McCain Volunteers Taught to Accuse Obama of Terrorism

According to Time, McCain campaign staffers in Virginia are teaching volunteers to see Barack Obama as having terrorist 'friends,' and then providing these volunteers with arguments for persuading voters that Sen. Obama, like Osama Bin Laden, shares responsibility for bombings of the Pentagon.

The report from inside the McCain campaign brings to light an alarming fact: while McCain tells his supporters publicly to refrain from violent rhetoric,  he continues to teach his volunteers rhetoric designed to elicit violent responses.

In the article, Time's Karen Tumulty recounts her visit to a campaign training session in Gainesville, VA, a strategic center for the McCain ground game in Prince William County.   What Tumulty describes is a training session hosted by Virginia's state GOP Chairman Jeffrey M. Frederick in which volunteers were being trained to see Barack Obama as a terrorist.  Tumulty writes:

The McCain campaign invited me to visit Frederick and the Gainesville operation on Saturday morning, to get a first-hand glimpse of its ground game in Prince William County, Virginia, a fast-growing area about 30 miles from Washington, D.C.

With so much at stake, and time running short, Frederick did not feel he had the luxury of subtlety. He climbed atop a folding chair to give 30 campaign volunteers who were about to go canvassing door to door their talking points -- for instance, the connection between Barack Obama and Osama bin Laden: "Both have friends that bombed the Pentagon," he said. "That is scary." It is also not exactly true -- though that distorted reference to Obama's controversial association with William Ayers, a former 60s radical, was enough to get the volunteers stoked. "And he won't salute the flag," one woman added, repeating another myth about Obama. She was quickly topped by a man who called out, "We don't even know where Senator Obama was really born." Actually, we do; it's Hawaii. (link)

The report from inside the McCain campaign is disturbing on several levels.   While McCain has begun chiding his supporters at public rallies for using violent rhetoric, his campaign has taken the opposite tack behind closed doors.   Despite the public image of a campaign not responsible for the violent outbursts of a few followers, the Time report reveals a ground operation actually training its volunteers to elicit violent responses in voters--specifically by making false claims about Barack Obama's connection to terrorist attacks on U.S. military buildings.

The report confirms that the McCain campaign has staked its chances of winning the Presidency on convincing the public that Barack Obama is on the wrong side of the 'War on Terror' and, therefore, his victory in the Presidential election would put the power of the White House in the hands of terrorists.

Tumulty's report raises serious questions about whether or not John McCain is using campaign rhetoric that not only depart from recognized moral boundaries, but risk igniting actual violence.

In particular, by teaching his volunteers to see Barack Obama as similar to Osama Bin Laden--and by training his volunteers to convince voters of the same--McCain is using his presidential campaign to tie Sen. Obama to the mass murders of September 11, 2001.  In this way, McCain is effectively teaching his supporters to believe that Sen. Obama is not only connected to terrorists, but that Sen. Obama deserves the same punishment as terrorists.  

In other words, by bringing to light the rhetoric being taught to his campaign volunteers, Time Magazine has provided the explanation for why attendees at McCain and Palin rallies have called for the death of Sen. Obama rather than just his defeat, which would be the norm in such events.  When supporters of a Presidential candidate view the opposing candidate as merely an election threat, they call for his defeat. But when they view the opposing candidate as a national security threat--as they are being taught by the McCain campaign--they call for that threat to be eradicated. 

(cross posted from Frameshop)

Follow Jeffrey Feldman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JeffreyFeldman

Comments

[Truthortradition]

Ob(s)ama Bi(nla)den equals Osama-Biden, just like two plus two equals one. Right?
That's what the Republicans are claiming and the sad thing is-------a lot of voters will believe them.
And the world continues as is---------heading towards disaster.
Just like they convinced voters for 40 years that all Democrats were communist or socialists, they are now claiming we are terrorists. .
Just like they convinced voters that there is NO need a federal government or taxes.
Just like they convinced voters that Bush was a good guy.
Just like they convinced voters that somehow, the wealthy folks would trickle down their pennines to the masses.
How do they do it? They are destroying this nation and they will win again. Makes no sense---except now we know how dictators and Taliban states are created. If the Republicans win again, we will never get alternative energy and the oil barons will continue to rape our nation.

[CITIZEN8]

No good has ever been achieved from a blood thirsty mob!!!!!!!!!!!! Are we really willing to lose one of the most powerful and inspiring voices of the century because of lies? .......AGA­IN?

[CITIZEN8]

I'm sorry, but did she just report that the McCain campaign has trained its supporters to "call for the death of Obama"? ok now we are in deeper waters than i thought possibe! In the debate, if the topic of Ayers comes up, Obama should walk right up to McCain and demand that McCain call him a "terrorist" to his face! Obama is an exceptional lawyer, he knows McCain could never walk that line. Obama knows McCain could never produce the necessary evidence to prove that argument. The "facts" that McCain would present would never stand up in the court of public opinion, nor would they create even reasonable doubt. If McCain can not win the Ayers argument, or even create enough doubt, his supporters will revolt. And that is what needs to be feared - someone will take matters into their own hands. I suspect that McCain might privately be quite okay with that kind of response.

SECURITY!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!

[lolabull]

Well, it's absurd first of all, to think that McCain and Palin are not only inciting but are actually responsible for any violence that might befall Barack Obama. If there is a fire out in America, then you can rest assured that main-stream media is fanning the flames. If the liberal media, which is all news organizations it seems, had done their jobs from the beginning and allowed non-biased information to flow concerning Obama's history, then we wouldn't be in as great a mess at this point in time as we are. The reason is because Americans have thus had to go out on their own and have learned either alot, or just enough to be concerned about some of Obama's associations with some questionable people. And at a time when Americans are very angry with the government concerning Wall street and gas prices, now they also have to worry that there is a possiblity that Obama may very well have close relationships with anti-Americans, domestic terrorists, and socialist liberators. These are real concerns because people tend to surround themselves with others of the same ideals, morals, values, beliefs, etc. and generally, people can see thru this malarky. So why then would anyone think that there wouldn't be a problem given the circumstances? Blame the game, not the players, as someone so eloquintly once put it.

[Calinative]

He served on a board with Ayers, along with many Republicans, of a foundation started by a Reagan appointee.
Maybe you should do a little homework before you start parroting the same gibberish.

"If the liberal media, which is all news organizations it seems"

Ahh yes, Fox News, which is all you watch it seems. They are sooo liberal.

[RuffNReddy]

But, you have to admit, lolabull, that this kind of rhetoric is like fanning a fire with gasoline.
It's not helping. And with the McCain camp actively pushing these catch phrases and delusions on
people who aren't truly informed..­. what do you think is going to happen?
It's called: lynch mob metality

There are some freaky folks coming out of the woodwork and by making these assumptions that Obama is somehow associated with terrorists (read: he's not like us, "he's arab", he's unamerican)
it leaves an open book for people who 'look' not like 'us'.
When the fire is fanned the blinders go on.

It's scary and Palin is scarier.
Let's get out of this 1961 Mason-Dixon mentality already...­. and put away the verbal firehoses.

[j-racqoon70]

Read more than Repub literature. Watch more than Repub controlled news. Read some back issues of newspapers for crying out loud.

Or how about this. Try reading!

[longcrl]

Face it. The REpublicans have NOT provided responsible or excellent leadership in decades now--the last really good president we had that was Republican was Eisenhower. They have NO one, they never do.

Blaming the game without blaming the players? Well there's the kind of logic that's gotten the GOP into such a downward, dismal and disreputable spiral. We knew W. was not fit to serve--but we had no idea it would be THIS distructive. Now McCain has had to lie his way out of all that--it's not worked--so yeah, he and Palin are inciting riotous behavior from their mobs.

[FR]

The MSM, liberal or not, DID its job. The New York Times reported Obama's ties to Ayers, and concluded that they knew each other but were not close, and other news sources concur. That's apparently not good enough for you. Obama was called on the Rezko issue, and repeatedly said that he was sorry and that his involvement with Rezko was wrong. And how come you've conveniently forgotten the two-three weeks of media frenzy over Wright?

Bottom line, on Obama, the MSM has given us loads of facts. They can't help it if you're looking for sinister mysteries where there are none, but then again, that was exactly the point of those irresponsibly ominous-sounding questions like, "WHooooo is Barack Obama?"

If you want really fair and balanced, try asking for info on Palin's ties to the AIP and McCain's ties to Liddy.

[weg203]

let's make this outrageous tactic well know so mccain can bury himself

[pilgrim7]

The only clearcut strategy they have left is to hold onto their bases with lies in order to make sure they vote. They cannot win on the issues. There's a certain element in society who would never vote for Obama regardless of the issues, but they need a reason to justify their coming out to the polls. The thugs are banking on winning this election by hook AND crook. We're in for the fight of our lives to get this country back on track. It's now or never.

[BarackMarley]

Here's a detailed analysis on why John Lewis was right in comparing McCain's campaign to George Wallace's

http://newsone.blackplanet.com/elections/john-lewis-vs-john-mccain/

[SMAGGIE]

Jeffrey Feldman:

I feel certain that you have proof of this statement? OR are you just like all the other people who are trying to bury John McCain? I am so sick of the lies that are being told in this campaign. IF you don't have REAL truth, why are you saying this? Everything good that is being said about OBAMA, has to be true because HE says so? I don't think so. You never doubt A WORD that comes from his lieing lips, but if something against him is said you are sure it is a lie and will not send it out on the airwaves. ALL politicians lie and everyone knows it. The Obama people say that what Obama says is gospel, WELL it is no so! He has told so many lies, that, he himself, has contradicted, he doesn't know the truth from a lie! This election is such a farce, I really wonder if it is worth the trip to the polls to vote. The votes of the citizens in the primaries, didn't seem to mean anything, so I just wonder?. .

[Mickey777]

I read the TIME article, in full. It is worth noting that Mr. Feldman did not make this "stuff" up, nor would he be the one with the proof. The TIME journalist, Karen Tumulty was invited to "tag along" and she is reporting what she observed at the two very different campaign offices.

First, I would recommend you read the entire article to get a full first-hand report on what she observed. Second, before passing judgment against Mr. Feldman for reporting on this issue, it is very disturbing to me to think that the "volunteers", who should KNOW what their candidate's stance on the issues consists of - and make the ISSUES the talking points, as opposed to the negative rhetoric, which is comprised of misleading information - which is borderline antagonistic and intentionally inciteful "talking points."

[JoDeeVa]

Thanks, Mickey777.­..
I was about to post the same sentiments, when your comment showed up.

The only things I would add is the irony of SMAGGY and other McCain supporters who are quick to pen and shout "about lies that are being told in this campaign" amid the hypocrisy of lies and innuendo (such as those being reported in Karen Tumulty's Time article) coming out of the McCain camp. Their intent IS to distract from the issues that should be the most important consideration, with character assassination.

SMAGGY, it is easy enough to fact-check and verify ANY information coming out of any politician's mouth (or, in your words, "those lieing lips") and those who campaign for them. I suggest you do some serious fact-checking yourself, BEFORE going off the deep-end with accusations.

Oh, and BTW?..Not sure what to make of your off-handed comment about the primaries. Are you a PUMA in McCain clothes? And, if so?..Stop wondering about whether it is "worth the trip to the polls to vote" and just stay home with your sour grapes! And, if not?..Stay home anyway, one less vote for McCain!

[greenmonk]

Uh the proof is a first hand account of Karen Tumulty's experience at a McCain volunteer training camp. Are you that blind? Or is it that ANY reporter who reports something that shows your candidate in a negative light simply must be lying?

McCain and Palin both have multiple examples of downright lies. "Obama would raise your taxes", Obama is palling around with terrorists", " I said thanks but no thanks" (Palin on the bridge to nowhere funding) etc...
Please name ONE of the lies Obama has pushed in this election.

It's all black and white to you guys (no pun intended). Either someone "never doubt(s) A WORD that comes from his (...) lips" or believe he has told so many lies, that "he doesn't know the truth from a lie". Obama is politician just like McCain. Of course they both are not perfect. But please look at who is pushing ugly distortions and who is trying to stay decent.

You wingnuts are just seething inside aren't you, that Obama dares to run a respectful campaign and is NOT returning your ugly rumor mongering, and distortions, and turning it into a shouting match. Because shouting matches are the only way you ever "win" an argument.

[FR]

Ask Jeffrey Frederick of the Virginia GOP. He'll tell you himself that's exactly what he is doing. That's what he answered people who e-mailed him to protest his tactics.

[jeff.mowatt]

Very good idea. It happened already in Ukraine where the obscenely weathy collaborate to maximise the extraction of weath, and some starve as a consequence of corruption and neglect.

http://www.mw.ua/1000/1550/62947/

http://www.deti.zp.ua/eng/show_article.php?a_id=5219

[hnealehcn]

Do you mean Obama has to be arrested by George Bush and shipped to Gitmo? Obama is the cleanest politician and had an excellent home education.

[redsongia]

McCain's campaign staffers can't be fired enough in my opinion.

They should all be fired twice.

[claudiam]

There is only one word for this DISGUSTING! This is America for Christ's sake. We have lost our souls - claudiatucsonaz

[jeff.mowatt]

Links with Terrorism?

On this subject there's plenty to be said about the relationship between McCain and Davis-Manafort and the interests they promote which conflict with US foreign policy.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/13/02155/519

[Calinative]

McCain/Palin are playing to Klan rallies now. It's not so much to try to get new votes, but to "fire up the base". "Firing up the base" is very important is GOP world.

[CavalryHeavyWeapons]

It can be that John McCain is more like Paul von Hindenburg in these dark times. This in turn would make Palin be like Hindenburg's running mate. Scary idea? Just what has the Republican Party sunk to in these last 8 years? We saw it developing over 30 years ago into this form of governance. Can they operate any other way? Fear is a great weapon as is hate.