McCain Chief Uses POW Card To Defend Rally Rhetoric

Defending the aggressive campaign rhetoric at recent McCain-Palin events against criticisms made by Rep. John Lewis, McCain campaign manager Rick Davis raised John McCain's history as a POW on Sunday.

"Look, Chris, I think we have to take this very seriously," Davis told Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace. "And the kind of comments made by Congressman Lewis, a big Obama supporter, are reprehensible. The idea that you're going to compare John McCain to the kinds of hate spread in the '60s by somebody like George Wallace is outrageous. Where was John McCain when George Wallace was spreading his hate and segregationist policies at that time? He was in a Vietnam prison camp serving his country with his civil rights also denied."

The use of such a line of defense came one day after Lewis warned that the Arizona Republican - through his recent campaign rhetoric - was "sowing the seeds of hatred and division" in scenes reminiscent of segregationist George Wallace. The McCain campaign was quick to jump on the statement and demand an apology from Obama. The Illinois Democrat's aides said that while the Wallace comparison was over the line, the longtime civil rights figure's underlying message was, in fact, true.

David Axelrod, sitting across from Davis, would echo that stance arguing that McCain's ads were designed to "inflame" but not to be compared to George Wallace.

Later in the Fox appearance, meanwhile, Davis distanced the McCain campaign from some of the more inflammatory crowd rhetoric - including calling Obama a "terrorist" and a "traitor" and yelling "kill him" when his name comes up. But he dismissed the suggestion that McCain or Sarah Palin were in any way responsible for inciting such ire.

That he could weave in McCain's history in Vietnam was not particularly unique or difficult. The reference to the civil rights era did provide an entree into reminding voters of the Arizona Republican's biography.

"Nobody knows sacrifice like John McCain does," said Davis. "And the idea that Barack Obama didn't address this issue directly, had his campaign walk out there with a half-baked statement that didn't even address the comments made by Lewis as related to John McCain. Barack Obama should apologize to John McCain directly for the kinds of comments made by John Lewis yesterday and that should be the end of this sordid affair."

Comments

[crewmaster]

Congressman Lewis did not say that either John McCain or Sarah Palin are racists. What he said was, the kind of inflammatory things being said by the Vice Presidential candidate and the negative ads on TV approved by Senator McCain are incindiary and inflammatory. He's right They give the extremists the idea, whether intended or not, that it is ok to spew their hatred and that sometimes leads to violence.
If that was not the intent of this negative campaigning John McCain should say so and apologize to all Americans for this.

[1birdman8888]

No wonder Cindy McCain always looks like she has cold chills running through her body. Her husband, John McCain, has repeatedly voted against additional benefits for military veterans and our returning warriors.
In mid 2007 Senator Reid noted that John McCain “missed 10 of the past 14 votes on Iraq”. Not a good attendance record for someone who claims to care so much about what is happening in Iraq.
In August 2001, April 2003, October 2003, March 2004, March 2006, April 2006, may 2006, June 2006, February 2007, March 2007, July 2007 and September 2007, McCain voted against or attempted to table amendments that would provide increased medical and psychological benefits or funding for additional safety equipment for veterans and active military personnel.
This great country certainly doesn’t deserve another Commander-in- Chief that has so little regard for our brave active military and its veterans.

[Scarmouche]

McCain and Palin read the script provided to them by the Atwater/Rove acolytes. It isn't working this time. Everytime I heard the shrill Sarah Palin state that Obama "palls around with terrorists" (her plural), I thought to myself, "you're losing it lady." McCain has no honor left. He and his crew have played the POW card one too many times. And of all people to play that card. The weasel faced Rick Davis. I know all this doesn't bother Palin in the least. In that way she's like Bush. Ignorance is bliss. However, I can't help but think that McCain must have trouble sleeping at night since he sold his soul to the like of Steve Schmidt and Rick Davis.

[kpostero]

John McCain should apologize to all the Veterans, especially the POWs, for misleading the American people by his claim of "heroship" by rejecting early release as his "heroic" gesture. He HAD to reject it or face Courts-Martial for accepting early release before the longest held prisoner. Following orders is often times heroic, but the way he presents this heroic choice is not telling the WHOLE truth.

[realistic2008]

Please, should Obama or McCain for that matter apologize for everything is been said is the forum? Ask Bush to apologize to the world but principally to the American people what he has done to US. When is McFailing is going to apologize for inculcating and inciting people to hate, to lie, to be hipocrites and cretins ; values contrary to their christian teachings?
Why don't you ask the liberator to apologize to the Iraqi people for all the crimes commited against them? Why not ask Congress to begin criminal procedures on Bush and Co.?

[LJinFla]

Those people you mention in your post don't really need inculcating and inciting to hate, lie, be hypocrites or cretins. They are that way naturally. Or hadn't you noticed the past 8 years gone by?

[DrJohnnySkeptic]

The real truth of John McCain from his fellow POWs.

http://earthhopenetwork.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=385

[jusion]

Obama and his surrogates have repeatedly engaged in racial politics (as Bill Clinton lamented when in fury he denounced the "race card"). When there was never evidence that McCain was using race as a wedge issue, it was clear Obama most surely was--preemptively, on at least two occasions--warning Americans he would soon be the victim of opposition racial stereotyping.
His surrogates like Biden and those in the Senate continue to link legitimate worries about Obama's past with racism. Second, for about 3 months all we've heard are references to McCain's age, with adjectives and phrases like confused, can't remember any more, disturbed, lost his bearings, etc.
Moreover, so far, McCain supporters have not broken into Biden's email, or accused Biden of being a Nazi, or accused anyone of not bearing one of their own children, or photo-shopped grotesque pictures of Obama on the Internet (as in the Atlantic magazine case). I don't think deranged McCain supporters in Hollywood or television almost daily are quoted as damning Obama in unusually crude terms. Nor are white racist ministers calling McCain a 'messiah' or McCain operatives fraudulently swarming voter registration centers. And on and on.

[busybee08]

McCain Campaign has 1. gone out of their way to prove Obama is against America "palling around with terrorists".
2. They have shown blatant disrespect in front of a national audience "That One".
3. Lied about his record and voting history (abortion, Iraq war, taxes)
4. Tried to tie Michelle Obama to Ayers (the lowest of Lows).
5. Allowed racial epithets and ravings to be spewed at rallies, without so much as an attempt to avert it. Yet consistently calling for others to denounce untoward behavior.
6. Used inconspicuous remarks to cloak racial overtones (He's not like you and me".

This is just a few things. I could go on and on.

You nor the McCains may want Obama as your choice for the Presidency and that is your right, but he does deserve much more respect than he has been shown. As a human being and a U.S. Senator.

Also, McCain/Palin were the first to say families should be off limits. Yet, Michelle seems to have been fair game in many instances. She is Obama's wife and not running for President, just as Bristol, Todd and Cindy aren't.

[LJinFla]

Ok, Mr. Big Man Jusion, name the racial politics that Obama has engaged in.

[thecanadian]

The Vets. McBush sends them off to War and then, won't take the time to see them. Be sure to look at the video and the photos. Iraq & Afgan. War VETS march and plead - no McCain!
These guys should be wiped out of the White House entirely.
Then - McCain lies about his great caring about the Troops Votes against them
Only FOR THEM 20% of the time for benefits.

VETERANS SPEAK OUT!
McCain doesn't reply to Troops
http://ivaw.org:80/node/4085

McCain Cellmate has 70 medals - No to McCain Pres.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfyGdG9llSE&feature=related
http://vietnamveteransagainstmccain.com/

[foygreenwood]

My concern regarding the rhetoric and threats at McCain's rallies was so great that I contacted the FBI to ask why this behavior was being ignored. I was told by the agent taking my call that this involved free speech issues. I pointed out the obvious, "Terrorist threats and physical threats to the life of the President and U.S. Senators are illegal. This goes far beyond screaming 'FIRE' in a crowded theater." My complaint/concern was registered. I would suggest that anyone else with a similar concern call the FBI and the Secret Service and let them know that you are watching and that you care. Lewis' comparison is apt. This is a truly frightening and potentially dangerous development.

[thecanadian]

Sorry - here is the vet link

http://ivaw.org:80/node/4085

[suvbaby]

And PS McCain....­your POW card has expired. You are no hero

[DrJohnnySkeptic]

No kidding. Being shot down from a plane does not make a hero. Being held captive for 5.5 years doesn't either, especially since there were POWs who were there longer than him. The big difference between McCain and the other POWs is that McCain sang like a canary to the Vietnamese, giving them classified military information. He was no hero - he was a traitor to his country.

The only reason McCain got the glory he did was because both his father and grandfather were highly decorated admirals in the military. McCain rode their coattails throughout his military career and really never amounted to much, militarily. He's just an angry, bitter old man who wants the self manufactured glory that he did when he got back home from Vietnam. Glory based on bad luck - not bravery.

His fellow POWs haven't gotten press, much less commendations for their bravery and faithfulness to their military and their country. They were left behind, forgotten. They are the soldiers who should have been honored, not McCain.

[busybee08]

I agree, since when does giving away secrets that endanger fellow troops and the U.S. overall deem you a hero?

I see this as another self proclaimed attempt at glory. sort of like "MAVERICK".

[blood1]

Does McCain think his POW card is a "get out of jail free" card? Exactly how long ago was this...yep­, a long time ago. So is he trying to tell the American people that he is allowed to have selective knowledge of history...­which can be interpreted that he hasn't studied any history about the USA if it was not directly related to his Vietnam experience. That makes him even more scary.

A generation ago, Vietnam was a big deal, but it is over...we lost. At some point in time, an individual has to proceed, move on to the pressing issues "of the day". McCain pulls out his POW history everytime he thinks it necessary to pander to a specific crowd. What he doesn't understand is that to a whole lot of Americans, all of that is history, an event that occurred before they were born.

His POW card is irrelevant to the politics of today.
If he wants to make it relevant, then allow the research to be thorough about his military history, I think he protest too much, which suggest that this selective portrayal of his military days are not as squeaky clean as he proclaims.

[LJinFla]

Not to mention that Palin kept saying to Biden the night of the debate..."­There you go again, bringing up the past!"

Hypocrits.

[old lady]

This does not compute... what other disspicable form of disaction does McCain's POW experience qualify him for? He can't handle his crowds because he was a powl He can incite to riot becausse he was a pow, He can't be criticized in any way - not matter how honestly - because he was a pow.
He isn't old because he was a pow.... was he the only pow in Vietnam? Wasn't the Manchurian candidate about pow? Cindy says he doesn't have Post traumatic stress syndrome because he was "trained". DENIAL DENIAL DENIAL.
Yes, he probably has PTS. Yes, he is old. Yes he was a pow - but that in itself, is not the only qualification for the presidency - if it was we would not have suffered 8 years at the hands of the draft dodging 5.

[Vere15]

John McCain and Sarah Palin are the most swiftboatable candidate team ever- terrible character, terrible ethics, terrible issues. The media is disgusting to say that Obama/Biden have all the issues, but McCain/Palin have the character. It seems that they are trying to prop up the GOP from a complete blowout. However the country requires a landslide to break down the gridlock

[suvbaby]

The mere fact that John McCain would try and raise a defense to the disgusting behavior exhibited at McCain/Palin rallies, is character not becomming someone running for the highest office. Watching the clips proves yet again how McCain feels in his heart of hearts about Obama. Not once did he respond to people screaming out these atrocities, in fact that creepy grin always comes over his face, proof positive that not only has he heard the comment but is amused by it. Not until he was getting hammered with critisism by his own party did he make a half hearted attempt to stop the flow of negativity, and as soon as he was done with that little media bite, he went on to not only reiterate the Obama/Ayers connection, he dragged Michelle into the mix, saying her relationship with Ayers wife needed to be looked at.
I was at the Fl rally where Obama was introduced with his middle name. I experienced first hand the hate and rage that was stirred in the croud by Palin. That people like this are tolerated in politics in this country is the embarrasement of the century. I implore all undecideds as well as all Republicans to search your heart and soul before voting next month.

[Academic]

In Britain we have a Nazi party called the British National Party (BNP). It's quite legal - subject to it not transgressing our incitement to race hatred laws - because we Brits don't go in for wholesale banning of anything and prefer to use our commonsense and judgement when considering such matters. The policy behind this is that if you allow these people to openly canvass their political views - vile as they are - then the general public can see them for what they are and judge them accordingly. Far better than banning them, thus giving them martyr status and with it the oxygen of publicity. It's why the Communist Party wasn't banned in England but never had a snowflake in hell's chance of ever getting any representation through electoral means in the British parliament. Americans adopt a difference attitude and look where the McCarthy witch hunt got you. But to claim, as is being suggested by this guy on Fox, that Wallace was a racist and John McCain isn't because he was a Vietnamese POW is just plain dumb. When did segregation in the US armed forces end? There are members of the BNP who've never seen the inside of a British jail, and those who, conversely, are doing long stretches of time in prison as I write. So where's the rationale?

Professor Dr. Stanley Collymore
London, England.