John McCain & G. Gordon Liddy: Best of Friends?

By Alexis Garrett Stodghill, BlackVoices.com

Mario Tama, Getty Images

Can John McCain talk himself out of this one?

After running a campaign built on subtle misstatements that are breeding misunderstanding, McCain sure has some explaining to do. John has his supporters believing that Obama is a socialist-Muslim who "pals around with terrorists." That's funny, given that McCain has undeniable ties to one of the worst violators of our democracy in American history.

Would you believe that John McCain is friends with G. Gordon Liddy? Yes, this is the mastermind behind the Watergate break-in, a scandal which eventually led to the impeachment of President Nixon. Of course you know what it is. This is huge. G. Gordon Liddy was convicted of a felony, and served four and one half years for his crimes. And unlike Barack, who was a child when Ayers was on the loose, Liddy and McCain are only a few years apart in age. They are contemporaries. And still "pals."

According to the Chicago Tribune, "In 1998, Liddy's home was the site of a McCain fundraiser." That sounds a lot like McCain's claim that Obama's campaign was launched in Ayers' living room -- except that McCain's claim is not true. Obama denied this assertion on camera during the final presidential debate. As recently as last November, McCain was a guest on Liddy's radio show and said: "It's always a pleasure for me to come on your program, Gordon, and congratulations on your continued success and adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great." This in support for Liddy, a man who has praised Hitler as a source of inspiration.

Liddy has never repented for his crimes, unlike Ayers, who Barack met as a totally reformed man and respected member of the Chicago intelligentsia. Far from ever coming clean on his dirty deeds, Liddy has claimed that the Watergate scandal was engineered to cover up a prostitution ring being run out of the DNC headquarters. Right. That's normal.

Liddy has contributed $5,000 to McCain's campaigns over the years, including $1,000 this year. Compare this to the $200 Ayers contributed Barack's 2001 Illinois State Senate campaign. I wonder which "radical" will feel more entitled to have the potential president's ear, should his "pal" get elected.

So far, David Letterman is the only mainstream media personality who has had the audacity to confront John McCain with his double-standard on "terrorists." It's okay for John to associate with radicals -- as long as they are radicals on the right. It's not okay for Obama to socially or professionally cross paths with anyone who has ever done anything wrong -- regardless of how many years have passed, the repentance of the "radical," or the extent of the relationship one has with him. Nice thinking, John.

Will McCain be able to explain this charade? If the mainstream press keeps up its business as usual, will he ever have to?

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