John McCain Plays the Race Card

"I have great admiration and respect for Senator Obama."

If so, McCain has a funny way of showing it. All we've seen and heard from him for the last month is a string of personal attacks, culminating in yesterday's ad smearing Obama as "the biggest celebrity in the world." He's just another famous, pretty face, in other words, and not ready for the presidency.

True? No. Childish? Yes. But that's not all. This ad is also deliberately and deceptively racist.

Of all the famous celebrities they could have compared Obama to, why not Tom Cruise? Or Arnold Schwarzenegger, or Donald Trump, or Oprah Winfrey? Why Britney Spears and Paris Hilton? Why two white blond bimbos?

Only one reason. It's a somewhat tamer version of the white bimbo ad used so successfully against Harold Ford in Tennessee. In juxtaposing Barack Obama with Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, the McCain campaign is simply trying to plant the old racist seed of black man hitting on young white woman. Not directly, but subliminally and disgracefully.

One thing for sure. This isn't the John McCain we first saw in 2000, running a campaign on the issues. And this isn't the positive McCain campaign he himself promised us for 2008. This is a campaign that, from the beginning, is nothing but negative, personal, dirty and, yes, racist.

Comments

[bmaggiemay]

I have friends in England and Japan and they both say the same things about Americans. They are afraid of change, afraid of improving themselves, always willing to go with the status quo, even when that status quo has harmed them. Republicans have given Americans TWO wars, a recession, foreign policy that is laughable, a country that is literally falling part (bridges, levies, roads), financial companies that have prey on everyday Americans and still many of them want a Republican in office. They lack courage.

[Darnamell]

We lack courage.

Well said, and very observant. We are in danger of becoming a Third World country divided into a variety of angry camps and very few can see that. Perhaps other world leaders would PLEASE do us a favor and mention that to us.

Sure, it is going to piss off the so-called "patriots" in their Klan robes who have never served a stint in defense of this country, but I believe many would be receptive, and possibly surprised, by some brutal honesty from our friends and allies.

A world intervention as it were.

[dcmeyer]

I totally know I do not want a Bush clone elected,but OBama is just a little too fresh,naive or something I just cannot figure out what his intentions are.It seems like he just ad libs and just by luck people like what he says or just dont care what he says as long as another Republican is not elected.

[Bobrobert]

Racism rears an ugly head, again.

Remember to vote all.

:-)

Pray for all the troops.

[Tulka2]

Please visit Obama's website. You will find lots of material and planning about what Obama will do.

If you visit McCain's website, and i urge everyone to do so, you will find it thin air indeed.

There are three kinds of voters in America today, those who want and need change, then there are those who look for any kind of a reason not to vote for the best candidate because his skin is a different color than their own, and, third, those who are arguing to keep things just as they are because things are very find for them, thank you very much. How's that for a run-on sentence? Sister Mary Petronella would have my head.

[amethystlady2]

AMEN, Tulka2. Say 3 Hail Mary's and go on your way. You are forgiven..­.and your run-on sentence hit the nail directly on the head. Bravo!

[Jessegirl]

Being "fresher" means there are less "special interests" tied to him....I know he has them too, but the longer you are in Washington, the longer list of FAVOURS you owe, get it?...and
They all ad lib and have speech writers BUT they do choose what they want and they do add their own stuff...Ob­ama has lesser ties to Washington so he can be more FREE with his words cause he has less people to OWE, he doesn't mind ticking "interests" off.
People can hear the FREE THINKING he has...ther­e are LESS CHAINS tied to him...lots of "special interests" hate it when he talks of CHANGE, they don't want to or only prefer to take teeny-tiny­-tiny-nobo­dy-gives-a­-crap steps.

[Njameh]

But you were able to judge the intentions of George Bush when you voted for him? Look who is being naive!

[amethystlady2]

Well, for heaven's sake, dcmeyer, go to Obama's website and READ what his "intentions" are...what he wants to do...

Maybe its the fact that Obama is just a little too smart for the likes of you? Good Grief, I cannot believe what some people have the nerve to write on this post.

I like what he says, yes, but I DO care and I have planned on voting for him ever since 2004, when he gave his speech at the Dem. convention. And I held that conviction all through the primary when Hilary was doing her best to discredit him...

I am a white, former middle class(Bush has killed the middle class) female, two years younger than McBush, and I think Barack Obama is an extremely shrewd, highly intelligent, affable, capable candidate who will be the next President of this forlorn and forsaken country.

If you don't know what he stands for...then do some research and find out.

And it is McCain who played the race card....he is so childish..­.pathetic!­!!!

[bruja]

Obama is too nice and classy to stoop to the lows of McCain and some of his supporters. I hope he continues to "play nice". I hate negative, mudslinging ads and hope that the majority of Americans will see that McCain is not the candidate for the common man or woman. We don't need another 4 years of Bush-style government.

[Jessegirl]

I hope I never see the day when Obama has to use those drunk 'girls gone wild'.
McCain can keep his new friends. They only appeal to young, white, girls under 10 anyway.

[booksnmore4you]

Or why not with Will Smith?

[w8aminute]

I've never been as disgusted with the senator from AZ as I have been for the past two days - and I lived in the state for 10 yrs. He never did anything for the residents and tax payers of the state except bring shame during the Keating 5 years and his fight against the King holiday. He truly has reached a new low.

[bxmask]

I think this is a stretch. I wouldn't call it racist though it is tasteless. McCain used to be somewhat honerable in his approach to the presidency but the Republican attack machine will not let up. Obama just needs to keep linking Obama to the racially insensitive Republican party and he wll contunue to do well.

[Sulaco]

A young, well-educated, eloquent, humorous, goodlooking candidate who clearly loves and admires his smart, independent wife.
A candidate who actually wants what's best for ALL Americans, not just the rich.
A candidate who allows the rest of the world to fall in love with America again.
And you still talk about his skincolor?? Or thinks that he's a Muslim??

[Huffingtonposter231]

"The rest of the world to fall in love with us again"?

That's pretty lame too. This isn't about making our economic enemies love the anti US socialist policies of our candidates. It should be about who will do what's right for Americans. Forget about making those who want to take our jobs happy.

[Sulaco]

I'm not talking about taking your jobs!

It's about loving the idea of America as a country where freedom really means freedom, where anyone can become whatever they want, no matter their background.
I hope you don't think that's lame.

And by the way - if I buy a shirt from the American design icon Ralph Lauren and it says "Made in China" on the label, did I take an American job or did Ralph Lauren decide to that he could make more money by letting Chinese make his clothes instead of Americans?

[w8aminute]

I'd rather be on friendly terms with our best allies. All those Europeans aren't 'trying to take our jobs' - that was pretty lame too.

[sooti]

Hi there. Just a note from an Australian. Like the German people, many of us have also missed the US , as we thought it was. Look forward to welcoming you back!

[Njameh]

Why not? Do you prefer somebody who would rather make the rest of the world hate America? That sounds more lame and unreasoned.
You probably voted for GWB twice and look at what he brought us? Over 4,000 American lives lost in Iraq based on lies, over $400 bn wasted and a sizable portion of it gone into a black hole, the national economy is now in the tiolet, gas prices are at record high, etc. Oh well, I suppose it still does not matter to people like you, as long as you can blame it all on illegal aliens for "putting GWB in office, making him waste all those American lives based on lies concocted solely to win votes and oil rights for corporate America, and made him bankrupt the country in the process." Now you think things are bad, with McCain, the worse is yet to come. At least GWB was an MBA, albeit a below-C- average one. McCain is not even close to being that.

[jackjava]

McCain is beginning to melt down. He doesn't even realize what ad he was talking about in a interview clip. He was so vague and looked so bewildered, "We stand by the ad."
He had no idea what ad was being discussed. This guy has no short term memeory and we know his long term memeory is shot by example ad=fter example of his ever changing rhetoric.

His ship is sinking and the Rove clones around him know no other way to camp[aign that fear and scare tactics. Most of teh country is tuning this race out and ratings are slipping at all News Orgs even, noit withs atnding historically low ratings in teh summer. the MSM is TRYINg to make this race sensational and it's not working.

Now when i see MCain's face on TV I cringe, just like when The Decider face appears. The Decider Juinor is as awful off the cuff as Bushie and even worse about what his campaign is doing.

I feel sorry for him, but he will get what he deserves.. He will be a victim of a landslide just like Bobby Dole was in 96.

[Opinionater]

Again McCain proves no road is too low. If we ignore him he will go away.

[cmhinsley]

It's amazing that you cannot see what Obama's real agenda.. He is the one that plays the race card, what is he ashamed off Why does he use his race to make most of you white people feel guilty. OB will say and do anything to win. He even rolls his wife under the bus, I guess she embarreses him I hope she stands up for her rights. Michelle is herself and does not care what other's think of her. That ad is correct, BO, does not have real substance, and does not live in reality. Abortion Rights tromp all other ideals.I dont believe he is a Christian.­....

[AtticusinPa]

You are so racist you would not recognize it if it spit in your face. The ad that dissed Harold Ford in Tennessee (sexy white girl giggling "Call me, Harold") is racist. It preys on long held (but ridiculous) fears of white men that they will not be able to protect their white women if black men get any form of power whatsoever. Yes, it is subtle (another reason you would not recognize it.) But it is real. It is wrong. Its days are numbered.

I am white, 56, a professional, and I will vote, gladly and willingly, for Mr. Obama. Race or guilt has absolutely nothing to do with it. In order, it is: 1. the economy; 2. the wrong war; 3. unconstitutional government born of fear and loathing. and 4. backbreaking tax breaks for the rich and corporations at the expense of working class Americans. Enough.

[Pishirya]

Well, funny, but I think we should talk about this after the elections. No need to keep our fingers crossed. The choice will be made and preferrences will be known. Pity if it reflects these negative sentiments.

[Mando78]

I'm sick and tired of Obama being referred to as arrogant. If he were another old, white, rich man they would say confident. It seems to me what they really want to say is "uppity" and that is certainly the connotation they are hoping average Americans like my self will infer. If McCain is going to accuse Obama of playing the race card, it seems like he should shine up the windows of his glass house before he gets out the stones. With his pathetic, negative ads that completely lack substance I feel like he is insulting my intelligence by expecting anything other than disgust as my reaction.
Also -- I'd like my kids to aspire to greatness and to have a shining example of how hard work, study, and attainment of superior grades in school can lead someone with such enthusiasm as Obama to the most powerful position in our government. I've had 8 years to try to explain how Bush got the job and frankly, I'd prefer not to explain corruption, elbow rubbing, and dismal school performance as reasons for another election winner.

[MissKaren]

Read the post about David Gergen. It's all code for "uppity n***r."

[Einstein44]

People of America,

The subliminal message is:fear, fear and FEAR from McCain's ad...Don't look too long or else they will get you believing that Obama is the BOOGIE MAN...

[bongogirl]

You are so right. McCain wants to inject FEAR in the minds of those who think Obama is a muslim as well as Fear in the mindsof those who are apprehensive about having a man of color for PRESIDENT. IT IS SOOO VERY TRUE. AND IT IS A SAD DESPARATE VENTURE AS WELL.

[iblis]

Paris Hilton is famous for just being famous. Britney Spears is famous for a whole of stuff that really has no conseuqneces for the rest of the world. The ad was trying to make that connection with Obama-that he is really a celebrity without any achievement that may have a bearing on the job for President. There was nothing racist about the ad. Its just the left taking a lesson from the good old days of the Tass agency of the erstwhile USSR.

[munikun]

nothing racist? you must be too young to remember how successfully this fear was instilled in the American psyche since the first slaves landed...t­he menacing archetypal image of a black man having sex with a white woman was promoted as the most horrific of all possible events...a transgression unimaginab­le...its no stretch...­there is no projection­...the McCain campaign used two of the whitest, most ostensibly attractive FEMALES for a reason...t­o play on that fear...cer­tainly this will not be apparent to those too young to have any notion, thankfully, of this stereotype­....but, its gonna work (resonate) with a certain segment of older voters...a­nswer the question: why didn't the McCain ad use another more prominent celebrity (as both Hilton and Spears are virtually irrelevant to pop culture anymore, another mistake the ad makes) to make the comparison? sexually attractive, young white women HAD to be used in order to produce the desired effect...y­ou are just too young or not-well-r­ead-enough to know it

[JerryinATL]

It is the Democrats that use Racism in the primary, and again it is the Democrats who accuse McCain of it (where there is no overt incident to point to). Now McCain is accused of covertly inferring Racism. The Democratic Party sees Racism everywhere, and they perpetuate it at every turn. America is tired of listening to these accusations. You have lost America’s ear. In my view, America knows that the Democratic Party is the homes of Racists.

I am 50 years old, and I still am uncomfortable with blacks and whites dating. I see it all the time, but I am still uncomfortable. The reason is not racism, but that marriage is too hard already and is tested is so many ways. Hardships of marriage are inevitable. I think that adding a mixed marriage and all the 'cultural' baggage into the mix does not help the marriage in the long run. I have experience with this because I dated a person from the opposite race to mine. I loved that person, but the ‘Baggage’ that came with it was too much and it overcame us.

I did not see one Racist overt or covert incident in McCain’s ad.

This article and the people who are quick to point to Racism, are themselves Racist.

It is sad indeed.

[OswegoDemocrat]

I think that's a big stretch. Paris Hilton and Britney Spears are the poster children for celebrity for sake of celebrity. That's all.

[nk007]

OswegoDemocrat

The question is how do you compare these two celebrity women with a presumptive Democratic nominee, who is also a sitting United States Senator, elected by the majority of the people of Illinois; a state whose population is almost three times that of John McCain's state of Arizona? Moreover, how dare McCain compare a man, who graduated almost at the top of his class, and was president of Harvard Law Review, and a professor at a prestigious institution -the University of Chicago- with these clueless, self indulgent celebrities? No, the only way you can do that and get away with it is because Obama is a black man. People attacked Bill Clinton for his womanizing, but no one dared attack his intellect. Why? Because they would have looked foolish given his academic accomplishments. So why try to trash Obama? So is the Democratic Party's nominee a post child "for celebrity for sake of celebrity?" Why the different rules for evaluating a Democratic nominee, who happens to be Black? Was Ronald Reagan more qualified than Obama? Was he less of celebrity given his career in Hollywood? How come he was anointed the "Great Communicator?" Was his speech "Morning in America" all about what he had done. Please give a break!

[JerryinATL]

The comparison is valid. Republicans and Americans alike, universally see Paris and Spears, as clueless, and vapid. Republicans have examined BHO and his positions and conclude he is clueless and vapid. Now McCain is trying to get BHO supporters and undecided’s to make that connection.

You say: “Why the different rules for evaluating a Democratic nominee, who happens to be Black?”, so who is the racist here? McCain who does not speak of it, or Democrats who ‘see’ it everywhere?

For an ad to hit home (and hurt) like this there is often truth. BHO is unqualified according to Republican views, but BHO would certainly be a great Presidential Press Secretary!

[LowRiderCT]

"Was Ronald Reagan more qualified than Obama? Was he less of celebrity given his career in Hollywood? How come he was anointed the "Great Communicator?""

You're kidding right? You are comparing the man who served as Governor of the most populous State in the Country, a man who had run for President four years earlier, to a man who had an ineffective tenure in the Illinois State legislature then served one unremarkable year in the US Senate before running for President ...... and then you ask who was more qualified? Now that is FUNNY!

[whatsthatsound]

"Hey! I just realized that the poster children for celebrity for sake of celebrity are both hot young white women! What a coincidence! It's too bad one of the poster children isn't a guy, for variety's sake, but what the heck? You make an ad with the poster children you have, not the ones you wish you had...."

[MissKaren]

They are white Aryans being juxtaposed with a person of color.

There are two texts here (fame vs substance, white and black) and you have to read both.