The Legacy of McCain-Palin: Hate

The postmortem has begun as the GOP regroups and the new President-Elect gets to work. As we move forward, I can't help but remain upset at what the 'honorable' POW and his mavericky running mate wrought upon this country.

Hate.

And not the kind of hate we bloggers spew from time to time when venting, and not the kind of hate you may feel for higher taxes or broccoli.

No, these two 'honorable' mavericks ended their campaign by rallying the fringe portion of their party that lives on death, destruction, and imposing their way on the world at all cost.

Force.

War.

We learn today that the US Secret Service, the agency in charge of protecting our President-elect and his family, dealt with an increase in death threats against Barack Obama coinciding with Sarah Palin's 'attacks' on his patriotism.

"The Secret Service warned the Obama family in mid October that they had seen a dramatic increase in the number of threats against the Democratic candidate, coinciding with Mrs Palin's attacks."

According to the article, Michelle Obama (my fellow BlogHer) was so upset that she turned to her friend and campaign adviser Valerie Jarrett and said: "Why would they try to make people hate us?"

Now I will be the first to admit that we've all seen campaigns attempting to scare the American public for or against one candidate. However, those scares were always against the candidate's tax plan. Or maybe his foreign policy, or perhaps his stance on abortion.

Those usual and predictable scare tactics weren't good enough for honorable maverick #1 and #2. They had to go that extra mile and question the very core of exactly what their base was afraid of: who is this black man, with an arab middle name, and could he be the enemy?

Kudos to McCain-Palin because it worked. The fine Americans protecting our President-elect had to deal with an influx of death threats and step up their job.

The fringe whackos who should never end up front and center ended up on every front page, all over YouTube and infecting other Americans with their ignorant and embarrassing rhetoric.

Yes, the legacy of McCain-Palin is now an empowered contingent of this country arming themselves, spreading their lies, and genuinely afraid of the black man in office- because their hero Sarah told them it was OK.

Congrats Mavericks, your plan worked. Now your legacy will forever be tangled in hate, stupidity, and America at her absolute worst.

Erin Kotecki Vest writes at her personal site, Queen of Spain Blog, and serves as producer of special projects for BlogHer

Comments

[trisha08]

Now Palin is acting like she is a victim saying the the comments about her are mean spirited and cruel. Are you kidding me? I can't believe she has the nerve to say these things. Why doesn't anyone in the media call her on it. My fear is that she is gaining sympathy in this post-election game.

She needs to own up to what she did.

[arabella57]

You are absolutely right. Palin has the nerve to dismiss her hatred and violence-promoting speeches as regular campaigning. How would she feel if one of Senator Obama's family members were killed or attacked because of her horrid depiction of our President-elect in the name of regular campaigning?

There is no excuse for small minds or ignorance and certainly we expect and deserve more from anyone who is running for public office. She and McCain need to come forward and speak to those who they engulfed in hatred and fear and try to undo the upheaval they created.

It isn't good for our country, it isn't safe for anyone.

[leeoakfire]

So far, since the election, I have read two news reports of crosses being burned on the lawns of Obama supporters.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/07/cross-burned-on-obama-sup_n_142229.html
A family who had supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign emerged from their home in the northwestern New Jersey town of Hardwick Thursday morning to find the charred remnants of a 6-foot wooden cross on their front lawn.

and

http://www.wbng.com/news/local/34114559.html?video=YHI&t=a
Susquehanna County Pennsylvania Cross Burning After Obama Presidential Victory. Compelling Action News TV12 interview with interracial couple Ruth Cohen and Archie Johnson who found a burned cross in their yard Wednesday


How many more are coming? This is the result of Palin and McCain faliing to lead their constituents into _lawful_ behavior and protest.

[onenvrnos]

jrocklog:

That's why black churches are now being burned (Mass.)...a return to the dark ages. That is what Palin and McCain represent. There is no excuse for either of them. Their whole campaign was steeped in negativity, hatred, ignorance, racism, and fear. We expect better of the leaders of the "free world."

[jrockbg]

You sound very partisan. I doubt I or any other conservative could do any right. The truth is that Bush ran two campaigns that were more harsh than anything in 2008. But he wasn't running against a black candidate. If Colin Powell were running against Hillary I'm sure you would not be so outraged by racist attacks. This election was good on many level. We had a black candidate, and the ignorance and racism you speak of was never a prevalent part of this campaign season. It shows this country has made great strides in race relations.

But the most important part is that the political opponent of a black candidate, can go after-even attack that candidate on character and political issues. That there is no PC shield for a black candidate. This is important because it means the black candidate is now in the same boat as any other when it comes to being judged by the electorate.

take the Ohio governor's race in 2006. Strickland, white guy, Democrat vs Blackwell, black guy, Republican. Those two went at each other hard. I never heard Blackwell use the race card when he lost. I haven't heard any outraged liberals for Strickland going after Blackwell politically.

So I caution you from overusing the race card. The truth is the race card has done more to hurt race relations in recent history than it has helped.

FYI-I am black. Take from that what you will.

[jrockbg]

You are taking this way too far.

First off, it is a fact that Obama at one time or another surrounded himself with people who simply do not like the US very much. To delve into that is a legitimate campaign issue. And certainly, Palin or McCain are not responsible for the crazy people. There was no intent to cause harm or pain to anyone by McCain/Palin. The legacy of hate is the remnants of a United States that has worked to make itself better in every way and be a beacon of democratic values to the rest of the world. There will always be crazy people out there.

[Gary50]

"Obama surrounded himself with people who simply do not like the US very much." You want to name one. Bill Ayres, a casual acquaintance? Reverand Wright was his spiritual mentor and he did say some off the wall stuff and is a bit of a loose cannon but I'm sure he loves America as much as you do. Who are these other imaginary people you speak of? "McCain and Palin are not responsible for crazy people?" Yes they are when they are inciting that hatred and when they hear people in the crowd saying kill him and they pretend they don't hear it or that it is a legitimate thing to say. The ones taking this way too far are the apologists for McCain/ Palin's despicable behavior. Palin pretends to be a devout Christian but spewed nothing but mean spirited contempt and hatred towards Obama and Biden.

[jrockbg]

Oh Gary 50,

Surely we can come to some amicable agreement here. You go get all the people who have said hateful things about Bush and Cheney and I'll go get all the people who've said nasty things about Obama. We'll just round em all up. Whaddaya say?

Look conservatives have heard the most vile things said about the leaders of the Republican party and conservatives for years now. Obama and almost all of the Democratic primary candidates attended the dailykos convention. You want a reminder of the crap that gets traffic on that website? Even Biden wouldn't attend that convention. As deplorable of behavior that is, it still doesnt make them responsible for the rhetoric. It certainly wouldn't make the candidates responsible if some misguided fool tried to do something stupid because of the hate spewed on Dailykos.

Get off your high horse Gary. Extreme liberals have been saying as bad if not worse for the last 8 years. I'd suggest you follow Obama's advice and try to MoveOn, lol.

[Cactusflower]

I agree with everything that is being said here. Unfortunately legally they cannot be arrested or tried. They will never retract nor take responsibility for their vile words that endangered the life of our president elect.

[Maisey]

I was quite sad to hear Palin spewing such caustic and absurd lies. It was obvious by her reaction that she could hear the crowd at her rallies. It was as though she transported the nation back to the 60's, a time that I thought we grew and learned from. I am thankful that the election is over with and the hate messages have ceased. I am also relieved that she was not allowed any more power than she already has. It would be a mistake.

[CarrieMN]

I wish there was a way to get this article to Gov. Palin, but would she read it? I have a feeling she will never accept any responsibility for the hatred and mistrust she encouraged at her rallies.

[Beamreach]

You can send her the article at

http://gov.state.ak.us/govmail.php

I just emailed her - we all should to make sure it comes to her attention

[pteetptoot]

Just sent it to her... she should know that the hate she spewed has consequences!

[bwilder]

Thanks for the email address- I sent her a copy too.

[wandering girl]

TELL HER

send that information to Sarah "Extend the Hate" Palin. tell her that WE hold her personally responsible should anything - god forbid - happen to this man or his family. tell her she will answer for it.

[joethebaker]

reconciliation cannot start before contrition. Sen. McCain, gov. Palin, and all republican dirty tricksters must be held accountable for their action. The same thing should be done with this administration, holding people responsible for their actions. Only then we can talk about real reconciliation.

[MAragon]

If Palin (especially her - she was so gleeful whenever she was stoking up the fires of hate) and McCain had any decency, they would publicly apologize for their vile words. I hear that Oprah is trying to get her on her show. If that happens, wouldn't it be lovely if Oprah held Sarah's feet to the fire?

[moosha]

Why the shock? McCain has been a public r a c i s t for years now. If he wasn't, there wouldn't be a book about it.

[Jaxxon]

This is far more disturbing than any clothing expenses she's racked up, which the MSM is obsessed with at the moment. I am certainly a proponent of our First Amendment (and the rest of the constitution), but there has to be a line drawn. I'm not sure how these speech writers work, so I don't think the blame should be put entirely on Sarah Palin. John McCain chose her as his running and he should be help equally responsible.

It still amazes me that people don't understand how powerful their words are. 2012 will not be a pleasant time for Sarah Palin because millions of Americans will remember those dark days of October 2008.
.

[WomanAK]

Yes Jaxxon, there is a First Amendment, and under it we have certain protections, but the First Amendment also has limitations.
One cannot yell "FIRE" in a crowded place.
What Palin said and did (or did not do in failing to admonish the hate mongers) at her rallies is immoral, unethical, and not in the least bit Christian.
As an Alaskan, I am throughly ashamed of her.
Some of us up here have opposed her since she ran against Tony Knowles and Andrew Halcro for governor.
However, not even we imagined she was capable of such evil.
Thank god the voters in 'real' America had the sense to shut her down.

[arabella57]

Not only should there be charges brought against McCain and Palin for fanning the flames of hatred and racism in our country but they should have to stand before this nation and retract all of their statements that brought danger to a US Senator, his wife, two daughters and those employed to protect them.

This is the absolute worst example of "playing dirty" to win votes and I don't believe that either McCain or Palin thought enough about their words to believe that they could put the President-elect in danger.

I believe that even McCain was shocked at the questions asked of him at some of his rallies where these supporters were truly afraid of Senator Obama. McCain and Palin did this, they promoted this hatred and fear.....they need to address it.

[obamadeus]

I agree. They need to publicly apologize and explicitly admit that they were telling lies that they thought would make people afraid and angry.

[jlarue]

I agree and I dont think this is an example of forgive and forget rhetoric. McCain and Palin stirred up all that is ugly in America. The good thing is that a majority of Americans did not buy it but that does not quell the queasiness and fear that just thinking of those raged filled crowds calls to mind. It was despicable, detestable, dishonorable. I hope this finishes both of them.

[sandpiper1]

John McCain has to accept blame for the hatred and vitrol than he and his running mate spewed.
I don't think it's fair for the secret service to blame the boetch from Wasilla alone, McCain was as much involved as she was. I hope this will discussed in more detail, though I have yet to see the MSM report or opine of it. That they would endanger a family's life and other African Americans' in their desperation to win the top job that neither one has the intellect, intelligence, nor the vision to do is beyond comprehension.