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

[LemonMeringue]

But the MSM dutifully types down what they say. They are as much to blame.

[Blain]

I couldn't agree with you more, now they are running Cindy McCains comments over and over on the news. We all know what a great intellectual she is. :-)

[Blain]

That's rich coming from the NY Times. They are the ones who helped revive this bogus Ayers story. Palin is quoting the NY TImes article as the source for her knowledge of Obama's relationship with Ayers, the so called domestic terrorist.

[KGinSanFrancisco]

I am also furious at the NYT for writing the article. I saw it late at night in California before it was even publish the next day and it sent shills down my spine. Even though the article debunks the relationship, still it provided fodder for ignorant republicans, like Palin and her followers, to twist the words and used it against Obama.

[votethatone08]

Vote That One 08... Seems there are a lot of people trying to make money of the THAT ONE comment.

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

http://www.cafepress.com/votethatone08

[TheIndependenceParty]

Her followers could not see her red neck until she put her hair back up in a beehive. Now they can't get enough of it. Pathetic!

[SvenBoogie]

Please start warning people when you post a link that requires registration to read it.

[candlewax]

try http://www.bugmenot.com

[LemonMeringue]

Every day McCain and Palin speak they hurt America more. We are a broke nation and we cannot take it. The election cannot come soon enough. 30 more days is just beyond unbearable.

[KGinSanFrancisco]

Congratulations to the NYT for stating the truth: McCain and Pallin are dishonorable, racists and xenophobic, filled with hate and spewing lies. They are the lowest of the low. They sold their lives to the devil and will bring what's left of their reputation in the toilet.

[harriettubman]

Just like they said she sat back and laughed while her political opponent in AK was humiliatingly degraded too. Silence is acceptance McCain/Palin and some Americans will NEVER forget this.

[obamagal]

She laughed when the guy interviewing her called Hillary a b*tch as well - great joke. She's a disgrace to all females; to humanity in fact.

[BannedInBoston]

In fact, to all sentient beings everywhere in the universe..­..

[TheNoBullExpress]

Leaves always turn color this time of year.

Republicans always show their true colors around the same time.

Let nature take her course

[vnique]

CNN has gone of the way of Fox... Last night David Gergan made a comment that he thought the polls were not correct and that race was an issue because Obama was black.....­.. NEWS FLASH..... many good americans have moved past the issue of skin color..... In fact I would bet that many of these bible belt christians will vote for Obama but they wont dare let the people in their community know this for fear of being looked down upon....

[kadene]

Which means they haven't really moved past the issue of skin color.

[cmonppl]

Does it even bother anyone that Obama is also Irish? (snicker..­. so am I) That's about how ridiculous the race card is these days. There's a great article on an Irish genealogy website tracing his ancestry on his mom's side - quite a few politicians in the extended line, too.

[BannedInBoston]

So he should spell his name "O'Bama" lol?

[dm92]

I don't completely disagree with Gergen - yet. We still don't know what will happen. I, personally, believe the 'Bradley effect' has little bearing on today's elections - but I am not ready to bet the farm on it. In the primary season, Obama achieved very close to his poll numbers and even overachieved a couple of times. The only big underachievment was in NH and that was all about the ladies and Hillary.

[OHNJPat]

Unfortunately, many people have not gotten past color. When Gergen made those comments, however, where was the outrage from the panel? No one said anything. You've all seen the crowds at those Palin appearances. It eerily reminds me of some type of Klu Klux Klan rally. From that scene, it is obvious that racism is still alive in America and, being an African-American, I have to tell my children that you will always be "discounted" by some people because of the color of your skin. Please, America, do not let those two racists, Palin and McCain, get into the White House (pun not intended).

[StillIRise]

Perhaps many younger good Americans have moved past the issue of skin color, but many older and some younger white Americans are as entrenched in their ignorance and fear of race as most Americans were fifty years ago! Very little has changed for them, and very few of them have sought change. We have only three weeks left, but these three weeks will likely be the most treacherous weeks of the entire campaign. The racism that has merely surfaced will rise to a level that many of us, especially those of a younger generation, have never witnessed. At that time, we will be forced to come face to face with the dark belly of America, the side that some never knew existed, that many have chosen to deny, and that few of us will be prepared for. This is the side of America that John McCain and Sarah Palin are appealing to and the side that are galvanizing to them. The implications of this election on the character and future of America are mind boggling. But David Gergan was right. Race is an issue because Obama is black, and the polls cannot reflect the role that race will play on November 4th.

[McWuss]

What's that line about showing your true colors when you face adversity? Whatever it is, America should get a good look because this is the real John McCain. We are only in the campaign phase and McCain, by his own hand, has already painted himself as the head of the most despicable and repugnant campaign ever. This campaign is baseless and reflects the failings of his moral character. What's sad is the old man can't even summon up the courage to confront Obama to his face. Rather, like a spineless snake in the grass, he sends his pit bull out on the attack to do all his dirty work. Leader? I think McCain has demonstrated that he does not possess the qualities it takes to be a leader nor the ability to win the hearts and minds of the American people. Come November, I hope McCain and Palin do not succeed in pulling the rug out from under us.

[okjoel]

Are McCain-Palin the true colors of the GOP? It's time for Republicans of conscience to renounce these disgusting tactics.

[Pegi]

I guess. Ronald Regan must be spinning in his grave!!!!!

[Tzimisce]

Reagan was the one who created this mess when he crafted that unholy alliance of religious, fiscal and military conservatives.

[DomainDiva]

Maybe just me...but when I look at Senator Obama I see 'treat others as you would have them treat you', I look at McCain and see 'do unto everyone before they do unto you'.

[ObamanextPresident]

Yes, the difference between Ch rist and ...An ti Ch rist.

[Pegi]

when i hear or see senator obama now, i don't even see his color, i just see a brilliant man!!!!! too bad the rest of the country hasn't come that far along.

[cmonppl]

Seems he and his chickadee are re- writing Hammurabi's Code for the new millenium.

[sheputstheLinPAIN]

I see a black man. I see a man who is intelligent, educated, has great judgement, is creative, presidential, is a decent man, loving father and husband, honorable American who is also a black man.

Don't be afraid to see color. Embrace it! I fear "not seeing color" subliminally suggests that if we see color, that's not a good thing. I'm not coming down on you - just hopefully inspiring a celebration of diversity, as opposed to celebrating one's blindness to it.

[cmonppl]

McC and P, that is...

[ohmetoo]

Maybe just me...but when I look at Senator Obama I see 'treat others as you would have them treat you', I look at McCain and see 'do unto everyone before they do unto you'.

This is a great comparison thanks! I see that too.

When I see Tiger Woods, I see a great golfer, a philanthropist, a bright Stanford graduate.

The GOP'ers can't move on, too bad to be left behind.

Obama-Biden 08

[jsinclair]

Thank God for the NYT. At least SOMEONE has the courage to say this.

Of course, we'll never hear it from the MSM

[steve-annie]

The New York Times isn't mainstream media?!

[kozmik]

To be fair, the NYT does have moments where it remembers it's supposed to be the Old Gray Lady, The Paper of Record, etc, and rise above mediocrity.

But, yeah, clearly the NYT is part of the Main Stream Media the vast majority of the time. NYT coverage during the prelude to Iraq comes to mind. Or as I prefer to call it, the Mediocrity Media, having no higher ambition than selling soap and pandering to the lowest common denominator. Many journalists today, especially the meritocracy, are more like regional soda pop distributors than truth tellers. They're absolutely terrified they might offend somebody and lose market share in sugar water.

Believe the planet is only 6000 years old and the Grand Canyon was created by the flood? That Palin is actually qualified to be VP and not just some incredibly corrupt and even moronic hick? No problem. Let's not dwell on it. They still want your sugar water business.

[BannedInBoston]

Face it, the real Mainstream Media (aka "MSM") are TV and radio news and talk shows not print journalism. The NY Times WAS MSM oh, maybe fifty or so years ago....

[nanjemoy]

I'm fine with the editorial, but it should be noted: the NYT is about as main stream as MSM gets.

[skibum49]

I have a question? Has anyone gotten an explanation for why Gov Palin went to five different schools in six years to get a degree in mass communications. Not trying to attack the governor (seriously). Just thought that perhaps the campaign had put something out on this that I missed or someone had actually asked her that question. Please no flip responses (I could come up with plenty of those myself ..smiles). Just curious if there was an official explantion?

[PeepingTom]

She probably flunked out of each one.

Obama:
OccidentalCollege - Two years.
ColumbiaUniversity - B.A. political science with a specialization in international relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in history and B.A. in political science.
SyracuseUn­iversityCo­llege of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

McCain:
United StatesNavalAcademy - Class rank 894 of 899

Palin:
HawaiiPaci­ficUnivers­ity - 1 semester
NorthIdahoCollege - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-­SusitnaCol­lege - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in journalism

[skibum49]

Thanks for the response. I'm quite aware of her curricula vitae. What I am interested in is whether there has ever been any effort on the part of the campaign or Gov. Palin to offer an explanation. As someone said in another thread on this subject ... the fact that two of those schools WEREN"T Columbia and Harvard probably is a positive with far too many Americans. How very sad.

[cmonppl]

Maybe Palin had to hunt around for a prof who would be able to translate that wink of hers, to her satisfaction.

[harriettubman]

And the military normally doesn't choose figher pilots from the bottom of the class. John McCain was given his entrance into the Naval Academy, becoming a fighter pilot & his commission all on a platter served by grandaddy and daddy McCain.

[PeepingTom]

and I wasn't trying to be flip.

I think the only reason one would college-hop so often is because of poor grades, and a threat of expulsion. She does not value the importance of education, and neither does McCain. How will either of them make tuition more affordable if neither thinks it's important to go in the first place?

[PeepingTom]

Obama:
OccidentalCollege - Two years.
ColumbiaUniversity - B.A. political science with a specialization in international relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in history and B.A. in political science.
SyracuseUn­iversityCo­llege of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

McCain:
United StatesNavalAcademy - Class rank 894 of 899

Palin:
HawaiiPaci­ficUnivers­ity - 1 semester
NorthIdahoCollege - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-­SusitnaCol­lege - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in journalism

[rpd123]

No explanation. And I agree -- this is a real red flag.

Aside from grades, scandal can make people run away often.

[kadene]

Google her. I know it isn't there, but heard she was a serial college dropout. We are not hearing the full story.