October 24, 2008
Posted: October 24th, 2008 02:40 PM ET

(CNN) - A Texas woman who told Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, police she was assaulted at an ATM by a man angered by a John McCain bumper sticker on her car admitted Friday she made up the report, the assistant police chief said Friday.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Battleground: Pennsylvania • John McCain


Boman   October 24th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

Noah, The incident at Pallin rally is on video! it was not reported by an individual.

Judy   October 24th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

Now...let's see if the fact that this idiot lied to boost McCain's sad ratings, also gets the publicity it should. Never has it been more evident that the McCain campaign "will say anything", regardless of the lack of any truth in it, to smear Barack Obama. Pathetic.
Sarah Palin needs to go home to the great northwest wayyyyy out there near Russia, and John McCain just needs to go sit down somewhere...and be quiet.

Danielle   October 24th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

I wonder if she's on the GOP payroll? I love that Mccain and Sarah called her, too dang funny. I wonder how they are going to get the egg off of their faces.

Obama & Biden in 08' & 12"

Turnabout is fair play   October 24th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

Even I said from the start, this was a lie. The fact that she had a BACKWARDS "B" on her face told me she had someone do this for her in a mirror. If it had been done by another person, it would not have been so perfectly done and it would NOT have been backwards. She should be prosecuted for making a false report and fined heavily.

Carreen   October 24th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

I am no fan of the McCain/Palin ticket, and this lie is an escalation of reprehensible behavior during this campaign season. Still, there is nothing to suggest that the woman is linked to McCain. She is probably a rabid supporter who did a really stupid and, frankly, dangerous thing. Both sides have crazies and can't be held accountable for everything their supporters do. Scary, though.

It seems the divide in this country grows deeper and wider by the day. Can it really ever be healed? I'm not so sure. I have such deep and profound repulsion for so many of the philosophies and policies of the far right, and I know they feel the same way about my beliefs. How can we find some reconciliation so that the country can move forward?

I hope that the next President – and I certainly hope it's Obama – will make a real effort at finding unity at home. I think it's a taller order than peace in the Middle East at this point.

Eunice   October 24th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

I am disappointed. Do you remember Susan Smith?

anthony   October 24th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

Now the woman admitted that she made up the story, McCain would probably recruit her for his campaign. If McCain is still using Joe the Plumber as a symbol for his campaign even though Joe is not a real plumber, she will fit right in.

INDEPENDENT WOMAN NOW FOR OBAMA   October 24th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

CNN SO WHY DO U STILL HAVE THE STORY ON THE TOP STORIES.

Mary   October 24th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

Real shame... many black men have suffered a great deal from such women. I'm thankful that she found herself and told the truth. Goes to show what people will do to get their way... selfish, self-centered.

Bernard   October 24th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

She may be an disturbed or even an idiot, bu the real LOSER is the Media, including CNN for taking this story and running with it in the first place, maybe you guys should stay off of Drudge's site and learn to do better journalism on your own!

Illinois   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

The bruise on her eye and the backward "B" on her cheek were cleaned marks. No scratches around the area indicating that it was planned. I knew it.

A girl here in Elmhurst, IL made up the same story and now she is facing a crimal charges. She could go to prison for up to 3 years.

dumb girls!

Jeff   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

You people should be ashamed of yourselves! Don't throw McCain under the bus for this. Obviously this lady is a complete idiot for trying such a stupid stunt. Even though I support McCain, I'm glad that the story ended up being false. Grow up people, you are no better than her if you act like this is a stunt by McCain.

BM   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

Maybe she was another plant, like Joe the plumber, but the police was smarter. Thank God!It would not surprise me if someone from McCain's campaign put her up to it to blame Obama again!

Al   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

I knew it was a lie. To not accept medical treatment when you've been attacked and brutilized screams false. Plus, the whoel story from an investigative standpoint didn't make sense.

I hope she gets a major fine for this. and not all of Barack Supporters are Black. we are a mixture of cultures and ethnicites ready to help shape America into the country it can be.

Blue - Philly   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

She needs medical help, to intentionally hurt herself for political reasons is pathetic and sad. She really can't be all there.

Greg in Mpls   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

It's sad that people will go that far just to get someone elected.

November 4th needs to get here fast so we can stop all this kind of craziness.

C. ZACCHS   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

Do not blame the young woman who clearly needs help.
This is the result of race baiting by Mcain and Palin, when the voices of reason spoke against it ,they lampooned them.
They should both be proud now of their achievements, their dishonourable campaaign has achieved it's aim of setting one race against the other in these 21st century. It's a shame what some people will do to get to be POTUS.
POTUS does not befitt dishonourable and dishonest people.
Let America arise and punish Mcain-palin at the polls.
God bless America, one indivisive nation under the sun

Texan for Obama   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

A true Republican....LIAR!!!

nelson   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

just goes to show ya, mccain's politics have gone beyond low
wafj

Boman   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

Noah, That is on video tape! it was not reported by an individual.

ridleygriff   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

I'm sorry Noah, but this story was not just made up by a McCain supporter; the right wing blogosphere, and FOX NEWS ran with this story, hard. Nothing gets pushed on Fox without GOP approval.

Dana Millbank may have misheard. However, DOZENS of McCain supporters have shouted "terrorist", "off with his head", and "muslim/arab/socialist" at too many McCain events to count.

Obama supporters aren't spreading lies. McCain supporters were instructed to spread lies about Obama's beliefs by McCain HQ. Deal with it.

The McCain campaign - and the Republican party - are beyond corrupt. Truly vile.

Mark G   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

Things are getting way out of hand. I don't say that the McCain campaign should be blamed for this, but the division in America is getting bigger by the day and unfortunately it is going back to race. We need to be very careful about where this country is going, and what we really stand for. This kind of thing is apalling and indefensible.

Red, Red WHINE!!   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

Awww....True GOP mentality! Lie and do anything to win the election. Make a mockery of the laws in this country. Conduct yourself like a fool. Lose all morals and represent the bottom of the barrel. Be nothing of what a good american is. Yes, this party deserves a man of such low morals as McCain...he and his pitbull are with the animals, where they belong.....wallowing around in the mud!

Molly   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

Holy crazy lady! Why would someone do this to themselves? I hope they get help for her!

David   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

A reporter lied about soemone yelling "Kill Him' at a Palin rally and yet no one said Obama supporters were all spreading lies.

I guess you missed the clip of the rallies where you could clearly hear someone yell that.

A backwards 'B'...please.   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

She should've scratched an 'O' in her cheek that way she would've never known it was backwards.

Obama/Biden

Come on Nov. 4th

dustin   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

noah: i personally have heard people yell out to kill obama, so no that wasn't a lie

Nevadan   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

This is nonsense. This doesn't even deserve to be on CNN.

Let's talk about real issues. Come on now!

Dianne Bourbonnais, IL   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

Thank goodness the police did their job quickly and efficiently. Palin and McCain would have a new symbol for their "Scare Out the Vote" campaign-"Ashley the Victim". Can you imagine their new stump speech lies?

Hillary sent me   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

I can't believe John McCain actually made a personal phone call to this woman before the police even had a chance to investigate!

McCain supporters have become so desperate and hateful it is scaring me.

ray   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

these racists , palin and macain are so desperate that the will do anything just to get in the white house. people lets face it, bottom line here most of white america do not want a black man in the white house, especially sara palin, cant you people see sra palin is a racists? it prints on her face,racist. again i say sara palin is a racists.her her speaches, watch her expression when she talks its as if she just wnats white people on the earth

HUFFINGTON POST   October 24th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

And to think that Palin & McCain had the nerve to call this girl & try to turn it into some kind of race bating political stunt before they even made sure she wasn't lying. This campaign volunteer is a perfect metaphor for the McCain campaign and their supporters: Race bating, prejudice, ignorant, intolerant, manipulative LIARS!!!

reggiedistrictheights   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

She owes every black man in the city of Pittsburgh, PA, an apology.

This election has shown me how far we have to go. What would had happen to all those innocent black men in the Pitt area if the police would had taken this story seriously.

She is a shining example of why many black people do not believe the criminal justice system is fair. Her actions and allegations demonstrate how easy it is how innocent black men can be convicted. ANd, her actions show how important race rather than policy is to the GOP.

What she did was extremely racist. I dont blame McCain nor Obama. I blame Palin because her speeches at rallies ignite stupid racist stuff like this. McCain get your V.P. in check.

62 year old female   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

What on earth is wrong with people, especially in this election? Some will go so far to smear other people and their campaign, but I guess that has been the theme so far. Can't wait for it to be over and the one who is more interested in the people, win.

pathetic   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

that's it ? cnn posted a full lenght article only an hour ago complete with the lying girl's "battered" face and the infamous "B" etched into her face. and now that it's been discovered she lied cnn's response is only 4 line article ? Just pathetic.

Texas Trail Dog!   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

SEE CNN WHAT YOU DO. READ THE COMMENTS BELOW AND SEE WHAT YOUR MISREPRESENTATION HAS CAUSED. THE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THE TRUTH. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN IN PITTSBURG, PA. THIS HAPPENED IN PITTSBURG TX A PLACE OF 6000 PEOPLE WITH 60% BEING AFRICAN AMERICANS. THIS YOUNG LADY CAME OFF THE HIGHWAY AT A GAS STATION TO PURCHASE GAS AND WAS MAULED BY A MOD WHO HIT HER, KICKED HER, SPIT ON HER AND CALLED HER ALL KINDS OF OBSCENE NAMES. THIS WILL NOT DO. SHE HAS MOST DEFINITELY NOT REPUTED THIS STORY. WAKE UP PEOPLE YOU ARE BEING TAKEN FOR A NIGHTMARE RIDE AMERICA WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM.

IF AM VERY SURE THIS WILL NOT BE POSTED. WILL IT CNN???

Independent   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

I am glad that cool heads prevailed and the truth was exposed very quickly. However, this young woman needs to explain further. Were there others involved in this despicable hoax? Was it suggested to her that this would help the McCain campaign? What made her do something as stupid as this??#!

WJ   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

It is amazing to me. that with all of issues facing this COUNTRY, that someone would fantasize about perpetuating media frenzy. As if race relations is not already a serious issue. In her mind, choosing a black Obama supporter made her story credible. It's pathetic.

Dal CA   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Looks like McCain and Palin have got their supporters and workers trained to be Racist and Bigots.
This is not a good thing for McCain at all. He is no longer an Honorable man.

not surprised   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

...i didn't believe that happened for one moment.
how many 6'4" black men got pulled over and interrogated because of her story?
this is your fanbase mr. mccain! it needs to be addressed soon!!

Scott   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Desperate and supporting McCain, coincidence?

Sarah Paling called the girls family, she should call them back saying they are going to hell unless they ask god for forgiveness. Come on Sarah, stick to your religious ways!

And I’m sorry but that B was backwards; the only way you carve a backwards B is if you do it in the mirror. A backwards B! Of course she is a McCain supporter!

It must be an obama supporter playing a McCain supporter   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

The obama campaign must have really used the reverse plant to get this one in here. She isn't a McCain supporter. She said that as well.

What a bunch of crazy people.

pathetic   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

I wonder if the McCain camp paid her to do that . . . it would fall in line with all the scare tactics and hatred they are spewing

jean brandt   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

The Republican's new "Get out the Vote" campaign?

RIF   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

What a surprise. The fact that she was so dumb as to carve the B backwards speaks volumes. Not to mention every ATM on this planet has a camera in it. Did she think they put thousands of dollars in a machine on a street corner and not have max protection?

Nekol Independent from AZ   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
I am Soooo glad I voted yesterday!!! I cant wait for this all to just be over so we can swear in our New President Barack Obama!!! WOO HOO!!!

Obama/Biden '08 & '12

CR in WI   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Idiot!
An attempt at more division.

It was characterized as mutiliation of a McCain staffer on various other sites. To me this is emblematic of the dishonest and dishonorable campaign that is being run by the Republicans.

Ghastly, desperate, weak

Change for an enlightened government (and eventually, I hope, electorate)
BO08

reublicans   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

INSTEAD OF TALKING ABOUT THIS HOW ABOUT THIS:
THE rich should pay more in taxes,they can afford it
the only reason why mcbush is upset is because all his lobbyist running his camp are in that TAX income bracket

its time the average joe get a tax break and not only the mcain/bush ceo's,oil companies and Wall street.

Eric   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Mccain Camp response:"Desperate times call for desperate measures" ; I knew there would be some silly stunt while Barack was visiting his grandmother pulled by the GOP hacks can we say "backfire"

ERIC   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Another McCain Plant to create Fear.....Disgusting.

VOTE OBAMA /BIDEN 08/12

Ya_Ya   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

I knew at the end of the story would be a ...... lie. I didn't think that we would find out this soon.

Boricua4Obama   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

I knew this story was BS from the get-go.

Phil, Ashburn, VA   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Another Joe the plumber plant.

anj   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

I wonder if Faux News will show this latest development!! hmmm

Annie   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

It is a shame whenever someone feels they have to lie. Why she did hasn't been stated, but it is sad that somehow she felt she needed to do this.

hmm...   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Noah: it's on youtube

JV   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Anyone here seen Rosewood?? Ring a bell??

OBAMA 08

Wes   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Don't feel bad sweetheart. Everything that John McCain and Sarah Palin are saying about Barack Obama, they make all that up too.

Ken   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

What a sick person... fueling racial tensions for political motives. Why isn't this story being treated with the same intensity as it's intial reporting?

McCain Called her before he knew the facts!   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Well, will John McCain call her back and ask her why she lied? He jumps to conclusions and just reacts to everything. He is unable to stop and think and derive a reasonable conclusion. I even figured out that the idiot looked into the mirror and carved the "B" in her face not knowing that it would appear backward to those looking at her!!!! So did the police!!!

He does not need the Red Phone or the "Button" to take us into war!!!!

Dawn   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

For some reason when I first heard of this story, I knew it wasn't true.

wmcc   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Backwards B on face? Anyone else thinking a do-it-yourself job in a mirror?

Amber   October 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

I want more on this CNN.

Give us the resolution of this story!! The Telegraph in the UK did more coverage on the aftermath of this.

Your one sentence blurb about how she's a RACE BAITING LIAR amounts to little more than the correction notice in the back of a newspaper.

Be responsible journalists!

rosy obama mama   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Noah the "kill him" comment was not a lie. We all hear it on the news. Stop spreading lies like your candidate Mccain and Palin. There is no shame in the Republican ticket.

scdemocrat   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Noah, take some prozac and get off McCains lap. She is not just some supporter, she is a McCain volunteer who traveled from Texas to help spread hate and lies in western PA. HMMMM what have some people been saying about western PA? First Joe the NON TAX paying, NON licensed plumber, now this girl? I smell a RAT

G. Robinson   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

It Figures. It sounded like a bunch of baloney when I first heard it here on the local news. She should be thrown in jail for a couple of weeks and miss her chance to vote. What a sicko. She must've carved the "B" in her face herself. She should get some much needed help.

BARACK YOUR VOTE!!!!!!!!

Judy Zukoski, Barnesville, PA   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Considering the negativity that spews from McCain's and Palin's mouths at their rallies, this is not surprising. Why address the issues head on when you can continually criticize (and misinterpret the policies of) your opponents? Of course, this is going to encourage any "fringe element" types to go to extreme behavior, as this incident indicates. Pathetic.

Another grumpy old white woman for Obama   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Shock and Awe! NOT!
Another sleazy Rep bimbo. Good work McCain. ye shall rep what ye sow!)

Bob, San Francisco, CA   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

But just like some people are still ranting about the fake Michelle Obama lunch story, this will be another "talking point" for the mouth breathers out there.

Brennan, Seattle WA   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

The McCain campaign didn't have anything to do with this wacko. She was working for the campaign, but they didn't have anything to do with this story she made up. I think it is disengenuos for people to be blaming the McCain Campaign.

Let's remember that Barack Obama stands for a new kind of politics and we should react with that in mind. Our next President will have to unite the whole country.....even McCain supporters. I am very happy that her story has been discredited and we can now move on.

JPS   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Okay, this is not McCain's fault. Not directly, anyway. It is pretty pathetic, though, and points to a desperation that has me a little worried.

With his baseless accusations, McCain HAS inspired people to say and do some outrageous and dangerous things. If he is inspiring kooks, he must bear some of the responsibility.

Brooke, Fort Mill, SC   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Yeah, I'm with Noah on this.

The actions of this whack-job reflect on here. I'm a big Obama supporters but I can't fault McCain for this one.

People do stupid stuff. Some of those people might work for or support a canddiate. Doesn't mean the candidate should be held accountable for it.

I hope this woman gets the help she desparately needs.... and that she does time.

Bee Walton   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Very typical – blame it on a black man. Who is she Susan Smith's relative? (PS ) I am a southen white lady and I am sick of all the ugly hearted people jumping on this anti- Obama racial bandwangon. Shows their true lack of intelligence. Stick to the issues!

Tracy   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

None of the facts of this story added up, it's not surprising that it's a hoax. The sad part is that so many people were so willing to believe her. Wasn't it Martin Luther King Jr. who asked to judge not by the color of skin but by the content of character? Too many people were willing to accept her story because the crime was supposedly conducted by black men about a black man (actually, Sen. Obama is mixed race). As a Christian, this is appalling to me, and another reason why I'm voting for Sens. Obama/Biden in this election – the environment of fear, hatred, mud-slinging and anger fostered by the Republicans and Sen. McCain's campaign is not what America needs now.

Ork   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Oh, and the "B" was in reverse because she was looking at the mirror! How Stupid! McCain, can you now please apoligize to the public at large, given how you tapped into this story?

Liers   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Figures she is a Republican.

Smart Voter   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Sad, For the Record McCain YOU WILL NEVER GAIN MY SUPPORT!!!!

A southerner   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Noah the reporter did not lie, I was there in Clearwater and more than one person said it. In addition, an Obama supporter did not cut his face and blamed it on a supporter from another side.

nelly1   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

This story's a mess. But really, why is there only one line about this?

joe   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

I am not surprised after reading the initial report but McCain obviously has nothing to do with this. This is just a mentally unstable person...

Has nothing to do with campaigns etc. Don't overreact please...

Republican Supporters in the Dark   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

CNN: Please report the news in its entirety. Ashley Todd told police that she was attacked by a 6' 4' BLACK MAN, and an Obama supporter. This is stoking racial backlash and people need to know of the rampant hatred and racism on display by some McCain/Palin supporters. This is Susan Smith all over again. That is why it is important to vote out the Republican party, they are divisive. Based on the people attending their Convention recently, you don't have to be a whiz to realize that they are not a party that is inclusive. Compare that to the racial (and other) diversity of the Democratic Convention. This country needs to go in a different direction and the Republicans (and John McCain) are not competent or qualified to lead the charge.

Ismael   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

The backwards "B" should have been enough of a clue. Are Republicans really getting this desperate?

reublicans   October 24th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

because mcbush is loosing penn state
he's trying to pull another politacal stunt
LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR

she should be placed in JAIL

Kerri   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

The backwords "B" kind of gave it away. What an idiot. If you're going to fake an attack, perhaps you might want to remember that looking in a mirror flips letters. Desperate times, eh?

Michael Ruiz   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Wow! Are we still there? Are we still at the point where we are blaming everything on the "big black boogieman?" Move on America! Look at all of the accomplishments of our African-American brothers and sisters...imagine what they could have achieved with an equal opportunity from 1865 onward? Senator Obama HAS TO win!!!

BKMC   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

McCain is lying nobody is saying something about it, Sarah is lying again noboday is saying anything about it, why the lady from Texas will not lie? She is just following her liar leader.

OBAMA-BIDEN 08   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Gee.......Who would have ever guessed that it was a lie. Just take ONE LOOK at the "B" supposedly cut into her face – I don't know ANYBODY WHO WOULD HOLD PERFECTLY STILL FOR AN ATTACKER TO CUT THEIR FACE. The "B" was TOO Perfect. Take a look at it. It someone threw you down and tried to carve your face with a knife YOU WILL NOT BE COMPLETELY STILL UNTIL IT'S OVER. Your natural reaction is to fight the attacker off.......there fore the marks left on your face would NOT be a perfect letter "B". There would be stray marks all over your face due to your natural instinct to defend yourself. I sure hope that make an example of this LIER.

CindyN--PA   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

I work in Monroeville PA and my co workers that support McCain were razzing me telling me how crazy Obama supporters are.
I cant wait to see them to tell them how it's really Crazy McCainiacs that are the nuts.

The worst part about this is that she tried to say a 6 '4 black man did it. How sad. How racist and sad to try and pull that. SO glad they found out the truth, and I hope they charge her now.

soundbyte from VA   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

It's called "Cookoo for McCain".

JP   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Of course she did, nothing she said made any since. For one thing If someone had cut her with a knife the wounds would be quite severe, especially if she tried to fight back. Also the supposed black eye looked like a bad makeup job. Very sad, now she will become a laughingstock of her own doing.

Jeff G   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

The woman is obviously sick and should be pitied. The real story here is the way a great many McCain supporters tried to start a "race war" in a desparate attempt to win this election. As a senior executive at Fox news wrote, if this is a hoax," mccain's quest for the presidency is over forever linked with race baiting" A sad end to a career.

WeLuvObama   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

This is so sad! The McCain supporters are running scared and to stoop to something this low and then to blame a black man is disgusting.

mark in az   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Her punishment should be to be stuck in a room somewhere where all the TV's are out of reach and blaring Obama/Biden campaign commercials for the next 90 days!

rm   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Good thing she came forward. I heard that the McCain camp was getting ready to do an ad that said that Obama attacked her before he went to visit his sick grandma.

Doris,Memphis,TN   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Liar,Liar pants on fire! McCain should be ashame of his campaign!
Americans will totally reject him on November 4, 2008.

republicans hate america   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

First Joe the Plumber plant was a fraud now Ashley the Victim is a fraud.

Tony FL   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

When this first came out I got multiple emails from Repubs screaming how Obama is the candidate for criminals. Strangely, I haven't yet received one from those same people saying McCain is the candidate for insane self-mutilators.

Jason   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

A hot ole mess. Someone ought to actually hold her down and carve idiot on her face.

Go Obama!

Lisa   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

This woman was just following her candidates lead. McCain has made it clear how he wants to win Lie, Cheat, Fake and if you can vilify black people in the process, more power to you.

Unbelievable!   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

I already knew she was lying... desperation. Bless her heart.

Lyndon,CA   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Another Mccain Plant, like Joe the Plumber.

laojie   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Surprise? Absolutely not.

Frank,MO   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

That's so palin !

Meme   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Desperate times, desperate measures!!!!!!!

tulsa   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Noah, that one's on tape. It's not a lie.
You, "my friend" are an idiot.

Franky   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Thank you God! LOL!!!

I haven't heard or seen a beautiful thing since the Bears almost had a perfect season in 85(by the way, the year I was born, LOL!), LOL!!!

Boman   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

McCain phoned this girl and talked to her in person? He did not even wait for police report? What a desperation?

Tani in CA   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Ha! I knew that was coming! I wonder what Fox News will say now???

KNEW IT....Backwards 'B'...please.   October 24th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

That was absolutely ridiculous.

Stupid woman should have scratched an 'O' in her own cheek.

That way she would've never known if it was backwards....HAH...LOL!!!

Nitwit!!

All Obama/Biden

Waiting patiently for November 4th!!

Viet Vet   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Stupid is as Stupid does- -Forrest Gump

Jason   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Just another "Kill HIm!" ruse. Except Obama hauled his example onto the debate floor

Gregory W.   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Hey folks don't be so hard on this young lady. She was just falling in line with the McCain/Palin ticket! In fact, her actions resemble some(not all) of the Republican Party!

Obama/Biden 08

Alissa in Kansas   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

What kind of person makes up a story like that? This is an outrage! She deserves whatever she gets!

What's the charge for filing a false police report?   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Whatever it is she should be given the maximum sentence, someone who really needed help probably suffered because resources was wasted on the girl that cried wolf!

I'm ticked!!!!!!!!!!

Chiara   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

She is so stupid. Good try

INDEPENDENT WOMAN NOW FOR OBAMA   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

MCCAIN AND PALIN SHOULD HAVE WAITED BEFORE THEY DECIDED TO CALL HER. NOW IT ALL LOOKS LIKE THEY WERE BEHIND THIS

Alberto   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Typical old school southern Republican style job; a scary black man attacks a white woman. Fear the black man vote McCain.

tony   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Now that the woman admitted she made up the story, McCain would probably recruit her for his campaign. If McCain is still using Joe the Plumber as a symbol for his campaign even though Joe is not a real plumber, why stop now?

Will from NYC   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

nuts on the right, nuts on the left... and that gives us mixed nuts.

seriously, when this election is over I hope things don't go nastier.

Lisa   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

This woman was just following her candidates lead. McCain has made it clear how he wants to win Lie, Cheat, Fake and if you can vilify black people in the process, more power to you.

soundbyte from VA   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

It's called "Cookoo for McCain".

joe kiloz   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

ANOTHER,,,,,,,,,,,,ONE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,TRYING,,,,,,,,,,,,FOR,,,,,,,,,,,,5,,,,,,,,,,,,MINUTES,

OF,,,,,,,,,,,FAME,,,,,,,,,,,,RATHER,,,,,,,,,,,,,INFAMY

The Voice   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

How far are some people willing to go to instigate and scare Obama supporters? This is just unacceptable and this woman needs to be prosecuted for lying and for deliberately making up such a horrible story.
Why is it that when McCain supporters lack the arguments to intelligently defend their candidates, they automatically recur to the lies and scare tactics? It is sad that even McCain himself has made his campaign a shrine for lies and fear. I can’t wait for Nov 5th!

Unbelievable!   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

I already knew she was lying... desperation. Bless her heart.

republicans hate america   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

First Joe the Plumber plant was a fraud now Jill the Victim is a fraud.

What's the charge for filing a false police report?   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Whatever it is she should be given the maximum sentence, someone who really needed help probably suffered because resources was wasted on the girl that cried wolf!

I'm ticked!!!!!!!!!!

Demo Joe   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

P.S. McCain and Palin has indeed planted the seeds of hate in this country. I feel so sad that white men have so much hate they cannot play fair. Women should have better hearts – where or who planted the racism seed in that Palin girl?

40 Below   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Figures. I wonder who put her up to this? The story sounded like it was all lies. The "B" was backwards so she probably did it while looking in the mirror (moron). And I don't know of many ATMs that don't have a camera – had it been true, there would have been video.

Michael watching from Canada   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Why did the news media (FOX) make such a big deal of this when it wasn't properly vetted? Will the same news media formerly retract this story and apologize to those they implied were guilty of the supposed offense?

rosy obama mama   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

wow this is what Mccain and Palin created with their attacks and their lies!!!!!!Division that is Mccain and Palin message. You own an apology to America and the honorable Obama family.

laojie   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

That what McCain and his supporter are good at: lying lying lying!

Fred   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

She should be tried for a hate crime. This appears to clearly be more than just merely making up lies in a police report, but the attempt to illicit bias motivated sympathy in order to demean a social group within our population.

Mccain and his Campaign are over   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Of course she lied this is just them try to sterotype black people once again but that dosen't matter at the end of the day we are still racially sterotyped everday and will not change once Obama gets elected beceause there will alway be those people that don't like you just because of your color.

Bridgette-PA   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

"NOAH" – Get your facts straight before comment. A reporter DID NOT SAY SOMEONE YELLED AT HIM "KILL HIM". Someone at a rally did yell "KILL HIM" after "Barbin" said that OBAMA hangs around with terrorist, Bill Ayers. Now, for the reporter's story. He said that angry McFailin' supporters cornered him and said "SIT DOWN BOY". If your going to state the facts, get em' right! Don't start none, won't be none!

OBAMA/BIDEN -08!

james   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

"To kill a Mockingbird" comes to mind

scdemocrat   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

VERY nice, the McCain camaign is getting so desperate it's ridiculous. What in the world is wrong with these people? What is going to far for these idiots? Thank God we only have 11 more days until Caribou Barbie goes back to hunting wolves and McCain goes back to one of his 8 houses.
DON'T GET COCKY FELLOW DEMOCRATS WE ALL MUST VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4TH!!!

John G.   October 24th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

What!?!?!?

I certainly hope that revelation that she made the whole thing up gets as much coverage as the false story of her attack. Talk about a desperate campaign!

SD,Michigan   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

I knew it soon as I saw the picture last night. Pathetic! She needs psychiatric treatment asap!

SoCal   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

After "Joe The Plumber", here's "Ashley The Victim".

Birgit   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

As soon as I read the article, I thought this is a lie and it certainly was. Isn't John McCain glad he did not use this as another one of his smears and paraded her around as Joe the Plumber. .

Bring on the Elections   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

Noah! You have no idea what you're talking about! The report didn't report someone yelling "KILL HIM"... there was the video with a person yelling in the crowd terriost and KILL HIM... I heard this with my own ears and saw the people with my own eyes..

So much for you knowing the facts: DON'T BLAME THE REPORTERS, BLAME THE LAME, RACIST IDIOTS AT MCCAIN RALLIES! THEY EXPOSE THEMSELVES.

Chris K   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

Just another day in the McCain campaign. Just when you thought they had scraped the bottom of the barrel they manage to go deeper! McCain's campaign is imploding all around him. It is serves him right for running such a dishonorable campaign! McCain's legacy will forever be tarnished by the disreputable way he and his surrogates have run their campaign.

Palin 4 President 08   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

Matters not – McCain has created an environment where people believe this behavior is acceptable!

rin   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

every black man that is 6"4 and weighs 200 pounds should be insulted after all that is how she discribed her attacker!!!! She owes Obama an apology!!! I knew this woman was lying when i saw the picture!

joe   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

like master , like followers......divide,lie ,do whatever to conquer

Mike P   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

She is typical Palin supporter the kind that shout "Kill Him" at campaign events. A new low from Republicans, just when u think they cannot get any dirtier or sleazier.

suburban soccer mom   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

Why would you make that up? Have we all lost our minds.

Eric   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

SHE WILL BE THE TOPIC OF HIS CAMPAIGN TOMORROW. ASHLEY THE LIAR AND JOE THE PLUMBER.

Melissa   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

LOL, Typical McCain follower... crazy and a head full of lies!

Stop giving us Texans a bad name!

Texan Hillary Girl for Obama 08

Mike Dallas   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

Finally, now you look llike Fox both of you have egg on your face.

I expect such shoddy and judgemental reporting from Fox but I had not from CNN so when I saw it on the ticker last night I recommended it be taken down. You should not be posting wild unfounded allegations as news, especially when some of the rally attendees at the Palin rallies have shown they are on the fringe and may only need some "excuse" to retaliate..

I can only hope no one was injured due to this poor example of journalism!

Craig in Washington   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

She made up the whole thing? Now there's a surprise. I'll bet she's not really a plumber either. LOL

Monica (Houston, TX)   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

OBAMA/BIDEN SUPPORTERS, maybe this woman felt it was her “patriotic duty” to carve her face up and lie about being attacked in an attempt to portray Obama/Biden supporters in a negative light, in the hope that it would reflect badly on the Obama/Biden campaign. To be sure, there are many, many others out there who believe it’s their “patriotic duty” to go to lengths unknown to try to prevent Obama/Biden from prevailing on November 4th.

The polls don’t mean a thing if we allow overconfidence and enthusiasm to substitute for turning out to vote. WE MUST GET OUT AND VOTE FOR THE OBAMA/BIDEN TICKET!!! Remember, anything can happen between now and November 4th (11 days prior to Election Day are like dog years in politics). We must turn out big, vote early if at all possible, and PACK OUR PATIENCE because lines will be long, voting machines will break down, and, YES, some of our voting efforts will be met with trickery from the other side.

If you can, take a high-risk registered, but likeminded voter to the polls with you to cast a vote for OBAMA/BIDEN. Also, if you’re not already helping to get out the vote, please visit the Obama website to find out how you can help the campaign, especially in toss-up states. Again, we must not take a victory for granted. History tells us that big leads in the polls have often come back to bite.

A special note to YOUNG PEOPLE. You’ve been key in helping Senator Obama make it to this point in the campaign and your turnout during early voting and on Election Day is especially critical to OBAMA/BIDEN winning this election. We are SO counting on you to turn out, too, and make sure your peers turn out as well!

George   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

Too bad for McCain! She would replace "Joe the plumber" for the remaining of the campaign. "Ashley the volunteer "

Joe the real person   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

Wow, republicans are willing to do anything to try and sway the vote including self-mutilation! If that's not the new low I don't know what is. I wouldn't be surprised if Sarah Palin did the same thing and blamed Obama

Aaron in Virginia   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

John McCain: I believe that you are a good man, because I believe that even good men can get swept up in hype and hysteria and do things that their calmer selves would consider dishonorable and disgusting. But you have to understand: some of your followers are *not* good people. Some of them are ignorant, violent, and insane.

There is no shame in repudiating the evil nutcases who choose to support you through no fault of your own. In fact, the opposite is true; your failure to aggressively reject the lunatic fringe of your base has hollowed out support for you among decent-minded independents.

If you aren't strong enough to call out and reject your unprincipled and malicious supporters now, what would your presidency be like? Like the last seven years, maybe?

Mike in Sacramento,Ca   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

With a BACKWARDS 'B' carved in her cheek ya think?
She did it looking in a fricking mirror...what a MORON.

tulsa   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

Noah, that one's on tape. It's not a lie.
You, "my friend" are an idiot.

Digusted in Nashville (please post)   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

CNN, She said that she was attacked by a Black man & that he was an Obama supporter who sexually molested her then carved a "B" on her face when he saw her bumper sticker. The significance of this story is huge. Black men like Emmit Till were killed for false accusations like this. This was race baiting in its worst form. Kudos to the Pittsburg Police. I hope that they throw the book at her. I think that Ashley & all of the news organizations who pushed this story so hard owe all of us a huge apology.

SoCal   October 24th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

As CNN promptly reported, McCain and running mate Sarah Palin "spoke to the victim and her family after learning about the incident earlier this afternoon."

After "Joe The Plumber", here's "Ashley The Victim".

Jason   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

Just another "Kill HIm!" ruse. Except Obama hauled his example onto the debate floor

Josh from Pittsburgh   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

To Noah:

This does not reflect all McCain supporters. However, John McCain is running a very nasty campaign. He is the leader. This is one of his followers.

Gregory W.   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

Hey folks don't be so hard on this young lady. She was just falling in line with the McCain/Palin ticket! In fact, her actions resemble some(not all) of the Republican Party!

Obama/Biden 08

Sophia Beck   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

that is very sad and why do something like this? McCain camp is just so messy-

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

calle   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

Look at the type of people McCain attracts, LIERS!!! Why am I not surprised? Birds of a Feather Do Flock Together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

joshua   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

What a piece of slime. Mccain people will stop at nothing to continue the lies agaist the obama campaign. Thankfully, rush and hannity and drudge were all over this and it got a lot of attention. Now they are all sitting around with their feet in their mouths. This, I think, is the final nail in the political coffin for Mclame/Falin.

Brian   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

LOL

Even his supporters are liars.

Lynne - Seattle   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

That woman is a jerk! I will not be voting for John McCain, but to try to get attention and stir up trouble this way is just wrong! I hope they charge her with filing a false report!

Janaya Warren GA   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

This is shameful I hope the pittsburgh police make an example out of people who make these kinds of false claims.

C   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

I feel bad for her. Sounds like she is just looking for some attention. I knew her story wasn't true the moment I saw the backwards B on her face. That's exactly what happens to words and letters when people try to paint their faces for football games using the mirror. Sadly, she did the same thing with something sharp and scraped the letter into her own cheek.

Nick   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

Typical John McCain supporter! LIAR!

scdemocrat   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

VERY nice, the McCain camaign is getting so desperate it's ridiculous. What in the world is wrong with these people? What is going to far for these idiots? Thank God we only have 11 more days until Caribou Barbie goes back to hunting wolves and McCain goes back to one of his 8 houses.
DON'T GET COCKY FELLOW DEMOCRATS WE ALL MUST VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4TH!!!

Stupid is as stupid does   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

Does anyone remember Tawany Brawley who did that years ago? Don't people learn?

So ummmmm so the statement about rednecks in Pennsylvania wasn't true? Looks like she was trying to start something very serious in Pennsylvania.

calle   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

Look at the type of people McCain attracts, LIERS!!! Why am I not surprised? Birds of a Feather Do Flock Together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

keesa   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

mccain ought to be a shame of himself. lowlowlow road.

texasvoter   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

Apparently the young woman carved the "B" on her cheek in mirror image. I was baffled by how idiotic this was until the police report stated she attends Texas A&M University in College Station. Now I understand! She's just another Aggie Joke!

I guess she hasn't heard that the Bryan-College Station newspaper has endorsed Barak Obama. This is the first time in their history that they have endorsed a democrat.

republicans hate america   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

Thats all the GOP have left.

Great Job CNN   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

They give a big article to the original story. And post a few sentences as a correction. Great job!

Demo Joe   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

So hateful, hope she pays and i know she will.

INDEPENDENT WOMAN NOW FOR OBAMA   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

THE GOP PUT HER UP TO THIS. SHE NEEDS TO TELL US WHO MADE HER DO THIS, THEN THE GOP BRAND WILL REALLY BE DAMAGED.

Kevin Leo (Jonesboro, GA)   October 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

Not surprised, just disappointed. The level of ignorance in this country is staggering at times. Fixed Noise jumped all over the story yesterday without doing any fact finding first!!!

Tori   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

I am disgusted and she needs to apologize to Pittsburgh as she could have made something very very ugly occur.

james   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

"To kill a Mockingbird" comes to mind

steve   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

I knew it was a hoax.

Josh in North Carolina   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

This is sad.. Obvious this women needs help and lets hope she can get it.I am just glad she was not attacked for her political views..

Birgit   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

As soon as I read the article, I thought this is a lie and it certainly was. Isn't John McCain glad he did not use this as another one of his smears and paraded her around as Joe the Plumber. .

Rob   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Nice try McCain. Any more bright ideas?

Palin 4 President 08   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Matters not – McCain has created an environment where people believe this behavior is acceptable!

jonathanw   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Now when is Joe Wurzelbacher's conscience going to make him tell the truth that he was planted?

In Good Company   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

I am not the least bit surprised at this resolution. I will be PLEASANTLY surprised if the hardcore rightwingers who post comments on news stories and political blogs accept/acknowledge this as truth.

Doug R.   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Isn't filing a false police report a felony??

dft   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Wow . . . no doubt that the McCain attack team was working on a Ms. Todd the victim add and campain appearance. The black eye was from the friend who hit her when he realized that she had scratched a backword B on her face in the mirror and yet so dumb they decided to make the false report anyway.

Alex from Ohio   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

This is just disgusting. Just another trick that failed to execute from the GOP bag of deception.

OBAMA BIDEN '08

eds   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

What a surprise...
joe the plumber anyone?

What a bunch of crap this campaign is.

Billy in NJ   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Now that is one dedicated and true McCain supporter! This story is so funny. Will she be the new Jo the Plumberette?
Racism can be so ugly and yet so entertaining sometimes. Pardon me folks, I have to go to Paris, Texas with my Obama shirt on. I have to do my part for Obama too!

Helene   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

She should be jailed !

ANGIE   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

REALLY I wouldnt have guessed well lets see Joe The Plumber -fraud
Now this, what Else is up your Sleeve Mccain camp PATHETIC!!!!!!!

prairieguy   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

only one word....DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Terry, Rochester, MN   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Why am I not surprised? What have we become? This is just another example of the GOP gone bad. If I had any doubts about who or what party I was voting for, they were just laid to rest by this act of stupidity and desperation.

Al, NY NY   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Since this was in a hotly contested area of a hotly contested state, I would say this does not help JM/Fido at all. This is an example of a person (I believe) working on their own to try to "help." Sorry lady, it's gonna do just the opposite. The "angry black man criminal" thing isn't gonna wash

Chris K   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Just another day in the McCain campaign. Just when you thought they had scraped the bottom of the barrel they manage to go deeper! McCain's campaign is imploding all around him. It is serves him right for running such a dishonorable campaign! McCain's legacy will forever be tarnished by the disreputable way he and his surrogates have run their campaign.

Fed Up   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Is anyone surprised? Why would someone robbing you scratch a backward "B" on your face? When someone attempted to mug me they ran away as fast as they could. I think the girl needs some serious help and should really think about the nature of the lies she told. Not so long ago, those types of statements meant a brutal death for a number of innocent folks I am sure.

Craig in Minneapolis   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Another lying, scheming Republican. I hope the backwards 'B' shaped scar on her face is permanent.

TjayeInLA   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Seriously, are these people that desparate to not have a Black President.

APinPA   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

This woman clearly needs psychiatric help. Let's not put this onto any candidate or campaign. The woman has had her 15 minutes – let's not give her more than that and let's not get distracted.

Ork   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

A republican lying, I wonder where she got that from? .... maybe, that thanks but no thanks lady and old white dude running around her..

Obama 08   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Wow! What a loser! McCain's going down!

GC from Virginia   October 24th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Talk about your bare-bones reporting. There's so much CNN left out of this story...it's far, far more offensive.

Changeneedstohappen   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

WOW how shocking! Why can people be so I don't know what word to use because it's so sad that this woman would do something like this! We need to really get it together as a nation if not we will be leaving to go to other countries for a better life!

BatCat05   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

I thought the story was fake from the very beginning. Purely, McCainiac's at their very worst! What's next , a nine foot tall arab wearing a Palin mask at an Obama rally? McCain's got enough troubles without Miss Todd's stupidity. Back to reality, OBAMA-BIDEN, now that's the ticket!

Obama   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

So take the original INCORRECT story off your front page!

TimeFor Change!   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

FOX News says that this Latest Gimmick from the McCain Camp should put an END to McCain's run for President. CNN what is your take on this?

Disappointed   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Anyone surprise? Is she being paid by McCain ticket to make this allegation?

Areyoukiddingme?   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Ok, so what really happened to the crazy liar lady?

Cahrlote   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

This is ridiculous and should the person who put this false report out should face some repremand, even MCain and Palin's supporters are getting into the lying game just be fair and see what the out come will be on November 4,. I will be glad when this race is over I am tired of smear,smear , smear at all cost just talk facts and the world will decide who they want to vote for on the facts name calling and any other form of deceit is not worth your dignity or reputation speak to the people and not each other the people are the ones that have to vote. Now it seems that the voters are trying to folllowe their candidate

McSame-aPALINing   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Noah,
That's a lie!

Debra   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

NO! You have GOT to be KIDDING me! She had me at the backwards "B",....

tricia   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

She should be charged with making a false police report with intent to incite backlash and chaos (and whatever else they can charge her with).

s.positive   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

God is watching. This is why the RNC and Mcbush will lose and lose badly. They have nothing good to offer to America. God help us, I have never seen a group of poeple so filled with hate and every evil intent like this group.

Mark Kahle   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Noah – It was stated at their rallies...try again!

Steve Hannity   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

I knew it all along. The next story that will come out is Joe The Plumber is really John McCain's nephew. You know JTP moved to Ohio from Arizona.

Edwina   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

She should be charged with filing a false police report and investigated on a federal level. What was the quote? People who are out of touch, out of ideas and out of time turn desperate.

Josh from Pittsburgh   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

You have to wonder whether this woman would have stooped so low had John McCain not run such a nasty campaign. There are a lot of people who look up to John McCain. He has not set a positive example as a leader of his party. This is proof.

Martha   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Go figure!! First Joe the plumber, now the B faced liar. See what McCain and Palin have done to America. They have single-handedly divided the people. What ever happened to Country First?? Why lie and say the black man did it? Because that is the seed that McCain and Palin have planted in this racist campaign of theirs.

mjc   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

don't forget to mention, CNN , this woman was attempting to race bait. she claimed the guy was 6ft tall and black.

racist pig.

Arianna   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

UGGGHHHHH!!!! She thought she could get away with a saying a black guy robbed her and beat her up because of her Mccain sticker!!! This is why Mccain is losing...the only people who support him are idiots like this lady. I hope every black guy she knows acutally does punch her in the face for making such a blatant racist attempt to make Obama people look bad. Too bad we will still win the election! And Mccain actualy called her personally??? HAHA! I hope he feels stupid!

Jodi K   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

just goes to show how pathetically desperate these repugs are. A stupid story int he first place. Totally unbelievable.

The best part is all the idiotic republican extremists that were screaming about how CNN didnt report on this story when it was FAKED BY REPUBLICANS TO TRY AND SPREAD RACISM AND HATRED

North Dallas Thirty   October 24th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

This is disgusting. She deserves to have the book thrown at her, and I say that as a staunch Republican supporter. Whatever her motivations, what she did was utterly and completely wrong.

Rhea, Ann Arbor   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Unbelievable! This is why so many innocent black men are in prison. And to implicate that the attacker was an Obama supporter. This is simply impossible to believe.

tulsa   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

McCain.
Your peeps are crooked. Your party is deserting you. Your adds are backfiring. Your VP is gunning for your spot. Your ideas are wrong. Your honor is gone.
Life just ain't fair, is it?
Can't wait to hear Rush spin this.

People, we need to take back this country from these thugs and cheats.
Government of, by and for the people!
GOBAMA!

Floridaguy   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Oh I'm sure Sean Hannity will be issuing a "NEVER MIND" for all the misinformation he spread about this..............

Jen   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Since you reported her initial ridiculous allegations, Politicker, I hope you put just as much ink into the fact that it was a blatant ly racist lie, concocted by a McCain staffer, that was intended to scare white voters in West Pennsylvania into voting for McCain.

Connie   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

I think we should all pray for this young women, she appears to be having problems. May God help her to get better. VOTE EARLY, VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN
Connie from "BLUE" Indiana

pam Eugene OR   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Figures
Even the supporters of McCain lie. I guess they see their candidate lie and they figure they can too!
Amazing, she wanted to be another Joe the plumber.

DDDUUUHHHHH!!!   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Did anyone ever really wonder if it was true?

coby   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

She must have done it in the mirror for the B to be backwards.

Halloweener   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

She works for the McCain campaign...of course she lied.

Annie   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Republicans lie?! Who knew... shocker!!

gord   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

hope she gets jail time

Karen-Tired of McCain / Palin Lies and Stunts   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

WHAT THE EFFF"… ANOTHER MCCAIN STUNTS… THIS IS UNREAL!

I EMAILED THE STORY TO SO MANY OF MY FRIENDS WHO ARE OBAMA SUPPORTERS AND SO AM I…

We all agreed that was horrible and who did this should be punished to the fulliest.

McCain and Palin called this girl earlier today to express their sympathy.

I'M DONE WITH THE MCCAIN/PALIN STUNTS…THEY ARE ALL LIARS AND CAN'T BE TRUSTED!

THE ELECTIONS CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH FOR ME!

OBAMA/BIDEN '08/12

Mark Kahle   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Sheesh, what WON'T , the McCain campaign followers and the Campaign itself do to try and win the election.

This lady is a scumbag...and a liar, gee I think I see a trend here!!

OBAMA/BIDEN 08! 12!
CLINTON 16! 20!

THE TIME IS NOW!! GET OUT AND VOTE!! DO NOT BE SILENCED!!

KLEE   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

thot so! another distraction that gets into the news before being "Vetted"!

jay   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Unbelievable. Just one more example of what republicans will do to gain attention. I hope this young lady learns a valuable lesson.

Leah DiMarco, Texas   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Come on CNN you can do a bigger retraction than that. You didn't even mention that she is the woman with the 'B' on her face.

Emily   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Suprise, Suprise, everything that has anything to do with the horrible McCain campaign is a lie. It must be the "trickle-down effect"

Concerned Texan   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

This republican desperation is getting to be a little sickening. Anything to distract from the issues concerning our nation. And she is from Texas, a state where most folks just don't tell lies. :)

PLEASE get out and vote!!!

Steve/ Houston,TX   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Another example of GOP lies. Yes I am linking her to McCain and Bush.

david   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

I already knew when the story broke yesterday.

Catherine   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

I hope that everyone who said the racist and deragatory comments on the blogs about the "supposed attacker" will apologize to Barack Obama and their supporters. Just like the Susan Smith story.....

McCain and Palin showed poor judgment in calling this woman before they knew the facts.

Micheal shoemac republican voting for Obama in miami florida   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

lol

lol

lol

lol

lol

I knew it.....

The real story is the man that was shot 3 times for wearing an Obama Shirt.....now that is the truth

Obama/Biden

Lynn West Bloomfield, Michigan   October 24th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Oh my! Now the crazy Repugs are cutting themselves and using their racist idiologies in an attempt to back it up. This is one of the reasons McCain is losing – no one wants to be connected to many of these idiots who support him.

Sarah.....and my last name isn't Palin!   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

Her name is Ashely Todd a McCain volunteer who tried to invoke race in its worst form. CNN where's the full story?

Lesa   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

What exactly was the purpose of that?

Kermit   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

Y was this woman trying to blame an imaginary african american for

nothing. This should not be happening, unfortunately, many african

americans have fallen victim to such lies, such as false rapes and so on.

Such people are a disgrace to human dignity!!

tricia   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

She should be charged with making a false report and whatever else they can charge her with.

Chris   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

HAHAHAHAHA

I guess Fox News and the New York Post can stop airing/printing her picture every five seconds.

Dawn   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

This woman needs help and send her to some mental ward for evaluation. If she is stable she gets charge. If this is somethng like Joe the Plumber who is now an instant celebrity, and blaming Obama... this is dirty pool... When I heard this last night I thought Mmm,another McCain stunt... Remeber Joe The Plumber. Police are not that dumb, she lied...

Now another stunt flying back into his face...

Go Obama/Biden08/12

sick and tired   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

What are the details behind this? Another website is reporting it's a McCain campaign worker. I had my doubts about this story when I first heard about it on CNN.

Jamie   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

Interesting tactic. Was it supposed to drive people into the McCain camp? All it may have done is give voters a clearer view of some of his supporters.

Willam from Texas   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

More republican lies.

Amanda   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

She was probably hired by the McCain campaign to destruct voters from the real issue facing Americans.

oldy from ohio   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

she admitted the lie because she did not get paid by the Co-Cain Campaign.

Obama08FL   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

WOW!!!!!! Why am I not shocked. What is funny is a lot of comments made by people was racist, and come to find out a white person lies about it. You won't hear me say anything racist about white people because I am not ignorant, and just like the republican party. Make up lies about a lot of things. A McCain supporter lies about this lol. SAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

vahe   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

mccains poeple are liars

Scott in Atlanta   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

THANK YOU FOR POSTING THE UPDATE.

i knew it!   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

nuff said.

Chips   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

I hope they locked her up.

hmm   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

I CALL RACE-BAITING ON THIS ... NOT MCCAIN'S FAULT HE HAS CRAZY SUPPORTERS!

John, FL   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

That's it for McCain, if he wasn't done before, he's done now.

Wow Just Wow   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

You forgot the part that she said it was a BLACK MAN in your article today about the lie. However, yesterday, you made it clear she said it was a Black Man when you talked about the accusation, CNN.

Jackie   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

No kidding

shameful   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

McShame should be ashamed. What disaperation!!!

Matt   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

Just like a Republican...fabricate a bunch of hooey and pretend it's the facts.

Sara   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

Is anyone surprised by this?

Jessica   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

shocker

Gina - Lancaster, PA   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

That figures. She should be charged with something.

Lady – get out of Pennsylvania. We're getting enough attention these days, we don't need your made up RACIST stories and hate. Go back home to Texas and spend some time on the Bush family ranch!

Corey   October 24th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

A big shout out to all y'all whom used this lady's story to condemn t'em liberals! I haven't had a smile like this in a long time.

Obama '08 baby.

Independent in PA   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

Not only did this woman lie about this, she said she was attacked by an African-American man. This woman is a McCain volunteer from Texas working here in Pennsylvania.
CNN what's up with you guys. In her original story that has since been proven to not be true the story was a whole page. Now that it turns out that she lied and effectively engaged in race-baiting and fear tactics the correct story gets one sentence.
Will Campbell Brown address this double standard on her stupid no bias, no bull show. Yeah, I know she wont.

Hal   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

Anything goes for the republicans wow can`t wait for November 5th to get rid of all that B.S.

Chips   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

I knew it was a lie from the beginning. Everybody wont to get their 15 min. of fame.

TONY   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

TYPICAL LYING REPUBLICAN.

NO SURPRISE THERE!

Jindu   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

Lol! Another Joe gimmick.

50 states: BLUE: 08   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

This is a shame...do they think this election is a joke and of course the attacker was African American, she should be jailed for lying and there should be a huge penalty

Pittsburgh and ALL of PA, please get out there and VOTE!

THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER---PLEASE MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

WHAT THE F"... ANOTHER MCCAIN STUNTS... THIS IS UNREAL! I EMAILED THE STORY TO SO MANY OF MY FRIENDS WHO ARE OBAMA SUPPORTERS AND SO AM I...

We all agreed that was horrible and whom did this should be punished to the fulliest.

McCain and Palin called the girl earlier today to express their sympathy.

I'M DONE WITH THE McCain / Palin STUNTS...

THE ELECTIONS CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH FOR ME!

OBAMA/BIDEN '08/12

Nita in VA   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

when i first heard this story i knew she was lying. how desperate. i mean really. did she say he was black too like the lady who drowned her kids in the car some years ago.

francheska ;-)   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

I called this one, because who would write a backwards B on someone elses face!!

Indio CA   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

Her 15 minutes are up. Prosecute her to the fullest extent of the law. She is a disgrace.

AZVoter   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

All you can do is shake your head sadly.

DianneATL   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

I am not surprised. We live in an age where 15 minutes of fame is sought after by all sorts of people with all sorts of issues – from "Joe the Plumbe"r to "Woman with Bumper Sticker". It doesn't scare me that they seek the spot light in such odd ways, but it does frighten me that they might be registered to vote.

kayla   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

THIS JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE THE REPUGBLICANS ARE. DESPERATE TIMES CALLS FOR DESPERATE MEASURES. HOW PITIFUL. AM SO SORRY FOR THIS WOMAN, SHE NEEDS HELP.

so sick of this   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

This election is making people go insane.

Not at all Surprised   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

6'4, dark-skinned Black man... is that her fantasy?!

KJ, GA   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

Not at all surprising, of course, she was lying...she's probably a republican!

(Former) Lifelong Republican for Obama, Columbia, TN   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

Desparate, disturbing, and sad!

Rick CT   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

For those who mistakenly think CNN is biased against Obama, they were pretty quick in getting this up (as they should have been).

Frank Thomas   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

Oh, gosh, THAT'S a surprise.

Brad   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

Not a surprise

tomiwa   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

Ooops I get the point...another GOP's disciple grasping on straws....lol

Stefan   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

That is pathetic, I bet she was paid by the McShame campaign to say it in the first place.

INDIANA FOR OBAMA 08!

JD in Moraga   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

...just taking the lead from her Party's ticket...made-up accusations are nothing new there...

Big Bill from Brooklyn   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

The story was obviously bogus from the start. Who carves a backward B on someone's face, other than that person looking in a mirror and carving it herself. That McCain feel for such a transparent hoax and actually called this person demonstrates how desparate he is for a hook. Pathetic young woman; pathetic old man. Sad in all respects.

Diana Ewing NJ   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

Must be one of those 6 pack guys.... doesn't realize that looking in the mirrow would put the letter B on backwards..... that is desperate.. for attention...

Chris (SC)   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

Can Fox news please shut up about this now.

Or is there some conspiracy to cover up the truth? lol

Hope she has to do community service for years for pulling a stunt like this.

Ugh   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

CNN – you could have done better than this little blurb.

John in Ohio   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

I KNEW IT!

I took the picture that was widely disseminated in the media, and had front page posting on the Fox website, and flipped it.

The "B" was backwards if you were looking at her face, but if she had been looking in a mirror it was correctly oriented. I suspected that she had indeed been mugged, but that she added the "B" and the political aspects of her account after the fact.

karen-phoenix   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

The republicans have gone NUTS!!! And I was a republican for 40 years BUT after the last 8 years of complete insanity, I've donated to and voted for Obama/Biden!!!

time 4 change   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

Of course she was lying.....did anyone believe her ????
McCain and his followers are rabid, desperate, and crazy.

stacy   October 24th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

nice. Real nice. What's she going to tell her kids when this story is immortalized on Wiki? Rhetorical question.

Cathy Lidbom   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

HO/W MANY "PLANTS" WILL THE REPUBLICAN PARTY/ JOHN MCCAIN MAKE TO GET HIM CLOSER/WIN???

THIS SMEELS FISHY JUST LIKE THE WOMAN AT MCCAIN'S RALLY THAT CALLED BARACK AN ARAB?

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, LET THE RIGHT MAN WIN!

Chris   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

These people are crazy! Is it not pathetic enough that their candidate lies so much, but now the supporters are completely fabricating attacks to imply that Obama supporters beat up Republican White Women?!?! Wow. So sad.

Tom California   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

Just a pathetic trick from republican party trying to scare people.

lies   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

Hmmm more lies. Sure makes you want to vote for a party of liers.

SPT NYC   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

To be fair, as far as stupid stunts go, this is only slightly stupider than putting Sarah Palin on the ticket, or pretending to suspend the campaign in order to go "help" with the bailout.

Michael M, Phoenix AZ   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

How sad is that? It seems that even McCain "bought" into it since he and Palin were supposed to have called her about the incident. Once again, someone was apparently trying to "play the race card."

Independent in PA   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

Not only did this woman lie about this, she said she was attacked by an African-American man. This woman is a McCain volunteer from Texas working here in Pennsylvania.
CNN what's up with you guys. In her original story that has since been proven to not be true the story was a whole page. Now that it turns out that she lied and effeectively engaged in race-baiting and fear tactics the correct story gets one sentence.
Will Campbell Brown address this double standard on her stupid no bias, no bull show. Yeah, I know she wont.

GS from San Diego   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

This story stank from the first time I saw her picture with the backwards "B".

Perhaps it's time to remove the original story from your front page CNN Top Political Headlines list.

AT   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

I'm not really surprised. That backwards 'B' looked like eyeliner.

FLewis   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

wow......
are you sure MaCane didn't put her p to this?

voter   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

Surprise, surprise, surprise. Just add this woman's lie to the giant pile of lies told by so many working for the McCain campaign. I smell smoke... I think McCain's campaign is going down in flames right about now.

wethepeople   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

Typical McCain supporter. Their candidate lies so they lie. I'm glad you finally printed this story. Repubs will do anything to steal this election. Everybody, get out there and vote. Volunteer at the voting booths, make sure there is no cheating and no intimidation of voters.

I voted for OBAMA/BIDEN!!

North Dallas Thirty   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

This is disgusting. She deserves to have the book thrown at her, and I say that as a staunch Republican supporter. Whatever her motivations, what she did was utterly and completely wrong.

Obama is at teacher and bullies hate school   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

no suprise there, lol. Poor republicans...NOT

Ethan the Student   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

What she did is utterly shameful. I hope she is penalized for her false testimony.

twiddly   October 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

Well, she'll get her 15 minutes of fame, just not the kind she was hoping for.

The alleged face-carving was a dead give-away that this was a sham.
Such a nice, neat (backwards, as from a mirror) letter B. Not likely to be so neat during an attack.

She was probably upset about something, started cutting herself, and then concocted this weird story so she wouldn't have to admit she did it to herself.

Very sad, get some professional help kiddo.

SLIMSISTA FROM NEW YORK   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

YOU MEAN TO TELL ME PEOPLE WILL GO TO THIS KIND OF LENGTH TO MAKE OBAMA & HIS SUPPORTERS LOOK BAD.....WOW!!!!

THAT IS REALLY A SHAMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! AND THIS IS 21st CENTURY AMERICA.....

Frank G   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

Well ,she certainly adopted the modus operandi of her ticket and as the ticket got caught in another BIG LIE(S).

Sandy   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

Who didn't know this was one more typical race based attack...I mean the republicans attacking Barack ofcourse. What are they trying to accomplish...some racial backlash in Penn. against the Obama campaign? What a desperate and pitiful tactic. This is a result of McCain/Palins lack of leadership. They disgust me!

nychag 4 obama - VOTE   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

Sheeple behind McCain. Delusional liars.

Cynthia; Bham   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

This is a very dangerous thing for someone to do. I'm glad the police recognized that something wasn't right about her story, otherwise, some poor 6 foot 4 inch black could possibly be arrested or worse dead. Let's hope if she is a mental case that they get her some help but if she did it to scare people or to try and race bait – they need to put her in jail.

Eric   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

Well she get the lies and false attacks strategy from the best....McCain/Palin.

Its a shame that the GOP ticket is being led down a path that will lead to civil disputes.

I wonder how will McCain will spin this to make it Sen. Obama's fault.

mCNN-The MCCAIN NEWS NETWORK   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

Now is the part where CNN retracts their race baiting story on this from yesterday . . . . .****Crickets**********

Matt   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

Who didn't see this coming?

Independent white female patriotic voter   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

Mccain's campaign staff and hlpers are behaving just as he and Palin are, lying!!!!! they are setting a great example for their supporters to lie, to mislead and to abuse.

mume   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

What a shame, mccain and his supporters same people

Obama is for UNITING of the PEOPLE   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

This is NOT surprising, What party is she voting for?:
Lies
Name Calling
Racist remarks
BiLittleing
BAD VP pick NO vetting
and ect....
It's SAD that anyone could say and do such a self hatred thing to their own body!!!

Dealt, Lisbon   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

Republicans are so very imaginative...

Caligirl   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

OMG, it not just the McCain campaign; even their supporters are liars.

Barrie O. Ward   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

CNN has done the public a great disservice by not getting this hoax up on its website frontpage ... CNN ran it prominently so now its falsity should also get the same prominence!

Gene   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

Wow... people in this world are sick. Self mutilation is usually not the best way to show support for a candidate :)

Courtney H   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

There was a poll yesterday questioning whether the attack was true or a hoax. I am glad I bet on the hoax because the neat, lightly scratched, backwards B seemed a bit implausible. I am curious what her motivation for this was. I take back any sympathetic remarks I might have made earlier. This kind of trumped up race baiting has caused too many lynchings in the past in this country to be easily forgiven.

OxfordVoter   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

Hmmm. What a surprise. A Republican campaign worker, from TEXAS, lying about such a thing.

It's sad. It's scary.

Deep Throat   October 24th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

That is so sad...

I think that young women owes Barack Obama a personal apology!

L. Shea, Virginia   October 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

I guess she thought that this story would inflame voters to choose her candidate and paint the opposition as thugs.

Isn't filing a false report illegal. Would be interested to know what the police intend to do now.

TONY   October 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

THIS IS NO SURPRISE!

I READ AND EHAR ON T.V. THAT MCCAIN AND PALIN EVEN TELEPHONED HER.

JUST ONE MORE DESPERATE ATTEMPT FOR MCCAIN TO TRY AND SCORE VOTES.

PATHETIC!

Kevin   October 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

What a joke.

All I can say is I hope she gets the medical attention she needs and THANK GOD this race baiting hoax didn't lead to any real violence. I can't believe she would do something so outrageous to stir stuff up.

Blue By You   October 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

Ahhh, another lying GOP operative. Why does this not surprise me?

ObamaVolunteer   October 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

You think? I knew this story was fabricated from the start. Who wears "shiny" shoes to go rob someone? What thief hangs around long enough to carve a backwards letter of someone's FIRST name on your cheek – straight lines and all? Come on; the cops knew she was lying in the beginning. It appears she carved the letter in her cheek being to stupid to realize that the mirror image would be backwards! LOL

Come on CNN, don't hold out on us; even FOXNEWS.com gave us more 411 than this.

kathy   October 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

Kinda obvious to anyone with even the slightest bit of a brain...the B was backwards......quite telling it had been self inflicted...in the mirror. And to think she was going to blame a democrat

lol election   October 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

all i can say is..... OUCH.......

sf   October 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

Shame, shame, shame,shame,shame,shame,shame

Shame on you!

...and why does it always have to be the Black guy whodunnit?

...and, please tell me that idiot didn't really cut her face!!

Thomas   October 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

You just knew it was coming.

The desperation of the McCain campaign to say or do anything to win is trickling down to it's supporters.

Joe Plumber   October 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

McCain/Palin 2008!

Lou   October 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

Odd how the banner story remains on the front Politics page and the facts are buried in the Ticker. A top notch news organization, which I take CNN to be, would at least post the correction along with the story.

GB   October 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

I knew it!

SoCal   October 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

Another "Joe The Plumber" story unveiled...

Nifty 60, female and white   October 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

How sick are repucks getting? I have seen this story all over the place already and people believe this sick nonsense. McCain needs to put a stop to this.
OBAMA '08

NH Voter   October 24th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

Why is your original report still up in the Politics section?

CanIcallyouJoe   October 24th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

Sounds republican to me.
Now, that isn't to say democrats don't lie – they are both political parties after all, lying is what they were sent there to do – but republicans cherish and worship their lies like no one else.

Matt   October 24th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

Golly gee gosh, we never coulda guessed. I carve backwards Bs on my own cheek all the time, dontcha know.

Elizabeth in Texas   October 24th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

Ha! Oh thank you woman from Texas- you make all Texans look so stupid!

I bet Fox News is mad that she made it up because they wanted it to be true!

Joe Plumber Six Pack for Obama   October 24th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

Congratulations to all of us who called BS in the post about this.

HOW SAD!

Now for the Joe The Plumber guy to come clean that he was a plant for McCain.....

anne the unemployed   October 24th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

I wouldn't doubt it was another Palin and MC-loser plant-like the plummer who is a blatant liar and no doubt will be cast in a reality show.

JohnTT   October 24th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

What a coincidence! I really hope she was not doing this for the RNC.

hex   October 24th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

Ashley Todd is shameless and her deception is shameful. I hope the McCain campaign is proud of itself for fanning the flames of racism within the electorate: this is what you give us, and we repudiate you.

JIMBISCIELLO   October 24th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

SOUNDS LIKE KARL ROVE TO ME

Mary   October 24th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

Truly sad but I bet this doesn't get as much play as the original report on Fox, Drudge, CNN and other right wing radio shows

Sandy   October 24th, 2008 3:00 pm ET

A Republican who lies? Nooo, impossible!

Bridgette-PA   October 24th, 2008 3:00 pm ET

I WAS WAITING TO SEE IF THIS WOULD BE IN THE TICKER! THANKS CNN, FOR DOING YOUR JOB! OBAMA SUPPORTERS KNEW THE REAL TRUTH THE WHOLE TIME! Eleven more days..... eleven more days.....SAY IT WITH ME, OBAMA SUPPORTERS......eleven more days......eleven more days.....

OBAMA/BIDEN -08!

ray   October 24th, 2008 3:00 pm ET

dont be suprise that sara palin and macain is behind all this, these people on the right will do anything to get the right wing morons, the right wing racists, the right wing hypocrites like the hannity's and the limbaugh to get attention

Barbara - 65 yr old white female in NC   October 24th, 2008 3:00 pm ET

McCain campaign workers seem to be devious, divisive, prejudiced and evil as McCain/Palin.

Typical republican tactics. Fear and Smear

TiRay   October 24th, 2008 3:00 pm ET

So Republicans are so desperate they will try any silly tactic no matter how illegal. This is disgusting and shameful. The press need to find out more about this person and who motivated her to do so. I would not be surprised Drug pusher Cindy McCain is behind this.
Cheers

Reg from Florida   October 24th, 2008 3:00 pm ET

There we go; the Mccain campaign planted the seed and now it is reaping some serious venom. This was intended to sway white voters but the truth always prevailed. I hope that American see straight through this type of division and take the high road. Obama has done it, so can we.

henrietta   October 24th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

why would she lie about something like that, did she want people to think that barack supporters are voilent that is wrong,

Lonesome   October 24th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

I'm not surprised but I am dissapointed

Honestlady   October 24th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

What can you expect...she's a McCain supporter. She learned from the best.

Greg   October 24th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

I knew it!

Linda32   October 24th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

Very very dangerous and even more scary that the media latched on the to this story. One sentence about this is not enough. Be fair.

Bob in WA   October 24th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

Just another lie in a long string of them coming out of anything to do with this election...

Frank in NE   October 24th, 2008 2:58 pm ET

Why am I not surprised that a McCain supporter is lying?...Their ticket has been lying nearly the whole election...

Preco, NY   October 24th, 2008 2:58 pm ET

Just like the McCain campaign – They make stuff up!!!!

tuff Col. Oh   October 24th, 2008 2:58 pm ET

she was trying to SPREW MORE HATRED

Jewel - GA   October 24th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

That figures...I'm not suprised. That's the Republicans for you!!

Kate   October 24th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

I have my Halloween costume! Ashley Todd!!!

Barb   October 24th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

I hope they give her a HUGE fine for doing this. She should even get the manditory minimum sentence that John McCain supports for even minor crimes.

Here we go with the lies again....   October 24th, 2008 2:56 pm ET

I knew it!!!!!!

Noah   October 24th, 2008 2:56 pm ET

She is an idiot. However, to somehow suggest this reflects on McCain's supporters is just plain dumb. A reporter lied about soemone yelling "Kill Him' at a Palin rally and yet no one said Obama supporters were all spreading lies.

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