Phoenix, AZ — McCain campaign officials are calling on Sen. Obama to condemn remarks made by an introductory speaker who personally attacked Sen. McCain as “a warmonger” at one of the Democrat’s events Friday.

While he warmed up the crowd at a Grand Forks, ND campaign stop, local liberal radio talk show host Ed Schultz referred to Sen. McCain as “a warmonger” prior to Obama’s arrival at a North Dakota Democratic party event.

During his remarks to a crowd of several hundred Democrats, the Illinois Senator thanked Schultz and called him the “voice of progressive radio.”

“Senator Obama has repeatedly said that words matter, they do, and for him to stand on stage and thank someone who just minutes before used hate filled and inflammatory language to describe John McCain, someone who has served his nation in and out of uniform for over 30 years, shows Obama’s true colors, liberal Chicago-style politics as usual,” said McCain campaign spokesman Jeff Sadosky. “Americans want more, they deserve better.”

The controversy arises about six weeks after McCain condemned conservative radio talk show host Bill Cunningham for launching a personal attack on Obama during one of the GOPer’s campaign events. Prior to McCain’s arrival at a Feb. 26 Cincinnati, OH town hall meeting, Cunningham repeatedly invoked Obama’s middle name, “Hussein,” and mocked him as a “hack” during his own introductory remarks.

After learning about Cunningham’s incendiary comments from advisers immediately after the event, McCain condemned and disassociated himself with the talk show host minutes later at a press conference. The presumptive GOP nominee has vowed repeatedly to run a “respectful” race and campaign officials are attempting to draw a contrast between the McCain’s quick condemnation of Cunningham’s remarks and Obama’s lack of reaction thus far.

Note: More details and context may become available from Schultz’s remarks in the coming days since the event was open only to pooled media, meaning most of Obama’s traveling press corps were not able to attend the event and have to base reporting on the event on limited sources.

Cincinnati, OH — Though he vowed that attacks on Sen. Barack Obama’s background like the one that took place today “will never happen again,” Sen. John McCain acknowledged late Tuesday that he is concerned that he may be unable to control all of his supporters—especially third party groups.

At a rally in Cincinnati this morning, radio talk show host Bill Cunningham referenced Obama’s middle name, Hussein, three times during his on-stage introduction, in addition to attacking the Democrat as a “hack.” McCain immediately denounced the remarks and promised a civil debate with the eventual Democratic nominee, but acknowledged to reporters aboard his bus that conservative independent groups pursuing a similar line could be impossible to control this fall.

“I think you have to worry about that, particularly the 527s,” McCain said, referring to the independent advocacy groups that are not subject to contributor limits. “We’re aware of many of the things that 527s have done…where unlimited amounts of money can pour into negative campaigns such as we saw against John Kerry and his combat record, as we saw against (former Senator) Max Cleland…they’re really very not accountable to anyone. At least I have to say ‘I’m John McCain and I approve this message.’”

A number of conservative talk show hosts have questioned Obama’s patriotism and allude to his Muslim family background by calling him Barack Hussein Obama in order to paint him as a type of Manchurian candidate. It is entirely possible that an independent group could push that issue against Obama in the fall.

Some critics blame his signature McCain-Feingold campaign finance legislation for the explosion of uncontrolled 527 groups. But, McCain said his bill is not the problem, arguing that 527 groups were able to sprout up as a result of loophole in a 1974 campaign finance law.

But, back to talking about what is under his control—McCain said he would do his best to prevent dirty politicking by his campaign and surrogates.

“The moral of the story is we just have to have stronger control of our campaign..there is no excuse for what happened today,” he said, adding that his campaign has plans to expand it’s bare bones staff.

Cincinnati, OH — Sen. John McCain was forced to take time Tuesday to disavow disparaging remarks made about Sen. Barack Obama by conservative talk show host at a rally.

Asked by local organizers to warm up the crowd while McCain was still en route to the event, controversial WLW radio talk show host Bill Cunningham used Obama’s middle name, Hussein, three times during his remarks and referred to the Democratic contender as a “hack, Chicago-style, Daley politician.”

“I want to disassociate myself from any disparaging remarks that may have been said,” McCain said at the top of a media availability after the rally. “I have repeatedly stated of my respect for Senator Obama and Senator Clinton, that I will treat them with respect that I will call them Senator. We will have respectful debate as I have said on hundreds of occasions. I regret any comments that may be made about these two individuals who are honorable Americans…it will never happen again.”

McCain added that he also believes it is inappropriate to make use of Obama’s middle name for political purposes.

During his remarks, Cunningham said Obama has gotten overly easy treatment from the media and stated his hope that they will “peel the bark off Barack Hussein Obama.”

“At some point, the media will quit taking sides in this thing and maybe start covering Barack Hussein Obama the same way they covered Bush, the same way they covered Cheney and the same way the cover every Republican,” he said, also mockingly describing Obama’s foreign policy when he gets into the White House.

“Obama just came back from meeting Ahmadinejad, he’s got a meeting the next week with Kim Jong Il of North Korea. Then he’s going to saddle up next to Hezbollah, they’re going to have a little cookie and cream party,” Cunningham said.

Campaign officials are quick to point out that local organizing officials selected Cunningham to rev up the crowd as part of the pre-program and trusts locals to vet program participants. Though one senior aide acknowledged that the campaign will likely play a bigger role in more carefully scrutinizing individuals who take the stage with McCain at future events.  Camp McCain has been running on a very slimmed-down advance staff but today’s incident makes clear that it may be time to bulk up for the general.