(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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John McCain used to be a good man. I voted for him many times as a 32-year resident of AZ. He has lost my vote for good, no matter what race it is. Most Republicans have acted shamefully, McCain is leading the charge. It is terrible to see a once honorable man conduct himself this way.
The reason that McCain and Palin have come up with the labels for Obama that they have is because they don't want to seem out right racist so they use other terms like socialist,marxist,communist,they are a didvisive campaign unit.They are losing because of their negativity and offering no facts on any issues.He is a lost sheep and he is leading his flock astray along with his Joe the plummer bummer.
This American and latino has voted for Obama-Biden. McCain is a disgrace to America!
Sorry Larry, not going to watch you tonite, got better things to do, going to watch Barack Obama and the World Series 5th game, (Hope it doesn't wash out)Can't wait till Nov 4th, YEAH, YEAH. BARACK/JOE B GO GO GO
"These are one of the most difficult times in our history..." Doesn't he mean, SOME Of the most difficult times in our history? Well said, McCain. Also, "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." Interesting estimate...definitely sounds legit to me! HAHA.
DOES ANYBODY REALLY BELIEVE THAT MCCAIN WOULD HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE ACADEMY IF HIS FATHER AND GRANDFATHER WERE NOT HIGH RANKED MILITARIES IN THE PAST?
THIS MAN WAS AND IS INCAPABLE. HE OWES HIS MILITARY CAREER TO HIS FAMILY AND HIS POLITICAL CAREER TO HIS RICH WIFE. HE HAS BEEN A FAILURE ALL HIS LIFE HE WOULD BE A BIGGER FAILURE BECOMING PRESIDENT OF THE US.
Really Senator? Is that why your Pennsylvania communications director pushed the Ashley Todd (the girl with the backward B) story to the press so mightily? Is it why your running mate is going around accusing Obama of "palling around with terrorists"? Is it why people in your rallies are crying out "kill him" without any denouncement from your camp?
Not racist? Really??
Afro-americans tend to vote overwhelmingly Democrat... so why are some people here saying it's racist if they turn out to vote for a an afro-american president?
By the way, Afro-americans are a minority (some 10%, I think) ... outnumbered by whites, hispanics... so if Obama wins it won't certainly be because ot the "black vote".
Talking from both sides of his mouth as usual, that is McCain.
He has used Sarah Palin to stir up hatred and bring up the worst part of America.
His continous silence to the support his campaign gave to one female campaign staffer who came up with the lie about some "racial " attacks on her last week is deafening to say the least!!!
McCain called her without verifying her allegations( as usual) so did sister Sarah.
McCain listen, you sound drab and we can see through your lies and bigotry!!!
Is this the place where people with low self esteem and other personal problems come to vent their frustrations without recourse?
So, he is admitting that his injection of race baiting into the race has failed? Or perhaps Im reading to deep into it
Yes there is no question that this is the most racist campaign in history. 100% of the African Americans are supporting the Afro candidate.
Now if that isn't racism, I don't know what is.
Hopefully America will wake up and in the morning of November 4, 2008, they will go to the voting booth and pull the lever for John S. McCain........
countdown:
The differnce countdown is we will decide if we wish to practice and be called Godless. It is not a practice nor a label anyone else has the right to try and pin on someone.
By the way. Who says one has to be Christian or Godfearing in order to run for public office or to do well in public office. Read your history. Practically every single founding father including George Washington were Diest. They did not believe in the Chritsian God. And instead of being the heros of our country for fighting for and founding this nation, they all would have been criticized and rebuked by the likes of people as you today.
Where did Senator McCain come up with "99 and forty-four-one-hundredths percent "? I guess its where he gets all his numbers from, "thin hair". Oh Magoo, you've done it again.
Why is CNN giving so much coverage to McCain and Palin – that's the real story here – We already know the republicans will do anythiong to win this election – including vote surpression.
If McCain had 98% of the white vote, I would be ashamed to be white! Funny it doesn't seem like Racism to those on the other side of the fence!
I've never seen anything like this. McPalin and team are the biggest cry babies I've ever seen. This man is so out of touch.
as bad as it may sound to say this, Senator McCain's best chance at winning this election IS racism. The Bradley effect is about what his campaign can hope for and don't think that at some of these McCain/Palin rallies with their cries of "terroist", "kill him", and other such venom that the racism isn't there. And Gov Palin didn't hurt those thoughts at all by saying Obama 'isn't one of us"!
Race will not decide the outcome. The economy will, and that's what McCain has been afraid of for some time.
Also, to answer Rico:
Nothing, there's nothing remotely incriminating on the video. The LA Times wrote an article about what was on it, and it's basically Obama at a banquet. His comment called for middle ground in the situation involving Palestinians and Israelis.
The reason it is NOT being released isn't because of Democratic fears, but because that was the condition under which the tape was obtained.
The damage is done McSenile, you played the divide and conquer game which turned out sour for most of ur supporters
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. "We've got the scars to prove it!"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.
If McCain doesn't think race will play a role in this election why does he and Palin continue to stoke the race fires at their rallies?
Try walking the walk for once McCain!
He can deny it all he wants, but since it's pretty obvious that he can't win it by this point, I firmly believe, especially after hearing all the reports of voting troubles people are having already, that he and the Repubs will try to steal. Of as much concern to me, though, is the fact that when Larry King asked McCain about the scenario of enemy fighters flying our way, does McCain trust PALIN to handle it...as if he (McCain) would already be out of the picture? Is it possible that Americans should be even MORE concerned about McCain's health? If folks are already envisioning Sarah in the big chair, that does not bode well for the top of that sad ticket.
OBAMA/BIDEN '08 & '12 YES WE CAN!!!
I will be soooooooo glad when this election is over so McCain can go to Arizona and Palin can go to Alaska ... isn't it comical that their states begin with A? Fill in the other two letters for these liars!
Obama will make you have much fame Mcsame. You will go down in history as THE ONE as you called him, but you will be the one that got beat by the first African American to become president. Mcsame your name will have fame. You ran the most dirty campaign in history that I know of. Obama/Biden08