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

[Ajita]

Isn't it a felony to threaten the life of a presidential candidate?

[robeeb]

Threatening the life of a Presidential candidate is indeed a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. The Secret service takes this sort of thing very seriously, and I would imagine they are already investigating this. These idiots in the newsclip make threats in front of a camera for the whole world to see. Not exactly the sharpest tools in the shed, are they. Authorities won't have to look far for evidence. It's all there on tape. Lock em' up, and throw away the key.

[MarryAnn]

These people are only demonstrating outwardly the anger, disdain, contempt, and superiority that McCain feels.

[Bluedog12]

The hate filled GOP. wow.

[kcmookie]

.....and BOOM goes the dynamite!

This type of radical response is EXACTLY why we are supposed to keep religion and politics seperate.

Our forfathers had the forsight, and the Republican Party slowly but surely went there anyhow. I wonder if our society as we know it will survive? Its only chance is if the remaining society rises up and rejects this bastardization of our Country.

Here is to hoping we can make the United States of America great again!

Obama 08!

[caterpol]

Man that's hard to watch.

I suggest that every honest, decent American question why this hateful mob is so rabidly GOP. And why these "real" Americans are the ones McCain/Palin defend, motivate, and so openly admire for their "patriotism".

And while this is difficult to admit, at least this blood-thirsty mob is being honest in their message. Unlike McCain/Palin, they're not running a covert operation couched in whatever PC language they think they can get away with.

[Jane43]

" You've got to be taught
To hate and fear,
You've got to be taught
From year to year,
It's got to be drummed
In your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught.

You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade,
You've got to be carefully taught.

You've got to be taught before it's too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You've got to be carefully taught!"

[tedmore123]

I don't know why the FCC isn't pulling the ads because they're inciting hate crimes in other areas where they're run (the dead bear cub with the Obama signs on it, etc) There must be something in the FCC regulations in Radio, TV that forbid this kind of crap. If Walmart decided to run an ad showing how their prices were better than Target's because Target was run by muslim extremists, I think there might be some backlash.

[freebeer]

the sad reality is that videos shot at McCain rallies have become the key political symbols of the 2008 political race. .....

Well I would hope that key political symbols are open to discussion. I reject the idea that the goons and thugs spewing venom at these rallies is of any importance.
The mass media can tell me what is important, doing their level best to get me to look at their bright shiny objects designed to distract one from the real issues. Be it Palins hair, these angry fools or what some Hollywood starlet thinks, it is all irrelevant.

The key political symbols are all invisible as no one talks about them in any substantive way.
Ending the Iraq war.
Ending torture on day 1 of the new administration as called for by the ACLU.
Getting out of Afghanistan.
Not starting any new crazy sh*t with Iran, Pakistan, or Syria......whoops, too late on Syria.

All Americans want us out of these wars for profit, but neither party is dealing with any of this.

[jobecky20]

These people are horrifying. This country is in a LOT of trouble.

[johnnygoodwud]

i am for once speechless. this is just sad. i give those obama supporters alot of credit. i just ordered a 2'x8' banner i'm hanging in front of my house on election day that simply says OBAMA. i live in the n.w. suburbs of chicago, pretty republician. better up my homeowners insurance.

[enlighteninglad]

Now THAT'S taking chance. Good luck. You're gonna need it.

[leecathryn]

WOW I live about 45 minutes from these people, and I have my Obama signs right in front of my home. It did cross my mind that it may be a questionable move. But it is THAT important to me. I feel very strongly about this election. It means so very much!

[sheisme]

Jeffrey, Please send this to the major cable news shows.

[lgervais]

Please someone with any email to the msm, please send this out immediately. this is beyond disturbing. If Senator McCain does not have th egood judgement to stop this, then he needs to be shamed into it.

This is serious.

thanks

[sheisme]

The DNC should just air this in a commercial titled "American's under John McCain's leadership"

[tqjones44]

I agree...that would definitely be the Oct. surprise!

[sevenkdr]

You can thank Fox News for this ignorance.

[Yermammy]

Fax Nuisance should be held accountable. ALL media should be legally banned from taking corporate money. Can't we see these white stock holders and board members for what they really are? There, I SAID IT.

[runutz]

Well... that wasn't very pleasant!

Maybe the campaign. should point out the corporatism/fascism that McCain/Palin represents?