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

[AlaskasRevenge]

If Michelle Obama was part of an organization that wants to "Become a separate and Independent Nation." America would be outraged. If Michelle Obama even gave a speech to such a group Obama would be about 10% in the polls. America wold not tolerate it.

What about Todd Palin? He has really "palled" around with the Alaska Independent Party? Where is the outcry from this? I never see him where a flag lapel? But we demand Barack Obama wear one to show his patriotism. Are we so hard hardened that we will accept anybody with lipstick and any secessionist? Just as long as the person is not of color.

America, your heart will be tested on Nov. 4th. The world's eyes are on you. Be very careful because it could be Todd Palin answering the White House phone at 3am.

[ebanks84]

http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/2008/09/27/alaskans-for-truth-rally-report/

THIS IS HOW MUCH ALASKA IS NOT WANTING PALIN TO COME BACK. SHE MIGHT NEED TO TAKE THAT "BRIDGE TO NOWHERE" SOMEWHERE.

Alaska is too through with her and her lies. I pity the kids and she could care less!

[FlamingLibrul]

As we are having this discussion, Brian Williams is talking about Sarah Palin as a candidate who appeals to parents of "Special Needs" children. Thanks yet again Media, for not doing your job. They spend less time talking about the hateful, violence-inciting tone of the McCain/Palin mean team, because there's that next ACORN or Ayers clip to show and discuss. The media, in their obsessive need to be "Balanced" continue to validate the McCain campaign, while avoiding spending too much time bringing attention to its very disturbing tactics.

The next time Sarah Palin says something incredibly bone-headed, I don't want to be reminded of something Joe Biden said three weeks ago, in the same coverage. Media Do Your Job!! Obama has faced incredibly tough questioning, and has had his background investigated for 18 months. It's time we demand the same accountability for McCain/Palin.

[cynhome]

Keep writing to the media everyone -- phone calls are good also. We have to say just what we are saying here to them. And say it often. And threaten to boycott their station and sponsors. Otherwise they will get away with this lousy campaign coverage.

[Bluestarglow]

Although I greatly admire Mr. "GQ" Brian Williams and"Just The Facts Maam", Katie Courick neither carried the very important news of Todd and Sarah Palin's ties to the very radical AIG party.
Given her enthusiastic support in that 2008 video, without any sense of it being in jest, it seems to fair to assume she shares those views.
Now she’s campaigning with a slogan of “Country First,” yet has a background with a political party that want to leave the Union? What am I missing here? Why is this not breaking news on all networks?

Along with questions/comments about why the "maverick" John McCain would allow his campaign message to be the catalyst for hate should be asked by the Real Maverick "Davidddd Lettermannnnn."

Please join me in sending David the questions we would like to get answered. This my be our last and best chance to get an unscripted conversation from McCain by someone who is not afraid to tell it like it tis...
Take him to the hoop David...

[munki]

Hope McCain end this saga... be who Americans voted for in Primary

[redsongia]

The one consolation is that if you look at the clip around :40 mark, that venue looks pretty empty.

[angiemomma]

I hope you're right that not many people are listening. This video chills me to the bone. McCain and Palin are truly the faces of evil, and I don't use those words lightly.

[PamperedHousecat]

On the contrary. People need to see this video. There are so many who would just LOVE to believe that racism is history; that color no longer matters; that these people crying "Kill Him, Terrorist, Off with His Head, and equating toy monkey dolls with Obama
banners" are just a handful.
Obviously, McCain's VP nominee Sarah Palin has had no problem finding them, and when it is announced that she'll be in town, they make a beeline to show just how they feel.
Just like she said "I love seeing their banners and signs."
Did we hear her condemn any of the racist attitudes? Why not? Could there be agreement? Think about it.

[Stonecipher]

Disgusting.

[Iadoretheshihtzu]

This is frightening.

[rich misty]

http://election.princeton.edu/2008/10/14/get-on-the-bus/#more-1831

Urgent Request from the Princeton Election Consortium: Get on the Bus

[BadChristian]

Is this what people should think of when they hear the chant: "Small Town Values?"

Because, thanks to the Palin/McCain ticket, this is what it is coming to mean.

[redsongia]

It shouldn't be what people think. Small towns have really been used enough by the GOP. This is the last straw.

[BadChristian]

Small town mayors should start speaking up...

Small towns are McCains base. If this isn't what they want, they should say so.

[matteroftruth]

Why is it so still shocking to americans that the republican party is resorting to cultural division and hate mongering to survive? The core republican base, which is still made up of white, christian males is very much on the extreme right. Their mantra has always been about excluding anyone that doesn't look or think like them. Just look at the GOP convention and even at all the GOP rallies, it's awashed with a sea of white faces. Their primary platform is to deny equal rights to minorities so that they can "conserve" their way of thinking and rights to discriminate.

[demofem]

The more Palin talks, the farther behind they fall. And these fine folks in the video will be immortalized forever, for their children and grandchildren to see. I don't know if they feel any shame, but they certainly should.

[ajax88]

Hello to all commentators,

All the commercials, pundits, gaffes, personal attacks, and the MSM will not dictate the outcome of this election. THE GROUND GAME IS WHERE ELECTIONS ARE WON, AND LOST!

Before you go to the next left leaning article to comment on, or right leaning article to start an argument with a republican (which will no doubt end with them calling you an unpatriotic socialist wimp) May I suggest that you get in the game.

Please visit my personal fundraising page below:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/craigcubberly

If you cannot afford to donate money there are many other ways to help below :

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/statepages

Take a look. It is a lot of fun, and very satisfying to get involved. You will really feel as though you are making a difference.

Thanks Craig

[twiggy2]

mccain wants war. political war, racial war, culture war etc.. it does not matter, palin is fuel to the fire, what a team. he has nothing to lose either - this is his last chance to fulfill his ambition to become President. and he will do whatever it takes.

[JFB]

Why is this happening? It is not just that rightwing whack-jobs are responding to inflammatory rhetoric from Palin and, yes, John McCain. It is also that the rightwing extremist elements in our society recognize a kindred spirit in Sarah Palin and are voicing their enthusiastic hateful support.

McCain and Palin’s enraged supporters see themselves as victims of liberals and the main stream media. They are mad as hell and are just not going to take it. Never mind the fact that until two years ago their Republican darlings had controlled congress since 1994, and have had their own ultra right wing president for the last eight years. Never mind the fact that the judiciary is now more to the right than at any time in our history. Having all three branches of government just is not enough. Other than blood letting, there is no satisfying such people.

McCain does not have to believe in the same racist ideology as George Wallace to share with Palin the guilt of inciting a similar response within extremists on the right. The threat of violence by these people is certainly real. If McCain does not shut this down fast he will have to live with the dishonor and shame that may result.

[timberdoodle]

The fact is if anything happens for maybe even if the Republicans manage to cheat and elect McCain there will likely be a civil uprising with hundreds of casualties. This is disgraceful in the 21st Century and Palin and McCain should be in jail.