In the wake of President Obama’s personal comments on race and the Trayvon Martin shooting, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said Sunday the president’s remarks were ‘impressive’ and the country still has a long way to go in addressing racial inequalities.
When McCain lost the 2008 presidential election to Obama, the Arizona senator mentioned race in his concession speech saying that “America today is a world away from the cruel and frightful bigotry of [a century ago.] There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States.”
But on CNN’s ‘State of the Union’ Sunday, McCain said “we were probably too optimistic” after the election of the nation’s first African-American president.
“I think old prejudices die hard,” he said. “We have made significant progress, but I think recent events highlight the differences that remain.”
McCain also said he doesn’t question the jury’s decision to acquit George Zimmerman in charges related to the death of Trayvon Martin, but said ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws throughout the country, including Arizona’s, should be reviewed.
