldn't say about Corsi's venom speaks volumes about his politics. So much for Mr. Straight Talk and keeping this election on the high road...
THERE GOES ANOTHER OUTRIGHT LIE!
He heard the question the question all right, JUST TAKE A LOOK AT HIS FACE and listen to HIS CACKLE. He is in seventh heaven because of THE DISGUSTING LIES OF CORSI.
What else is new? CORSI AND McCAIN ARE A GREAT PAIR, THEY BELONG TOGETHER! John McCain should pick CORSI AS HIS VP!
McCains sense of humor is about to get a real test come November.
Jeez, the denial is worse the the comment. I don't want a President that can't hear!
So McCain comes up with random questions he cant hear?
Is that the best McCain has? Gotta keep your sense of humor?
Q: What are you going to do about our crumbling economy?
A: Gotta keep your sense of humor!
Q: What are you going to do about Iraq/Iran/Afghanistan?
A: Gotta keep your sense of humor!
Q: What are you going to do about the current housing crisis?
A: Gotta keep your sense of humor!
I lost my sense of humor about 3 years ago. This is serious business, not a 3 ring circus. I, like most Americans, want RESULTS to the issues that affect us all. If I want a laugh, I'll rent a funny movie.
Get on the bus McCain, before it leaves without you.
Smears and lies are not funny, in fact they are repugnant.!!! However the truth is an "absolute" and not a subjective issue open to dialog.
My recomendation is that all of you socialists, liberals and cool aid drinkers must open up the windos and let the fresh air in or at the very least adjust the sttrengh of your medication.
I think that you meant Kerry in your last paragraph, not McCain.
It's the same old "same old." Isn't it time for a CHANGE?
OBAMA '08
Did not hea the question? Hmm, why am i not surprised. Happens when you're 72. We understand, McBush.
"let's bomb Iran, Russia, ....." then ... "gotta keep your sense of humor" , McShame
Do we really want a president who can't hear, and apparently is too vain to wear a hearing aide, or employ an interpreter for the hearing impaired (where's Garett Morris when we need him)? Anyone else see the similarity to Perot's running-mate?
In truth, not hearing well is a more disturbing problem for John McCain than being flippant about rivals.....:)
ODB wants to CLAIM he didn't hear the question now, huh? Well, how convenient – given his age, one might be tempted to believe that BS.
As for me, I see it for what it is: ANOTHER BOLD-FACED LIE!
He heard it and he answered it the way he felt – with straight talk.
selective hearing... along with selective issues to support based on who he is speaking to. the rest home is waiting John...
I don't think John McCain was the 2004 Democratic nominee.
Sounds like John McCain needs an earhorn–ehh?
The then-Democratic presidential nominee was John Kerry... not John McCain.
Of course, if there was a book about McCain that made wild, baseless allegations that had been discredited, Senator McCain would be demanding that Senator Obama denounce the book. McCain's hypocracy becomes more apparent with each week of this campaign.
It's because he's too old to hear.
So not only does John McCain not speak for his campaign on the issues, his spokeswoman says that he didn't hear the question he gave an answer to. Wow, either one- he is careless in giving an answer to a question he didn't hear or two- this 'he didn't hear the question...' comment play's into the hands of those that say he is too old for the job.
Based on the response to the question by John McCain, its goes a little like a comment I've been posting lately– 'I'm John McCain and I approve lies, fears, and smears.' This seems to go nicely with the McCain Campaign mentality.
Did the roar of those motorcycles affect your hearing, McSame?
That's okay. We don't really expect you to act with integrity regarding Corsi's book of smears. He is, in effect if not actually, working for your campaign.
Let your flunkies dish the dirt. It won't stick to Obama.
Didn't hear the question – Maybe his hearing is starting to go. Wait that would suggest he is OLD and we can't say that.