McCain's Panic in PA, More Than Just Ugly
The panic whipped up by the McCain campaign in PA sounds horrific because of the ugliness and hate that it pours into the election, but the real threat it poses is to our ability to get things done. If John McCain were to win the election by kicking up enough anti-Muslim, anti-African-American, anti-Liberal, conspiracy theory rage--he would have transformed the country into utter chaos in the process. Such a campaign--if victorious--would push our civic culture beyond the point where it was able to recover and function. And under such conditions, McCain would ultimately preside over a nation capable of little more than pitchforks and torches.
More and more it seems that John McCain has bet the farm on winning Pennsylvania by turning the race as ugly as possible, which means abandoning all pretense of healthy civic exchange. The results are disquieting. In recent days, a Republican group circulated an email claiming that a vote for Obama was tantamount to enabling the rise of Hitler and would lead to a 'second Holocaust.' Can it get worse than that? Apparently, it can. At a rally in Pottsville, McCain supporters gather in a threatening mob shouting 'Terrorist!' 'Communist!' 'Child Killer!' and openly call for the death of Sen. McCain's opponent. As high profile Republicans endorse Obama and reject the politics of bigotry and violence, McCain continues to stoke the rage in Pennsylvania in some vain hope that the destruction of democratic culture in one state will win him the chance to lead the country.
(video credit: www.keystoneprogress.org)
Everybody should watch this video. As disturbing as it is to see McCain supporters in Pennsylvania shout horrific and violent epithets about Sen. Obama, the sad reality is that videos shot at McCain rallies have become the key political symbols of the 2008 political race.
Either one walks away from watching these videos disgusted, or one walks away believing the voices of those shouting. The middle ground has vanished.
As the 2008 race winds down, McCain's cynical campaign in Pennsylvania and other close states has succeeded in undermining any semblance of debate over real problems in America. In shouting violent epithets, the McCain supporters in Pottsville have abandoned any interest in real problems, choosing instead to tilt at windmills. Is America in real danger of a Manchurian candidate seizing hold of the White House by hiding his true identity from billions of people the world over for decades? Sadly, that is not even the real question that concerns the country. What we should all be asking is: Can we afford to waste even one more second on useless bigotry and fear that does nothing but prevent us from working together to solve real problems?
The answer is a resounding: No!
Imagine what it would mean for the United States and the world if the mob politics of McCain's campaign were to dominate the next 8 years. It would ruin this country--destroy it every level.
A victory for McCain delivered by an enraged campaign mob would shatter any and all possibility for deliberative democracy. Democratic government based on conversation would give way to rule by mobilizing panic. If victory comes at the hands of rage and panic, governing by the same is quick to follow.
What a world it would be. A world completely devoid of solutions to any of the problems we face. A world without healthcare. A world without retirement security. A world without effective education. A world without renewable energy. A world not fueled by optimism and American pragmatism, but by constant, never ending alarm.
The McCain campaign panic Americans see in Pennsylvania is more than just a window onto an ugly side of American life. It is a warning.
© 2008 Jeffrey Feldman, Frameshop
Follow Jeffrey Feldman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JeffreyFeldman
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Shouldn't the Secret Service ask that man (the one shouting "bomb Obama") which "strangers" have told him they would assassinate Obama?
This is sad and, unfortunately, it is my hometown. I left a long time ago but still have family there (all Obama supporters). The event certainly did not bring out the best and the brightest of the McCain supporters. There are wonderful, intelligent, hard working people in Pottsville - Democrats, Republicans and Independents - but I have to agree with Kothian1 that terrible pockets of racism exist all over PA. Hope the video demonstrates to everyone who is feeling comfortable with the lead in the polls that this race is not over. More hate to come from the Republican party. McCain and company are desperate. We have to get out the vote in all of the swing states.
Not far from me, but really far from me........
These people are misled cuz they choose to be misled! If they really wanted to educate themselves about Obama they could easily do the research on their own, instead of listening to the crap they are hearing from the Hannitys, O'reillys and Limbos of the world! McCain and his surrogates know exactly what they are doing and they will continue with their fear and hate speeches! They are going to make it as hard as possible for Obama to succeed as president, if he is elected!
this shameful excuse for a campaign that john mccain has run......f
Help get out the vote in Philadelphia and State College, and anywhere else there is Obama support. There are a lot of counties in this state where folks like these are the majority.
Jeffrey I think there is an equal danger to be faced if Sen Obama wins this election. The mob politics that is a characteristic of the McCain campaign is not tamely going to end. These people have now been given the imprimatur to voice their racist and murderous hatreds, and that genie is now well and truly out of the bottle. Their actions and opinions have been legitimised by the Republican Party and they will not hide what they truly feel any longer. I know exactly what this means because in Australia we had a racist crackpot who ascended to national prominence in the 1990's by promoting exactly the same ideology. She was given the same imprimatur by the ruling party of the day on the pretext that free speech was sacrosanct, and for a long time I was ashamed to be an Australian. The point is there has to be a line drawn between free speech and hate speech, and the speech in the video crosses that line. America, whether Sen Obama wins or not, is in for some very turbulent times.
It may be turbulent times, but so be it. Laws are laws and if these folks turn violence because they're not happy with the outcome of the election, then we need to round them up and lock them up just as was done with Ashley Todd.
Personally, I think that come Nov. 5th, the Republican is going to completely implode. I can't wait to see all the tell-all books that come out after this.
They're worse than a bunch of starving animals who've resorted to eating their young!
I just voted in Virginia! There was a 2-hour wait all day at the polling place for early "absentee in person" voting and I would estimate that 90 percent of the people there were Obama voters.
Obama-Biden '08
I stood in a 3-hour line yesterday in Georgia. I would say 90% Obama supporters as well. Why are Obama supporters voting early in seemingly disproportionate numbers? I'm happy to see it but I don't understand the phenomenon.
You would estimate that based on what?
Sarah Palin has unified the worst of our society and John McCain has let it happen. What person in their right mind would ever take their children or grandchildren to a McCain/Palin rally. This is not America. Vote early!!!!
When I get the mail that stirs up all of this mess from the McCain campaign, I return it refused, return to sender.
it will be a sad day in America if McCain becomes President from spreading lies and hatred! Just listening to there speeches and comments from there surrogates have had me ashamed. The opposite happens when I listen to Obama speak I feel proud! I prey Obama wins
McCain/ Palin have done more to divide America, aka the "UNITED States of America, USA? Who's anti-American?
Man our country is ugly. There is alot of beauty here but this is the ugliest I've ever seen it. This is what it must have been like during the civil rights movement. I hope Obama is greater than MLK.
This video was really made in South Africa 20 years ago...righ
Thank you for this video. It is most disturbing, but I have hope that we can overcome this hateful rhetoric and unite the United States with Obama's leadership.
Watching this video makes me embarrassed to admit that I'm from Pennsylvania. Those people need to check the facts and not believe what they hear. They need to take a look at who would be better for the country, not what color the candidate is.
You mean "Putting Country First"! Great concept. Misappropriated slogan.
What part of PA are these angry people from?
I went to school in Western PA. And I must say, I don't remember it like this.
If you aren't black, of course you wouldn't.
PA here, not one of these people (the wacky ones saying crazy things) I know who I believe in. Barack Obama
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