Hayes: Remark was wrong

Congressman had told rally that 'liberals hate real Americans'

By: JournalNow Staff | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 22, 2008

CONCORD

Republican Rep. Robin Hayes said yesterday that he was wrong to tell voters at a John McCain rally that "liberals hate real Americans that work and accomplish and achieve and believe in God."

Hayes, a five-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, made the comment Saturday in Concord before McCain's appearance. He is being challenged for re-election in the 8th District in south-central North Carolina by Democrat Larry Kissell, who almost beat him in 2006. "I genuinely did not recall making the statement and, after reading it, there is no doubt that it came out completely the wrong way," Hayes said in a prepared statement.

His comment came during a warm-up speech before McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, took the stage at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center. Hayes had talked early in his brief speech about the notes he had prepared: "One of the things we need to do is to be certain we don't say something stupid."

He encouraged the Republican Party to spread its message with kindness, but then he went on to criticize the Democratic platform. "Liberals hate real Americans that work and accomplish and achieve and believe in God," he added.

Hayes said yesterday that conservatives and liberals differ greatly on the nation's future, but his comment was the wrong way to deliver that message.

In 2006, Hayes defeated Kissell by 329 votes out of more than 120,000 cast. Kissell began campaigning almost immediately, and received earlier attention from national Democrats hoping to unseat Hayes this year.