Sen. McCain just apologized for remarks made by WLW-AM talk show host Bill Cunningham at a Cincinnati McCain rally. The remarks? Cunningham referred to Obama as a, “Chicago Daly political hack” and twice used his middle name. CNN’s John King asked McCain, “Is Barack Obama’s middle name appropriate in this campaign?” Sen. McCain answered, “No. It is not. Any comment that is disparaging…”

Wait a minute. Using Obama’s middle name is considered ‘disparaging’? It’s his middle name! Barack Hussein Obama is the name his father and mother gave him! I’ll go down on record right now as saying that I find it disparaging to consider the use of his middle name disparaging.

In addition to apologizing for Cunningham’s comments, McCain denounced them. Cunningham, a conservative who had only recently, and reluctantly, backed McCain, found McCain’s reaction to his comments as confirmation of all the reasons he was reluctant to endorse him in the first place, and he’s, understandably, moved away from McCain.

The problem is, Bill Cunningham is extremely popular and influential among Ohio Republicans. Many observers credit Cunningham with delivering Ohio, and thus the presidency, to GW Bush in 2004. If Ohio proves to be a battle ground in November, Cunningham’s support, or lack thereof, might be decisive.

The incident has the potential to further alienate conservatives, who are already skeptical of the Senator.