McCain Speaker: “Have Your Tiger Woods, We’ve Got McCain”

Thursday Apr 10, 2008 – By Clutch

At a campaign stop today, Sen. John McCain’s introductory speaker took a sharp and potentially sensitive swipe at Sen. Barack Obama, saying that McCain was “the real audacity of hope” and not just a political “Tiger Woods.”

Former Army Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, who introduced the Arizona senator at a Vets For Freedom rally, sought to contrast McCain’s “lifetime of service to our nation” against the lack of resolve of his political opponents. And while he never addressed Obama by name, he did offer this nugget.

“Rest assured,” he told the crowd, “that men like Senator McCain will be the goal and the men that my two young boys will emulate and admire. You can have your Tiger Woods, we’ve got Senator McCain.”

The line, first reported by NBC and Hotline, received a loud roar from the crowd and, standing behind and to the left of Bellavia, McCain let out an approving laugh. But considering the rate at which Tiger Woods is winning golf tournaments these days, McCain’s camp may be hoping the analogy doesn’t prove true.

And considering the pins-and-needles environment that is the current political landscape, the comment has the potential of being interpreted as racially divisive.

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Keysha E. says:

April 11, 2008 at 3:42 pm

Seen t his on MSNBC the other day. WOW this guy is really crazy. But like you said he did compare Obama to one of the Greatest (BLACK) MEN to ever play the game. Tiger took over the sport and made it his own. Just as Barrack will take over the White House and change the political game. Tiger’s opponents are White Men and He Defeats them every time he touches the green! Yeah we can have our Tiger Woods (Barrack) I’m confident we can win with him. Thanks for the comparison David ! LOL

FYI
If you look closely you will see a Lone Black Guy Standing in the back on your left lol his face was stunted!

↑ Reply

RifRaf says:

April 12, 2008 at 12:45 am

Keysha you right on it.

Who knew this many white folks had a silent resentment for Tiger? I mean I know there was the casual reference of lynching woods in a back alley – but this isn’t a really good swipe. I sense a smidget of hostility in this comparison of Woods and Obama.

This sounds like homie is pining for the Great White Hope. Though it is true Tiger revolutionized the game by actually injecting an equal balance of skill and athleticism – the same way Obama injects pragmatism and idealism – do you really want to make that comparison. Tiger is dominating a sport once run by old flabby white dudes. . . and Obama is starting to dominate a sport run by old flabby white dudes – (which John McCain happens to be) why would you make such a stupid and potentially racially loaded analogy? if Barack = Tiger in politics . . . why does your candidate even bother running? All indications say he’ll lose. . . and by the way they actually do.

David Bellavia Introduces McCain By Comparing Obama to Tiger Woods | Popehat says:

April 12, 2008 at 3:54 pm

[...] Reckless metaphor alert from a warm-up speaker at a McCain event: “Rest assured,” he told the crowd, “that men like Senator McCain will be the goal and the men that my two young boys will emulate and admire. You can have your Tiger Woods, we’ve got Senator McCain.” [...]

Elton says:

April 13, 2008 at 2:58 am

I can’t think of an interpretation of that remark that isn’t about racial purity. Obviously, Tiger Woods is worthy of emulation and admiration by anyone’s standards. I find that the most cynical interpretation is usually the most concise: you can have your mongrel, we’ve got a pureblood.

Susan says:

April 13, 2008 at 10:10 pm

You all could not be more wrong. David was saying that his sons will grow up to admire real heroes like John McCain and not sports figures like Tiger Woods. Tiger was the first name that popped into his head. He was not comparing Tiger to Obama. Yes, he took a jab at Obama at the end of his speech, but this was not about race issue. Do you know that Bellavia is nominated for the Medal of Honor for his actions in Iraq. He is a true warrior and good guy. Why don’t you read what he has been through and done for this country in his amazing book “House to House: An Epic Memoir of War” …… before you all jump to conclusions about him. You will find you could not be more wrong .

Seriously? says:

April 13, 2008 at 11:02 pm

Susan – you couldn’t be more wrong. It is very clear what he was trying to say. Out of all the people or athletes to mention – he chose to use Tiger Woods – seriously – we are not that stupid. And what does a medal have to do with anything. We are grateful for him volunteering to serve, but there are many undercover racist or people who have those type of racist attitudes in the military, church and everywhere else. And I am pretty sure they have won a medal too.

How could he not know that statement was going to received in that way – in this election everything anyone says in looked at very closely and he should of knew that that comment could be recieve that way.

Unfortunately, for David this was his first time being introduce to many of African Americans and Black people all over the world. I hope he doesn’t try to run for the President in the future cause the possibility of him winning is slim to none.

Tell you pal Dave to hire a speech writer next time or run it past his buddies before he introduces somebody.