NYT Editorial: McCain-Palin Have Sunk Into "Race-Baiting And Xenophobia"

The New York Times harshly criticized the McCain-Palin campaign in an editorial Wednesday:

It is a sorry fact of American political life that campaigns get ugly, often in their final weeks. But Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin have been running one of the most appalling campaigns we can remember.

They have gone far beyond the usual fare of quotes taken out of context and distortions of an opponent's record -- into the dark territory of race-baiting and xenophobia. Senator Barack Obama has taken some cheap shots at Mr. McCain, but there is no comparison.

...

[Palin's] demagoguery has elicited some frightening, intolerable responses. A recent Washington Post report said at a rally in Florida this week a man yelled "kill him!" as Ms. Palin delivered that line and others shouted epithets at an African-American member of a TV crew.

Mr. McCain's aides haven't even tried to hide their cynical tactics, saying they were "going negative" in hopes of shifting attention away from the financial crisis -- and by implication Mr. McCain's stumbling response.

We certainly expected better from Mr. McCain, who once showed withering contempt for win-at-any-cost politics. He was driven out of the 2000 Republican primaries by this sort of smear, orchestrated by some of the same people who are now running his campaign.

Of McCain's relatively civil debate performance, the paper said:

Ninety minutes of forced cordiality did not erase the dismal ugliness of his campaign in recent weeks, nor did it leave us with much hope that he would not just return to the same dismal ugliness on Wednesday.

Read the whole thing.

Comments

[bigsioux]

What is both sad and alarming is that Palin doesn't perceive any problem with what she is doing. She just keeps smiling while someone yells "kill him." She is not only intellectually and emotionally shallow, but a political sociopath. Now what after the debate last night?

[cabledave]

Political Sociopath

Excellent description that I think we should all adopt.

[Punkynsnow]

Thank you Dave, I've been posting for quite a while now that she and McCain are both sociopaths.

[lis60]

There is something very very wrong with her. This situation is one example but there are others. She has stepped squarely on people who helped her in her political career. She is a very manipulative ad cold person based on what I have read.

[OB-GYN]

Sarah Palin also sat back and giggled during an Alaska talk show where the talk hosts roasted a fellow Alaskan legislator, Lydia Green, and made fun of Ms. Green for having cancer, and being overweight.

SP just giggled: never reprimanded the hosts, or apologized to Ms Green and left.

SP has so many, many skeletons now in her political closet. I believe she is done for in politics on the national level, yet will let Alaskans make their own local judgement.

[MawMaw4Obama]

Just like her running mate when he was at that Town Hall meeting and that lady was referring to Hillary and she said,"how do we beat the B.I.T.C.H. McCain had that smirk on his face.

[schicklett3]

Yes they have, and I'm glad someone is finally speaking out about it.
JM and SP are stirring up the crowds with their "obama is a terrorist" talk, and it won't be long before they "bait" the right person to "do something about it." One of her "joe six-packs" will get a gun and make senator O a target.
For heaven sake, muzzle palin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LemonMeringue]

They had better be careful with that. Americans of all races would rise up and we would find out who the Patriot Act is really meant to be used against.

We still have Joe Biden. It won't get them anything at all.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

I believe you are correct, but the thought frightens me. Why do you think this administration has turned a blind eye, and even assisted Blackwater in it's quest for money and weapons. I believe it is so they can be used as a mercenary army to support the government, if just such a thing happens.

[bootcamp]

McCain has nowhere to go now but down. He can run away from President Bush, but he can't run away from the Republican Party. The Republicans will be regarded from now on as "the party that wrecked America." Over the weeks ahead, as carnage in the economy and the financial markets ramps up, it will become increasingly clear. It is important that this meme be spread through the internet. I urge all commentators to adopt and spread the idea that the Republicans are "the party that wrecked America." It will work because it is the truth. Use it freely. Just spread the word.