CLEVELAND, Ohio (AFP) — Republican White House contender John McCain Tuesday condemned remarks at a campaign rally by a right-wing radio host disparaging McCain's potential Democratic rival Barack Obama.
Warming up the crowd of McCain supporters in Cincinnati, Ohio, Bill Cunningham repeatedly used Obama's middle name, Hussein, and described the Illinois senator as a "hack" politician who could fall prey to corruption allegations.
McCain said he was not present in the hall for the remarks of Cunningham, who also attacked Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton, and said he had never met the talk-show host.
"But I will certainly make sure that nothing like that happens again," the Arizona senator told reporters afterward.
"I regret any comments that may be made about these two individuals, who are honorable Americans," he said.
Obama spokesman Bill Burton welcomed McCain's disavowal of Cunningham.
"It is a sign that if there is a McCain-Obama general election, it can be intensely competitive but the candidates will attempt to keep it respectful and focused on issues," he said.
In November, McCain was criticized for chuckling when a voter in South Carolina called Clinton a "bitch."
But the maverick senator, who is on the verge of clinching the Republican nomination, has pledged to maintain a civil tone against his Democratic opponent in November's general election.
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