John McCain Calls Barack Obama 'That One' During Debate: Was It Rude or Not?
By Richard Sisk
Daily News Staff Writer
John McCain referred to Barack Obama as "that one" last night, a moniker Team Obama said bordered on disrespect.
"There was an energy bill on the floor of the Senate loaded down with goodies, billions for the oil companies. It was sponsored by Bush and Cheney. You know who voted for it? You might never know—That one," McCain said, indicating Obama.
"You know who voted against it? Me," McCain added.
Moments after McCain used the phrase, Obama spokesman Bill Burton e-mailed reporters: "Did John McCain just refer to Obama as 'that one'?"
Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden, making the rounds on the morning talk shows Wednesday, said he didn't read much into McCain's reference to Obama as "that one," or the Republican's unwillingness to make eye contact with his opponent.
Biden chalked it up to "part of his style" when McCain's on the attack.
"I thought that was odd," said Obama strategist David Axelrod, "but I'll let others decide" whether it was a dis.
"I don't know if he [McCain] was disrespectful" but "I think he looked angry and agitated," Obama adviser Robert Gibbs added.
McCain advisers dismissed suggestions McCain intended the remark to be rude. He referred to Obama as "that one" when noting which candidate voted for a President Bush-backed energy plan.
Was McCain's use of the moniker "that one" in reference to Obama offensive? Join the discussion below.
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