(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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I guess I have no choice but to take responsibility and go on a “mission” to take down McCain.
"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 McCain."
I believe you mean John Kerry.
No,he can not because he is not what say he is. He
will tell you anything to get elected. Voter beware.
I guess McCain's hearing has gone the way of his recall of details. But, no, he's not too old to lead the country.
Odd. So, if he didn't hear the question, what was he responding too?
I am not sure which is worse. The fact that he thinks these known lies are ok to spread, the fact that his spokeswoman came out and claimed he didn't hear the question when it is more than obvious he did because he responded to it within context, or the fact that he is hearing (and responding to) voices in his head.
Where is the flag tag are you still American or Georgian
McCain needs to come out publicly against this book if he is going to prove that he is not the same as Bush.
I'm not sure what's worse. His response to the question or responding to a question that he doesn't hear.
"Should we use nuclear weapons to eliminate the threat in Iran," the journalist asked?
"Sounds like a good time to me," McCain responded with a smile. "I'll see you there on Friday!"
2004 book that spawned the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth attacks against then-Democratic presidential nominee John McCain.
Democrat John McCain? Now who's a flipflop!
He heard the question. That is his standard answer to anything that references negativity. He said the same thing about the juvenile stuff his campaign puts out. They need to grow up. He and his campaign lies just like Corsi, so I guess it is funny to them. Who are those delusional people trying to fool.
The democratic nominee in 2004 was John Kerry, not Mccain.
Good lord! Do we want a President that's so old, he's hard of hearing!
So McCain conveniently feigns "oldness" when he's called out on his "straight talk". All of a sudden his "old" ears don't work anymore. We all know his appreciation of the book, the author and Mary Matalin for putting it out there and insuring bulk quantities were purchased to make it number one on the NYT best seller list, he doesn't need to say he didn't hear the question, he heard the question just fine and answered exactly the way he wanted to. McCain has no morals, how would he like it if people brought up his wife's drug addiction, would he still maintain his sense of humor then, or how about the crippled first wife he dumped for the current wife, still funny? What about the Keating Five? Democrats have a sense of humor too, you just haven't seen much of it yet.
Oh, there it is! sorry
why obama and his campaign keep whining? forget it- this election, i shall enjoy some movies and lunch! one candidate is too old to get any new ideas, or even understand them; and the other is too touchy about everything, wonder how he would stand to actual challenges in the real world where people wont be interested in his speeches! duh!
Well, if, now that he HAS heard the question, he "will not be commenting on the book," then in fact he is "just standing by while Corsi and his publisher ... poison this presidential race." No?
— the 2004 book that spawned the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth attacks against then-Democratic presidential nominee John McCain.
don't you mean John Kerry
After John McCain's campaign claimed that Obama's campaign used the "race card", they have a lot of nerve defending McCain's response to the Corsi book with a lame "didn't hear the question" defense. His remark was a typical John McCainism. Unscripted, he delivers his "straight talk" without thinking, showing his true colors.
"then-Democratic presidential nominee John McCain." Try John Kerry. hmmmm...
for a guy who can't even run a respectful and decent campaign what chance does he have when dealing with world leaders and other important issues? will he tell them to get a sense of humor as well? that'll do wonders for america's already tattered global reputation
This is the same guy who made "jokes" about killing Iranians, twice!!!
Stop the lies, McCain and racists!!!
Obama '08
John McCain has no morals, but then he is a repuglican and they have proved that they are evil. What is funny is mccain's ad blatantly lie about Obama's tax plan saying he will tax those making 42000 and under when that is a flat out lie. Obama's plan will lower taxes on all those making 250000 or less while raising it on those who make more than that. For once the middle guy gets a break under Obamas plan and the rich will suffer for a change. To all you 'so called' christians supporting mccain you are hypocrites speaking of love and supporting the devil.
Hey, anyone awake there? Remove the post or fix it... John Kerry, not John McCain, in the last sentence.
Obama's campaign is a joke...can we change our nomination to Hillary?????
Have you guys stopped reading what you write? In what year was John McCain a Democratic presidential nominee??