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

Comments

[honestpolitician]

"In one week, you can put an end to the politics that would divide a nation just to win an election; that tries to pit region against region, city against town, Republican against Democrat; that asks us to fear at a time when we need hope. In one week, at this defining moment in history, you can give this country the change we need.....In one week, we can choose hope over fear, unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo. In one week, we can come together as one nation, and one people, and once more choose our better history. That’s what’s at stake. That’s what we’re fighting for." Obama Closing argument Speech - Oct 27th 2008
Now GO VOTE!

http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[ranchosx]

it's gotten so ug;y i don't want anything to do with my neighbors. i assume they hate my half muslim butt and my biracial granddaughters

[Majus]

You should never make such an assumption; it may not be true and isn't fair to your neighbors for you to think that about them. It also isn't fair to you to think that about yourself.

There are some really emotionally ugly people on our little planet, and I'm glad I don't know any of them. None of my neighbors are like that either -- I hope.

[sfmama]

The good news it that your granddaughters and my biracial sons are truly the wave of the future. I think the racists see our children on the horizon, and feel their worldview slipping away. Your granddaughters and my sons will be proud of their heritage, from every side, and will be part of a generation that leaves this ugliness behind. It will happen. And hopefully it will begin with an Obama Presidency.

[blust8r]

They only hear what they want to hear, and will be happy to believe lies if it fits into their preconceived notions. Vegan cupcake is right... these people aren't FOR McCain... they are only AGAINST Obama.
I certainly hope the secret service is well-staffed, there seem to be a lot of racists running around loose.

[betabeta]

I'm disturbed by the comments... of course. But what bothers me the most about these videos is both sides have their children there. A person that had to walk the gaunlet several times in my life to integrate three schools I have to say this is not the place to have a child. My parents did what they had to do to ensure I and children behind me would have a right to attend the best schools available to them. And I appreciate them for doing it. However I will admit when I was a young adult I spent several years in counseling to work through all the feelings and issues those gauntlets left in my brain and my heart. If adults are going to act ugly, leave the kids at home.

[klo]

My 11 year cousin just reported that he was told by a classmate, "If I could vote I would never vote for Obama."

When asked why not, the 11 year old said "I would never vote for a black man because black people can not be allowed to believe that they can lead anything. Only white people can lead."

I've so said for our country, I can hardly contain myself.

[kothian1]

Sorry Novae, but you're just not getting around the state enough. Butler isn't far enough out of Pittsburgh, and it's in the wrong direction. These little pockets like Pottsville are all over the state, but primarily in the 'T'. No, everybody in PA isn't racist...it's much the same in Ohio, and West Virginia. I wish that I had either an excuse for it, or even an explanation. Maybe it's the terrain that allows such pockets of individuals to thrive, but don't tell me that they're not as bad as the media is making them out to be. I married into a family of them to the south of Pittsburgh, and that whole region is very much like that Pottsville video. Fortunately, my in-laws saw the light, but the town that they live in is very much the same. I do take some comfort in believing that if my in-laws could come around, the rest of them will. Eventually. I just hope that it doesn't take much longer.

[JamesInDenver]

McCain said every political rally has a few "nuts". Wow this must be the whole can.

His 93 year old mother must be proud.

[v6scotter]

This is what Congressman Lewis was talking about.

[SMP]

Has this been reported to Obamas secret service detail????

[ianrhett]

We can't afford to have this kind of division in our democracy. Our freedoms are derived from the compromise of divergent views. We have to get back to that place.

http://www.sharedvoice.org/unamerican/

[SMP]

I am from PA..life long resident of 51 yrs.. white female...............that video hurts my heart.

McCain created this. Yes, Sen Obama has brown skin, but what has been negelected here is he is also WHITE. Almost everything those McCain supporters said were McCain email talking points. I should know....I was a republican till March of this yr.....and live in the north central mountians of PA...the Alleghany Mountians.........I, up to a week ago, was recieveing emails from McCain and forwarding them to the Obama campaign. What you heard was the trash the McCain campaign has been sending their supporters and asking them to forward it on.

This is McCains doing and Frankly there is NO HONOR in this McCain............

Lets give McCain and Palin a Dishonorable Discharge on Nov 4th

[amluvinit2]

When I get the hate mail from the McCain campaign, I send it back refused, return to sender.

[leecathryn]

Good for you, it is people sticking together that can make the difference. PA resident here and love my State. I pray my 2 grandsons can grow up to never know that kind of hate. It can change, one person at a time. Glad I read your post.

[SmootyBooty]

1100 people turned up here on Saturday morning to hear M c C a i n speak. 50,000 came to hear O that night...

[amluvinit2]

Glad to hear it.

[yankee452]

It is clear to me now that EDUCATION is a matter of national security.

Oh my dear God !!

[Genisa]

My sentiments exactly.

[PT6]

Murtha, after seeing this we know that Civil Rights have not come to this part of Pennsylvania!

Maybe the schools need some upgrading to bring then into 2008 America!

[qtpi410]

I am a Pennsylvanian and I am voting fot Obama/Biden.
I have been a life long resident of Pa. and have also traveled the world. I have come to know many people of different ethnic backrounds.
I really can't understand in this day and age that so much hate exists.
Is it possible that these Christian people hate so much, why, that is not the Christian way.
Shame on those people that hate.

[amluvinit2]

I agree totally with you. I don't understand how people who call themselves Christians are not acting very Christ like. This gives true Christians a bad rap. Race should not be an issue, I think we should be past all of this, but the sad truth is, it does exist. And the saddest part of all of this is the innocent children who are taught this. It broke my heart to see all of the little children who will be taught the hatred, stemming from fear.

[VeganCupcake]

This clip shows exactly why McCain is losing--these ugly people aren't for McCain, they are against Obama. In contrast, Obama's supporters are happy to come out to show their enthusiasm and hope for their candidate.