"That One," McCain Calls Obama In Debate (VIDEO)

During a discussion about energy, McCain punctuates a contrast with Obama by referring to him as "that one," while once again not looking in his opponent's direction (merely jabbing a finger across his chest). That's not going to win McCain any Miss Congeniality points. Nor will it reassure any voters who believe McCain is improperly trying to capitalize on Obama's "otherness."

This goes beyond refusing to look at Obama in the first debate. With this slightly dehumanizing phrase, McCain may have just played into the emerging narrative of Obama-hate that has been sprouting at McCain-Palin rallies.

Darren Davis, a professor at Notre Dame who specializes in the role of race in politics, sent a comment to the Huffington Post about McCain's "that one" remark. "It speaks volumes about how McCain feels personally about Obama. Whomever said the town hall format helps McCain is dead wrong," Davis wrote.

A few minutes later, Obama spokesman Bill Burton placed his foot on the pedal ever so slightly. In an email blast to reporters, he asks: "Did John McCain just refer to Obama as 'that one'?" No other commentary followed, nor did any mention of race. But expect the post-debate analysis to get a little focused on whether McCain just made a regrettable faux pas.

The Politico has the McCain camp's spin on the line:

"The most memorable line of the night belonged to John McCain. McCain pointed out that "That One" vote for the 05 energy bill. Look for Republicans to note in coming days that "That One" also voted for higher taxes at least 94 times; "That One" has associations with unrepentant terrorists, etc..."

Comments

[Involved1]

12:28 PM on 10/14/2008

When McCain said the word “goodies” during the second debate, he reminded me of a cross between Gollum from Lord of the Rings and that demented clown from the Stephen King’s It. McCain uses the same tone with the word “goodies” that Gollum uses when he says “my precious”. Listen to him again, it’s very eerie sounding.

[Apocalypse1]

02:40 PM on 10/09/2008

"Get Mavericky this November 4th, vote for The One. Yes, THAT ONE!"

[matthewhusseinsmith]

09:34 AM on 10/09/2008

"That One1"
It is often the dumb and the ignorant who is arrogant and disrespectful; an intelligent person is usually humble knowing there is much he does not know and much yet to learn.

In dissing Obama, McCain disses half the American electorate who chose Obama.

[floridarla]

09:34 AM on 10/09/2008

Not only did McCain show incredibly poor manners, he made a grammatical error in his answer. He asked "Who voted against it?" and answered "Me." He should have said "I did." Poor manners AND bad grammar!

[MSMSucksCom]

01:21 AM on 10/09/2008

[Desdemondo]

09:44 PM on 10/08/2008

Had Sen. Obama been a crude person, he would have refered to Mc Same-Bush as "that old one".

[grp]

08:40 PM on 10/08/2008

Obama has dumbed down our nation.

[Apocalypse1]

02:36 PM on 10/09/2008

Hahahaha! That's a good one! and I suppose Palin has increased the intellect of all the joe six-packs out there? lol

[bentax645]

11:01 AM on 10/11/2008

MMM....Interesting misconception. Mensa Laureate Obama. Harvard Graduate on a Scholarship. Well read, worldly, diplomatic with great intellectual prowess. Please, rather than reading the cross word puzzles or doing your paint by number, do your research and come back to us once you have. If Palin is representative of the zenith of what the barometer of intelligence represents, we are in dire straights.

[Heckler]

08:32 PM on 10/08/2008

I've been looking everywhere for anyone who has info on the strange gestures McCain was making during Obama's answer about health care being treated as a commodity...

At about 0:30 into this video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnaOa659osk

McCain crosses the stage and signals someone, possibly Brokaw... anyone got any info?

[QueenofSheba]

02:23 AM on 10/09/2008

Chalk it up to nerves. McCain alternately paced the stage like an expectant father in a maternity waiting room or scribbled notes while Obama was speaking, then never referred to the notes again. He made strange hand motions indicative of nothing, and seemed unable to verbalize a coherent thought - he sounded confused and desperate to make people like him and understand and agree with his policy points. It was an extremely embarassing performance, especially when he went on and on about how he "knew" how to win the war in Iraq and capture Osama bin Laden. He's afraid, and his fear has rubbed his nerves raw.

[dotmafia]

08:12 PM on 10/08/2008

The one that won '08.

http://thatwon08.com/

[CommonSenseAmerican]

08:08 PM on 10/08/2008

You know for all the Liberals out there that are always talking about what their candidates "intentions" were and "what I meant to say was.." or "what he REALLY meant was.." .....when THEIR guy/girl says something potentially contraversial, maybe you should replay the WHOLE statement and see it for the context it was given.

You are all victims! Everyday, I bet most of you wake up and ask yourself " what will someone do for me today?" "How can i get something for nothing today?" Go ahead, play the race card, go straight for the lowest common denominator....You'll all be the first to start crying when your socialist, marxist, communists utopia come to fruition and you'll be left with no money, no freedoms, no god and slaves to the Man you thought you were getting rid of. Trust in this, you will get what you deserve while others like me and my likeminded people will be taking responsibility for ourselves. our families and ultimately YOU.

[marcywrite]

11:55 PM on 10/08/2008

CommonSenseAmerican: you're demonstrating an utter lack of understanding of the terms you use to criticize Democrats -- one cannot simultaneously BE a "socialist, marxist, communist." The three are clearly distinct, and quite contradictory, philosophies. Just because you use the words doesn't mean you are using them appropriately or intelligently...and the fact that you throw them about so carelessly demonstrates a failure on your part to actually THINK before you speak. I've always taken responsibility for myself, and so has every Democrat I've ever known -- that notion, too, is a fictionalized account dreamed up by the right to demonize anyone who dares suggest a different approach to governance and policy making. You need to go back to high school civics class, sit down, shut up and LEARN about democracy. Clearly you cut class the first time around.

[blablablablabla]

09:20 PM on 10/09/2008

NO GOD!!! I sure hope so.

[votethatone08]

05:47 PM on 10/08/2008

Vote That One 08

It seems there are a lot of people trying to make a quick buck of the "THAT ONE" comment.

If you want a t-shirt, hat, mug etc. you need to go here, they are donating all profits to the OBAMA campaign

http://www.cafepress.com/votethatone08

[edwardvondoom]

05:27 PM on 10/08/2008

"That one" won the debate alright. What a cretin. McCain ought to be ashamed of himself for his disrespectful behavior during the debates. He's always shown an utter contempt for his worthy opponent, but last night he outdid himself. I was so offended I even designed a shirt for the occasion. Wear it with pride, people.

http://www.voteforthatoneshirts.com

[redsongia]

05:05 PM on 10/08/2008

The slogan is, "THE One"

It's even your slogan! Frankly, it's the only talking point of yours that I agree with this year, so please get it straight.

[Harry1980]

05:01 PM on 10/08/2008

I wouldn't go that far by saying "that one" was in any way racist. But it was utterly disrespectful and gives people one more reason to question his mental health.

[ObamAtomic]

04:47 PM on 10/08/2008

Schnides

Kindly ,after the shock of your posting,you are very subtle.
McCain experience is equal to any public official in Washington or you are
a believer of his:,he knows how to win or change the economy?
Vote for him as you choose.
If you ask a fellow American input how to decide for whom to vote, it show you
are not ready to vote for no One,,,voting is a serious matter.
You are clouding the space with your assertions
Campaign of fear and smears wont work this time