A New Low: McCain Camp Condones Violent Threats Against Obama

In a new low, not just for this campaign, but for the history of American politics, Senator John McCain's campaign today defended threats against Senator Barack Obama.

Says campaign spokesman Brian Rogers:

Barack Obama's attacks on Americans who support John McCain reveal far more about him than they do about John McCain. It is clear that Barack Obama just doesn't understand regular people and the issues they care about.

What they are referring to, is Barack Obama rightfully slamming McCain for encouraging the vitriol, racism, and hatred that has permeated his campaign rallies.

Things like crowds shouting:

Off with his head!

Kill him!

Terrorist!

Traitor!

Sit down, boy! (to an African American)

And John McCain's campaign is defending these kinds of outbursts, saying those like Barack Obama who are bothered "just doesn't understand regular people."

No, what those of us with a soul don't understand is how someone running to be the President of the United States continues to back a strategy that encourages these kinds of outrageous outbursts, and does nothing to tamp down these kinds of racist, violent screams as they become a fixture at campaign events.

And it's not just Democrats who think John McCain is playing with fire.

Republican Representative Ray LaHood says the campaign should make sure this kind of stuff is stopped. Now.

Former McCain staffer John Weaver says this needs to stop for "protection of our civil society."

Former Governor William Milliken, a Republican who endorsed McCain even says, "I'm disappointed in the tenor and the personal attacks on the part of the McCain campaign."

This tactic isn't even working, either. FOX NEWS of all places, today found that all the innuendo makes no difference in the way people are planning to vote.

Sadly, there is one thing this riling of crowds, using fear and smear tactics can do. It can accomplish that which none of us wants to even consider.

But it has happened before, in almost this way, exactly. Remembered Leah Rabin, the widow of slain Prime Minister Rabin of Israel:

''They were too silent when the writing was on the wall,'' she said, addressing her slain husband. ''Now the whole country knows that it is no longer possible to stay silent.''

Mrs. Rabin was harshly critical of Benjamin Netanyahu, who was leader of the opposition Likud Party when her husband was killed.

Mr. Netanyahu took part in demonstrations in which Mr. Rabin was denounced as a traitor and portrayed in a poster in an SS uniform. Although Mr. Netanyahu urged protesters to avoid the ''traitor'' label and later said he had not been aware of the poster, Mrs. Rabin insisted that he had helped create the atmosphere that led to the assassination.

''He has incited against my husband,'' she said. ''I will never ever forgive him.'' When Mr. Netanyahu was elected prime minister, defeating Mr. Peres months after the assassination, Mrs. Rabin said she felt like leaving Israel.

So, no Brian Rogers, we do understand. We understand all too well. The question now is, "Does Senator McCain understand? And if he does, why does he continue to sign off on this strategy?"

Comments

[lostonbridgetofuture]

McCain can back-track and "tamp down" the rhetoric all he wants, the damage has done. How disgusting.

[Decipherer]

What I do not understand is where the so-called leaders of the Republican party are hiding in plain sight, silent about these outrages.

Where are the people GOP who know better than to allow these dangerous tactics of division and hate to continue? Are there any left in that party who are not already intimidated by McCain and Karl Rove to stand up and say something, other than the few mentioned in the article.

This is an incredibly sad note, and possibly the end of the party of Abraham Lincoln.

[eburg-d]

McCain has now very weakly dampened the fire he started. Big deal. Leadership would be not starting the fire in the first place, or, after having made the mistake, making sure to stamp it out. His meek and grudging response displays him for who he is right now. I bet when he was younger, he'd have hated to see himself behaving this way.

Obama was very gracious, though, in giving McCain more credit than he'd earned.

[Politicsource]

The McCain campaign is running one of the most irresponsible, despicable campaigns I have ever seen.

Sarah Palin's stump speech, delivered multiple times over the last week, combined with John McCain's suggestions about Barack Obama's character, have crossed the line. Presidential campaigns may be tough, but they shouldn't incite hatred and violence. What McCain and Palin are doing is unpatriotic and dangerous. They should be embarrassed and deeply ashamed.

Ask John McCain and Sarah Palin to stop inciting hatred and run a responsible campaign by emailing them here:

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/issues/alert/?alertid=11008926

www.politicsource.com

[neurologymatters]

McCain and Palin violent extremist acts are everything America is against. We need to unite as a country, not divide. We came together after 9/11. If the extremist is American, we need to do the same and not tolerate hate and lies. If McCain and Palin do not step down for running, they should be forced to. And they should be added to a no-fly list due to their damage.

[My 2 Cents]

Ironic, isn't it? The party that proclaims it has a monopoly on "Right to Life" issues is advocating "kill him" and "off with his head"...

[UCSD101]

You are so right.

And some of their "idiot" followers cannot not even see that.

Most pacifically the woman who spoke up yesterday at one of McCain's rallies and stated that she had read everything about Obama - did not trust him and did not like him because he is an "Abab".

She's read everything­.....DUH..­.. then she would know that he is not an Arab.

Who are these followers of McCain?

We must remain the “insurgents” for Obama-Biden against McCain and the “pain” Palin.

[Infokronea]

Yes, McCain does understand. We need to stop fooling ourselves. This is no accident. This is evil.

[grata2ude]

I agree with you. His comments were driven by poll numbers only not a sudden twinge of decency.

[peacegurl48]

Where are the Christian values and culture of life? What must the world think of this disgraceful outrage?

[huffandpuffagain]

STOP THE HATE TALK EXPRESS

[barackobama4prez]

disgusting!

[Tinkerbella35]

John McCain and Sarah Palin are inciting violence and hate! They both disgust me!

[USA1776]

Please join me in contacting John McCain's Senate and campaign offices to let them know that his Hate Talk Express has crossed a dangerous line and is speeding out of control. His defense of the mob-like crowds demonstrates both poor leadership and judgment and reflecting poorly on him, Sarah Palin and the Republican Party.