(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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If you didn't hear the question you ask to have it repeated. False humor and lies that is his strategy
Oh my goodness, had it been a book about McCain, you would be laughing and yukking it up. What exactly is it you want McCain to say?
Of course McCain heard the question and is gloating. The media should not give the book the attention it's already gotten. Find something else to report on.
John McCain SHAME ON YOU.. Are we to believe that you would answer a question that you did not hear. Are you losing your hearing. When the 3am call comes are we to believe you will answer it even though you did not hear it? Or will you smile and say "I know how to win wars"
If it's untrue why doesn't Obama sue the author for slander? Or Libel whatever the case may be. Why didn't Kerry sue?
You know what else MCCain has a sense of humour about? Seneding our sons off to die in pointless wars for no reason. He's a big fan of that aparently. This tired old man represents everything that is wrong with the Rebublican party. Watching him makes me physicaly ill.
So which is worse, endorsing lies or not having the hearing aid turned on?
157 days till the end of the Bush administration.
What's the deal with Obama's hair? He has either quit coloring it or all the stress is turning it gray very quickly.
Do politicians on both sides of the aisle really think that being drama queens about every little thing is going to convince anyone? Every response from the McCain and Obama campaigns to each other is completely exaggerated and disingenuous. Who are they kidding?
McCain heard the question. Because his response was slammed, his handlers came out with that lame "didn't hear the question" excuse. McCain's sense of humor is twisted. I am surprised that Mary Matalin is touting Corsi's book. I can't stand her but thought she had a bit more integrity than that.
Just another 'bait n switch' tactic by the Obama campaign to deflect attention from the fact that Barack has some serious credibility, judgment and lack of experience issues. Do some non-partisan due diligence & the facts portray an unfavorable light on Obama's true character once you get past the hype.
McCain didn't hear the question. Or chose not to. Or is maybe just an old man that who's hearing is suffering.
John McCain shouldn't be president because most of his policies are like George W Bush's and he shoudn't be attacking OBAMA for being a celebrity when he is a celebrity himself.
OBAMA 08
If ,by some horrible turn of events, John McCain gets elected I want impeachment hearings started immediately. As soon as he takes the oath because we know he will be lying when he takes it.
Truth hurts
Joyce Knapnik-
Please, for all of us, don't think too hard!!
"McCain didn't hear the question."
Old people use that excuse alot. Usually it is legit.
McCain is too old.
I think that everyone in the GOP should get a life!
Didn't hear the question?
Fine, I don't hear any of your stinking Swiftboat ads
So now he's senile and deaf.
Obama 08 and 12
That's a republican for you.
If McCain has a hearing problem how is he fit to be president.
Obama 08
Well, I guess I agree with Senator John McCain; most of it is funny... and, clearly, Senator Obama is a world wide JOKE!
I believe what is in that book is true just as I believe a monkey is going to fly out of my rear end in the next five minutes. Need I say more?
If McSame is so against running a "smear campaign," how exactly does he find humor in this?
Obama has to stop playing the victime
Who cares? Obama has run nothing but a negative campaign since the primaries full of sexism and racism. Maybe Obama doesn't realize he might win a nomination but can't be elected just on the strength of a 90% ethnic vote, that he actually NEEDS us "typical white people" if he wants to win.