By CHRISTOPHER WILLS and KEVIN FREKING – July 27, 2008
CHICAGO (AP) — Presidential candidate John McCain on Sunday endorsed a proposal to ban affirmative action programs in his home state, a policy that Democratic rival Barack Obama called a disappointing embrace of divisive tactics.
In the past, McCain has criticized such ballot initiatives.
In an interview that aired Sunday, McCain was asked whether he supported an effort to get a referendum on the ballot in Arizona that would do away with race and gender-based preferences, known as affirmative action.
“Yes, I do,” said McCain in an interview on ABC’s “This Week.” The Republican senator quickly added that he had not seen the details of the proposal. “But I’ve always opposed quotas.”
His reversal comes as McCain seeks to tailor his policies and rhetoric to independent-minded voters who will determine the outcome of November election. Both McCain and Obama have accused each other — with good reason — of “flip-flopping,” a charge that carries weight with voters seeking consistency and authenticity in their political leaders.
Speaking to a conference of minority journalists on Sunday, Obama said he was “disappointed” by McCain’s position.
“I think in the past he had been opposed to these kinds of Ward Connerly referenda or initiatives as divisive. And I think he’s right,” Obama said, referring to a leading critic of affirmative action.
Obama also said he has little interest in an official government apology for slavery or reparations for descendants of slaves. The government’s focus, he said, should be on providing jobs, education and health for people still struggling today.
The proposed referendum in Arizona involves a constitutional amendment to bar preferential treatment by public entities on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Supporters say the measure levels the playing field, giving everyone an equal chance at every job.
A decade ago, McCain condemned initiatives aimed at dismantling affirmative action, though he stopped short of directly criticizing a resolution pending in the state legislature at the time.
“Rather than engage in divisive ballot initiatives, we must have a dialogue and cooperation and mutual efforts together to provide for every child in America to fulfill their expectations,” McCain told Hispanic business leaders gathered in Washington in 1998.
A spokesman said in a statement that McCain has always opposed hiring quotes based on race. “He believes that regardless of race, ethnicity or gender, the law should be equally applied,” the spokesman, Tucker Bounds, said.
Obama said Sunday that affirmative action is not a long-term solution to discrimination, and that it must not ignore the problems of poor whites. But affirmative action does address “some of the hardships and difficulties that communities of color may have experienced.”
He also argued ballot initiatives like the one in Arizona rarely help people work together.
“You know, the truth of the matter is, these are not designed to solve a big problem, but they’re all too often designed to drive a wedge between people,” Obama said.
Obama was asked whether he supports an official government apology for slavery or the country’s treatment of American Indians. He replied that he would discuss the idea with Indian leaders but that it is more important to provide services that will help people escape poverty and improve their lives. The same is true of an apology or reparations for slavery, he said.
“I’m much more interested in talking about, how do we get every child to learn? How do we get every person health care? How do we make sure that everybody has a job?” Obama said.
___
Obama campaign: http://www.barackobama.com
McCain campaign: http://www.johnmccain.com
*************************************************************************************
What the hell else is new, from John McCain?
“A spokesman said in a statement that McCain has always opposed hiring quotes based on race. “He believes that regardless of race, ethnicity or gender, the law should be equally applied,” the spokesman, Tucker Bounds, said.”
AA requirements are very stringent for those who apply for AA, but, of course you wouldn’t know that, would you, being the very bright and informed senator that you are, eh, Sen. McCain? But, being the flip-flopper that you are, the American voting public can be rest assured that you will continue talking out the side of your neck to get to the Oval Office.
“In an interview that aired Sunday, McCain was asked whether he supported an effort to get a referendum on the ballot in Arizona that would do away with race and gender-based preferences, known as affirmative action.
“Yes, I do,” said McCain in an interview on ABC’s “This Week.” The Republican senator quickly added that he had not seen the details of the proposal. “But I’ve always opposed quotas.”
WTF? You have not seen the Arizona ballot initiative on AA, but, yet you are all for it?
How dense can you be Sen. McCain?
Then again, you are just showing your Freudian slip of an anti-AA stance.
The more the American public learns of your two-faced hypocrisy, the more ammunition they will have to better decide on whether or not to waste a precious vote on you.
But, then again, I may be putting too much faith in many people to see the truth right before them. Too many people may still want more of the same old hells of the last 8 years.
Happened in 2004.
It can happen again in 2008.
Ann
BEAUTIFUL, ALSO, ARE THE SOULS OF MY BLACK SISTERS 
Our site takes a generally supportive view on affirmative action. But Senator McCain’s reflexive hostility does have its defenders. Thanks for adding your analysis to the blogging universe.
Burr Deming.
“But Senator McCain’s reflexive hostility does have its defenders.”
Yes.
Believers (McCain and his supportors) of intolerance, hate and antagonism against progress will always have their defenders.
In every day, in every generation. . . .in every century.
Thank you for your comments, and thanks for stopping by.
Pingback: ALL THE LIES, PART 2: THE FINAL SOLUTION « BEAUTIFUL, ALSO, ARE THE SOULS OF MY BLACK SISTERS