Olbermann "Special Comment" On Violent Rhetoric At McCain-Palin Rallies (VIDEO)

Tonight Keith Olbermann, on his show Countdown, offered a "Special Comment" on the violent rhetoric being heard at some McCain-Palin rallies.

[WATCH]

1:25 PM Eastern Time, today, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. During the warm-up act by a Red Meat Congressional Candidate aptly named Chris Hackett, Hackett mentions Obama and a Palin audience member shouts "Kill Him."

And Gov. Palin, as usual, does nothing about it says nothing to these thugs and psychos. She may not have heard this one. It is impossible to believe that by now she has not heard about the other ones. Her silence is deafening. Just as, Sen. McCain, you have done nothing when violence has been asserted. Correction. You have done one thing.

Asked why in real time you do not repudiate this hatefulness you act as if you are the victim. Speaking today to our NBC Station in Washington.

McCain: "Sure and I repudiated it as I have on several occasions. Unfortunately, Congressman John Lewis is an American hero who I admire who made the worst, most unacceptable statement a couple days ago that I have ever heard. He accused me and Sarah Palin of being involved in segregation, George Wallace and even made reference to a church bombing where children were killed. Senator Obama has not repudiated that statement. Senator Obama should do so immediately. Its the most outrageous thing that I have heard since in politics...it is disgraceful."

Disgraceful?

Obviously, Senator, you haven't heard your own speeches, and Gov. Palin's, and what people shout during them. And you haven't heard your state GOP Chair in Virginia, Jeffrey Frederick, giving talking points to 30 of your field-operatives heading out to canvass voters in Gainesville, Virginia. With a reporter present, telling them to try to forge a connection between Barack Obama and Osama bin Laden to emphasize bombings and terrorism. And you haven't heard those volunteers, your volunteers Sen. McCain, shout back "and he won't salute the flag" and "we don't even know where Sen. Obama was really born."

Sen. McCain, these people are speaking for you! And how dare you try to claim Congressman Lewis was linking you to Gov. George Wallace's segregation. He was linking you, aptly, to Gov. George Wallace's lynch-mob mentality.

"As public figures with the power to influence and persuade," said Congressman Lewis, "Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are playing with fire, and if they are not careful, that fire will consume us all."

Sen. McCain, your supporters, at your events, are calling Obama a terrorist and traitor and are calling for him to be killed. And yet you keep bringing back these same rabid Right Wing nuts to deliberately stir these crowds into frenzies. And then you take offense when somebody who remembers the violence in our political past, calls you on it. You, sir, are responsible for a phalanx of individuals who are shouting fire in a crowded theatre. There are some things to respect and honor about you, Sen. McCain.

But on this, you're not only a fraud, Senator but you are tacitly inciting lunatics to violence. If you want to again grand-stand and suspend your campaign here's your big chance. Suspend your campaign now, until you, or somebody else, gets some control over it and it ceases to be a clear and present danger to the peace of this nation.

Comments

[Fawnjcol]

Keith I enjoy Countdown, you always hit the high points and commend you for making your analysis clear and concise. Your views aren"t dictated by the media or special interest groups. I agree McCain/Palin built their campaign on lies and misleading statements to divide Americans; as result supporters attending their rallies angrily shouted words of hatred and threats toward Senator Obama"s life. As I watched the rally I heard people shouting "He"s a terrorist, Kill him!!!" I"ve never been ashamed of some Americans as I was that night while watching ignorance displayed on National television. The nerve of them to say Obama"s a Socialist, because he wants to give tax cuts to the middle class. These uninformed people forget former President Reagan a Republican started Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) not Democrats. It was Republicans who gave oil industries and big corporations huge tax breaks. It was Clinton"s administration that finally helped get our economy back on track. After eight years under Republicans our deficit is so large our great grandchildren will still be paying it off. If everyone looks back at the debates they"ll see whatever Senator Obama suggested, McCain tried to mimic. McCain has yet to come up with a clear agenda on how to get our economy back on track. He couldn"t come up with a good idea if it bit him in the rear end. McCain and Palin have yet to address what matters to Americans. Mr. Olberman continue the great job as MSNBC"s anchor.

[drvck70]

Message to Keith, why don't you grow a pair and have someone on your show with a differing opinion, for crissakes I'm getting tired of 20something bloggers on your show night after night "Uh your exactly right Keith" "Uh you really nailed it Keith" its nothing more than 30 minutes of hero worship coupled with 30 more minutes of self worship. Probably too concerned with being exposed for the fraud you really are. Inasmuch as I detest McCain I'd like to see him elected IF ONLY in hopes of seeing "you sir" pull an on air Budd Dwyer impersonation.

[BOin08]

Campaign timelines confirm that Palin couldn't have heard the alleged "kill him" comments because she wasn't in the room yet...however, the Secret Servie officers were. They confrim that they heard no such thing. Who do you believe? I think the Secret Servie is in the tank for Palin.

[clarinetmama]

Keith Olbermann,
Will you marry me?

[BOin08]

are you fourteen? If not, you have no chance with KO

[foxfan]

If Obama wins the election, will Keith still have anything to say or will he be out of a job?

[Catfish1968]

Fixed News had plenty to say the past 8 years, I'm sure Keith can come up with something.

[buzzard975]

"Fixed News". You're kidding right. You've actually watched it? And you've watched MSNBC. And which one is fixed? Unbelievable.

[TimmySlagle]

Interesting.

Turns out, there was no "violent rhetoric."

Just a dirty campaign trick.

And KO fell for it

[ohiomark]

Keith is in his own little world, a world where HIS "truth" is the only one that matters.

I don't think he fell for the "trick", he's going along with it to get Obama elected.

Journalism died and Keith is the funeral director.

[LaMees]

Actually, the reporter who heard it is standing by his story, the secret service have not been able to confirm it.

[TimmySlagle]

The Secret Service has released a phone number, and is encouraging anyone else who heard it, to call.

Nothing.

Just one reporter (who is obviously in the tank for 0) and should know you need two reputable sources to verify a story

[Geranium]

This poor arrogant jerk falls for ANYTHING. He just takes ANY report and runs with it, no matter what the real facts are. He is INSANE. He just loves to hear himself rant, about NOTHING, and will go on and on and on .......and does not ever have the sense when to shut his yap. His overbearing and imperious demeanor is beyond belief. I love the way his big head takes up the whole screen, so when he purses his lips real tight during one of his ranting conniptions, he looks like he is going to combust at any moment, but unfortunately, he never does. His righteous, moralistic disdain of anyone he deems the least little bit conservative borders on the pathological. Keitho, you need professional help.

[sammy50]

Keith, when nearly every comment is "Special", then none are special.

[zordnum]

Most psychologists would agree that many politicians are high-functioning narcissists. Some of the fundamental characteristics of people with NPD are a profound lack of compassion, outrageous arrogance and hubris. Even more salient, the pathology of their thought process will not allow them to admit to hypocrisy, or to being wrong. Narcissists evolve to the point where they will say and do anything, regardless of how crazy, inappropriate, or dangerous, and not only feel justified, but believe it, as they say it.
Unfortunately, History is replete with dictators of like ilk.
Continued...

[zordnum]

Continued...
That's why I find McCain and Palin's candidacy very troubling. I see this thought process in nearly every dangerous word they speak. They divide people, creating FEAR, anger and hatred. And, they believe this is justified. Yes, people on both sides give in to this temptation. But, the GOP is alone in its excessive use of these fanatical, Rovian tactics by those in control of the party.
One tenet of morality, deontology, has long held that the end NEVER justifies the means.
That's why Obama's image of integrity and message of bringing people together and healing the nation, is so welcome to many, regardless of some differences in policy and issues.
Of course, I pray that this impression is in line with the reality, because the alternative offered by the Republicans is unacceptable this election.
As individuals, we must not be led by image or fear, but work through the mental process of reaching a decision based on principles that really matter. I challenge each of us to rethink the meaning of this choice in November, and afterwards, to remember that those voting differently are still our neighbors, our friends, and family. They are exactly like us in our hearts. We need to choose, and we need to heal. I hope that Obama will lead us in that direction.

[Classof89]

Keith, you are the man! Keep it up!

[pcplz]

I was watching with my best friend and we were both out of our seats and cheering!!

KO be the MAN!!!!!!!!!!

[UnderdogSRD]

YES!!!! Only Keith has the balls to say this. Shame on the rest of MSM who are accomplices every time they 'report' on McCain/Palin lies. Look at the market, look at what has happened to the country in the last 8 years, it's your ass too!

McCain has NO HONOR!!!

[LynnInCA]

At one time, people like Sarah Palin were identified as "agitators" and run out of town as it was well known what the consequences could be. Palin and McCain are arousing hatred at a time when the whole country is shaking from fear of the economy and are looking for someone to attack, and the crazy people who we see at these rallies, there certainly is an abundance of them, could do just that. Sarah Palin should be demonstrating Christian-like behavior if she truly is one. From the view I have, this woman is displaying behavior of a terrorist, terrifying the masses, inciting riot-like mentality.

Thank you, Keith, for stating this loud and clear. Let's run both Sarah and John out of town.

[Whycee54]

No matter what you think of Keith Olberman,,,,, in your heart.. you know he was right.

[FloridaDem318]

God Bless You Keith Olbermann, it is about time someone speak out against such hatred that is spawning from the Mccain-Palin campaign and not dismiss it as just rowdy supporters.

Thank you,
Obama-Biden 08