'That one': Did McCain really call Obama that?

That one? Did John McCain forget Barack Obama's name during last night's debate? Or was that just another way to telegraph how little he thinks of his competition for the office of POTUS?

What do you think? Was McCain being rude, discourteous?

Or just forgetful?

Comments

[LeeLee]

I truly found McCain to be offensive, angry, snarky and disrespectful in both debates. To not shake Obama's hand after the debate truly shows his character, doesn't it? This belligerant, bellicose time bomb is not fit to lead this great country or world. I used to respect John McCain, although I have never planned on voting for him. I have NO such respect for him any longer.

[Stacey]

It was rude, at best. Blatantly racist at worst. My jaw draopped when I heard it!

[CARGUY4U]

Might as well had called him a racial slure. Starting with a N

[Arland Benningfield, III]

LeeLee is the problem. Using multiple syllable words does not always cause you to sound smart. Politics is a grownups business. I am sure you can't name 5 things Barry Obama has done in his life other than immulate Al Sharpton's and Jesse Jackson's community activism.

[Arye Michael Bender]

Poor old guy just got forgetfull -- again. Hard to stay on top of things when silently repeating: "Just keep to script John. Remember the script. Yeah, that's the ticket. Just keep to the script..."

[J]

I understood his intention to be sarcastic, that is, just avoiding Obama's name to sound witty. But the image of an old white man referring to a black man as an object instead of a person has a completely different connotation. McCain should have known that beforehand.

[rcarmona]

I think John McCain addressing Obama as "that one" was in very bad taste and very disrespectful. I don't think it would even be discussed if McCain had displayed better respect for his opponent. In the last debate McCain wouldn't even look over at Obama and yesterday he hardly acknowledged him when the debate was over. I think it clearly demonstrates his bad temperament, and his frustrations at not being able to outbest him. In a highly televised debate, one would think that he would have conducted himself in an appropriate manner - with dignity. Obama would sit attentively and listen to the points that McCain would make, however every time Obama spoke McCain would be wandering around the stage. It's pretty clear that McCain has no respect for Obama. This is why he has turned this campaign so negative, even after vowing to "not take the low road to the highest office". It's a shame I think the American people deserve better than that, especially given our nation's current status.

[anonimous]

i think john macain should have thought before speaking. trying to be sarcastic or witty wont get him where he wants to be.
drop out and save yourself the embarrassment

[RC]

Arland Benningfield, III - if you don't understand multiple syllable words, just say so. No need to go negative. Lee Lee made an astute observation, look that up...

[Jill]

Using "that one" is at best rude and dismissive, at worst has all the racist connotations of object, hired help, and "they all look the same"... Pretty pathetic if the defense is that he forgot. Great to have a president who can't remember his interlocutor's name for a full hour!

[Judi]

It was a belittling remark - and in the process shows how little McCain truly is. He reminds me of the sour Mr. Dole. Loser behavior.

[TT]

Why does everything have to resort to black and white? Could it not be he did truly forget or just dislikes his competition? I'm so sick of the word "racist" . It's over used.

[Marco]

How can McCain say he is willing to "reach across party lines" to work on our country's problems when he cannot even shake Obama's hand?

[wendy]

Sorry to say it but MR. MC. Cain totally has no respect for Mr. Obama. He truly believes the Mr. Obama is not good enough to be on the same stage with him. I don't believe that he was writing anything during the debate, i think he did that therefore he would not have to look at Mr. Obama.
Independent voter, Mr. MC. cain helped me to deceide which party I will be voting for come November 4, 2008.

[Kdub]

I believe the comment was disrespectful, however I wouldn't rush to interpret the comment as either overt or subtle racism. Whatever McCain might be, and in my opinion he is not the best choice for our next president, I do not believe he is racist. He absolutely dislikes Obama, has no respect for him, and believes that he hasn't earned the right to be in the contest with him. To McCain, Obama is "that one" who is more liberal than he lets on, "that one" who hollywood and media has fallen in love with, "that one" who has never served in the military so has no business discussing it.

[Courtney]

I was shocked when he said 'that one'!!! That is almost as bad as calling him 'boy'. I think it was disrespectful. I don't know if it was racist but it just showed no respect, what so ever. Just imagine if you were at school and your teacher called you 'that one'. McCain should appologize to Obama for those words.

[Dionne]

It's obvious that Mccain showed his true colors last time,and there is no need to try and sugarcoat anything about what he said. I just pray that the Lord makes a way for this election to turn out in Obama's favor. At the end of the day God is the judge!!!

[Debbi]

Actually I believe "That one" will be turned around in favor of Obama. I saw a lapel pin with
ThatOne 2008 and Obama's Logo.

It is a slap in the face of John McCain.

Gotta love it!

[Jaime]

Wow! I can't belive Mr McCain. He truly did come across as bitter and feeble.
I really wish we could provide him with a nice shady hammock, a cold glass of iced tea and a nice book so that he can relax and retire. He's done a lot for this country and he deserves to rest and relax.
It's time for a new generation to help change things.
Peace out.
Jaime

[rob]

You poor pitiful people. McCain was not being racist, nor did he forget Obama's name. It was basically my side versus their side. "That one" did it. If any of you think that it was racist might as well then say that Obama meant that putting "Lipstick on a pig" was meant for Palin. Obama is so inexperienced. He needs to concentrate on the senate for a while, then maybe go to Congress, then Governor of Illinois before he thinks about running for President. You think Michelle is bitter now, wait until her husband loses

[charles]

now we know as american people what we are up against,if he become pres. he's not who we need, there is know change in MCCAIN america" has"

[Steve]

McCain just momentarily forgot Obama's name. There was nothing more to it.

[Leland]

How is this racist...he said that one. Not "those people" or "them kind." that one singles out one person and one person only, not a whole race. A racist comment would be more what Clinton said, "I understand and like THOSE PEOPLE..." What people? They don't have a name anymore. They are just those people. To say McCain has been disrespectful is a little crazy, it's even more crazy to say he running a negative campaign. McCain could run dirt and mud on Obama all day if he so choose to, with all the terrorist, racist and socialist Obama has been envoled with over the years going back to Chicago but McCain doesn't bring that up. I feel he should, we the people deserve to know about the people Obama associates with. If McCain had a friend who was a Neon Nazi or in the KKK it would be all over the news. Just one day turn off your TV and turn on a radio and here a little more then just what the liberal media says and expand your minds to a little more then what you are being programmed to think.

[Dionne H.]

i found it to be so sad that u would adress someone like that. not so much of calling him "that one" but his whole body language and not wanting to shake hands with obama was a tad bit rude. did not even acknowledge the obama. despite how barak may feel about john, he will still shake hand with him. end of story.

[Leland]

I'm lost be the last comment by Dionne H. Being in a profession that i have to read people's body language for stress, deception, lies and other things I have been through some courses and classes and research on body language. I can't figure what you see in McCain's body language is an issue. To me this whole thing is part of what the media has been doing this whole campaign. They have nothing really bad to say about McCain so they pick at the smallest things and try to blow them way out of the water. The average American will eat this up and make it a big deal out of it and not even know why it is a big deal or even if it is a big deal.