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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McCain should denounce these people. I hope the Secret Service investigates the man who made a pistol motion.
That is NOT free speech. You're right. That is yelling "fire" in a crowded theatre.
Far worse than that! This is just the worst of the "ugly" American. We better get beyond this soon or this country is doomed.
This message has been brought to you by John McCain who approves this message. Whenever he says he doesn't, and that there are loons on both sides, that's just another Republican lie aimed at dismissing what these traitors are saying on the tape. If they keep this talk up after Barack is elected, will they be arrested? Please?
It tears at my heart to see the kid with the "Kid for Obama" sign looking like they're cowering from the McCain supporters. Where has the country's civility gone?
I don't want to live in, much less visit, their version of real america.
This is Pa's version of Appalachia
I don't know why John Murtha apologized, he had it right at first.
Yes...it looks like Murtha was right. Has McCain seen this behavior? I have to believe he would not approve of this. If he is anything like the man of 2000, he would not approve. He has a dark-skinned daughter for crying out loud! What if she wanted to run for POTUS someday? Would he want people calling her names and threatening her life?
This is just another reason that an Obama victory means so much to me...it will mean that the ugly didn't win this time.
Why would anyone WANT the vote of someone who votes for them just because he won't vote for a black man?
I'd say, thanks, but no thanks.
"Why would anyone WANT the vote of someone who votes for them just because he won't vote for a black man?"
Interesting point -- how many african americans are voting for obama because he is black.
Africa-Americans have voted, overwhelmingly for Democratic candidates since 1932. At the top of every one of those tickets was a whie male. A.A. look to the viabily of the candidate, not the race.
How many white people are voting for McCain because he's white? Please find a new talking point. I'm sick and tired of hearing this argument. African Americans have been voting white men into POTUS since they could vote and now a Black guy runs and, every Black person is racist because they want to vote for someone Black? As Chris Rock said "...it's not like we're voting for Flavor Flav...". Personally, I'll be happy when we can vote for a man or woman regardless of religious affiliation, color, etc. and no longer have to deal with the BS racial innuendo.
90% OF A.A voted for Gore
How many African Americans are calling for the demise of John McCain? Saying that if McCain wins, he's going to meet his maker. Saying that they'd never vote for a white person?
And which Presidents of what race have African Americans been voting for previous to this election do you suppose?
Your argument lacks logic.
The people who are shouting the epthets in this clip are bottom feeders. It was good to see the Obama supporters behave. It shows the class act that is the Obama campaign.
So will the secret service be interviewing the man who was shouting "bomb Obama"? How about the guy making the pistol motion with his hand when he was asked what would be done if Senator Obama is elected? McSame and Palin are NOT doing anything about this hatred, in fact they are encouraging it, seemingly without a care as to the logical conclusion such hate speech will come to if allowed to go unchecked. THESE PEOPLE NEED TO BE ARRESTED AND PROSECUTED FOR THEIR CRIMES. IF NOT, THINGS WILL ONLY ESCALATE INTO VIOLENCE.
The republican party campaigning tactics architected by Karl Rove, follow a clear pattern for promoting hatred and fear by shifting attention away from the real issues to less consequential but highly combustible ones (e.g. abortion, gay marriage, God and guns) and painting democrats as unpatriotic, evil and elitist.
McCain has followed this template to the letter (his campaign is being managed by lobbyists and advised by Bush previous campaign advisors, including Karl Rove) so he should be held responsible for bringing out the crazies in drove. He has stoked the fires of hatred and division and endangered the lives of our democratic leaders, if not the lives of Obama's supporters.
That's just scary. Luckily good will always triumph over evil. Their little lie and hate filled rants are over in a week.
This is so despicable and now with all the security (extra) hes tapping out more on our resources and tax payers local police, secret servcie agents and FBI. You should be ashamed McCain and taking more away from law abiding good people to incite this agenda at your rallys.
You should be made accountable for this ugly display of racist envoking mob mentality.
I will never forget this McCain & Palin and I hope you both are out of any respectable public positions and all your ugly cronies including Bush and the rest.
They are laying off policeman right and left in my area and my son is fightning in iraq and im worried for my safety here. My son would be appalled if he only knew. I would never tell him he is fighting a war right now for Bush & McCain. Only to justify what they did to our economy and american soldiers and familys suffering. They are living it up on the buses, hotels, clothing stores on my taxes you sob.
McCain should give a speech on race, hate and being an American. Drop all of the tactics and speak to the American people, tell us how you really feel...not what your hysterical base wants to hear. I bet that would make this a close race. Lose with integrity rather than hate.
The thing is.. this is how he feels. All his pals in the media and friends say we know John he doesn't have a racist bone in his body.. Sure he has never had to come up against a black man till now. His true feelings are front and center. He is a biggot of the worst degree. He is willing to incite riots to get what he wants even though he knows he isn't going to win. This is his true character coming out. This is the true McCain.
OBAMA/BIDEN '08
McSame has had ample opportunity and he has chickened out every time. He sees a benefit in turning a blind eye to these racist mobs.
He doesn't have the character or the will.
Pennsylvania is "close"? Since when?
I am startled by the hatred and ignorance of these people.
A child is not born with hatred in it's heart, it is taught to hate by example and by spoken word.
Or, by deeds. I saw racism. My real father's side was/is racist. He himself was a horrible drunk and terrorized my mother, sister and I, in my early childhood. Still, I cannot comprehend feeling that way about another human being. I have opinions. I disagree passionately with some people. But, I do not think I have ever wished real harm on anyone. Not even Bush. I wish justice on people. But, this hate....wh
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