Republican Congressman Criticizes Palin Rallies

Veteran Republican Congressman Ray LaHood criticized his party's vice presidential nominee Friday, saying that Sarah Palin's vitriolic campaign rallies ""don't befit the office she's running for."

Rep. LaHood, who has represented Illinois' 18th district for seven terms and is retiring in January, told WBBM Radio that Palin should control the racially-charged heckling at her rallies:

"Look it. This doesn't befit the office that she's running for. And frankly, people don't like it."

Some of the names Obama is being called, which include "terrorist" and "traitor," "certainly don't reflect the nature of the man," LaHood said to WBBM.

LaHood supports John McCain's candidacy, but warned that the heckling could backfire on the Republican ticket.

Comments

[sbvpav]

thank you sir for your decency.

[Rog49Thomas]

Decency in extermis is more often less decency than trying to save one's own skin.

[ManyColored]

She simply doesn't know how to act in a polite or dignified manner. That's just the way she was brought up. She degrades the office she is running for, and she feels the same way about Obama as the people who shout out the epithets in the crowds. This is hot news? Let's face it. The bigots are out there supporting McCain. This is hot news? Hey, all you conservative Democrats, look at who you are considering voting for. McCain goes off like a Roman Candle, and Palin is a loose cannon. This is a good combination?? This is hot news??

[Carsy]

I know, she is quite classless, she has no propriety at all.

[solanus]

Remember Todd Palin belonged to a secessionist group; who leader said he hated America more than he hated the devil, and sarah attended, it's on video folks.....­..........­.........

[chicagoexpat]

I knew LaHood when I was in Illinois. Has a real maverick reputation, unlike the faux maverickism of McCain

He joins other Republicans who are either jumping ship or at least denouncing these tactics.

One list at

http://loomisnews.wordpress.com/2008/10/10/more-republicans-for-obama-john-mccain-is-not-a-principled-man/

[liriope]

She may be evil, but she is no genius. She believes she is on a mission from God. Don't forget that! What a hypocrite. I would love to see Bill Maher interview her...what a trip.

[jhwkr]

Or a truly intelligent woman like Rachel Maddow! She would chew her up and spit her out.

[liriope]

There is no doubt what this so-caled campaign is doing. It doesn't take too much to anger people, especially the "conservative base" that these people represent. They are portraying Obama as a dark, scary person with a Muslim middle name who "pals around" with domestic terrorists. Palin even squints up her eyes and pinches her voice to further emphasize how possibly dangerous he is. That is some nerve. She is currently involved in a possible misuse of power and she and her husband have ties to a radical group in Alaska. Who is the REAL Sarah Palin? As for McCain, I have no respect for the man. He has built a reputation on being strong...c­ountry first, yet he sends his VP AND his wife to rile the audience. Hopefully, most Americans are smart enough to see through this very elementary attempt at pandering to these hapless souls. It is difficult not to be angry all of the time.

[zenaby56]

Thank you Congressman Ray LaHood! It gives me glimmers of hope for the Republican party when I hear that some are actually speaking out against the horrible hate that is being allowed to grow and McCain/Palin rallies. I don't want my President of Vice President to ignore hate and expect them to show leadership helping people stay focused on the issues and not making hate filled judgements.

[okayigive]

Anyone with sense and not blinded by anger, and hatred already knows that Mcc and P@lin are inciting dangerous acts. Their ambitions have blinded them from reality by not realizing that people are already on the edge due to the present chaos in their lives economically and their words and silence is only pushing them farther over the edge. Today I read an interesting article on the salon site that gives incite into the character of P@lin and how dan gerous she really can be. Also it further proves that Mcc in his rush to gain the spotlight had no idea what he was about to unleash on us all with his poor judgment.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/10/10/palin_chryson/

[thepianodiva]

""Look it. This doesn't befit the office that she's running for. And frankly, people don't like it."

That would be an understatement.

The truth of Sarah Palin, of which we must be aware, is that she represents the Jezebel Spirit in the flesh. The spirit of Jezebel is one of pride, arrogance, witchcraft and rebellion. It seeks to manipulate and control. It's goal? Power and domination. The Jezebel spirit attacks true God-given authority and attempts to usurp its position. This is why the whole thrust of Palin'sattitude has become an attack on Barack Obama.

When we witness the influence Palin has brought to the campaign of John McCain we see this spirit in action. Her so-called political rallies have become vehicles of hatred and vitriol. She is able to whip her hapless audience into a state of rage and impending violence. The evil of this must be confronted. This kind of dangerous personality has no place in the modern democratic political arena.

We must not stick our head into the sand in regard to its demonic roots.

[Lotus19]

Interesting.

[sharri]

If the female attack dog did not have something negative to say I guess there would be nothing for her to say. Her style is so vitriol that pleasantries would not come out of her mouth.

[PioneerKing]

The real John McCain
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/19/watch-mccain-didnt-love-a_n_108191.html
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain
http://www.notmytribe.com/2008/mccain-was-dubbed-the-pow-songbird-83448.html

McCain associated with organization that funded the Taliban
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/06/why-mccains-time-with-cou_n_132470.html

McCain linked to the radical neo-con group Council for World Council Freedom
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chip-berlet/mccain-advised-ultra-righ_b_132612.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20081007/mccain-iran-contra/

McCain's "agent's of intolerence"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/05/mccains-catholic-committe_n_100277.html

McCain on earmarks
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2008/05/mccains_fantasy_war_on_earmark.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ari-rabin-havt/john-mccains-60-million-i_b_106362.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-benen/jukebox-john-keeps-changi_b_112148.html
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/23316955/the_doubletalk_express/1

McCain's donors
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/07/mccain-donor-mccain-worse_n_117469.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/08/double-standard-if-obama_n_117768.html

The real Sarah Palin
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-church-may-have-sh_n_123205.html
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/23318320/mad_dog_palin
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-persily/palin-only-repeating-conv_b_125197.html

[grantlingel]

Very well said. The actions at her rallies are completely hate-filled and very un-America­n... I believe it will catch up to the two of them.. in a few weeks when it matters.
http://grantlingel.blogspot.com

[CompetenceMatters]

Thank you, Congressman LaHood, I respect you for speaking out.

[6bd]

We do as well

[jlab]

Could somebody else from the GOP say something similar, please? Like, someone who's not that close to retirement? Someone with some name recognition? Someone who likes to be looked at as a human being? Rudy, Arnold, Mr. Huckabee? Anyone? Come on, they're running out of mavericks!

[ShamusNYC]

If you really object, withdraw your endorsement.