(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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99 and 44/100. That is Ivory soaps slogan from 1878. Only McCain would remember those days
This coming from the same man who consider" the flag of the confederacy a heritage"
The Obama camp has played the Race Card every chance they get!
I have had AA co-workers come up to me and actually say they are so excited about voting for a "Bro" they can hardly stand it!
When I try to talk to them about issues they don't/can't talk-they are blindly voting a Race Vote!
If Obama steals the election I will be the first to PROTEST!
Bad Econmy, Weak President, Civil War-Can't wait!
You people who think Obama will save you and work for you are complete idiots. The junior Senator cares about himself. Period. Wake up already! He has not accomplished ANYTHING while in Congress, yet you want to give him a promotion? So, what, he can "spread the wealth around?" No thank you.
My guess is that you people who are voting for him have never worked your butt off for anything, never paid taxes, never did anything! It's not so nice to have what you worked so long and hard for given away to those who refuse to work, earn, invest, save. Never Obama. Junior can stay in DC or go home to Chicago. I won't vote for him to send my money to welfare recipients.
boy are people nasty on this site or what? i can feel the love and bipatisanship. if O wins, who are you haters going to complain about? you might even have to go and find jobs?
McCain says, "I have faith in the American people that they will make the judgment for the best of reasons.""
Why John? You didn't when you selected your VP candidate...
This guy is just tone deaf when it comes to choosing phrases.
Really, you want to invoke Ivory Soap?
Not that most people under 50 would have any clue what that reference is, but still...
For those who say African-Americans are only voting for Obama because he's black: If the GOP would not actively encourage racial division and discrimination against minorities, and put up policy ideas that might appeal to them (or, to be even more fairly, to *not* make any differences at all in their policies based on racial issues), don't you think they might have a better chance at attracting them? Instead of increasingly repelling them?
This coming from the guy who voted against Martin Luther King Day in Arizona.
If McCain thinks people will make a choice "for the best of reasons," why is he constantly promoting the worst of reasons? Why is he constantly trying to connect Obama to people we all know have no influence on Obama and will have no role in the White House? Why is he continuing to scare people by putting the most ludicrous labels imaginable on Obama? Why is his running mate making bald-faced lies about Obama and the Constitution?
If McCain thinks people will vote for "the best of reasons," why isn't he giving us even lukewarm reasons for voting for McCain?
I wish CNN and other organizations would stop sensationalizing the racial dynamic given that the campaigns aren't talking about it. Let's focus on the issues in the final week.
So says Mr. Pasty White himself.
Obama will win in spite of all the racist tactics pulled by the right.
PS: Arizona is now in the "toss up" column because we know NOT to vote for McCain/Bush/Palin!!!
Larry King should sleep and think of himself first; what he has become since he invited Hillary to his programme the night before the PA primary.
Countdown.....Its so nice to see yougeneralizing ALL DEMOCRATS– lumping us all together like just because we have political views that are similar that we believe in everything alike. If you could pull your brain forward a few decades youd realise that the ability to have independant thought-also known as having an open mind (which is why OBAMA is SLAUGHTERING mccain) is a good thing. You live in a very drab and glib world I bet. If someone doesnt agree with you on everything then you write the whole person off as a loser. Hmm I bet youve cracked a few molars from gritting your teeth so hard watching OBAMA maul McCain. Oh and if the shoe fits-kick yourself with it....but I still feel sorry for your dim view of the world.
Fortunate for the U.S., but unfortunate for McCain that we are not as racist as his campaign obviously thought we were.
A combination of racism, arrogance, ignorance, misinformation, xenophobia and hatred will determine the votes cast for you. Weather that'll win the election for you or not is yet to be seen.
Independent but leaning:
I pray to God you are dead wrong!! We are sick and tired of being sick and tired!!! Aren't you?
OBAMA / BIDEN '08
Mccain, does KILL HIM, TERROIST, TREASON sound familiar. Oh, wait how about SOCIALIST, COMMUNIST, OR OUR LATEST MARXIST.
Please if this is racism in it rarest form I don't know what it is. This country has so long to go; and we have the nerve to tell another what it should and shouldn't do. Please take care of your own issues before you give another country any type of advice.
I cannot wait for this election to end and to put an end to the stoop at nothing level by McBush and McPalin. This is not fair to the AMerican people that we should have to endure the lies and unprofessional character behavior on their opponents. Notice how they always call dems running for office as "most liberal" and try to discredit them as Americans or their loyalty to the country. They are not only divisive, but are the hateful, self-centered liars that have destroyed our country. We can do without theri service. "I've got the scars to prove it!"
So by McCains logic, 99.44% of Americans will be voting solely on issues and not race?
Which means that only .56% of Americans are racist?
Yeah right.....
Funny – a man has a black father and a white mother – was in fact raised by whites and yet, he, too has to wrestle with narrow and stereotypical perceptions.
Mccain, does KILL HIM, TERROIST, TREASON sound familiar. Oh, wait how about SOCIALIST, COMMUNIST, OR OUR LATEST MARXIST.
Please if this isn't racism in it rarest form I don't know what it is. This country has so long to go; and we have the nerve to tell another what it should and shouldn't do. Please take care of your own issues before you give another country any type of advice.
So why did your campaing call Ashley Todd, who claimed she'd been robbed and asaulted in Pittsburgh by a Obama supporter, and offer your support ....before it was determined that her story was false.
That act stoked the fires of racism sir.
Poor judgement, reckless behavior, and ANOTHER just plain stupid decision.
American people understand qualification, real experiences, actual records, life-time government-achievemnets, job-resume and tested leadership.