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

[boing007]

Rep LaHood's remarks are much appreciated. Unfortunately, I remember that when Bush became President many high profile Republicans inside and outside of his administration were denounced, or even fired, when they revealed to the American people how badly organized his administration was. Just more of the same?

[troika]

An honest view from a Republican. What a breath of fresh air?

[scrutiny1]

Sarah Palin doesn't befit the office she's running for.

[debwarot]

I'll second that !

[MoeB]

While I may not agree w/the Congressman's vision for this country, I must applaud ANY republican who is willing to stand up and say that this is getting (or has already gotten) out of control.

WHY is McCain/Palin not addressing these instances WHEN they happen? This is way beyond politics and into the realm of being complacent while people are threatening a political candidate.

Republicans--minus a few of you who have spoken up already, WHERE IS THE HUMANITY??? Where is the common decency? Aren't you all supposed to be the "religious" party?

[gopnot4me]

Hate feeds hate, and this ticket is getting a belly full!
I'd like to know why this couple is not being held legally responsible for instigating a riot. If the Obama campaign was using this tactic, you KNOW some authority would be shutting his rallies down!
Forgive me, but my hate/distaste for the Republicans now knows no bounds.

[Diplomacy]

MoeB,

You ask: "WHY is McCain/Palin not addressing these instances WHEN they happen?"

McCain/Palin are not addressing the problem because it's called: "Planned Strategy". The McCain/Palin Campaign has become the "Dirtiest of the Dirtiest". What you have is planned 'plants' in the crowd with 'scripts' to get the 'message out'. That message is: "WHO is the REAL Obama?" And, that message has come out loud & clear straight from the mouths of McCain/Palin.

[demright]

Sarah Palin will do or say anything needed to get more power for herself. And don't be fooled it is for herself. Remember she got money form the government to rebuild the Wasilla airport , she has the money to own a plane, for Wasilla or for Palin "FYI This does not include our nearly one million Dollars from the Feds for our Airport Paving Project.We did well!!!"
As governor, Gov. Palin has requested $451 million in earmarks over two years, far more per capita than any other state. No wonder she has 80% popularity -- she sends yearly checks of $3200 to each and every Alaska resident. Now that's socialism. I wonder if her latest smear tactics are condoned by her witch doctor?

[LeeCalif]

Sure LaHood knows Palin's behavior disrespects the office. I remember him gaveling the House to order and directing business many times.
He was a rude , nasty S.0.B. and he helped create the volatile atmosphere of today's politics.

What a hypocrite !!

[powmari]

I contacted Florida's Governor about the uniformed Sheriff's "Hussein" intro at a Florida rally, and this is the weaselly response I got back.....

"Governor Crist has received your email concerning the October 6 rally
where Sheriff Mike Scott appeared in support of the Republican
Presidential ticket.  

The Governor believes there are two issues involved.  First, law
enforcement leaders frequently appear with candidates they support, no
matter the party.  Sheriffs, Chiefs of Police and officers have joined
with state and national law enforcement leaders to stand behind
Republican and Democratic candidates whom they support while in uniform.
Sheriff Scott is one of many.

However, Governor Crist fully understands that Sheriff Scott's remarks
might have offended Floridians.  Senator McCain and Governor Palin
understand that as well as evidenced by the campaign's statement stating
they "do not condone" what was described as "inappropriate rhetoric."

Thank you for again for taking the time to contact Governor Crist.  

Sincerely,

Warren Davis
Office of Citizen Services"

[urojen]

The question is if it is legal to campaign for a political candidate while in uniform.

[TishiJo]

They dont condone it? They incite the hatred with false attacks on Obama. McCain asks the crowd, "who is Obama." Palin states that he hangs out with terrorists, their entire spiel is to create doubt, hatred and fear. McCain and Palin, SHAMELESS as so called leaders of our country. The world is watching, not just American voters.

[kjstjohn]

In the military, it is absolutely inappropriate to give the appearance of officially endorsing a candidate for election. Wearing of the uniform generally indicates that the person is on duty (is acting officially) or is commuting, taking a lunch break, etc. while on duty. I find it hard to beleive there isn't such a rule for law enforsement in Florida.

[TheLastPenguin]

Totally inappropriate. He must be fired.

[WilburPig]

Has anyone considered that Palin’s an evil genius? She’s trying to incite not just violence, but outright civil war.

Wouldn’t it be much easier for Alaska to secede if the contiguous U.S. were at war?

This sounds like good dystopian fiction. I hope to the god I don’t believe in that this isn’t true.

[OCKerouac]

We all assume Sarah Palin cannot REALLY be as mindless as she seems because no semi-successful human being would keep telling the same untruths, keep using anger inspiring rhetoric when they see people reacting inappropriately, or keep smiling and acting like she's a 'spunky gogetter' even after this truth has been exposed.

The thing is, I don't think this is an act... I'm pretty sure she really is an under educated sociopath who lacks the mental capacity or judgement to exist 30 seconds in the past, or the future. There is only 'right now' for Sarah Palin, and right now she has convinced herself that Barack Obama is going to usher in the end of days...

[GraceNeeded]

WOW! I think you might have something here. Something is definitely wrong with this governor.

[CocoGrrrl]

Some states, such as California (SB 1234), have laws against hate speech. In California, "hate speech" is classified as "any public expression that makes certain favored citizens feel 'unwelcome' or 'intimidat­ed.'. Anyone found guilty of using such expressions could face six months in prison and a $25,000 fine."

Why can we not, when they spew this stuff in states that have these laws on the books, bring charges against these two crackpots before someone gets hurt?

This has gotten way out of hand.

[obama4president-now]

It TOTALLY fits with her AIP agenda.

[Meggie]

Good point. I hadn't looked at it that way. So, none of the weak statements these other republicans are making will matter at all to her. It's not her agenda at all.

[Rumba]

The despicable odd couple have now alienated the honest people in the Republican party.

[Meggie]

No they havent. Mrs. Luger is the only one I've heard endorse Obama. Until they're ready to do that, they are saying that they will reward this behavior with their votes.

[lucite]

Sarah Palin's words "the TOXIC MESS on main street that is affecting wall street"

A Sarah Palin's supporters words.

" Alaska is an AT WILL STATE. The governer should be able to fire anyone she feels is not doing the job"

WoW "I am a Maverick. and a pitbull"

[CocoGrrrl]

If Sarah wants to see a REAL "toxic mess", she should look into a mirror.
This woman is dangerous.

[Rumba]

Her role as pitbull in an Alaskan backwater will soon be exposed by the committee investigating her behaviour in office.

[queentravl]

Hey everyone, let's see if John McCain has the gall to confront Senator Obama in the next debate. I hope Senator Obama takes him down.
John McCain has a problem. I myself think there is something wrong with him i.e., the beginning stages of Alzheimers. Some of you might ask why I say that, well my mother has Alzheimers and McCain is showing the same signs that she did at his age.

[Meggie]

I hope that Obama is ready to go there if the republican brings anything up. And John has to now or he will look quite cowardly. But, he will be the angry guy whose grades show isn't all that quick on his feet and is not used to others talking back to him up against someone who did grow up like a normal person who has had to work hard for everything and IS smart. Obama just made one small remark about talking to Spain and McCain had a minimeltdown in the first debate. He can't hold his temper and do this face to face.

[Rumba]

Whatever the reason McCain has clearly lost all rational thought and behaviour. Definitely unfit to lead.

[speechteach]

I hope Obama has an opportunity to ask McCain to look him straight in the eye and tell him why McCain and Palin think he is a "traitor", etc. I don't think McCain can do it. He needs to be put on the spot, however. Instead of repeating the same lines from the McCain/Palin hatefests, the MSM need to keep finding reputable people who know the real connections between Obama and Ayers. The Hannitys of the world will continue to find "nuts" who are willing to say anything to get on the air. That includes Sarah Palin! We're always going to have ignorant people who choose not to research the facts. I just hope reasonable people will see this for what it truly is...despe­ration on the part of McCain/Palin. This is how they will handle a foreign crisis!

[damnsmart]

When one sees the source of all the vitrol and evil words on the part of repubs, it's no wonder the spirit of bipar' is forever gone.

[RiggsMD]

When all this is over Sarah Palin will be considered and treated as a 'pariah'. There is so much opposition to her and McCain that historically they will go down as the worst ticket the Republicans have ever had. Because he has proven to be 'a devil' and corrupt to the core, it is appropriate that his a** whip'n comes at the hands of a real 'black man'. Karma is a b*tch, ask McCain. Sarah palin will be brought up on charges in regards to troopergate, believe it. Sen. Lyda green, Alaska, look it up!

[IowaKid]

From a democrat thank you Rep LaHood for stepping up to the plate. This is very disgracful and disrespectful of any candidate to act this way. What has this country come to????

[ruhdwulf]

My biggest fear is that the Republican hate-mongering will reap the whirlwind. In my view we are poised on the brink of civil war. All it would take is for one of the individuals fueled by Palin and McCain to commit an act of violence against Obama and, God forbid, succeed in eliminating the Democratic candidate upon which so many have staked their hopes and who they pray will allay their fears.

What would happen? Does Biden become the Presidential candidate? Does Bush declare martial law? Do the Republicans challenge every ballot in every state and contend that they win because their is no challenger? Do people take to the streets? Are they confronted by the U.S. military under legislation that suspended the bar on the military being used against U.S. citizens..­. all in the name of fighting terrorism? This is very, very dangerous stuff that McCain is doing.

Whatever God or being you believe in, pray that we make ti through this election and the next administration without the spectre of political violence which has too often visited the United States.

[LadyBugg]

The McCain-Palin ticket is playing an extremly dangerous game. They are so out of touch that they don't understand times have changed and people are not putting up with ignorance any loner. The ignoracne spewing from the mouths of their supporters are words that will lead to nothing but a race war once again in America. One that will destroy us all!!!!!! Like they say in the streets, " those are some fighting words."

[ruhdwulf]

I think they want to incite violence, but I don't think that we are confronting a "race war." The split is along ideological and economic lines and concerns who will wield power in the country. Will we be governed by the 500 richest people in a totalitarian oligarchy? Or will we return to our constitutional and democratic roots? If anything it seems more an issue of class war. Anyone who seeks to tax the wealthy or corporations is often accused of fomenting "class warfare." Not possible. Class warfare has been going on full tilt since the Reagan administration. It's just that the wealthy are waging it and winning. We have seen the largest transfer of wealth in the world's history in the last 25 years. It is not healthy and does not produce a stable, just, and viable society.

[weneedaLEADER]

Bush has already called an army brigade to be ready. Ready for what? The October surprise? Stolen election? God forbid, you are correct ,and Obama's beautiful family lose their father and husband, not to mention the citizen's next president. During the last eight years our country has taken such a dismal downward spiral. Thank you Bush-Cheney! So glad you were able to rid us of that pesky Constitution. Only took a couple of centuries, but you managed in a few years.

And I do pray for Obama's safety and our great nation.May we return to that greatness. McCain makes Bush-Cheney look like choirboys. A McCain vote will assure the demise of America.

[ruhdwulf]

I just read the news about an Army brigade being deployed in the United States for possible use in the period around the election. I really took it with a grain of salt. Probably just not very reliable internet hype. Then I found this:

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/army_homeland_090708w/

What is going on here??? This is the kind of thing that happens in S. American countries just before a coup. Not here.

[mountainmama]

I'm late in getting to this thread. Nevertheless, I must say something about us NOT inviting the worst by imagining it. We need to constantly visualize peace in people's hearts. This is not to say to be an idiot, or a Pollyanna, not seeing anything bad in the world. But it is to say that it is good to give energy, your own, only to the positive.

[suz1941]

People are judged by the lives they lead, daily and the words they speak. Most people try to live with honor, integrity and truthfulness. John McCain will never be able to convince anyone that he possesses any of those qualities again. Sarah Palin, well, she's in her element and seems to be very comfortable with this role. If I can hear through the TV the words being shouted from their rallies, then they can too. That Sarah does nothing to rein in her supporters does not surprise me...she has no substance. That John McCain does not do anything about it is disgraceful. Just when you think he can't sink any lower, he shows you he can.

In addition, McCain is not mentally competent to handle the problems facing this country. His temper has been confirmed from too many different sources not to believe it now, whether from people he gambles with, people he works with in DC and people who are Vietnam veterans.

This country does not need a McCain/Palin duo RULING our country. We need Obama/Biden GOVERNING our country. There's a huge difference and it is called DEMOCRACY!