Another McCain-Palin Introducer Declares "Barack Hussein Obama"

For the second time in three days, the speaker at a McCain campaign rally used Barack Obama's middle name "Hussein" in a demeaning fashion to ignite the crowd.

Speaking in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Bill Platt, the GOP chair of Lehigh County, twice referred to "Barack Hussein Obama" minutes before John McCain and Sarah Palin were set to take the stage.

Watch the video:

On Monday, a local Florida sheriff preceded Palin's speech by declaring: "On Nov. 4, let's leave Barack Hussein Obama wondering what happened."

McCain has distanced itself from the deliberate and malicious use of Obama's middle name in the past. When a conservative radio talk show host first discussed Barack "Hussein" Obama in February, the campaign said it was inappropriate and not reflective of the race they are seeking to run.

But it is hard not to notice how rabid the crowds have recently become at McCain events and how demonstrative they have been in their disdain for Obama. In addition to introductory speakers raising the Senator's middle name in the form of an insult, audience members have screamed out, during recent events, "terrorist," "treason," and "kill him," when the Illinois Democrat's name has been discussed.

Speaking on MSNBC, Bill Burton, Obama's national press secretary, responded to the episode with the following statement.

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"People try to use it as an epithet, as a way to stir up feelings about Sen. Obama that are negative," he said. "But they ultimately have nothing to do with our challenges that we are facing right now."

UPDATE: The McCain campaign condemns the remarks. For Obama supporters and others, however, the issue is more about whether McCain will be proactive about this stuff as opposed to reactive.

"We do not condone this inappropriate rhetoric which distracts from the real questions of judgment, character, and experience that voters will base their decisions on this November." --Paul Lindsay, McCain-Palin spokesman

Later in the same event, McCain referred to Americans as his "fellow prisoners." Watch:

Comments

[whitewaterwillie]

On one hand, the McCain campaign rejects the crowds the rantings of the crowds, but at the same time encourage with their rhetoric (e.g., "palling around with terrorists" or "not one of us"). What the h*ll do they expect?

[IndependentforObama]

Also to add,

I was stunned today regarding how ignorant the average person can be.
As I have written here and elsewhere... because a person is of the muslim FAITH does not mean they are terrorists!!

THE NAME HUSSEIN MEANS BEAUTIFUL OR HANDSOME. HE WAS NAMED AFTER HIS FATHER SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN.. WAS HIS FATHER A TERRORIST??

I think people should be bolder in defining the meaning of the word Hussein not deny it. it is out there for all to see. DEFINE IT ALREADY!

Also, the Keating 5 issue should be made into a full blown AD. I do not see what the Obama camp has to lose at this point. The McCain camp is acting with impunity and the Obama camp has arsenal at its disposal which it can use.

I can understand if they were waiting for some auspicious moment but no time is better than now!!

[Indy 44]

Middle names are non issues. Why is there a thread on this? Why do we dignify the stupidity out there?

Keating Five is also a non-issue, unfortunately. Anyone who is objective will remember that McCain and Glenn were cleared of wrongdoing. Completely exonerated. It's off the table.

[thoushaltnotlie2]

No, I beg to disagree. McCain was cleared of "wrong doing", but he WAS formally criticized for being a dumb-a$$. (Okay, I think the wording was use of "poor judgement".) That, I think, is farily relavent, ESPECIALLY since he is still exercizing the SAME poor judgement regarding the general philophy of "economic non-regulation good, economic regulation bad."

[richmc]

I think Phil Gramm and John McCain are economic terrorists who committed a financial 9/11 on this country through deregulation and bank fraud. You want treason, you need look no farther than that.

[shelobo]

If McCain does not condone the actions ,then where is McCAINS COURAGE to stand up and rebuke the comments WHEN they are said ,while the person who says them IS right there by McCain? And some of you people BELIEVE this man is a Hero?A Hero ,stands up for whats right,A Hero REBUKES the wrongs ,A Hero is NOT A COWARD ! A HERO is HONEST.iF YOU WANT mCcAIN TO CHANGE HIS ACTIONS ,bless him ,he needs BLESSINGS and PRAYERS.

[IndependentforObama]

Hidden in a dark basement with dirt and filth. The yellow dog yet roars. hahahaha.... Whole, hearty, watching, confident in the massive cover of others,., LOL *shiver*

I hope.. and believe McCain will get his just dessert because he supports the sociopaths around him and their actions and thinks he cannot be found culpable.

*sigh* what a mess.....

I want the elections to be held today.. the polls swinging.. exhaust me. Grrrrrrrrrrr

[BigHeadTodd]

As of Monday, Obama is polling at FORTY PERCENT in Alaska! That's not going to win the state but it's better than Clinton, Gore or Kerry ever did in that state, and they weren't up against a candidate FROM Alaska!

The Palins may have wanted to have Alaska secede from the United States of America, but it sure looks like more and more Alaskans want to secede from the Palins!

[PBOHIO]

For all of you who care. The # for the Lee County Sheriff's office in FL. is 239-477-1000. When asked, there is a "Comment Line". Please call and leave this man who disgraces' the uniform he wears, a message about his Barack "Hussien" Obama intorduction of Sarah Palin. Please flood his "Comment Line".....Thanks

[jagrmeister721]

This is the Seinfeld episode of all Presidential campaigns- an election that has a lot at stake, but it has been conducted by both sides in a totally hollow and superficial way. None of the details regarding health plans, concrete plans regarding diplomatic options with Iran, etc. have been made public. Everything is at stake, but it has been an election about nothing.

[playera]

You say none of the details have been made public. I believe at Barack Obama's website there are enough details to understand what he and the Democrats want to do. I don't have time to go to Mclain's website and look.

And, I TRUST Obama. I have little or no trust left for any Republicans, anywhere.

[luvienne]

How can the Republicans claim to be the religious right? What kind of religion?

[Samalabear]

Certainly not Christian, that's for sure.

[JICC]

Visigoths.

[boatsfra]

So Barack is related to Saddam...is John from Australia? That means we can't vote for him!

[boatsfra]

Myself and my brothers and sisters down here in Florida, being average Floridians, are floored that Obama is related to Saddam, and that we might be electing a terrorist! Go Palin! She is sooo in touch with us soccer dads! (wink!)

[LaMees]

Deliverance anyone? "Boy, you sure do have a purty mouth....."

[IndependentforObama]

This should be Obama's response

"You are a LOSER and even though you think you are free and square do not start hatching your chickens yet. Yes, we see you and you see us, we know who you are and the type of scum you support and spew... but we wait... and watch as you watch. At the end of the day, the games might be over and who knows, good might actually triumph"

Well, I guess politicians are not that outspoken hahahaha.... who knows, miracles do happen!!! LOL

[springsm]

Well Hussein means "handsome one" or "beautiful one" and is given to a baby with hopes he or she will have a beautiful life. I think that is what we start saying, "Barack Handsome Obama". It is time to difuse this very mean spirited, hateful, racist tripe that this mccain group is doing. It is disgusting and demeaning. And they think they are cute doing it...let me tell you folks "YOU are not cute".

[gazissax]

Someone should tell the McCain crowd that "Hussein" means "good" or "handsome one".

[cc5596]

A lot of republicans are even outraged over this hate provoking campaign. Obama's up in the polls so people are not buying into their swift boat tactics. If McCain continues to cater to the ignorant racists, I would hope that more honorable people in the republican party would denounce McCain and his "me first" tactics.

[Hotochan]

and it's funny how McCain and Palin constantly throw out the logo of "Country First" but yet at the same time they're still looking out for number 1.

[thestargazer]

The reason they continue to use Barack's middle name at speeches???

This video pretty much says it all..... This is the voter that they are trying to atract. This is the element that they want/need in their party.

You have to see this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wroj0FLvzs&eurl=http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/

Doesn't it make you republicans proud?