McCain-Palin Rallies: The Worst Hits (VIDEO)

With three weeks to go in the election, the current, most influential narrative is that the crowds at John McCain events have become so vitriolic as to represent an electoral liability.

In response, the McCain camp has spent several days defending itself from what the Senator deemed the "fringe" elements of his rallies. On CNN this Monday, McCain claimed that Obama crowds had called him a terrorist as well.

The frame, however, seems difficult for McCain to move, in part because it is backed by documentary evidence. On Tuesday, Brave New Films and Color of Change (one of the nation's most influential Black American political organizations) put out a veritable greatest (really, worst) hits of the past week in McCain-Palin rallies.

The video leaves out the Senator's town hall last Friday, where he corrected two audience members who expressed concerns about Obama. But the spot is effective in reinforcing the notion that McCain-Palin is the ticket of at best, fear and at worse, xenophobia and bigotry.

Color for Change accompanied the release by sending members an open letter to McCain; part of which reads:

"In the last few weeks, Senator McCain and Governor Palin, rhetoric at your campaign events has taken an increasingly dangerous tone that seems to ignore the precarious state of our progress when it comes to race and ethnicity...

... For the most part, you have stood by in silence. In addition, you have also repeatedly made statements that somehow connect Senator Obama with terrorism; surrogates of yours have emphasized his middle name. This is problematic and dangerous, and I believe helps create the conditions that have given rise to these incidents of violent rhetoric from some of your supporters."

Comments

[ileana422]

I cannot believe Americans are behaving like this. How can they be so ignorant? I am scared for my 10 year old son to growing up in a world like this. It is okay to have a difference in opinion and choices, but it is wrong to teach hatred like this. I have always told my son that nobody is better than anyone else. Not because you have money and I don't. I have always told him that everyone is the same no matter what color or ethnic group you are. I happen to be Cuban American, I have lived in Miami Fl since I was 5 years old, that has been for the past 36 years. My son was born here and he is friends with everyone. I think parents need to teach their kids to be respectful to everyone. Don't teach hatred.

[rich misty]

.edu

http://election.princeton.edu/2008/10/14/get-on-the-bus/

Princeton Election Consortium

Lab Director Sam Wang asks that we please "Get on the Bus"

[MamaLeone]

you all should go to the youTube page and check out those comments... that's where all the racists and white supremacists seem to post... simply pathetic and ugly!! I'm ashamed for all the ignorance and the ugly display of humanity.

[BarackMarley]

How will the McCain/Palin mob feel about Sarah Palin now that they know she's an America-Hater

CNN just did a story on Palin's association with the radical Alaskan secessionist group, AKIP

Watch it Here
http://newsone.blackplanet.com/elections/cnn-covers-palins-akip-connection/

[totalliberal]

Palin rallies are groups of bigots celebrating ignorance and stupidity. I want an "elite' President. We've seen what the stupid ones can do. (Bush/Reagan)

[stateMachine]

There were numerous acts of terrorism committed in this country in the 60s... by the United Klans of America.

[Formeralaskangal]

Wow the guy with the Curious George monkey and the evil laugh must have forgot that he wasn't wearing his white sheet, or perhaps he let his hair down because he was among friends? So disgusting and hateful, but not surprising. America thinks there isn't a race problem, but ever present and smoldering under the surface here it is ready for the McCain Palin campaign to fan the flames. I shutter to think what this guy has taught his children and grandchildren.

[Softnsweet]

America does not think that it does not have a racist problem. White think that America does not have a racist problem. Let's keep it real.

[haveitoldyoulately]

It's amazing McCain doesn't feel his dear friends G Gordon Liddy & Oliver North aren't torrorists

[wdw101]

they were not!

[chitown8]

Really they risked Americans lives to play politics.

Ayers is rehabilitated now teach to help children learn. Isn't that the Christan way?

[LockeandLoad]

How about if we just call G Gordon Liddy a 'criminal', which is what he is... Mastermind of the Watergate break-in, who spent 5 years in prison for it... How about this from his radio show in the mid 1990's: "Well, if the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms comes to disarm you and they are bearing arms, resist them with arms. Go for a head shot; they're going to be wearing bulletproof vests."
Nice guy.

Not my version of a patriot.

[Bitsko]

I take my previous remark back. After listening to the video more, the guy definitely sounds like he's shouting "a terrorist." I still think it's Todd.

[Bitsko]

I still think that guy who supposedly shouted "A terrorist" was saying "Tell it." Either way, I'll betcha it was Todd Palin.

[amiblueyoubet]

It must be a Republican thing. Nothing even close to this was ever said when Clinton was campaigning against him. Which also lends to the idea that PUMA is a repug thing.

McCain/Palin of course are taking the Ayers/Obama situation much further than Clinton would have imagined.

I'm so tired of Republicans.

[wdw101]

"I'm so tired of Republicans." good glad to hear that

[XME]

I feel like I've stepped back into the 1960s...very disturbing.

[jja]

Me too. I never thought my children would have to bear witness to such hateful things in our great country. I am so saddened by the direction that McCain and Palin have decided to take their campaign. I absolutely do not support them, but I could be open to a difference of opinion. I cannot tolerate the inciting of hate that their rallies are churning out.

[kewps]

Speaking of children, what about the parents bringing their kids along to listen to this hateful banter? I feel they ought to be busted for child abuse!

[haveitoldyoulately]

Heartbreaking, isn't it?

[mathme]

I wouldn't mind if I could step back into the 1960s-- but only if I could take my computer with me and sell it to TI or some other tech company to reverse engineer, the deposit the money in a savings account... then hibernate for 40 years. Oh! You mean about civil rights and all of that stuff... no, I wouldn't like that at all.

[mooses4obama]

Here is a camcorder video from a recent McCain / Palin Rally, it really gives a ground level feel for the event, and gives good insight into the minds of his supporters:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cyH65_USo4

[ilouie]

Thank you so much for this poignant video. It stands as evidence that America is always as dangerous as it is potentially a gift to this world, and its responsibility is forever a two edged sword. The ignorance and undisguised hate proves once again, that history really does repeat itself, and the price of freedom is perpetual vigilance.

[ranchosx]

The two parties the Democrats and the Klan