(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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So this is a campaign of sense of humor now. Right?
Good old pumpkin head McCain.
Well, not commenting on the book isn't very helpful either, is it? So McCain is just standing idly by while his opponent gets unfairly smeared. I remember when I considered McCain to be a man of integrity. But the McCain who's running for office now is just not the same man who ran 8 years ago, or who stood up for John Kerry just 4 years ago. I'm disappointed that McCain is not running a campaign with more integrity now. To say 'no comment' when his opponent is obviously being falsely smeared is low, and falls far short of his pledge to run with integrity.
Most Americans that are honest with themselves will say they don’t care for negative campaign ads that lie or exaggerate or that seek to personally destroy a person’s reputation through gossip, innuendo or scurrilous tabloid-like so-called “books” like this.
I think most Americans would also say that the Republican party tends to apply these tactics as a matter of standard operating procedure, and roll them out early/faster…. and to a greater extent … than the Democrats. The “Swiftboat” attack on John Kerry in 2004 are but one indication.
During the Democratic primary, supporters of Hillary Clinton said Obama was soft and vulnerable. Despite the vaunted Clinton Machine, Barack Obama’s team went toe-to-toe and beat them.
Barack Obama, contrary to what some may think, won’t run from a fight, nor will he be caught off guard. Nor will he feel the need to fight over everything. Recalling a line from the movie, The Untouchables, Senator Obama [Elliot Ness] will get McCain [Capone] “The Chicago Way”. Translation … he’ll fight his ENEMY as dirty as that OPPONENT decides that HE/SHE wants to go.
Team Obama has proven its 1st instincts are to take the HIGH ROAD but don’t try to play them for suckers. If you don’t want any static … don’t start any static.
I’d like to see a President Obama result from a landslide against McCain in November. That referendum on DISHONORABLE AND DISHONEST campaigning would pay dividends for decades to the benefit of the American society
Okay, now McCain's hearing is going. Not surprising. Pretty soon McStooge's hearing and memory will be gone! Just what America needs, another republican president who only hears and sees what’s convenient for them. TIME FOR CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN!
McCain didn't write the book! McCain's comment does not change that it exists or that is on the NY Times best seller list.
Right he didnt hear about it.
Just goes to prove what a liar John McCain is.
Arespectable campaign....He is the king of smear
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.
Did McCain run on the Democratic ticket in '04?
What an old, stupid, nearly 4 decade, wrinkled fool!
Pathetic!
Of course he's going to deny hearing the question. What else did anyone expect?
I believe the swift boat book back in 2004 was written about Democratic Senator John Kerry and not John McCain. Just wanted to clarify that and let you know to make sure you are reporting your facts straight because that's why we rely on the media to do.
Miguel
More of the same Republican Smear and Fear. It's disgusting that people can get away with trash like this – time for America to stand up and aggresively reject McSame and his cronies for following along in Bush's footsteps. Republicans have nothing to offer – which is why the only thing they have left is fear and smear.
I think it should read e-mail from the DNC "rabid" response team given the pot-shots that they have been taking and the fact that Sen. McCain has said he will not be commenting on the book at all.
Give it a rest, DNC. If you want to attack the author or the book, go ahead, but stop lamely attempting to connect it to the McCain campaign. To continue to do so smacks of desperation.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, IF YOU (MCCAIN) WOULD HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR-IF I PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE 'JOHN MCCAIN INVOLVED WITH THE SAVINGS AND LOAN'. MCCAIN DID NOT GO TO PRISON, BUT JAMES KEATING DID.
TELL ME MCCAIN, DO YOU REMEMBER HOW MANY PEOPLE COMMITTED SUCIDE, WHILE YOU AND JEB BUSH WERE TAKING THEIR MONEY?
MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE WERE ELDERLY!
McFrankenstein is TRASH! He heard the question.
So how is this any different from the rap ludacris released ? Obama didn't say sorry for that...
Then, if he didn't hear the question, why did he answer? Either way, it shows that McCain is unable to control himself.
Someone finally told him, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything."
Come on Johnny, why no comment?? Don't want to offend either side?
You mean John Kerry, the last words in your article.
Boy... Obama's got thick skin... strike a nerve maybe?
A book bashing Bush comes out by Woodward or anybody else and CNN just quotes it.... like fact... but not this time...
I'll be buying it... hope it stays on the best seller list for months...
If it's such hogwash... why is Obama so nervous about it?
He probably didn't hear the question which happens shortly after the memory loss during the first stages of alzheimer.
Change 08
You didn't hear the question Mcsane and am 100lb
i think the last word in the article should be Kerry, not McCain.
Old fart. man i this man wins the USA is in trouble......
First, I don't believe he didn't hear the question. Regardless, who wants a president who doesn't hear well?