Sampley Questions McCain's "War Hero" Status

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Posted: 11:39 PM Jan 17, 2008
Last Updated: 11:39 PM Jan 17, 2008
Reporter: Dave Jordan

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A military veteran activist from eastern Carolina is at the center of what some call political mudslinging in the South Carolina primary. It centers around a poster that's being distributed there of Republican Presidential candidate John McCain.

Kinston veteran Ted Sampley is among the veterans responsible for the flyer. And it's getting national attention. It was part of a report Thursday night on NBC Nightly News, and the syndicated show "Inside Edition," used our studios to do a satellite interview with Sampley.

Sampley isn't questioning that McCain was a P.O.W. Sampley claims McCain collaborated with the enemy when he was held captive. Sampley says, "McCain and I have been going at it for about 15 years now and I'm right and he has been sending out people to respond with name calling but in fact if he would just address these issues, they've been going on forever and ever." McCain told NBC News such tactics are harmful and painful.

McCain has also called this all just a smear campaign. Others working for him call the allegations blatant lies. Sampley says he stands behind his claims, and will gladly retract them if McCain can prove them false.

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Posted by: Skyhawk Location: Denver, CO on Jan 21, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Mr. Sampley says, “McCain and I have been going at it for years” when in fact it has been Mr. Sampley that has been stalking and slandering Mr. McCain for years. Mr. Sampley is an unstable person who was charged with assaulting one of Mr. McCain’s assistants which led to a restraining order being handed to Mr. Sampley. He is also promoting a number of bizarre theories including on that Bush Sr. allowed his crew to die in WWII.

Posted by: Rick Location: Washington on Jan 21, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Interesting information on Ted Sampley at http://www.miafacts.org/prankster.htm

Posted by: Cactus Location: NC on Jan 18, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Mr. Sampley you are the accuser, you have to prove your case with fact, not hot air. Just because a man loves his dog does not make him a good person.

Posted by: p Location: kinston on Jan 18, 2008 at 08:30 PM
Mr. Sampley is a good man. For I do not know him I see he loves his dog. That cannot be a bad person.

Posted by: Mark Location: Bath on Jan 18, 2008 at 09:30 AM
So McCain is guilty until proven innocent?

Posted by: Mister Location: Plymouth, NC on Jan 18, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Mr. Sampley, can you prove these charges to be true? Sounds like your same old garbage. You need to get a life.

Posted by: Scott Location: Jacksonville on Jan 18, 2008 at 07:43 AM
John McCain and all the POWs that were held with him were debriefed upon their repatriation to the US. If there had been any collaboration with the enemy, it would have come out then and LCDR McCain would have been charged with violating the Code of Conduct of the Armed Forces along with Conduct Unbecoming an Officer, etc. Could it be that Ted Sampley is harboring guilt for his shortcomings during his service?? And I agree with Mr. Glen Arnold - Why now? Mr Sampley states he has been sounding off about this for 15 years, but this is the first I have heard or read about it.

Posted by: glenarnold@gotricounty.com Location: Pinetown, NC on Jan 18, 2008 at 05:31 AM
Ted Sampley's comments whould be squashed immediately. Why does he pick this particular time to sound off against John McCain? Sure sounds fishy to me. Thanks

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