For McCain, defining affirmative action may be the issue
RENO, NV — As Sen. John McCain prepares to address the second major African-American group in the last month with a planned speech before the Urban League Friday, the presumptive GOP nominee’s apparent flip flop on affirmative action is generating an increasing amount of buzz.
While McCain seems to have indicated his support for affirmative action in a number of statements during the past decade, most recently this April, he told ABC’s “This Week” over the weekend that he supports an Arizona state measure that would ban the decades-old equal opportunity program.
ABC: “Opponents of affirmative action are trying to get a referendum on the ballot here that would do away with affirmative action. Do you support that?”
MCCAIN: “Yes, I do. I do not believe in quotas. But I have not seen the details of some of the proposals. But I’ve always opposed quotas.”
ABC: “But the one here in Arizona you support?”
MCCAIN: “I support it, yes.”
Critics note that his support for a measure that would effectively end affirmative action in the Grand Canyon state flies in the face of his position a decade ago when he called a similar Arizona state initiative “divisive.” He also told an Hispanic audience in February 1998 that he opposed all ballot proposal outlawing racial preferences, according to the AP.
Asked about the apparent flip Monday on CNN’s Larry King Live, more than 48 hours after he initially pre-taped the ABC interview, McCain said he was still unsure what the 1998 initiative was about and needed to “look it up.”
CNN: “You said yesterday that you endorse an Arizona ballot referendum to eliminate affirmative action. Ten years ago you described a similar effort as ‘divisive.’ What changed?”
MCCAIN: “You know, I don’t know what we’re talking about. About 10 years ago. And I’m going to look it up. But I have a clear record of saying that I approve of helping people progress in America and in the world and I have always opposed a quote “quota” system.”
Though as McCain and his campaign quibble about the nature of his 1998 position on the initiative, the presumptive GOP nominee was even more explicit about his support for affirmative action at an April 22, 2008 press conference.
“On the issue of affirmative action, it’s in the eye of the beholder. If you’re talking about assuring equal and fair opportunity for all Americans and making sure that the practices of the United States military are emulated, the greatest equal opportunity employer in America, then I’m all for it. If you’re talking about quotas, then I’m not for it. So all of us are for quote affirmative action to try to give assistance to those who need it, whether it be African American or other groups of Americans that need it,” McCain said at the Youngstown, OH media availability.
So what to make of the kerfuffle?
For some extra insight, lets turn to yet another McCain comment about the subject during an appearance on Fox News Sunday on December 12, 1999.
JUAN WILLIAMS: “Let me ask you a quick question about affirmative action. Are you in favor or opposed to it?”
MCCAIN: “Again, it depends on definition. If you want to give people an equal opportunity, which they do not have in this country, I think it should be — and I do — I think it should be based on economic lines and not on ethnic lines.”
At the end of the day, the discrepancy may be partly a matter of semantics–how McCain has decided to personally define affirmative action–as well as what Jonathan Martin noted Sunday is his lack of interest in social issues.
Note first that during both the ABC and CNN interviews as well as his April comments, McCain is quick to say he opposes “quotas” which he sees as synonymous with affirmative action. But while McCain seems to still be hung up on them, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial quotas were unconstitutional 30 years ago with the Bakke decision.
Since then, the court has upheld affirmative action and allowed racial and gender preferences in places like college admissions as a way to redress past grievances. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines affirmative action as “an active effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups and women.”
When you consider McCain’s April comments as well as his 1999 statement on FNS, it looks like he has always been opposed race/gender-based affirmative action as it stands and instead chooses to say he supports affirmative action, but as an economic-based program. The problem is that he has never been explicit enough about his opposition to what most of us know as affirmative action, which we can attribute to McCain’s sometimes ineloquent speech delivery as well as his boredom with those types issues leading him to forget his position. He prefers to talk national security, foreign policy and most recently, energy issues on the campaign trail.
The affirmative action flap is of course only the latest in a string of McCain’s difficulties with elucidating his opinion on cultural issues like mandating insurance coverage for birth control and gay adoption.
“It’s not the reason why I’m running for president of the United States,” McCain told ABC Sunday when asked about his stance on gay adoption. “It is important for us to emphasize family values. But I think it’s very important that we understand that we have other challenges, too.”
To quote Obama “words matter” and gone are the days when his small traveling press corps gave him the benefit of the doubt and the ‘we know what you meant’ treatment when McCain may have accidentally misstated a policy position.
And for a candidate who promotes himself as a “straight talker,” McCain’s continued inability to clearly state his position on social issues continues to lead to confusion and days of muddled messages which keeps getting in the way of the issues he and his campaign would prefer to run on.
Tags: affirmative action, Bakke, john mccain, quotas, racial preferences
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I used to feel Fox News was the best of them all, but as of recently I see little or no difference in Fox News than all the others. I also think Fox News is presently splitting hairs with this affirmative action thing and I don’t believe it is our most present issue having to face. The Middle East and the radical Islamic core are far more the issue and most certainly a present and ever growing danger, that has multi millions of people believing they must destroy the Great Satan which they describe the United States as being. Its not a boggy man under the bed situation, but and ever more increasing danger that we are facing. The destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City will appear being a minor event when we have two our three of our largest and heavily populated cities evaporating in a cloud of a nuclear blast. That is exactly what is upon the horizon, and it is not going to go away with peace talks to an enemy that has sworn our very destruction. Barak Obama may well be an eloquent talker, but he is spitting into the wind when to think he will make the Islamic beast change into a peaceful neighbor. McCain is far more correct about the actual issue and dangers we are facing, while Obama continues residing in his “yes we can” dream world. Affirmative action is no longer an actual issue as it was in the past, so please stop with playing the game of political stupidity, and realize for a change what the real danger is. I’m not about to argue that Bush has not bungled things, and I actually never cared for the man as being presidential material, but I readily recognize that Barak Obama is not the answer to our present day dangers. Have a nice day.
I am not surprised at all. He opposed the Holiday of Dr. King. I worked very hard with others to get that Holiday into law. I feel that he will oppose anything that will benefit minorities and women. I am an African-American woman, so I watch these issues very carefully. He will never be straight forward concerning these issues.
No, defining Obama as the Marxist Messiah IS the issue.
Affirmative actiion needs to go. I agree with McCain that quotas need to go also. He has always been against quotas. Of course Obama would like to keep racial division. For Obama it helps him get votes.
There should be NO SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR ANY GROUP in America…..we have gone far enough and too long with this idea that we as a nation owe anything to any group…..I am sorry some groups have not progressed up the ladder as others but we have played this game long enough and ALL ATTEMPT to make one group special over the other…outside non-discrimination against diasbilities…should be OUTLAWED. How much longer will it take for groups in this country to understand just because there were injustices in the past that was 200 years ago and get over it. The constitution did not make one group special..thus why should we continue down this social experiment that pure and simple discriminates…
With McCain there is some slight hope that the illegal, unconstitutional abomination called “affirmative action” will be ended. With Obama, there is no hope.
I’m glad McCain has ended up on the right side of this issue, whereas Obama favors racial quotas, which the media have given the euphemistic name of affirmative action. But it’s discrimination pure and simple.
If Obama is elected, we won’t have to worry about passing these kind of state laws because his liberal, ACLU, Ruth Bader Ginsburg-like justices will rule them unconstitutional!
Another reason Obama is not WRIGHT for America! BTW, check out the site where I got that slogan, which I use every chance I get. http://www.notwrightforamerica.com. It’s great! Nobama Network is also good.
This article is somewhat confusing as it is not clear about McCain’s position. It is very clear to me and I agree that the US should do what it can to improve opportunites for employment and college (and agree with economic opportunity not quotoas of any kind). I believe McCain has voiced that position for years.
I don’t think that McCain really understances the scope of what affirmative action really has. As a white female business owner, affirative action has given me benitfits I would not have had. McCain is really not a very smart man. His gaffes of late and his slime attacks on Obama have really been disturbing!
This is a dangerous line for any politician, almost as polarizing as abortion. McCain is slipping from this particular tight rope act, and is in danger of crashing and burning. He’s showing a side of himself that he needs to keep from public view.
As the article notes, quotas in the name of affirmative action were ruled unlawful over 30 years ago. McCain notes that he now opposes affirmative action because of the quotas that it imposes, which unfairly exclude individuals on the basis of race, sex, etc.
What is he talking about? IF he’s trying to re-iterate the position and comments from 8 years ago, HE FAILED MISERABLY.
And he is running for President of the United States of America. With all do respect for senior citizens John McCain can’t remember what he say, how he voted, or what side of the fence he is on. Remember he will be 72 years Old in August what do you expect to get from him.
Affirmative action is a racist idea to begin with! Any racist who promotes it should be called what they are…….Racist. It is not acceptabl to be a white male these days! Equality should mean people being treated equally regardless of gender and color!
Affirmative Action was brought into being due to Racial inequalities that existed in our past. I am hopeful that these Inequalities are behind us and we should not have any laws/policies on our books that favor people based on their Race. I think Affirmative Action has had it’s due. It is time to lay our past behind us and look to a future without so much emphasis on what Race you belong to.
While quotas are unlawful they still happen. Look at colleges who “fill” a certain amount of supposed minority groups to get funding from the federal government. It happens all the time. Affirmitive action should just go away. Next thing you know we’re going to have to hire at least one gay gay or gal in order to be a more “inclusive” company or get fined and sued.
Affirmitive Action is only another form of reversed gender bias and racism!!!!It does not help our country by continuing such a discriminating program!!!!!!
The problem is McCain being unclear or crafty about his positions just as he couldnt wait until after the election to reverse his “No new taxes” promise. This flip-flop is not believable. Previous posts have addressed feelings about affirmative action for and against but not the issue of what McCain would do or what he believes.
Quotas are already illegal and have been for 30 years. McCain offered nothing with statements referring to quotas. ASsuming the best interpretation for him - that affirmative action will slowly evolve into class and income based assistance based on past imbalance to being totally phased out, I believe that in a democratic congress or even 50-50, no other politican has much chance of modifying this policy better than Obama who ACTUALLY said (since the dem primaries) that affirmative action is no long term solution and short term he hopes to see modifications to account for underprivileged from every ethnicity not just minorities such as blacks, hispanics, asians, native americans. The democrats will not be able to block a minority or multiracial politician that points out need for changes.
I’m a victim of affirmative action. I have been denied employment in the past even when I scored very high in mandatory pre-employment testing, minorities and women were given bonus points on all testing that excluded me from being employed.
So I have a passionate dislike of any quotas or affirmative action. How is discriminating against me considered a way to make up for past injustices? So I’m paying for the sins of my parents (or probably my great-great-great grandparents). Affirmative action is an abomination that needs to be eliminated immediately.
Forty years ago Affirmative Action was needed in this country, but over the decades it’s become unneeded, unwanted and deep, dark hole that has devoured billions of dollars for little or no reason.
We have in place federal and state laws that make hiring on the basis of race, color, religion etc illegal. We have sent underprivlaged minorities to school and college for free for years. We are paying for free medical, housing, welfare and schools for both minorities and illegal immagrants.
It’s time for them to stand on their own two feet and stop the hand-outs. Nobody lives for free, takes the protection of the United States and feels we owe them - NOBODY!
Unlike, Sen Obama and the left, Sen McCain does not claim to have a solution or even an opinion on every idea the press decides he should. Rather, McCain focuses on the issues he believes are the most important. That position (that he should state more clearly) is honest and will make him a great president. President Reagan focused on the economy (inherited from Carter in a shambles), foreign policy, with great success and as an adjuct, rebuilding our military and security gathering agencies, also inherited in terrible shape.
Re:Comment by Joe Kool
July 29th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Affirmative action is a racist idea to begin with! Any racist who promotes it should be called what they are…….Racist. It is not acceptabl to be a white male these days! Equality should mean people being treated equally regardless of gender and color!
Dear Joe,finally you get it, affirmative action was instiututed because for years minorities were held back for something other than their ability to do a particular job.Your comment leads me to believe that you “get it “although we have made progress as a nation we still have a long journey ahead of us America has not always been the land of equal opprotunity,and if you have never walked in the shoes of a minority you can not know this . In my lifetime alone (45 years old ) I remember when my public school here in Georgia was desegregated the shcool I left was seperate and it was not equal. So we should nt be told to just get over it,or that this was another time ,or I dont want to be held accountable for something my forefathers did. When one voice is muffeld in the cry for fredom and the struggle for equality we as a nation all suffer.
I find it rather disheartening that there are so many citizens of this country that believe things are already equal and balanced and that no government intervention is needed to insure fair and equal opportunity and equal protection under the law. There are countless examples of daily injustices upon minorities that go un-reported. You can’t cover all of them! But let me say this, not all minorities are standing in a line waiting on the great white America tax payer to pull them out of the gutter. There are hard working people in this country, who happen to be labeled minority, who do what is right for themselves and their families and ask for nothing but a fare and equal share of the pie. I think people should understand, not all minorities are waiting for some grand social program to make them hold. For far to long, many have viewed the negative images of certain groups in the media and hold those stories as wide painted brush strokes of a whole group, meaning “they are all the same and guilty by association.” There are the fundamental reasons why affirmative action was implemented and should remain. And getting some sort of imaginary hand to ease the burden of self responsibility, education, self preservation, personal prosperity and pride, are not identified as any of those reasons.
Jenny J,
There are a great number of Americans who have benefited from AA, including many women. You say that you should not pay for the sins of your ancestors. Neither should others pay for the sin of being born a woman or as a person of color. You win some, you lose some. It is not fair for one side or interest to always come out on top.
Also, Affirmative Action does not mean quotas. In most cases, it means tax breaks and greater access to government sponsored projects and funds through your OPTIONAL participation. By “Optional”, I mean you have a choice of business pursuits that you can chase. Some require participation in AA, while the vast majority do not.
Minority groups demand special treatment, but Equality should be equal for all Americans. We should not provide favoritism for any specific group, but we should provide equal opportunities for all. When we provide affirmative action, it’s always at the cost of someone else. In addition, when we provide millions of illegal immigrants health, education, and other services, it puts a huge drain on American citizens. That’s why California is now proposing a drastic cut in salaries to state employees. For some time now, our public schools have dumbed down their instruction to all students, in order to accommodate students who can’t keep up. This has resulted in American students ranking around 17th in academics compared to kids in other countries. The trend by the left is political correctness, which means pandering to the lowest common denominator. This doesn’t bode well for the future of America.
I guess once we have a program set to achieve certain goals once those goals are achieved we have to keep the program. Doesn’t make sense. Ten years ago our country was in a different place than it is now, times have changed and to hold one accountable according to today’s standards for what was said 10-15 years ago is so unfair. I don’t think that there is a politician or person out there who has not adjusted their thinking on issues- if there are, they are the most stubborn and uninformed people. If a person is sooo inflexible I don’t want them controlling my life and telling me what to do.
The issue: John McCain was asked his position on Affirmative Action and he fumbled his response, then said he would have to research it, then said it was not important to him. This is not an Obama incident. This is about John McCain! Hate Obama if it makes you feel better as a human being, but don’t sacrifice your objectivity and common sense.
The fact: When someone is running for the office of President of the United States, he or she should have a definite position on all AMERICAN ISSUES! It’s great that John McCain is so passionate about National Security, war, foreign policy and energy - but if he is uniformed and unconcerned about what is going on here in the states, THAT is cause for grave concern. That is negligent and arrogant - to think that just because issues do not affect HIM or interest HIM, Americans are going to be confident that he will govern with concern and intelligence in the areas that affect US.
Your vote is too precious, bought at too steep a price to waste it just to make a point.
The racial preferences lobby has hidden behind deceptive word games for decades to protect their racial pork. This has (deliberately) led to some of the current confusion.
The term “Affirmative Action” was first used by JFK in Executive Order 10975. The context was:
“The contractor shall take affirmative action to assure that in the hiring of employees and their treatment during employment, race creed color or national origin are not a factor.” LBJ’s EO 11246 used essentially the same language.
Thus, AA originally meant taking extra care NOT to discriminate. Some AA practices such as outreach to a wider pool of applicants still meet that definition. Few would object to that, including McCain (or me).
Since 1969, the term, “AA”, has been used to discribe discrimination used to achieve a de-facto quota or minimum minority percentage. Thus, hiding discrimination behind the more benign sounding phrase, “AA”, which is now so ambiguous as to be meaningless.
In the 1978 Bakke decision, the US Supreme Court held that “rigid quotas” were impermissible in college admissions. This is the source of the dishonest claim that “quotas are illegal”.
Federal and state labor, and antidiscrimination law continue to be filled with “goals”, “targets”, “ratios” and other percentages which are de-facto quotas. Colleges are fond of calling them “critical mass” or “diversity”.
It does not matter what word you substitute for “quota”, it is the discrimination and preferences used to achieve it that is wrong. Most Americans know this.
The bottom line is that Obama would preserve preference while in office and appoint judges who would preserve them forever.
McCain could be the president who will finally stand up and end this abomination.
In 1997, I was refused entrance to University of Michigan. I had a 3.7 gpa and a 30 on the ACT. I found out later that 2 of my black friends got in with less than a 3.5 average and less than 25 on the act. This is not a fair system. Everyone gets the same chance to educate themselves and it is not the governments responsibilty to enforce these laws. Blacks have the same chances as whites, they just dont take advantage of it. I wish i could go back 13 years and protest the decision but I can’t. But I can challenge it today. Its not my fault that blacks cannot take responsibilty for their own educations, so why should I pay?
The racial preferences lobby has hidden behind deceptive word games for decades to protect their racial pork. This has (deliberately) led to some of the current confusion.
The term “Affirmative Action” was first used by JFK in Executive Order 10975. The context was:
“The contractor shall take affirmative action to assure that in the hiring of employees and their treatment during employment, race creed color or national origin are not a factor.” LBJ’s EO 11246 used essentially the same language.
Thus, AA originally meant taking extra care NOT to discriminate. Some AA practices such as outreach to a wider pool of applicants still meet that definition. Few would object to that, including McCain (or me).
Since 1969, the term, “AA”, has been used to discribe discrimination used to achieve a de-facto quota or minimum minority percentage. Thus, hiding discrimination behind the more benign sounding phrase, “AA”, which is now so ambiguous as to be meaningless.
In the 1978 Bakke decision, the US Supreme Court held that “rigid quotas” were impermissible in college admissions. This is the source of the dishonest claim that “quotas are illegal”.
Federal and state labor, and antidiscrimination law continue to be filled with “goals”, “targets”, “ratios” and other percentages which are de-facto quotas. Colleges are fond of calling them “critical mass” or “diversity”.
It does not matter what word you substitute for “quota”, it is the discrimination and preferences used to achieve it that is wrong. Most Americans know this.
The bottom line is that Obama would preserve preference while in office and appoint judges who would preserve them forever.
McCain could be the president who will finally stand up and end this abomination — or at least appoint judges who will.
The racial preferences lobby has hidden behind deceptive word games for decades to protect their racial pork. This has (deliberately) led to some of the current confusion.
The term “Affirmative Action” was first used by JFK in Executive Order 10975. The context was:
“The contractor shall take affirmative action to assure that in the hiring of employees and their treatment during employment, race creed color or national origin are not a factor.” LBJ’s EO 11246 used essentially the same language.
Thus, AA originally meant taking extra care NOT to discriminate. Some AA practices such as outreach to a wider pool of applicants still meet that definition. Few would object to that, including McCain (or me).
Since 1969, the term, “AA”, has been used to describe discrimination used to achieve a de-facto quota or minimum minority percentage. Thus, hiding discrimination behind the more benign sounding phrase, “AA”, which is now so ambiguous as to be meaningless.
In the 1978 Bakke decision, the US Supreme Court held that “rigid quotas” were impermissible in college admissions. This is the source of the dishonest claim that “quotas are illegal”.
Federal and state labor, and antidiscrimination law continue to be filled with “goals”, “targets”, “ratios” and other percentages which are de-facto quotas. Colleges are fond of calling them “critical mass” or “diversity”.
It does not matter what word you substitute for “quota”, it is the discrimination and preferences used to achieve it that is wrong. Most Americans know this.
The bottom line is that Obama would preserve preference while in office and appoint judges who would preserve them forever.
McCain could be the president who will finally stand up and end this abomination, or at least appoint judges who will..
Again, how can you so called republicans trust this man. He has changed his mind on Bush tax cuts, affirmative action ( we think), Anwar, etc… Affirmative action is the most un-American thing there is. Then John tells us he doesn’t remember his prior postions from not that long ago and will have to go look it up. You republicans are the biggest bunch or morons for voting for this fraud. Now we are stuck with him as an oppostion to Barry the socialist. Unbelievable!
Affirmative action is discrimination.
I’m working every MLG day. May be we have to have Cherokee day off? Will be good for Friday prior to Columbus Day?
Listen to this:
http://www.hyscience.com/archives/2008/03/antiobama_pasto.php
and listen to the end.
Cut this Affirmative Action! We have had enough I am sure all working white people have had enough of this. Education, Jobs! It’s got to stop!!
And here the House puts forth an apology for slavery 200+ years ago….when will this stop??? We continue to beat ourselves up over this issue and yet no one in the USA was around during those days…we as a nation have put forth methods to ensure that such does no occur but we now have to apologize for what people did 200+ years ago….enough is enough. How does this square for those in the dem leadership when they would be happy to enslave the Iraq citizens a year ago by simply giving up and leaving…enslaving those to insurgents/iranian operative and thugs…and the free people now….most interesting that they cared little for those 20+ million citizens in a far away country but continue this apology for what occurred 200+ years ago. Why do I see reparations for all those enslaved coming in the near future……when will the dems ever learn that contining to beat themselves up only serves to create the divide…it does not real healing…and we have gone far enough to try to correct the ills in this nation caused by many years ago. MOVE ON and stop this continued attention to what occurred in the past!!!!!
Our site takes a more supportive view on affirmative action. But Senator McCain’s reflexive hostility does have its defenders. Thanks for adding your analysis to the blogging universe.
So many comments citing AA as unfair, racist and discriminatory. You forget that it also applies to women, and led to the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA. You forget why it was created in the first place. You sound like little kids and brats, who always want their side to win no matter what.
Job applicants were consistently turned away in favor of another applicant who was usually a white male. The reason was usually given as “we like” this guy better, or “we get along” with this person better. These laws apply to PUBLIC FUNDS only, and how they are used. There are still plenty of private sector that still unknowingly or knowingly discriminate. Why do away with it when it seems to work?
I should point out that anyone who is worried about the US paying blacks slave reparations need not worry. The 15th Amendment made sure that reparations to ex-slaves would not be possible without an amending the 3rd clause. “…shall incur no debts resulting from the Emancipation….” It was intended to stop ex-slave owners from suing the goverment for loss of property. It just happens to be worded in such a way as to deny ex-slaves 40 acres and a mule.
If you feel that past sins do not deserve apologies or reckoning, then you have no moral values at all.
AA is a form of racism. We all know it but if you say it out loud then you become a racist. It makes no sence to say we are all treated the same on one hand and yet if you are of a certain race then we have to find a way to put you at the front of the line. I really have never understood this type of practice. I believe it makes some people think that they should be treated better then others and opens up lawsuits whenever they think that they did not get what they happen to think they deserve.
[...] is, back in 1998, when there was an effort to push a similar initiative in Arizona, McCain said something very similar to what Obama is saying now, that these initiatives were [...]
McCain was against our national Dr. Martin Luther King holiday…and…is against Affirmative Action. The only thing he is missing is a white hood. Someone should remind him that :
“…All men are created equal…”
- Source: Declaration of Independence (1776)
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” - Complete quote
These words were written by ‘white aristocrats’ that owned ‘black slaves’.
They knew full well that they never fully intended to meet the obligations of the contractual agreement that they had entered into as they later signed the Constitution, a ‘contractual agreement’ defining obligations between individuals and the state.
…After 200+ years of institutionalized racism, its nice to see that we as a nation are doing something, anything, to pay reparations to the very people once considered property.
[...] thus costing Obama the state of Pennsylvania, and quite possibly the White House. (For his part, McCain has been moving toward a more conservative opinion on affirmative action recently, while Obama, [...]