(CNN) - Presidential candidate John McCain denied Wednesday that race will determine the outcome of next week's election pitting him against Barack Obama, who hopes to become the country's first black president.
"Look, there's racism in America - we all know that," the Republican hopeful told CNN's "Larry King Live" in a taped interview set to air Wednesday evening.
"But I am totally convinced that 99 and forty-four-one-hundredths percent of Americans are going to make the decision based on who is best to lead this country," he continued.
"These are the one of the most difficult times in our history... I have faith in the American people that they will make the judgment for the best of reasons."
McCain trails Obama by about 7 points in CNN's national Poll of Polls, and is also behind in a number of polls in must-win states as well.
From CNN Politics
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I don't believe race will be that much of a factor.
What will decide this is the fact that people in general don't want four more years of failed Bush policies, which is what would happen if McSame/Caribou dufus win.
You people are crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its gone too far!
Bill Ayers is white, The McCain campaign itself did not attack on Rev Wright for the simple reason that it would have given you race baters ammo when the only one in this election who has brought up race is OBAMA!!!
Are you all that blind that you can't see this?
He doesn't look like the other Presidents?–Obama said this.
And there are several other lines like this by your Messiah, NOT JOHN MCCAIN OR SARAH PALIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
If racism is not a factor it it will not be for want of trying by
F A I L I N/McBUSH to make it so by the SMEAR & FEAR venom they have spewed. This come from someone who is neither black nor white nor DEM nor REPUB
I wish this race was about who was really quailfied to lead this country. Not about mud slinging. McCain and Palin has spent entire campaign trying to destroy Obama. I think it's a shame that they spent all this valuable time doing nothing, McCain allowing this women to run free say anything, his campaign team to make him look stupid. I really feel sorry for the man. He could have put on a very good race with different people supporting him. He did not pat enough attention to Hillary Clintons failures in her campaign against Obama. Obama is a very shude politician, he plays to win, and McCain under estimated Obama and his team. Obama is really for the people this is bigger then him and he understands this. Palin is looking for opportunity, nothing more, this has been a ride for her, a free ride. Racism is real and alive in America, but McCain you and your running mate made it real clear that that's side you side with. Shame on you McShame.
Obama/Biden 08
The only racism I see in this campaign comes from the Obama side, it's one of the reasons that I won't be voting for the Democratic nominee for the first time in 30 years. His constant playing of the race card, and his constant whining about race, is just such a turn off. His supporters here are just idiotic, they post things like "white woman for Obama" or "or old white person" for Obama, "white in Ohio" what difference does it make obama supporters, what color you are. It's like Obama labeling Bill and Hillary racist, and then groveling for them to campaign for him. Get real!
Makes me want to laugh! He seriously thinks race won't affect anything?
P.S. (1) I'd like to hear him explain how he funded the same organization he is trying to tie obama to?
(2) John McCain says he has experience, huh? Well, Bush supposedly had more experience. Look where that's landed us.
Won't be getting my vote that's for sure.
you betcha he knows there's racism in america which is why his campaign used the tactics it used.The American people who aren't racist and there are lots of them are going to put the right man in office and it won't be mccain.
Race won't have anything to do with the outcome Larry it will be decided by the intelligence of the American "people" of all colors and ethnicity. We're all so tired of the old politics and rubish that we've heard It will be refreshing to hear Obama's acceptance speech . Then watch him lead us to where we can hold our heads up as Americans again.
"reverse Bradley effect" I live and work in a small rural town that is 99.44% white. I'm voting for Obama/Biden and have donated to their campaign but I want to keep my job and friends and learned early on just to keep my mouth shut. Extremists and Radicals always talk the loudest, uglist, and the most angry.
Yep.... the most qualified person will win this one..... Dems don't let the polls slow your roll.... get out and Barack the vote! lets let our voice be heard in a big way!!!!!
************ Obama and Biden 2008! and going all the way 2012 **********
McCain, John Lewis was right and you denounced him. Shameful.
HEY OBAMA SUPPORTERS,
DO YOUR SELF AND YOUR COUNTRY A FAVOR WATCH THIS FILM.
AFTER YOU WATCH IT YOU WILL NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA!!!http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/5411
YOU CAN THANK ME AFTER THE ELECTION.........................
In a recent speech by Sarah Palin she stated she was a Redneck and proud of it. I would never refer to someone as a "Redneck", because where I come from it's considered offensive. In fact, if one wants to talk about code words, for many people in the US, the term Redneck is code for Racist, hence not something to be proud of, quite the contrary.
McCain is such a liar.. he's betting on racism to get him to the Whitehouse. This is a man who knows that certain parts of the country are still racist and he's praying on the fears of people who cannot see a black man as President. Why else would McCain and Palin allow such hatred to spew in their rallies?
Please, please lets not take anything for granted and get out to vote.
Obama/Palin '08
Right. No racism. Sure, and I have some great real estate to sell you in Florida! One only needs to come here to see how much race will play a part!
Real Story ... writes: October 29th, 2008 5:00 pm ET
crime rate will drop tonight for about 30 minutes
Shame on CNN moderators to allow this garbage through.
Shame on the coward who wrote it.
Funny McCain says that, yet his rallies are full of ignorant and racist people who still think Obama is a muslim and not a US citizen. I don't see McCain correcting these people all the time. Instead he and his puppet play to these people's ignorance and rile them up with false accusation of Obama's link to domestic terrorists. So please don't come here and tell us there is no racism in this election.
If McCain wins it will be because the bottom feeding hateful people who don't know what the rest of the world is about, elected a white old man and white old woman over qualified black man b/c of their ignorance and hate. Not because they believe in McCain or that he is good for the country.
He's denied a lot of things. Starting with the fact that he said he was going to run a clean campaign. He has not, he's run anything but a clean campaign.
Obama/Biden 08
He knows he needs them to win.
Sorry Toni,
The uncommitted is not convinced with your "spin"
Now just what did you expect him to say!? McCain cannot speak the truth...liar liar pants on fire..LOL!
I'm white and voting for McCain...does that make me a racist?
It's not that Black people are racist AS A WHOLE. But that Blacks AS A WHOLE don't vote republican.
Whatever, this guy is a joke. He's the main one in the group, him and his running mate.
For once, I agree with McCain. Racism won't determine this election. We've got racism beat this time around, so go rage ineffectually in your white robes all ye unedumacated racists.
BY THE WAY: 99.44% is an insanely funny percentage for him to choose. That's the "Ivory pure" percentage in the soap commercials. Irony anyone?